The Vans UltraRange: A Legacy of Comfort

Editor's Note: The Vans UltraRange has been discontinued. However, Vans has continued its push into comfort-first, everyday silhouettes. Below, we've kept our original review of the UltraRange's game-changing tech, and updated the shopping grid with its spiritual successors — the outdoor-ready MTE, the Y2K-inspired Upland, and the chunky Hylane.

Is it an Old Skool? Is it Sk8-Hi? No, it was a whole new Vans silhouette — and it changed how the brand thought about footwear.

Design & Comfort

Billed as a sneaker "to get you there" — a shoe built for everyday wear — the Vans UltraRange was the brand's first collection designed with comfort at the forefront. The UltraRange isn't a skate shoe; it's made for walking. Traditional Vans silhouettes can sometimes feel a little heavy with a fairly flat sole — great for withstanding the rigours of skating, less ideal for long days on foot.

A little chunkier, with a more classically 'sneaker-like' silhouette and midsole, the UltraRange did look a little different to your archive styles. That may have taken some getting used to for die-hard Vans fans, but key details remained. Much like other styles, every pair featured the signature Vans branding on the back of the midsole, and many included the "Jazz Stripe" — a hallmark of the Sk8-Hi and Old Skool silhouettes.

The shoes were incredibly lightweight, thanks to newly developed technologies. UltraCush™ Lite foam cushioning ran from heel to toe, paired with a Luxliner™ fabric that included a seamless inner sock for added comfort. The result was a shoe that felt effortless underfoot — ideal for long commutes, travel days or simply exploring the city without compromise.

Details & Finish

Same but different: the classic Vans waffle outsole was reversed so the grid tread pattern protruded, offering improved grip. The inverted waffle also gave the UltraRange a contemporary twist, marrying performance with a modern, considered aesthetic.

Versatile by design, the UltraRange sat comfortably between casual and considered — pair them with tapered trousers for a minimal look or with relaxed denim for a more laid-back outfit.

Shots taken at Southbank Centre, SE1, by @muxphotos, with @manlikenaturalist & @gabrielagflorez

Shop the Vans Comfort Range

The UltraRange may be gone, but Vans' commitment to everyday comfort lives on. These are the silhouettes carrying that torch right now.

Shop the New Vans Comfort Range

Vans MTE Crosspath Men's Dark Brown Trainers View product

Vans Hylane Oversized Lace Women's Black Trainers View product

Vans Upland Y2K Women's Black/Pink Trainers View product

Shop all Vans