MAX SCHAAF

Vans Syndicate’s 10th Anniversary

For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake.The great affair is to move, to feel the needs and hitches of our life more nearly, to come down off this feather-bed of civilization, and find the globe granite underfoot and strewn with cutting flints. (Robert Louis Stevenson) 

Max Schaaf is a respected veteran pro skater from Oakland CA well known for his thrasher style and vert / street mix of skills. He started pouring his obsessive energy into building custom choppers (motorcycles) from the late 40's through the 60's - most Harley Davidson pan heads / knuckleheads / shovelheads etc. He has earned a sterling global reputation in this custom motorcycle game - being hero worshipped in Japan for his skill.

Max about the Vans Syndicate Mountain Edition: “I wanted to build a shoe that worked well with skateboarding and a shoe that would function well on the motorcycle. I've always been in love with a shoe Vans made long ago called the "Mountain Edition". The little Velcro lace hood is perfectly placed to help pad the top of my foot when shifting the motorcycle. The inside of the shoes is slightly higher to guard the feet from engine heat and a fire retardant pig suede nubuck was added for safety as well.. I look at the shoes like the bikes I love: strip it down and put it back together in a style that works for me."

Originally released in 2008, Vans Syndicate brings back selected styles for the 10th Anniversary of the collection.

Project: 029.174 Available: 10.17.15

Style: Max Schaaf Mountain Edition 4Q “S”

 

Photos: by Gabe Morford & Scott Pommier from the Max Schaaf interview in Lodown #63