'2nd Magazine' and Vans Rejoin for $920 USD Loafer Sneakers

Japan’s 2nd Magazine is part of an expansive publishing family that includes the vintage-obsessed Lightning and Clutch, the culture-centric Discover Japan and beachside companion Surftrip Journal. 2nd‘s focus on timeless, premium menswear staples informed a collaboration with Vans in 2018, which is being revived for 2020 as part of Lightning‘s 300th issue celebration.

In October 2018, 2nd and Vans dropped navy and veg-tanned cordovan leather iterations of a special loafer sneaker, utilizing detail-oriented craftsmanship to create two shoes that hybridized quality and contemporary design. For Lightning‘s collaborative festivities, the duo have prepared another lavish edition of the bespoke slip-on sneakers, with a similarly imposing price tag.

This time, the pair have imagined the sneaker in black cordovan leather sourced from Horween, Chicago’s inimitable leather tannery. Cordovan leather is sourced from the rear end of horses, providing a solid, shiny leather coveted by traditional shoemakers for decades.

These aren’t the first Horween leather sneakers — nor are they the first Horween Vans — but these loafers are the first Vans to boast thick, glossy cordovan leather. Everything from the leather sockliner and insole to the hangtag on the upper is considered, accompanied by a custom set of printed shoe trees so as to ensure the longevity of the opulent sneakers.

The collaborative Horween cordovan loafer is only available on 2nd‘s website until the end of January, with each made-to-order sneaker available for ¥100,000 JPY (approximately $920 USD) apiece. The previous collaboration sold out swiftly, so expect this joint effort to follow suit, with the completed sneakers set to ship in April 2020.

Elsewhere, Vans launched a similarly limited — but significantly cheaper — Slip-On EXP Pro sneaker exclusive to retailer Arcad.