Vans' New Bold Ni "Bender" Pairs Leopard With Denim, Houndstooth & More

Vans has created yet another eye-catching style of its Bold Ni, this time a patchwork makeup dubbed the “Bender.” Part of Vans’ “New Issues” program that reimagines archival products with modern updates, the “Bender” uses a different material on each and every panel to present a bold-yet-cohesive look that’s certainly not for the faint of heart.

The lateral side starts with a classic blue denim base, overlaid by a large white leather Jazz Stripe. Moving on to the toebox, a coarse pony hair leopard print adds animalistic styling before giving way to a classic red tartan plaid on the throat and tongue. The medial side is unquestionably the simplest of the bunch, using a traditional beige canvas. Meanwhile, the heel provides the final patchwork piece via a black and white houndstooth print with red embroidered “66” hits.

Black laces and brass top eyelets tie the upper together, while the white midsole features printed black dashes to emulate thick machine stitches. The style is then completed by a black and gum checkerboard pattern on the traditional vulcanized outsole.

The Vans Bold Ni “Bender” is available at retailers like COUTIÉ and on the Vans webstore. The MSRP is set at $80 USD.

Elsewhere, Vans is also hosting an eBay charity auction of limited product for its annual “Checkerboard Day.”