These Bizarre Vans Are What You Get When a Shoe Thinks It’s a Hiking Rucksack

By Danial Martinus  •  28 Feb 2025 in Sneak Peek

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Vans and multidisciplinary designer Nicole McLaughlin have officially linked up for a unique take on ‘hiking sneakers’ in the form of the Rucksack Slip-On.

Their up-cycled design is definitely out of this world and not what anyone expects—unless, of course, you’re familiar with McLaughlin’s eccentric blend of fashion staples and other items, including a wildly viral Carhartt tool bra and underwear set, a pair of Haribo shorts and a foldable chair, and more.

Inspired by vintage hiking packs

Inspired by vintage camping packs and rucksacks, the Vans x Nicole McLaughlin Rucksack Slip-Ons blend DIY ingenuity with functional creativity.

Also known as the Slip-On RS, the shoes feature a rucksack pocket in the toe box. It’s probably one of the first things you’ll notice about them, especially with its faux-leather lash tab sitting proudly on top.

For context, a lash tab is a small leather loop of sorts that can be used to hang things, like a flash light. To see it put to use in these shoes is definitely a playful homage to vintage (or vintage-inspired) backpacks, especially if you’re familiar with brands like Eastpak and Herschel Supply Co.

You’ll also find adjustable nylon webbing on the sides and a durable upper made of 40% recycled canvas with PFC-free waterproofing. So while the shoes might just look like a fun show piece, they really are tailored to withstand the elements (to a relative degree).

Even the outsoles have a lugged design, ensuring maximum traction on uneven surfaces, like loose dirt and rocks.

Of course, as to what you can put inside the actual rucksack pocket is completely up to your imagination. Who knows, someone might even find it useful as a ‘stash’ pocket, if you get my drift. But because of the shoe’s inherent utilitarian design, you’re free to customise it with your own little accessories, kind of like Jibbitz for Crocs.

The Slip-On RS comes in two colours—beige and grey—and is part of a wider collection that includes a rucksack, a climbing chalk bag hybrid, as well as a pair of socks equipped with their own cargo pockets and lash tags. If you’re shopping in Malaysia, you can only get the shoes, for now.

They retail at RM579 on both the official Crossover and Vans Malaysia online stores.

For more sneakers, head to JUICE Malaysia.