I’ve been wearing the Vans MTE Crosspath XC Gore-Tex for the past three months and, honestly, they’ve surprised me in the best possible way. Vans has always had that skate-heritage vibe, but these things are a completely different beast, purpose-built for mud, bush tracks, wet paddocks, rocky trails and all the in-between moments that come with shooting ADB features or scoping race lines before the riders roll out.
The GORE-TEX Invisible Fit membrane has been the real standout. I’ve stomped through mud, waded across sloppy creek lines and bush-bashed my way into hard-to-reach track sections, and my feet have stayed bone dry every single time. The recycled RPET mesh and suede overlays hold their shape well, and after months of rough use they still don’t look flogged-out.
Comfort-wise, the UltraCush midsole earns its name. Long days on foot haven’t left my feet aching. The nylon speedlace system is another win, getting the shoes snug in seconds without fussing around with laces. And the Vibram XS Trek EVO outsole? Unreal. It grips everything. Wet logs, loose shale, greasy clay. They feel stuff but they’re still comfortable.
This isn’t the full long-term verdict, this is our first test. In a few months we’ll run a proper follow-up with what we loved, what we didn’t, and what held up (or didn’t) after even more punishment. But right now? These things have been faultless.
RRP: $299.95
WEBSITE: www.vans.com.au
