ArtistDirect News
Vans Launches Second Travis Barker Collection Featuring White Old Skool Sneaker and New Apparel
Vans is back with a fresh beat and a fresh pair of shoes. On Thursday, June 18, 2026, the brand unveiled its second collaboration with Blink‑182 drummer Travis Barker, a capsule that fuses the punk‑rock spirit of the musician with the street‑wear legacy of Vans.
The centerpiece of the partnership is a white Old Skool sneaker that carries a clear nod to Barker’s personal aesthetic. The canvas upper is trimmed with a barbed‑wire motif on the foxing, while cotton laces give the shoe a classic, worn‑in feel. A “Dues Paid” emblem crowns the vamp, and the Travis Barker logo appears on both the heel and tongue. The sneaker’s white pre‑scuffed finish echoes the look of the brand’s previous “Dues Paid” release from last fall, creating a visual bridge between the two collaborations.
Apparel follows the sneaker’s aesthetic, offering a line of tees, hoodies, and jackets that carry Barker’s signature slogans. Two pieces feature the phrases “Dues Paid” and “Self Made” in a hand‑scripted style on the sleeve and back panel, respectively. The wording reflects Barker’s reputation for perseverance and the legacy he has built through relentless effort. Vans says the collection’s design language “exudes non‑conformity and challenges the status quo,” drawing on zine‑style punk graphics and a DIY ethos that has long defined the brand.
The campaign for the capsule showcases a roster of musicians, friends, and fans who share Barker’s background in skate, BMX, and punk culture. The lineup includes The Paradox, N8NOFACE, Tim Armstrong of Rancid and The Transplants, Missy of Mannequin Pussy, and Dani Miller of Surfbort, among others. Photographer and brand curator Atiba Jefferson shot the campaign in locations that span an iconic Chicago music festival and the streets of Los Angeles, capturing the cross‑regional influence that shapes both the artist and the brand.
Barker’s relationship with Vans has deep roots. He said in a statement that “my first pair of shoes was a pair of Vans.” Growing up in Fontana, California, he connected the brand to skateboarding, BMX, and punk culture, and the partnership felt natural because Vans has been a fixture of his daily uniform since his youth. The collaboration follows a series of recent moments between the two. In March, Barker appeared in a campaign celebrating Vans’ 60th anniversary of the Authentic sneaker alongside artists such as SZA and Hayley Williams. In November, he drove a checkered Vans shoe car at the Run Travis Run event, which coincided with the release of his first Vans collaboration that month.
The new capsule is positioned as a continuation of Barker’s ongoing partnership with the brand, offering fans a blend of streetwear and music culture that reflects the shared heritage of Southern California skate and punk scenes. The release schedule aligns with Vans’ strategy to keep the brand relevant to younger consumers while honoring its long‑standing association with alternative subcultures.
As of the announcement, the Vans x Travis Barker collection will be available for purchase beginning June 18. The release is expected to generate interest among sneaker collectors, music fans, and consumers who identify with the brand’s skate‑centric heritage.
The centerpiece of the partnership is a white Old Skool sneaker that carries a clear nod to Barker’s personal aesthetic. The canvas upper is trimmed with a barbed‑wire motif on the foxing, while cotton laces give the shoe a classic, worn‑in feel. A “Dues Paid” emblem crowns the vamp, and the Travis Barker logo appears on both the heel and tongue. The sneaker’s white pre‑scuffed finish echoes the look of the brand’s previous “Dues Paid” release from last fall, creating a visual bridge between the two collaborations.
Apparel follows the sneaker’s aesthetic, offering a line of tees, hoodies, and jackets that carry Barker’s signature slogans. Two pieces feature the phrases “Dues Paid” and “Self Made” in a hand‑scripted style on the sleeve and back panel, respectively. The wording reflects Barker’s reputation for perseverance and the legacy he has built through relentless effort. Vans says the collection’s design language “exudes non‑conformity and challenges the status quo,” drawing on zine‑style punk graphics and a DIY ethos that has long defined the brand.
The campaign for the capsule showcases a roster of musicians, friends, and fans who share Barker’s background in skate, BMX, and punk culture. The lineup includes The Paradox, N8NOFACE, Tim Armstrong of Rancid and The Transplants, Missy of Mannequin Pussy, and Dani Miller of Surfbort, among others. Photographer and brand curator Atiba Jefferson shot the campaign in locations that span an iconic Chicago music festival and the streets of Los Angeles, capturing the cross‑regional influence that shapes both the artist and the brand.
Barker’s relationship with Vans has deep roots. He said in a statement that “my first pair of shoes was a pair of Vans.” Growing up in Fontana, California, he connected the brand to skateboarding, BMX, and punk culture, and the partnership felt natural because Vans has been a fixture of his daily uniform since his youth. The collaboration follows a series of recent moments between the two. In March, Barker appeared in a campaign celebrating Vans’ 60th anniversary of the Authentic sneaker alongside artists such as SZA and Hayley Williams. In November, he drove a checkered Vans shoe car at the Run Travis Run event, which coincided with the release of his first Vans collaboration that month.
The new capsule is positioned as a continuation of Barker’s ongoing partnership with the brand, offering fans a blend of streetwear and music culture that reflects the shared heritage of Southern California skate and punk scenes. The release schedule aligns with Vans’ strategy to keep the brand relevant to younger consumers while honoring its long‑standing association with alternative subcultures.
As of the announcement, the Vans x Travis Barker collection will be available for purchase beginning June 18. The release is expected to generate interest among sneaker collectors, music fans, and consumers who identify with the brand’s skate‑centric heritage.