The Vans MTE – or Made for The Elements – range of clothing and footwear has always taken classic skate silhouettes and added some go-anywhere features. In footwear, that often means introducing a more rugged sole and some extra protection. The end result is a piece of clothing – or item of footwear – that goes above and beyond your usual skate gear, transferring the look of the half-pipe to your favourite hike. The MTE Crosspath is the latest addition to this stable of Vans creations.

Designed for use both in urban environments and further afield, the Crosspath takes ideas that have developed within the popular Ultrarange series but applies them into an altogether new style. Promising improved traction over your ‘traditional’ trainer but with all the same great comfort that people expect from Vans, the Crosspath could be great for those who need a do-it-all pair of sneakers. Available in a variety of colourways, the Crosspath certainly has personalisation on its side, but can it deliver in other areas? That’s what we’ve been finding out. 

Sphere Score

For

• Cool design
• Added traction is a useful benefit
• Lots of colourways to choose from
• Weatherproofing does well

Against

• Tight fit on this version
• No ankle support (though mid version solves this)
• Quite expensive for a low trainer

Tech specs 

• £125
• 354g
• Water-resistant finish
• Tread pattern designed for ‘mixed terrain’
• EVA midsole for improved cushioning 
• Rubber outsole 

What does the Vans MTE Crosspath have to offer?

To look at, the Vans MTE Crosspath is instantly familiar. You’ve got that famous Sidestripe design, which is nearly incorporated into whichever colourway you’ve opted for. Straight white and black versions hide the large logo at the side, so they are good options if you’re looking to play things a little more understated. Likewise, standout orange versions are there to provide a more impactful presence out and about. 

Lightweight at first feel, the MTE Crosspath gets a water-repellent finish with a recycled PET mesh material, helping to give things a more rugged, graze-resistant feel. The toe box is roomy, too, and the tread extends further upwards than you might expect to help when scrambling up rocks or tackling kerbs. You’ve got an outsole made from 60 per cent regenerative rubber sourced from sustainable farms, too. 

In classic Vans fashion, comfort is designed to come to the fore via an UltraCush footbed. As well as keeping weight down, this spongey material is also there to help the Crosspath absorb impacts. It’s something that Vans has put to good use in its mainstream skate trainers, but whereas there it works to help you tackle stair sets, here it’s providing a shield against rocks and other tough terrain. 

Vans says that it has implemented a new tread pattern to aid traction no matter the conditions. The whole shoe is uninsualted, too – we expect a winterised version of the Crosspath to join the ranks – but that should help to give it a season-round appeal, save for the very coldest conditions. Oh, and if you think that the Crosspath doesn’t offer enough ankle support, then Vans also offers a Mid version. It’s got all of the same features but with a raised collar for added support. 

Wearing – what is the Vans MTE Crosspath like?

We’re testing the Vans MTE Crosspath and right on the first try, they don’t offer quite as much roominess as you’d expect. Across the top of the shoe is where most of the tightness lies and it does take quite a bit of loosening to get them to a comfortable level. Of course, this is a very personal thing, but it’s worth finding out if you have the same issue when trying them on for the first time. You may want to go half a size up, even if you’re usually a set size in Vans shoes. 

Being largely made up from synthetic materials means that the Crosspath is unlikely to ease up over time, but there might be some help as stitching loosens. Once you’re over that initial hump, things are good; the MTE Crosspath is light and offers loads of cushioning, which is great for all types of activities. These shoes look at home wherever you go, with the subtle green colour of our test shoes giving them a classic, natural appearance. 

The water-resistant finish puts up a good fight against the elements, too. While a full dunk in a puddle will see you end up with wet feet, even heavier showers didn’t cause too much concern. It also means that should your shoes get grubby, they’ll be easy to clean. 

The tongue of the shoe provides a good level of protection, too, and it all feels snug once your foot is inside. There’s not much ventilation, mind you, so it’s probably a good thing that the Crosspath is unlined if you’re planning on wearing them year-round. Oddly enough given the ‘new’ tread pattern, the Crosspath does struggle to keep traction on surfaces such as wet, leaf-strewn pavements. While this could be down to the rubber being fresh, it does seem strange. There’s great traction when you’re walking on mud or dirt, but things do tend to come unstuck when it’s wet. 

To finish

The MTE Crosspath offers plenty of plus points over your regular skate trainer. If you’re looking for a pair of shoes that’ll bring added protection wrapped in the same great style that you’d expect from Vans, then you’re unlikely to be disappointed. You’ve got a good suite of colourways to choose from, too. 

We also like the general construction of the MTE Crosspath. There are plenty of recycled materials used throughout, and it has a rugged yet lightweight design that offers a good balance. The addition of a ‘Mid’ version is there for added support, too.

We’d recommend trying the Crosspath on before ordering, mind you, as our ‘tight-top’ experience is something that proved uncomfortable initially. It has eased as we’ve kept walking, mind you, but it does take away some of that box-fresh readiness that you might expect from Vans. 

The wet weather traction – or lack of – is a shame, particularly in the precipitation-prone UK. For all other areas, however, the Vans MTE Crosspath does the job of blending that traditional trainer feel with some key off-road enhancements.