sterling ruby and vans design modular clog shoes with mules

Sterling ruby and vans team up for the future clog

Modular clog shoes with slip-on mules by Sterling Ruby and Vans enter their fourth chapter, still as a pair of footwear that can be worn together or one at a time. Part of the ongoing series OTW, the accessories are designed by Sterling Ruby through his studio S.R. STUDIO. LA. CA. The Future Clog is designed as a slip-on shoe with a solid structure. It doesn’t rely on laces or straps, as the shape supports fast entry and exit. This choice connects to workwear and

studio use, where shoes are often taken on and off many times during the day.

The form, similar to the third model released in August 2025, supports standing, walking, and moving between spaces without changing footwear. The upper of the modular clog shoes with slip-on mules uses a molded construction to hold its shape without added panels or layers. The surface is continuous, which reduces weak points, and the design shows a chunky look with a squared toe, offering cushion and comfort to the user’s soles.

all images courtesy of Vans and S.R. STUDIO. LA. CA

modular clog shoes with mules for work and everyday wear

Under the modular clog shoes with slip-on mules, the outsole plays a key role since the Future Clog uses a custom sole developed with Vibram. It supports grip and wear across different surfaces and adds weight at the bottom, which helps balance the upper form. The sole design shows deep tread sections placed for stability during walking and standing. The Future Clog first appeared in earlier chapters of the brand’s OTW by Vans and the studio S.R. STUDIO collaboration. In August 2025, it was shown alongside other shoe forms such as the Authentic 44 and Old Skool 36. In that release, the clog appeared with marbled and cyber-yellow color use.

Sterling Ruby’s design process often starts from work environments. In this project, he looks at tools, uniforms, and shoes used in labor spaces. The Future Clog reflects this interest as a work and everyday footwear, and at the same time, it sits within Vans’ system, which is based on repeat use and durability. The modular clog shoes with slip-on mules fit into a wider collection that includes other footwear and apparel, including the Authentic Prima and jacquard socks, which reveal their new forms and colors for the December 2025 release. So far, OTW by Vans and S.R. STUDIO. LA. CA. describe their collaboration as a multi-chapter project, with the recent one called Chapter 4.

part of the ongoing series OTW, the accessories are designed by Sterling Ruby