Roots is collaborating with Fred VanVleet to re-release a shoe collection and nope, they're not sneakers. The Canadian clothing line has added a flare of VanVleet's personal style to their classic TUFF lace-up boots, which they originally released back in 1992. The Fred VanVleet shoes collaboration with Roots will be available for purchase as of Wednesday, Sept. 18.



Participating Toronto-area Roots locations will have the new shoes available in their stores. These locations include the Eaton Centre, Yorkdale Mall, Sherway Gardens, Square One, Vaughan Mills Mall, Scarborough Town Centre, and the Roots store at 80 Bloor Street.

"I'm excited to collaborate with Roots, a brand that shares my commitment to community and celebrating the authenticity of a person's story," said Fred VanVleet. "That's what makes you who you are. I look forward to wearing my TUFF Boots on my journey forward."



The black boot features an altered design of red and black plaid on the ankle cuff. They also include lightweight, anti-slip rubber soles with a maple leaf tread design. Each pair will also come with custom-designed Fred VanVleet signed laces and a collectors edition Fred VanVleet leather keychain tag.

The boots come in a limited edition box with a custom Roots x Fred VanVleet logo. There will be sizes for both men and women.



The boots are designed to be lightweight, but still adaptable to tough Canadian winters. The original TUFF boot was modelled to resemble traditional work boots, but with added comfort and style from Roots, which is well known for their good quality apparel.

This isn't the first time Roots has collaborated with a celebrity. They also did a popup shop with Shawn Mendes recently. It's safe to say the Canadian company is still a national retail leader.

Fred VanVleet has definitely embraced Canada and his homecourt city of Toronto. You can catch him at Shoeless Joe's this weekend, by the way.



