Vans

Vans is a North American manufacturer focused on footwear and apparel for action sports. Founded on March 16th, 1966 by brothers Paul Van Doren and Jim Van Doren (alongside partners Gordon Lee and Serge Delia), the company first opened its doors at 704 E. Broadway in Anaheim, Calif. as the Van Doren Rubber Company.

Over the last 55 years, the brand has gone from a Southern California gem to a globally-recognized force in shoes. Its humble origins include a same-day, custom shoe-making process, which differentiated it from other footwear companies at the time. A direct-to-consumer strategy allowed for competitive pricing, as well as the reputation for one-of-a-kind shoes.

In the early 1970s, the Van Doren Brothers gained a larger consumer base than before thanks to skateboarders taking a liking to the Style #44 deck shoe, better known as the Vans Authentic. Its rugged makeup and sticky sole proved beneficial to the droves of skaters throughout SoCal. (Legend has it the shoe's durable build quality was inspired by the M4 Sherman tank.) The Vans Era (originally known as the Style #95) joined the brand's lineup in 1976, introducing a padded collar and different color combinations; it was designed by Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta, two legends within the skateboarding world. That same year, Vans' iconic “OFF THE WALL” logo debuts, appearing as a license plate at the heel.

Throughout the years, the California-institution has captured the loyalty of countless individuals with classic models like the Vans Old Skool (Style #36) and Vans Slip-On (Style #98), both released in 1977. The former introduced the “jazz stripe” logo, while the latter was featured on Sean Penn's character in the 1982 film “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” in its signature Checkerboard pattern. After the release of the movie, the Slip-On became a go-to style for people all over the world. The Vans Sk8-Hi of 1978 and Vans Steve Caballero of 1988 (a signature shoe) further cemented the brand as a force to be reckoned within the skate community.

Despite still focusing on skateboarding, BMX and other action sports, the West Coast company has garnered notable attention among streetwear enthusiasts. High-profile collaborations with PATTA, Notre, BLENDS and Supreme have seamlessly blended sport and style, a core mission to the Vault By Vans category. Anderson .Paak, “The Simpsons” and Ronnie Fieg's KITH are also among the brand's collaborators. Collections with the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and Damien Hirst have also become collectible, while expanding the company's audience.

Vans shoes continue being among the most affordable brand-name styles on the market, with adult sizing of popular models ranging from $50 USD (Slip-On) to $70 USD (Sk8-Hi).

Shopping Links

Vans

The Noah x Vans Vault Sk8-Hi “Corduroy Patchwork” Is Currently Available

After teaming up with PUMA for a duo of spring/summer collaborations, New York-based retailer Noah now returns to its longstanding relationship with Vans for a...

By Jared Ebanks July 27, 2023
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JJJJound Draws From Traditional French Court Footwear With Their Upcoming Vans Collaboration

JJJJound is known well for their understated approach to collaborations. And with their upcoming project with Vault By Vans, the Montreal-based design studio makes no...

By Michael Le July 14, 2023
1992

CLOTTEE By CLOT And Vans Tap Into Nostalgia With Three Collaborative Authentics

Rumor has it that CLOT will be putting an end to its longstanding collaboration with Nike in favor of a partnership with adidas. But before...

By Michael Le July 5, 2023
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Vans Adds Fuel To The Sk8-Hi “Flames”

Initially catching our attention with the electric “Lightning” take on its shoes, Vans is heating up the conversation once more with their “Flames” get-up. Immediate...

By Sneaker News July 4, 2023
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The INVINCIBLE x Vault By Vans “Gnarly Pack” Emulates The Look Of Skated-In Pairs

From crafting New Balances with N.HOOLYWOOD to camouflaging Converse Chuck 70s alongside Wacko Maria, INVINCIBLE has served as the third partner in many a different...

By Michael Le June 27, 2023
4036

JJJJound Covers The Vans Sk8-Mid And Slip-On In Shades Of White For Summer 2023

Justin R. Saunders has infiltrated countless corners of “cool” over the past few decades. His photo-blog-turned-creative-studio, JJJJound, has become a household name in recent memory,...

By Jovani Hernandez June 21, 2023
2803

The Upcoming Sesame Street x Vans Collection Is Made For The Whole Family

Hot off the heels of collaborations with Gallery Dept. and Mastermind Japan, Vans is now stepping away from the high street to pay a visit...

By Michael Le June 7, 2023
10495

WP And Vault By Vans Add Print Patchwork To The Authentic 44 DX

Vault By Vans is responsible for the footwear icon’s most interesting projects, from highly-limited inline styles to collaborations with the likes of Brain Dead, Gallery...

By Michael Le June 5, 2023
1401

Supreme Is Printing Money With Its Latest Vans Collaborative Capsule

Still among the leaders of sneaker collaborators, Supreme is ready to introduce its seasonal offering in tandem with skate-lifestyle brand Vans. And given the sheer...

By Sneaker News May 30, 2023
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