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

Utility And Sustainability Inform Christopher Raeburn’s First-Ever Collaboration With Vans

From Supreme to WTAPS, Vans has teamed up with numerous high profile names over the course of the Fall. This continues with their latest collaborative...

By Michael Le November 9, 2022
5730

WTAPS And Vans Close Out The Year With 15th Collection Together

Having collaborated on a 25th anniversary collection back in February, WTAPS and Vans are back at it again with a four pair capsule. Starring the...

By Jovani Hernandez November 2, 2022
5140

NEIGHBORHOOD And Vans Present Tonal Renditions Of The Old Skool And Era

We haven’t seen much from NEIGHBORHOOD since the start of 2022. But following a glimpse at some adidas ADIMATICS, the Japanese label has unveiled their...

By Michael Le October 26, 2022
10362

Supreme, Swarovski, And Vans Deliver Four Crystal-Adorned Colorways Of The Old Skool

Ever-a-powerhouse of collaboration, Supreme has cultivated quite an extensive network, which is made up of everything from sneaker brands to the most beloved names in...

By Michael Le October 19, 2022
8700

The Humidity x Vans Skate Half Cab Sentry GTX Is Built For Any Situation

Humidity has been serving the New Orleans skateboarding community for the better part of the last 26 years. And for their latest joint effort with...

By Michael Le October 6, 2022
7079

Better™ Gift Shop Celebrates Community With Its Next Vans Collaboration

Toronto’s Better™ Gift Shop is all about community. In addition to the work it’s already done to celebrate its neighbors, the retailer and brand has...

By Jovani Hernandez October 5, 2022
3249

Vault By Vans Evokes Childhood Memories In It’s Latest Collaboration With TTSWTRS

Everyone has a specific memory associated with a certain pair of kicks that gets jogged every time the box’s kraft paper is pulled back. Those...

By Jared Ebanks October 4, 2022
2930

Concepts Unveils Vans “Mohair” Collection Inspired By London Punk Scene

Rumored to have at least one more lobster-inspired collaboration with the Swoosh in the works, Concepts has recently unveiled a footwear and apparel capsule with...

By Jared Ebanks October 1, 2022
4556

The Upcoming One Piece x Vans Authentic Is An Ode To The Straw Hats

Clocking in at 1061 chapters, One Piece is one of the longest running mangas of all-time; its anime adaptation boasts a similarly impressive length, with...

By Michael Le September 29, 2022
56726