Vans is a shoe brand from the United States, founded in 1966 in Anaheim, California, under the original name Van Doren Rubber Company. It was started by Paul Van Doren, his brother James, and Gordon C. Lee. From the beginning they made their own shoes and sold them directly to buyers. From that small shop, Vans grew into a major name in skateboarding, and it also became close to surfers, BMX riders, and punk and ska culture. Its motto, Off The Wall, comes from a term skaters used when riding in empty pools. The checkerboard pattern now associated with Vans was also taken from the habit of wearers drawing on their shoes. For secondhand buyers, this history helps in recognizing the models and details that are truly distinctive.
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The first store opened on March 16, 1966, at 704 East Broadway, Anaheim. On opening day, twelve customers bought the deck shoe that is now called the Authentic. Its shape was similar to shoes made by Keds, but the sole was thicker. The store displayed only three models, priced from US$2.49 to US$4.99. There was no ready-to-sell stock yet, so customers took their shoes home and paid the next day.
In the 1970s, Mark Van Doren, the son of James Van Doren, designed the Vans skateboard logo when he was 13 years old. The logo was made in a stencil shape so it could be sprayed onto skateboards, and it was then placed on the heel tab of the Style 95, one of Vans' early skate shoes. In 1976 Vans began using the motto Off The Wall. Around the same time, the Side-stripe and the Vans #36, known as the Old Skool, were born. In 1982, Sean Penn wore checkerboard slip-ons as Jeff Spicoli in the film Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and Vans became widely known across America.
The road was not always smooth. In 1984 competition was tight and the market was flooded with fake Vans. The company lowered its prices and then filed for bankruptcy protection. In 1989 the governments of the United States and Mexico arrested many counterfeiters and ordered them to stop production. Around 1991 demand for the shoes was high, the company expanded overseas, and its name was changed to Vans, Inc. because customers already called it Vans. Since 2004 Vans has been part of VF Corporation. In 2022 the VR3 line arrived, with 30 percent renewable, recycled, or regenerative materials.
- Authentic: the earliest deck shoe from the first store in 1966, with a thicker sole than similar shoes made by Keds.
- Old Skool: also known as the Vans #36, released around 1976 together with the Side-stripe.
- Style 95: an early skateboard shoe whose heel tab carries the skateboard logo designed by Mark Van Doren.
- Checkerboard slip-on: the checkerboard pattern adopted after wearers drew the pattern themselves, and worn by Sean Penn in a 1982 film.
What we check before listing
We first look at the condition of the sole: whether it is still attached tightly to the body of the shoe, or starting to come off at the toe and heel. We check the canvas or suede for stains, thin areas, and tears around the creases and eyelets. The stitching, especially on the sides and around the heel, should be neat and not fraying. On checkerboard models, we look at how neat and aligned the pattern is. Because Vans has been widely copied, we also compare the logo, heel tab, size label, and print quality with pairs that we consider normal. This is how we usually check, not a guarantee of authenticity.
Caring for it
Brush off dust and dry dirt with a soft brush before cleaning with water. For canvas, use mild soap and cold water, then dry in a shaded place, not under strong sun because the rubber and glue can be damaged. Suede is best cleaned with a suede brush and kept away from water. Stuff the shoes with paper when storing them so they keep their shape.
FAQ
Where does Vans come from and when was it founded?
Vans comes from the United States. Its first store opened on March 16, 1966, in Anaheim, California, under the name Van Doren Rubber Company.
What does Off The Wall mean?
It is a motto Vans began using in 1976. It comes from skater slang for doing tricks in empty pools.
Can a secondhand pair of Vans be confirmed as authentic?
We cannot promise that. Vans was heavily counterfeited in the 1980s, so we check the logo, heel tab, label, stitching, and sole. These checks are based on our experience, not a guarantee.
What should I check on secondhand Vans before buying?
Look at the condition of the sole and how well it is glued, any canvas or suede that has worn thin, the stitching, and wear on the insole. Also make sure the size and the inside length of the shoe fit your foot.
References
Facts summarised and rewritten from the sources above (CC BY-SA licence).