What you put on your feet is as important as what you put under them. One of the oldest names in skateboard accessories, Vans has been putting style to the toe with world-class footwear for skaters since the very beginning of the sport.
Van Doren Rubber Company founded by Paul Van Doren in 1966 has evolved into Vans Skateboard Shoes. Based in southern California, Vans began by filling custom-made sport shoe orders and make them right there in the local store. Originally, you actually could watch your shoe being made for you, as business picked up, the gap between order and delivery widened to a few days.
Vans created the waffle shoe, with vertical, zig-zag lines on the sole of the shoe for grip when they noticed that skateboarders would crack the diamond patterned sole very quickly.
The brand is embraced by die-hards not only in skateboarding, but among related extreme spots like surfing and snowboarding. Having sponsored events relating to punk and ska music has helped earn the loyalty of those who mix their music and locomotion. The company has sponsored several punk and ska tours, as well as being the subject of love serenades such as “The Vans Song,” by the Suicide Machines and “Vans” from the rap group, “The Pack”.
The simple four-letter logo is an urban icon of the sports-rock lifestyle that infuses the West Coast, and the brand sponsors an impressive team of pros in not only skateboarding, but BMX biking and surfing as well. The “Warped Tour” has been a must-attend on the agenda for extreme sports enthusiasts and music fans since it was launched in 1995.
Vans skateboard shoes are synonymous with Southern California, where every other young foot is clad in them. Hollywood star and surfing aficionado Sean Penn added to the brand’s fame, sporting the shoes prominently in his classic role as “Jeff Spicoli” in the comedy Fast Times at Ridgemont High.
Vans was also prominently featured in the ground-breaking documentary “Dog town and the Z-boys,” which received about $800,000 in financial aid from Vans. The line-up of both pro and amateur skaters has featured a relationship with some of the biggest names in skating, like Stacey Peralta, while today’s team lists such move-masters as Bucky Lasek, Geoff Rowley and Tony Trujillo.
Vans Skateboard shoes now come in the widest variety of styles, from slip-on and low-cut to boot. The company has been through many changes, alienating many loyalists when they ventured into the arenas of football and baseball shoes. Facing bankruptcy in the eighties brought Van Doren to the edge of solvency, and the company was purchased by McConval-Deluit, a corporate investor who took the Vans public in 1991. The company is now owned by VF Corporations, a multi-national specializing in lines which appeal to youth culture.
With a high-top design and skate-optimized sole, Vans are the shoe of choice for serious skaters, who naturally enough wear them all day long. After all, you never know when you might have a minute to hit that stairwell or find a phatty downhill.
March 18th, 2008 at 2:37 am
Yeah - I have 6 pair of slip-ons in a variety of colors! Love ‘em!
March 18th, 2008 at 2:52 am
Vans Skateboard Shoes rock I have been wearing them for years and they are my number one choice!
March 18th, 2008 at 2:59 am
My favorite Vans Skateboard Shoe is Vans Rowley XL2s. They are the upgraded version of the original Vans Rowleys which are also solid vans shoes
March 18th, 2008 at 3:01 am
My favorite Vans shoe is the No Skool. It is Dustin Dollin’s third pro model skateboarding shoe. The coolest thing is the screenprinting on the shoe itself.
March 18th, 2008 at 3:13 am
I’ve bought about 3 pairs of Vans already and I’ve been satisfied with all of them. If you go in and check out retail stores like Kohls you can get them for a decent price as well.
March 18th, 2008 at 3:37 am
I am very impressed with all of vans shoes. I had a white pair with a teal “v” on the side. I also bought a solid black suedish pair and my 41 year old mother stole them from me bcuz she likes them as much as I do!!!
March 18th, 2008 at 3:44 am
Vans are a great shoe.
but this guy should have went more in detail about how the other shoe companies are growing over vans.
March 18th, 2008 at 5:13 am
Vans skate shoes are one of the best shoes in design and in comfort i love vans i have always had vans over anything cause they last so long they keep their comfort and for us skaters they break in real easy so they arent so stiff even after wearing them for months unlike sneax shoes or circas… i will always get vans as long as they will be around
March 18th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
I’m with Brian, the Rowley XL2’s are ace. But, then again, their entire line has something for everyone.
March 18th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I have 5 pairs of Dr. T’s. for skating. Love the high tops, they remind me of the 70’s. 1 Pair is almost dead, but only after 3 years of vertical punishment!
Vans Rock
March 18th, 2008 at 4:59 pm
those Vans are sweet but I dont have any money right now lol. im working on getting a pair of slip on black and red checkered.
March 18th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
First of all our younger generation focus is first and foremost pic all in itself,company profile is positive however your hiding the product as mentioned in the blog What you put on your feet is as important as what you put under them. what happened to animation? shoes turning to see full product. black and white color very good very in right now ,short and sweet is always better.
March 18th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
vans shoes are the crowd pleasure in skate fashion.. no one ever gets a let down from there shoes
March 18th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
yeah, i love vans! i’ve been skating them for about 10 years now and the have’nt failed me at all.
March 18th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
i love vans, the’ve been with me since i started skating four years ago and there is no other shoe that i would rather have
March 18th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
i have 2 pairs, and love them, comfortable easy on, easy off, AMAZING!!!!
March 18th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
There are many big companies that make skateboard shoes. Fallen, DC, Adio, Emerica, C1rca, DVS, Etnies, and Supra. They are all great companies, but I think the best quality and most inexpensive shoes come from Vans. They are very durable, the rubber tread on the sole is designed so gravel wont get stuck in it, and they look great!
March 19th, 2008 at 4:55 am
Out of all skate shoes I have ever worn I would have to say that Vans were the best.
They have been my all time favorite and always will be.
But those shoes up above are hella tight.
(:
March 19th, 2008 at 6:57 pm
Wow! First I would like to say I love Vans! They last forever no matter how hard you skate. I know from experience. You can totally wear these forever. I still have a pair from the fifth grade that still work perfect. Of corse they are not the prettiest shoes around because I have been skating in them for the past 5 years but they are AMAZING!
Most of the shoes I own are Vans. I would have it no other way.
Vans will always remain a classic as well as a favorite.
March 19th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
i like those do they come in some other color?
March 20th, 2008 at 3:23 am
I had a pair of Vans that lasted forever. I should get another pair.
March 22nd, 2008 at 5:28 am
These shoes are sick! Not only are they stylish, but they are also great for sk8ing too. Not good ollie protection though, all my pairs have holes in the sides. If the names of Hassan, Rowley, Daewo Song, and Cab back them, they gotta be good.
April 15th, 2008 at 12:54 am
Vans are a great shoe for both skateing and chilling.As of right now i own to pair and i skate them every day.Although they dont last as long as most skateshoes the skate very well.When buying vans make sure to get (off the wall) beacuse if you get plain vans then thier less durable plus i dont even know if thier from the same company.All around they are worth buying and you can get some cheap.