The history of Vans sneakers is fascinating and full of interesting twists and turns. Vans was founded in 1966 as The Van Doren Rubber Company when Paul Van Doren and his partners opened the first shoe store in Anaheim, California. Vans boots were not designed for skateboarders, but for everyday customers who could choose from a variety of colors and designs. However, they soon became popular with local surfers and skaters who appreciated their comfort, durability and waffle sole that gave them better grip on the boards.
The first model Vans launched was the Authentic, which became an icon of skate culture. Ten years later came the Era, designed by famed skateboarder Tony Alva. These shoes had a padded collar and an improved sole for better stability. Other classic models were the Old Skool with the typical white stripe on the side, the Sk8-Hi with a high ankle section and the Slip-on with a simple laceless design. These shoes became part of subcultures such as punk, hardcore, grunge and others.
Vans emerged from financial difficulties during the 1980s and began to expand into other areas such as snowboarding, BMX, motocross and music. Vans also collaborated with various artists, musicians, athletes and brands on limited edition shoes. Today, Vans shoes are popular among people of different styles, interests and generations. Vans maintains its original spirit and is always looking for new ways to reach out to its fans.
