Vans

Vans is an American company that produces shoes and clothing for action sports. It was founded on March 16th, 1966 by brothers Paul and Jim Van Doren, along with Gordon Lee and Serge Delia. The company started as the Van Doren Rubber Company in Anaheim, California, and was known for its same-day, custom shoe-making process.

The brand gained popularity among skateboarders in the early 1970s, thanks to the Vans Authentic, also known as the Style #44 deck shoe. Its rugged build quality and sticky sole made it a favourite among Southern California skaters. The Vans Era, designed by Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta, was released in 1976 and included a padded collar and various colour options. The brand's iconic "OFF THE WALL" logo debuted that same year.

Over the years, the brand has released classic models such as the Vans Old Skool and Vans Slip-On in 1977, with the former featuring the "jazz stripe" logo and the latter gaining popularity thanks to its appearance in the 1982 film "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." The Sk8-Hi and Steve Caballero signature shoe were also released in 1978 and 1988, respectively.

While still focused on action sports, Vans has also gained attention from streetwear enthusiasts through collaborations with brands like PATTA, Notre, BLENDS, and Supreme. The company's collaborations with Anderson .Paak, "The Simpsons," Ronnie Fieg's KITH, and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) have also expanded its audience.

Vans shoes remain affordable, with popular models ranging from $50 USD (Slip-On) to $70 USD (Sk8-Hi) for adult sizes.