Vans Skate Shoes

Vans Skateboarding Shoes

The Van Doren Rubber Company opened in 1966 at 704 East Broadway in Anaheim, California, when Paul and James Van Doren, along with Gordon C. Lee, decided to manufacture and sell shoes directly to customers. On opening day, Paul Van Doren didn't even have enough change in the register, so he told customers to take their shoes home and come back to pay later. This direct approach and trust in their customers set the tone for everything Vans would become.

Skateboarders discovered Vans' deck shoes (now known as the Authentic) for their durable construction and sticky waffle sole that gripped boards perfectly. The company embraced this unexpected audience, creating specialized models and sponsoring riders when skateboarding was still an underground pursuit. The ""Off the Wall"" slogan emerged from this era, capturing the creative spirit of skaters who saw the world differently.

Today's Vans collection maintains the DNA of those original designs while incorporating modern technologies like PopCush insoles and DURACAP reinforcement. From the classic Authentic to pro models developed with team riders, Vans continues manufacturing shoes that work as well for skating as they did when California skaters first discovered them in the 1970s.