Vans is skateboarding's original footwear and apparel brand, nearly six decades of waffle soles, side stripes and checkerboard print woven into the fabric of skate culture itself. From a small Anaheim shop in 1966 to "Off The Wall" worldwide, shop Vans at The Vines for tees, caps, socks, sunglasses, wallets and bags carrying that heritage.
Vans Brand History
On 16 March 1966, brothers Paul and Jim Van Doren opened the Van Doren Rubber Company in Anaheim, California, making shoes on site and selling them directly to the public. Skaters quickly discovered that the sticky waffle-pattern rubber sole gripped a board better than anything else, and an accidental skate institution was born.
The icons followed: the Era in 1976, developed with input from Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta as the first shoe designed for skateboarding; the Old Skool in 1977, introducing the legendary side stripe; the Sk8-Hi in 1978; the checkerboard Slip-On that went global in 1982; and Steve Caballero's Half Cab in 1992, still one of the most loved pro shoes ever made. Alongside the footwear, Vans built an apparel and accessories line and a cultural footprint, from the Vans Warped Tour to skatepark builds, that no other skate brand matches. For the full deep dive, read our blog: Vans skate history, past & present.
Vans & Skateboarding
Vans' skate legacy runs from the original Z-Boys era through Caballero, Geoff Rowley and Jeff Grosso to today's team of standouts like Rowan Zorilla, Zion Wright and Lizzie Armanto. Few brands have supported skateboarding as long or as broadly, teams, video projects, parks and events across five decades, which is why the side stripe still means something on any session, anywhere.
Vans Products In Stock
Our Vans range at The Vines Supply Co focuses on accessories and apparel, the everyday carry side of the brand.
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Vans T-Shirts & Caps:
Classic-fit Vans tees with OTW and flying-V branding, plus caps to top off the fit, staple pieces that never date.
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Vans Sunglasses:
Vans shades in classic shapes, one of the cheapest ways into the brand and a consistent summer seller.
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Vans Wallets, Bags & Socks:
Wallets, hip bags and socks carrying the checkerboard and side-stripe DNA, practical pieces with proper heritage.
Vans FAQs
When was Vans founded?
Vans was founded on 16 March 1966 by brothers Paul and Jim Van Doren (with partners Gordon Lee and Serge D'Elia) as the Van Doren Rubber Company in Anaheim, California.
Why is the waffle sole famous?
The waffle-pattern rubber sole turned out to grip a grip-taped board better than anything else available in the 70s, skaters adopted Vans en masse and the sole became the literal foundation of skate footwear.
What is the Vans side stripe called?
Officially the "Sidestripe", originally nicknamed the "jazz stripe", first appearing on the Old Skool (then Style 36) in 1977 and now one of the most recognised marks in footwear.
What's the story of the Half Cab?
Skaters were cutting down Steve Caballero's high-top pro model for more mobility, so in 1992 Vans made it official, the Half Cab was born from rider behaviour, which is exactly why it's endured over thirty years.
Do you stock Vans shoes?
Our current Vans range centres on accessories and apparel, tees, caps, socks, sunglasses, wallets and bags. The live Vans collection always shows exactly what's in stock right now.
Shop Vans in the UK at The Vines, featuring tees, caps, sunglasses, wallets, bags and socks from skateboarding's original brand. Enjoy fast, free UK premium delivery on orders over £70, with free next-day delivery available for orders placed before 4pm.