VANS was founded in southern California in 1976, and was quickly adopted by skaters and BMX riders all around the Golden State. It’s this rooting in authentic American street style that’s led the brand to remain important today.
But which are the best Vans shoes to buy? Whether looking for men’s or women’s designs, there are some essential shapes to know – we’ve got the lowdown here.
These days, Vans are just as likely to be seen on the feet of celebrities as skaters – A$AP Rocky, Kristen Stewart and Frank Ocean are all confirmed fans.
There are some signature details that always let you know a pair of shoes are Vans – the small label on the side of the foot, the twisting line in a contrasting colour or the checkerboard pattern.
Each of them was launched at a different point in the brand’s history, but each quickly became synonymous with the authentic cool of California.
While the brand produces a wide range of shapes and styles these days, there are some tried-and-tested classics. Start with these and you’ll have a collection of Vans to be proud of.
1. The Authentic
Let’s start at the beginning – the Authentic was developed in 1966, the year Vans was founded, and it’s the design that spread around the skaters in southern California at the time.
With its waffle soles providing grip and its easy, durable canvas uppers, it’s easy to see why the design became such a classic and is still so popular today.
This version comes in an off-white shade that will work with any jeans in your collection.
- Vans Authentic Sneakers, £63 from Farfetch – buy here
2. The Old Skool
The iconic side stripe that appears on Vans shoes is one of the most recognisable emblems in footwear, and it all began with the Old Skool in 1977.
Black and white is the classic choice, which is why we’ve chosen this pair as one of the best Vans to buy.
The uppers are a combination of canvas and leather, while padded collars at the ankles and waffle soles nod to the authentic heritage of this design.
- Vans Old Skool, £69.99 from Footlocker – buy here
3. The Slip On
It turns out 1977 was a strong year for Vans – as well as launching the Old Skool, it’s when the Slip On first appeared, another one of the company’s most iconic and enduring designs.
It was immediately picked up by skaters around California, where it’s still popular today.
While the checkerboard wasn’t introduced until a few years later, the combination has since become one of the most recognisable from the company.
- Vans Anaheim Factory Checkerboard Slip-On Trainers, £57 from Urban Outfitters – buy here
4. The Era
The Era was one of the first Vans shoes specifically designed for skaters.
It’s got padded collars around the ankles for extra support, plus the waffle soles that made the shoes so popular in the first place.
The canvas uppers provide a great base for experimenting, and we like the bright colours of this version. The contrast panels show off the signature curved profile and make a real statement.
- Vans Era Sneakers, £77 from Farfetch – buy here
5. The Sk8 Hi
For a slightly different shape, consider the most famous high-top design from Vans – the Sk8 Hi.
Originally designed to protect skaters’ ankles, it comes with padded sections and reinforced toe caps for comfort and longevity.
It’s still got that signature side stripe, and the black and white colours will go well with dark blue or black denim.
- Vans Sk8 Hi, £75 from Vans – buy here
6. The Classic With a Twist
In the more than 50 years that it’s been around, Vans has created a huge number of variations on its classic designs.
Here’s one that’s out at the moment that we particularly like – it’s the shape of a classic Era but with suede uppers for a really premium feel.
The iconic checkerboard pattern makes an appearance on the rubber soles, an unusual way to bring pattern into the design, but one that really works.
- Vans Era Suede Trainers, Grape Leaf Checker, £56.99 from Selfridges – buy here
7. The Collab
Vans stays current by keeping in conversation with popular culture, and this version of its Old Skool design has a bold Mickey Mouse theme for throwback-worthy cool.
The bright colours are designed to make a statement, so team them with a plain T-shirt and slim indigo denim to let your trainers do the talking.
- Vans Old Skool Mickey Mouse Suede And Canvas Trainers, £45 from Offspring – buy here
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