Van Buyer’s Guide | Fit, Care And History

Love for their minimal versatility and rebellious attitude, Vans is one of the most recognized shoes in the world, one of the biggest brands in the world. They say that imitation is the sincere form of flattery, and vans have been copied incessantly but never beaten in their comfort, durability, and style. Since the origins of the 60s, the designs have remained relatively unchanged, proving their timelessness and iconography within or outside the skate community. So if you’re a first-time buyer or counting on 5 pairs and, here’s a buyer’s guide to everything you need to know about van style, fit, and history.

When was the # 1 van established?

The vans were founded in 1966 by brothers Paul and Jim Van Doren in Anaheim, California. Originally known as The Van Doren Rubber Company, the original authentic best cheap van shoes were the first in the van style, were made the same year, and have remained virtually unchanged since then. The name quickly became synonymous with shorter vans as skaters began to prefer shoes for their sticky rock and durability, becoming a must-have for the California skate community in the mid-70s.

By the late ’70s, the band had completed their authentic, old school, slip-on, and sc8-high styles with signatures on ‘Jazz Stripe’, taken from a doodle by Paul Van Doren.

# 2 How are vans made?

All van styles are created using a 5 step manufacturing process that starts with the sole. Between 60 and 65 million pairs of vans are made each year, so the process has come down to a fine craft, refined and perfected since the ’0s.

The vans are made with a vulcanized rubber sole. This means that the unit is basically baked once to cure the rubber and its signature is compressed into a waffle pattern, then again after production. The second baking occurs when the whole shoe is steamed after assembly, it keeps the sole durable but makes it easy to break-in in the spring and easily.

The rest of the shoe is cut and combined with the van signature stitching and detailing, ending with the rubber logo on the heel.

# 3 Is van style unisex?

Yes, van styles are all unisex so anyone can wear the clothes of their choice. For the original style, all sizes are unisex sizes, but some styles such as platform shoes may specify a gender because the sizing may be small in size or may not run in certain sizes. However, if the shoes fit, wear them!

# 4 How do vans fit?

Unlike many other brands, vans fit the size, meaning that the size you wear in other shoes you will probably wear in the van; Easy!

Slip-on styles are a bit shorter to make sure they stay on your feet but loosen up quickly to fit very well. The general advice is if you are torn between the two sizes, choose the larger one and try an insole to pack the shoe.

For the best idea of ​​size, measure your feet by standing on a piece of paper with your heel against any wall and mark the end of your toes. You can manually measure this length for a clear answer of any size, then consult our simple charts …