Vans

Vans is an American manufacturer of footwear, apparel, and accessories best known for its skateboarding shoes. Founded in 1966 by Paul Van Doren in Anaheim, California, the company began as The Van Doren Rubber Company and later adopted the Vans name. The first store sold 12 pairs of shoes per day, and the brand grew with the rise of skate culture, introducing durable, simple designs that could be customized by wearers.

Vans is headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, and is a subsidiary of VF Corporation, which acquired the brand in 2004. The company’s products include classic skate silhouettes such as the Authentic, Era, Old Skool, and Sk8-Hi, as well as apparel and accessories.

The checkerboard pattern and the Off the Wall slogan are among its most enduring branding elements. The company maintains a global retail network of Vans stores and online shopping, distributing its products worldwide.

Vans has sponsored cultural events and athletes in skateboarding and music, including the Vans Warped Tour, a long-running music festival (1995–2019), and the Vans Park Series competition for professional skaters. These activities have helped cement Vans’ association with youth culture and action sports.

In recent years, Vans has pursued sustainability initiatives, including material innovations and programs to reduce environmental impact across its supply chain, while continuing to expand its product lines and retail presence globally.