Why Vans Shoes are Timeless?

Vans shoes for men will never date.

If you have never owned a pair of Vans footwear, we believe you are in a small minority of the population. A brand sparked in California, co-founded by brothers, Paul and Jim Van Doren has stamped its mark in the sneaker and skate shoe industry, becoming one of the most talked-about and loved shoes around, for men, women and kids.

When it comes to signature and iconic design, comfort and all-around versatility, no one does it like Vans. Bringing classic styles that can be worn with any streetwear outfit, from jeans, shorts, hoodies, cargo pants, tees, dresses and any clothing you can get your hands on. They are the perfect addition to your footwear collection, a beater that is made to be worn daily and a shoe you can throw on without thinking.

A few things that have set Vans apart is their repetition of style within each shoe. Their iconic patented waffle outsole is prominent through each design, the signature side-strip and of course the "Off the Wall" red heel tab which hits the back of all their sneakers. You can recognise a Vans shoe from a distance and their major styles such as the Vans Old Skool and Vans Sk8 Hi have never stopped selling. The brand has released a variety of fresh colourways which helps you mix and match to suit your wardrobe and outfits.

Let us talk about the design and comfort - The brand's commitment to quality design and comfort is second to none, they make their sneakers built to last. With strong stitching, premium inners and high-quality canvas uppers, their shoes will never let you down (hence, we call them 'beaters'). Worn by some of the best skaters in the world, these shoes have to be comfortable, built with cushioned insoles it makes riding a board or simply walking the sidewalk a whole lot easier to keep your feet feeling safe.

Since its launch into the footwear industry, Vans has become a $2.3 billion powerhouse and one of the fastest-growing brands in the world. Their most notable and popular sneakers are The signature Vans Old Skool, the Vans Checkerboard Slip-On, which has seen the likes of many celebs such as Frank Ocean and ASAP Rocky wearing them, the Vans Authentic and their UltraRange.

To sum it up, here are some wise words from the founder: “Some of you may be wondering whether this level of growth for Vans is sustainable. Let me just say, the confidence we have in our largest brand is high. The brand is stronger than it has ever been.”

Vans Sneakers & Footwear Fact Check:

What Does 'Off The Wall' Mean?

The famous tagline used throughout the brand has an interesting double meaning. "Off the Wall" as a phrase, describes things that are unconventional or bizarre, bringing in the alternative and indie energy of the brand's roots. As well as that, it's also a skate trick where the skateboarder kicks off the ramp and has hang time in the air, they are going "off the wall". 

Is Vans Sustainable?

Vans have always been dedicated to making their product as sustainable as possible. Thinking about both the materials and processes they have worked on a Green Sole initiative, where Vans source the cotton for their canvas in line with the Better Cotton Initiative, working to reduce the environmental impact of cotton production and improving the lives of farmers and workers. They have been working with the initiative since 2014 and have set the goal of using only 100% sustainable cotton by 2025. 

They also run worldwide projects which help protect and empower people, including an initiative to introduce skating to women and girls in India who face strict gender roles - read more here.

How are Vans made?

Between 70 to 85 million pairs of Vans are made each year, you can be sure the brand has their processes down to a tee, refined and perfected since the 60s. Every style is made using a 5 step production process that begins with the sole. Constructed with a vulcanised rubber sole, it essentially means it is baked one time to cure the rubber and compress into the signature waffle pattern, and then again after production. The rest of the shoe is cut and assembled with signature stitching and detailing, finished with the staple rubber logo patch, placed on the heel.

Shop our full range of Vans NZ Shoes here.