Vans is a company founded on March 16, 1966 with the idea of producing a skateboard sneaker.

Initially the first AUTHENTICs were born and skaters all over Southern California started wearing Vans, enthusiastic about the solid construction and grippy soles of these shoes.

In 1976 the «OFF THE WALL» logo made its debut and the following year the Old Skool debuted with the now famous Vans side band. They are the first Vans skate shoe to incorporate leather panels for added durability. The side band, which immediately became the distinctive Vans trademark.