Vans is an American manufacturer of skateboarding shoes and related apparel, based in Santa Ana, California.
In 1966 Paul Van Doren opened the first Vans store in California, offering vulcanised rubber soled skate shoes which attracted a generation of skateboarders. Celebrating youth culture, the brand is now best known for their classic chequered Slip-On styles, which were created after the founder saw a group of teens colouring in the midsole of their shoes with a permanent marker.
