VANS Sneakers US Planning USA Old Skool Shoes OLD SKOOL Authentic Men'

VANS' Iconic Sidestripe Model

First introduced in 1977 as Style 36, this model was the first to feature VANS' iconic sidestripe.
Renamed OLD SKOOL in the early 90s, it has remained incredibly popular ever since.

While "OLD SCHOOL" typically refers to "old-fashioned" or "traditional," in certain fields like music, "SKOOL" is sometimes used instead of "SCHOOL" to denote respect for previous styles, and VANS also uses "SKOOL" in its name.

The upper is primarily made of two materials: suede and canvas, with reinforced toe caps and padded collars for durability.
*True White and Black/Black are made entirely of canvas.

Side

The wavy sidestripe, a signature design of VANS, also known as the Jazz Stripe, was inspired by a casual "doodle" drawn by founder Paul Van Doren.

Sole

The rubber waffle sole has been used since VANS was founded in 1966. It got its name from being molded into a grid pattern like a waffle.

It boasts excellent grip, making it stable on a skateboard and reliable even on rainy days.

Heel

The heel features VANS' familiar red logo with "OFF THE WALL" etched above a skateboard.

While "OFF THE WALL" literally means "away from the wall," in the context of VANS, it refers to an American slang meaning "unconventional" or "outrageous."

In the 1970s, when VANS sponsored the skateboarding group Z-BOYS, legendary Z-BOYS skater Tony Alva performed a trick where he launched into the air from the poolside wall. The owner of Z-BOYS exclaimed, "OFF THE WALL! (You're outrageous!)" to praise him, and this phrase became an iconic expression in skater culture.

At the time, VANS also had an unconventional business style where everything was custom-ordered, which helped "OFF THE WALL" become established as the brand's catchphrase and continues to be used in its logos and product names to this day.

Color Variations

Black
VN000D3HY28

True White
VN000D3HW00

Navy
VN000D3HNVY

Black/Black
VN000D3HBKA

Black Gum
VN0001R1GI6

Wearing Image

The design with the sidestripe is simple yet distinctive, fitting seamlessly into a wide range of outfits from casual to neat.

By keeping the hem of the pants clean in a simple outfit, the sidestripe stands out and the shoes can become the main item.

About VANS

Founded in 1966 in Anaheim, California, USA, by Paul Van Doren and three partners under a name meaning "Van and his friends," this sneaker brand initially operated on a made-to-order basis, creating the first model, now known as Authentic, on the same day it was ordered and delivering it directly to customers at the store.

In the 1970s, the rubber waffle sole, which had been used since the company's inception, began to gain popularity among skaters due to its excellent grip, and members of the legendary Z-BOYS skate crew also became fans.
VANS successively created masterpieces such as Era, Old Skool, Sk8-Hi, and Slip-On, which continue to be popular today, and by the end of the 1970s, had opened approximately 70 stores in California.

Despite strong sales of its main products, the company's rapid expansion of stores and excessive product variations led to increasing debt.
Although it went bankrupt in 1984, a reconstruction plan was approved, and after founder Paul Van Doren returned as president, the company paid off 12 million dollars in debt within three years without compromising shoe quality, marking a new beginning.

Subsequently, due to failures in business diversification, performance deteriorated again, and despite various twists and turns, such as becoming part of the major apparel manufacturer VF Corporation, VANS achieved another miraculous V-shaped recovery by refocusing on its core footwear business.

Though its journey has been far from smooth, bouncing back every time it hit rock bottom, VANS has grown into a global brand, linking with various cultures—music, fashion, art, and more—starting from skateboarding. As it approaches its 60th anniversary, it continues to be loved by generations.