Vans shoes and apparel

Vans is an iconic American brand that has become a global staple in skateboarding and youth culture. Founded in 1966 by brothers Paul and James Van Doren, along with partners Gordon Lee and Serge D'Elia, the brand began as the Van Doren Rubber Company in Anaheim, California. Unique for its time, the company manufactured shoes on-site and sold them directly to the public. The thick rubber "waffle" soles quickly became a favorite among local skateboarders for their grip and durability, leading to the development of legendary models like the Era, Old Skool, and Classic Slip-On.

Today, Vans is a subsidiary of VF Corporation, an American global apparel and footwear powerhouse that also owns brands like The North Face and Timberland. While Vans' creative and corporate roots remain deeply embedded in Southern California with a headquarters in Costa Mesa, its manufacturing has expanded globally to meet massive international demand. Most Vans products are currently manufactured in Asian countries such as Vietnam, China, and Cambodia, though the brand continues to celebrate its West Coast heritage through high-profile sponsorships of action sports and music festivals.