Vans MTE Mid-Slip Trainers

Vans is a globally recognized American footwear and apparel brand that has become synonymous with skateboarding culture and West Coast lifestyle. The brand was founded in 1966 by Paul Van Doren, James Van Doren, and Gordon C. Lee in Anaheim, California, under the name 'The Van Doren Rubber Company.' Its unique business model initially involved manufacturing shoes on-site and selling them directly to the public on the same day.

While originally produced in California, the brand moved its manufacturing operations overseas in the late 1990s to meet global demand and optimize costs. Today, Vans products are primarily manufactured in several countries across Asia, including China, Vietnam, and Cambodia, with some additional production in the Dominican Republic. Despite the shift in production locations, the company maintains its design headquarters in Costa Mesa, California.

Since 2004, Vans has been owned by the VF Corporation, a massive American global apparel and footwear company. In recent years, including the outlook for 2026, the brand has focused on expanding its appeal beyond its skateboarding roots into a broader lifestyle category. This transformation includes high-profile fashion collaborations and the revival of cultural touchstones like the Warped Tour to maintain its relevance in a competitive global market.