Vans Shoes Still First Choice for Skateboarders

When you consider how long Vans shoes have been around for, it’s pretty impressive that they’ve managed to consistently remain the number one skateboarding shoe. In 1966 Paul Van Doren and two other men started the Van Doren Rubber Company in Anaheim, California. At first, the company was only 400 square feet, and offered just a few different styles of sneakers. However, when skateboarding became popular in the 70s, Southern California youths started buying them to wear on their boards. Because Vans skate shoes had the classic waffle sole, they gripped the skateboarders perfectly. 

Skateboarders also loved the flexible yet sturdy construction, and the way the shoes looked. In 1976, Vans released their first shoe designed specifically for skateboarders: the Era shoe in blue and red. These first Vans skateboarder shoes were designed by pro skaters Tony Alva and Stacey Peralta. In 1982, Vans shoes became even more popular with the release of the movie Fast Times at Ridgemont High, in which Sean Penn wore the cool checkerboard Slip-Ons. 

Over the years, pro skateboarders including Geoff Rowley, Austin Poynter, Johnny Layton, Tony Alva, and Steve Caballero have designed stylish yet cheap Vans shoes in all styles and colours. The benefit of pro skateboarders designing Vans shoes is that they understand exactly what skateboarders want and need in a shoe. In addition to collaborating with pro skateboarders to design shoes, Vans now sponsors a number of pro skaters. In 1998 the Vans skate park was built in California. In 1995, Vans Warped Tour started, a showcase of punk, metal and rock bands who toured the US and Canada. 

Fans can listen to their favorite bands, browse booths and even pay Vans shoes sale prices for the latest and greatest vans skate shoes and clothing. Vans has introduced their Customs line, allowing you to personalize your skate shoes. You can order custom Vans shoes and choose the colour scheme and pattern you want. Other options include ordering your Vans from a company that specializes in customizing shoes with unique designs. Or, you can save money and use fabric paints and markers to create your own custom Vans right at home. Simply draw out your design with pencil on your Vans shoes fill in with fabric paints or pens, and add glitter, studs, and even jewels for funky footwear. 

Every season Vans continues to release hot styles of skate shoes. Vans Warped Tour is still going strong, and new collaborations with pro skateboarders come out every year. It’s easy to find Vans shoes Canada at great prices, whether you want an old school design like the Era, Slip-On, or Authentic, or a newer skate shoe like the Madero, Escuela, or Zapato. Look for some new releases for 2012 too: the Atwood, Prison Issue, Chukka Low Skate Shoes, and Zapato del Barco, to name just a few. Whether you’re looking for Vans shoes to skate in, for school or for the city streets, you’re sure to find an inexpensive pair of sneakers that are durable, comfortable and in style!