If you grew up in the 1980's like I did then you remember everybody wearing Vans because they came in so many styles (slip-on, checkered, plaid, Van Halen look, etc.). Vans was founded in 1966 by Paul Van Doren out of Southern California and they were originally popular with the youth market - mainly skateboarders and surfers. I grew up in California and it seemed that back then if you did skateboard you had to own a pair of Vans just to fit in. The company had some financial problems in the late 80's as they tried to branch out into the sporting shoe world, but they have come back strong after filing for bankruptcy in 1984 (they even went public in 1991). Vans slowly opened retail stores and indoor skate parks across the country which has really helped them become a dominant shoe manufacturer once again in this decade. Vans are huge within the rock, skate, punk, and emo scenes, and they have even started to make a mark in the hip hop world thanks to the group Reform Skool. Some of the popular sytles of Vans Shoes are: Vans Penuin Shoes, Vans Slip-Ons, Vans Checkerboard Shoes, and of course the Vans Plaid Classic Shoes. Young or old, athletic or not, Vans shoes are meant for everybody and hopefully our reviews will help you pick the right pair.
Best Vans Skateboard Shoes:
I used to skateboard as a kid (not very well) and I always wore Vans or Nike shoes. If you have ever been on a skateboard then you know how much safer you feel with Vans high tops shoes on. So many times you fall (or have to jump) off your board and more often than not you land funny on your feet and ankles. Wearing high tops is a great way to protect your body and I personally think the Vans high tops are their best looking shoes. You can find the Vans Sk8-Hi Navy/Gold Fusion Shoes for sale online at activemailorder.com for only $50.00. They come in a cool suede and canvas shoe with a rubber sole (great for grip on any skateboard) that is hard to wear down. They seemed to get good reviews, especially for their foam support that provides extra cushioning for you active youth. My favorite Vans high tops are the Mens' Vans Sk8 Hi Classic Shoes that sell for $59.95 online. I like the color which is red (you can probably find more colors like pink, black, white, etc.) because it stands out so well against cement. This shoe is definitely made to last and again is made from suede and canvas. Perfect shoe for skating and once they wear in they are SO comfortable for everyday use, trust me I actually owned about 5 pairs as a child.
Vans Shoes For Kids / Toddlers:
If you have little kids then you are well aware of how quickly they can destroy (or wear out) their shoes, clothes, and other items. If you can afford to spend a little extra cash then buying Vans shoes for your kids could be a good investment. Most people agree that Vans seem to be very durable, and that is something that works well with children - a product that can take daily wear and tear. Once in a while you might find a pair of kids Vans shoes on sale, but usually you are gonna have to pay store price. Vans makes a huge line of shoes for younger kids and their online store had most every shoe in stock. The official Vans website had some pretty good deals online so we reviewed a couple of their most popular shoes for kids and toddlers. 1. Classic Slip-on in Youth Limited Editions Sizes - great shoe for that little girl or boy in your family, comes in sizes 3-10.5 and a variety of colors and designs (skull, pink, green, etc.), still a big seller among the youth with the rubber sole and canvas upper. 2. Vans Big School Toddler Shoes - comes in pink or black/white checkerboard design, available in sizes 4-10 and a cute shoe for that little hipster - $25 is a great deal for this shoe. Get a pair of these Vans for any toddler and next thing you know they might be skateboarding!
Slip On Vans Shoes:
Do you want to buy Vans Slip-On Shoes? Any pair of Vans shoes that you buy will be comfortable, but their slip-on shoes are so cool because they require no effort to put on. Think of their slip-on shoes as a pair of slippers meant for outdoor use that anybody can wear (toddler, baby, woman, kid, etc.). Vans.com carries a wide selection of slip on style shoes like the checkerboard, prison issue, leather, plaid, and of course the Old Skool. One of their biggest selling shoes is the Classic Slip-on Checkerboard Shoes that come in various colors (red, pink, white, orange, etc.). These shoes sell for between $37 and $40 on their website depending on the style and size shoe you buy. Another great version of their slip on shoes is the plaid style. The Plaid Classic Slip-On Shoes will cost you $50 online, but you will look cool and feel young again with these on your feet. These shoes all have the classic rubber sole and comfy canvas material. The plaid shoes are still one of Vans biggest selling shoes available in their stores and Vans outlets.
Where to Buy Vans Shoes For Men and Women:
Did you grow up wearing Vans? If you grew up on the west coast or were part of the "cool crowd" then you probably owned a pair of Vans. Just because a few years have passed doesn't mean that you are too old to put on a pair of Vans and make yourself a little more hip. Vans have always been associated with people who surf and skateboard, but nowadays you see all types of people wearing their shoes. Vans.com has a great website where you can shop for your favorite shoes (they even sell shorts, accessories, and bags). The website was a little frustrating to use because they run a lot of flash on their site that really slows down some computers (unless you have a high speed connection). For men I would recommend checking out the Vans Classic Madera Shoe which is availalbe on their website for $55.00. This shoe is a little different because it is made from hemp and organic canvas (just looks a little odd), but it is a high performance skate shoe that is very durable. The Madera shoe also has a canvas lining and cotton jute foxing wrap for breathable comfort - important for you active men who sweat. If you are looking for a great Vans shoe for women then check out their new "Jada Vans Shoe". You can buy the shoe in sizes 5-11 and it sells for $45.00 on their website at shop.vans.com. The Jada shoe has a unique design that makes it appear very long (the actual tongue part of the shoe has been shortened giving it a longer feel). Because this shoe is brand new there was not a lot of customer feedback available, but we assume that this shoe will hold up to the high standard that Vans has set over the years.