Keep It Timeless With Vans Old Skool Sneakers

Iconic sneakers remain relevant throughout the decades. The kicks in Vans Old Skool line, for example, are mainstays in the competitive eBay marketplace. Classic styling from toe to heel, the signature side stripe and the lace-up closure all hearken back to the roots of the Vans phenomenon.

Originally known as Vans #36, which introduced the Vans Sidestripe, these sneakers now carry the classic Old Skool name. Find out why Vans Old Skool sneakers stand out as icons of sporty footwear.

The Genesis of Vans Old Skool Sneakers

Brothers Paul and James Van Doren founded the Van Doren Rubber Company in Anaheim, Cal. It was 1966, and unlike lots of their competitors, the Van Dorens manufactured their sneakers in small batches onsite. To keep prices low and eliminate retail markup, they sold them directly to customers.

Designed for value, comfort, and durability, Vans #36 was not the first product line from the Van Dorens. The first model to roll out was The Authentic, which made its appearance in 1966. It brought the company modest success, and they stuck with it as their only sneaker design for the next decade.

Vulcanized rubber was used for the diamond-patterned soles of their sneakers. The result was a grippy surface that skateboarders appreciated, and Vans became popular with the skate crowd. Catering to this unexpected clientele, the company even sold singles to skaters who commonly wore out one shoe more quickly than the other.

An unlikely partnership bloomed between the Van Dorens and skateboarders during that first decade of doing business. Instead of kicking them out like owners of so many locations, the brothers welcomed their young customers. They worked together to perfect the sneaker that had become an early skateboarding icon.

Among their advisors were future skating pros Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta. These two helped develop the company's first sneaker designed specifically for skateboarding: the Era. It came out in 1976.

In 1977, Vans released the shoe that would one day be called Old Skool. That same year, it produced The Slip-On.

Until 1982, the Vans brand remained a best-kept secret among the Southern California skating community. What happened in this year, though, was a bonafide game-changer.

Young Sean Penn walked into a Santa Monica sneaker store and bought a pair of black-and-white-checked Van slip-ons. Legend has it that he liked them so much that he wore them in the movie, "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." Once the movie hit theaters nationwide, fans started clamoring for Vans shoes. The Van Doren Rubber Company's revenue doubled in just a few months.

Despite subsequent growth and resounding success, Vans has not left its original clientele behind. The firm continues to sponsor boarders of all ilks, including skaters, surfers, and snowboarders. The sustained popularity of the Vans Old Skool Sneaker style is living proof of Van Doren's influence on the sneaker industry at large.

The Hallmarks of the Vans Old Skool Sneaker

When you shop sneakers on eBay, you'll see a complete overview of what's trending. When you shop for classic Vans, though, the latest style trends become less relevant.

Sneaker enthusiasts feel they can't go wrong with a pair of classic Old Skool shoes from Vans. When you take a closer look into the signature features of these sneakers, it's easy to see why they have stood the test of time to set the benchmark for style: 

●     Low top profile for flexibility and fashion

●     Combination suede and canvas upper for rugged durability and looks

●     Lace-up closure that provides a retro feel plus an adjustable fit

●     Reinforced rubber toe cap for extra protection when stopping

●     Padded collars that support and stabilize the foot

●     Iconic waffle-pattern grippy rubber sole for sure footing and classic good looks

The Side Stripe

Of all the items above, the side stripe is perhaps the most visible feature that sets Vans Old Skool apart from other brands of sneakers. It etches a lazy curve from behind the toe box to the heel of the shoe. The stripe is a visible contrast in all models but the Black/Black and True White options.

The side stripe is a copy of a sketch by founder Paul Van Doren. He called it his "jazz stripe." This iconic accent first appeared on the 1977 Vans #36 shoes that were destined to become the present-day Old Skool line. These sneakers were also the first to feature leather details, and they were the company's first low-top skate shoes. As such, they were groundbreaking in several ways.

Top Options in Old Skool Style

 The classic black and white Vans Old Skool remains a best-seller. The checkerboard pattern like those Penn wore in the movies is also a perennial best seller in Old Skool. The company keeps releasing new colorways each year, meaning there are many designs and colors to coordinate with different fashion tastes.

Overall, the classic sneaker comes in 27 standard color combinations plus custom designs. Ranging from mainstays like Racing Red/True White to more atypical combinations like Stormy Weather, the variety of tones makes the sneakers easy to coordinate with sneaker enthusiasts' favorite outfits.

You'll find an amazing selection of Vans Old Skool for women on eBay too. Toy Story prints, pink and white, and Glen Plaid Floral are just a few of the standout designs.

Another option is the Stackform Old Skool sneaker. Just like the name says, it features a stacked sole that adds a bit of height to a wearer's stature. Sneakerheads striving to take their outfits to the next level prefer a pair of these shoes. 

Epic Collaborations Keep Old Skool Sneakers Relevant

Vans collaborates with musicians, artists, and other notable figures on a regular basis. Competitive skateboarding pioneer Tony Alva was part of the first notable collaboration with the Van Doren Shoe Co. In the 1970s, Alva worked side by side with Vans to produce the first Old Skool-style shoes with his name on the heel. 

The Japanese BMX firm 430 went in with Vans to produce the 430 Double Decade, a black-on-black version of the Old Skool. It has a checkered footbed, rubber shoelaces, and the 430 name along the edge of the sole. Fans of Vans prefer this version for a clean look.

More recently, the results of a collaboration with artist Eiichiro Oda has produced the Old Skool Devil Fruits design. In addition, a three-way design partnership between Vans, Swarovski, and Supreme came out in October 2022. It yielded sparkling crystal-infused Old Skools with a checkerboard pattern and three color combinations. Known as the Supreme x Swarovski x Vans Old Skool sneaker iteration, they bear the Supreme signature on the heel of the shoes.

When it comes to Old Skool sneakers from Vans, it's a case of the more they change, the more they stay the same. The latest colors, collaborators, and options for this in-demand shoe are available on eBay.