Vans Old Skool

Old Skool

Vans’ connection with the skateboarding community began early on, when skaters adopted the brand’s hard-wearing, grippy deck shoes. In 1976, the first dedicated Vans skate shoe came out, and in 1977, its follow-up, the #36 was released. This sturdy but stylish sneaker eventually became Vans’ flagship silhouette: the Old Skool.

The Vans Old Skool features a breathable canvas upper with leather Sidestripes alongside stitched-in suede panels that deliver skate-ready durability to the toe, heel and eyestay. Its low-cut collar is generously padded, offering support around the ankles, while its overall flexibility makes the shoe comfortable and easy to wear.

Supported by a flat, vulcanised rubber sole, the Old Skool is made for skating but also great for everyday casual wear. The midsole’s high, textured sidewalls help protect the foot without compromising board feel, and the rubber outsole brings durable traction through a heritage waffle design that blends diamond and honeycomb tread patterns.

The Vans Old Skool is known for its timeless aesthetic and stylistic versatility. The 1977 original’s clean upper debuted the Sidestripe logo, which continues to define the shoe’s minimalist look as its instantly recognisable curvature is complemented by elegantly stitched design lines. Lastly, a classic ‘Off The Wall’ licence plate adorns the back of the midsole in another distinctive nod to Vans’ skateboarding heritage.

As well as being an important part of skate culture, the Vans Old Skool has had a huge impact on music and fashion. Adopted by the punk and hardcore scenes of the 1970s and 80s, when it was worn by rebellious rock stars like Black Flag’s Henry Rollins, it was later picked up by hip hop stars like A$AP Rocky and Tyler, The Creator, who popularised the shoe amongst an even broader audience.

The Old Skool has also influenced fashion, especially after Vans partnered with skate-focused streetwear brand Supreme in 1996. Following the launch of Vault by Vans in 2003, notable collaborations occurred with French luxury fashion house Kenzo, American retailer BLENDS, Tyler, The Creator’s streetwear label Golf Wang and Canadian design studio JJJJound, to name but a few.

Alongside these, the brand has created multiple variants, such as the Premium and the Pro, both of which have enhanced comfort-giving features like tough Duracap uppers and plush PopCush insoles, and the Skate, which is reinforced for the rigours of skateboarding. Meanwhile, the MTE’s specially treated upper and fleecy inner make it ideal for difficult conditions, and the fashion-forward Platform gracefully elevates the wearer.

There have also been many celebratory Old Skool releases, including the 2025 Premium Old Skool Music Collection, which pays homage to Vans’ influence on the punk movement, the Warped Tour and hip hop. The brand’s sporting connections were also honoured through special models with skaters like Efron Danzig and Tania Cruz, while the release campaign involved modern metal, punk and rap groups.

Effortlessly stylish and highly wearable, the Vans Old Skool is a beloved global icon and a bold symbol of the brand’s deep roots in skateboarding, music and fashion.