Here’s Why Old-School Vans Sneakers Are Making a Comeback for Summer
Scouted selects products independently. If you purchase something from our posts, we may earn a small commission.
These days, everyone has a Labor Day Weekend get-together to celebrate the end of summer, and if you’re a kid, the end of summer means it’s time to get ready for the new school year. To me, grade school was always such a drag. Regardless, the annual beginning of my grade school scholastic achievement didn’t just mean new classes with new teachers; it meant fresh clothes and a killer new pair of Vans to kick off the year in style. Plus, as a kid with wide-set feet, I envied my peers who could confidently wear brands like Chuck Taylor or Adidas, which I didn’t fit into. Fortunately, Vans’ Authentic Shoe, which is still my all-time favorite, always adjusted to my feet seamlessly. Vans aren’t just the stuff of my school-age memories—they are alive and kicking (pun intended).
Over the years (Vans launched in 1966), the brand has continually evolved its most popular styles like the Era, Old Skool, Sk8-Hi, and, of course, the Authentic Shoe that started it all. The impact of pop culture on Vans single-handedly positioned itself as a leader in the footwear world. From organic celebrity endorsements from stars like Ariana Grande, Rihanna, and, of course, the “Sk8er Boi” pop-punk singer Avril Lavigne to its 25-year stride of title-selling Vans Warped Tour and collaborations with Metallica and Karl Lagerfeld, it’s no surprise the brand remains one of the most popular footwear brands of all time after all these years.