All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Footwear News may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Table Of Contents
Skate shoes may be trending, but there’s one brand that has that ethos embedded in their DNA: Vans. Whether its low-top styles for casual wear or souped-up options strictly for the skateboard park, the best Vans shoes have an impressive history of craftsmanship to back their notable design. From the best walking shoes for men to comfortable sneakers for women, the brand has catered to everyone and every style for decades.
Originally made with skateboarders and athletes in mind, Vans has produced innovative designs over the past five decades. The debut shoes were known for offering ankle support for boarding tricks and durability to keep up with wipeouts. Today, Vans has extended its product line to include options for other sports, too, like surfing and BMX, and now there are more lifestyle options made for daily wear, even if you’re not into the sports scene.
While any Vans shoe style is timeless, there are a few that remain best-sellers time and time again. First up, the Vans Old Skool shoe, a classic design from the brand that was first seen in the 1970s. There’s also the Classic Slip-On Shoe, which caught the attention of surfers due to its easy pull-on-and-off silhouette. Like the Old Skool shoe, the Classic slip-on shoes are crafted with Vans’ traditional canvas material — a flexible fabric that’s both breathable and sturdy.
On the topic of canvas shoes, Vans is one of the best shoe brands to have in your wardrobe based on materials alone. Since its birth in 1966, the sneaker brand has used proprietary canvas materials in its shoes. This makes each pair durable and easy to wash, while a thick rubber sole adds more stability and grip for quick movement and walking on slick surfaces. Now, Vans has adapted its strategy to use other synthetic materials like leather, which provides a modern twist on some of the most-loved classics.
Vans has seen a recent surge in popularity due to a resurgence of the Y2K-inspired skateboard trends in streetwear fashion and on social media (on TikTok, searches for #Vans has amassed an astounding 5.9 billion views). Celebrities like Justin Bieber, Emily Ratajkowski, Julia Roberts, Christy Turlington-Burns, and Dan Reynolds have also put these kicks in the limelight, showing how versatile they are for styling. Bieber and Reynolds paired the Old Skool shoes with casual pants, while Emrata has been seen in the Vans Core Classic Sneakers and Checkered Slip-On Vans, which she often pairs with designer bags. Vans also stays relevant in the market with brand collaborations with Barbie, Gucci, JJJJound, and Gallery Dept, which have helped add appeal to a wider range of customers outside of the skating community.
Simply put, Vans shoes are cemented in the fashion zeitgeist. Their popularity ranges from not only skaters, but anyone who loves sneakers. If you’re looking for a durable and comfortable pair of shoes, these picks will check all boxes.
Size range: 6 to 17.5 men’s; 5 to 18.5 women’s
Colorways: 30 options for men; 30 options for women
Materials: Durable suede and canvas uppers, supportive padded collars,
rubber waffle outsoles
Special features: Has Vans’ iconic low-top and classic side stripe, lace-up closure
Best for: Durability
Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.4/5
What testers say: “I’ve had a pair of these for about eight years. They are by far the most durable pair of shoes I have ever owned. My pair is ready for retirement, and I will definitely be ordering another any day! I absolutely love these shoes. They’re simple, durable, and I always feel like a badass wearing them.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $70
Size range: 6.5 to 16 men’s; 5 to 17.5 women’s
Colorways: 8 options for men; 8 options for women
Materials: Synthetic uppers, rubber waffle outsoles, elastic side accents
Special features: Slip on feature, classic red heel tab
Best for: Walking
Nordstrom Top-Quality Story Badge on Google: 4.7/5
Vans Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.4/5
What testers say: “I’m unable to bend because of surgery and must wear slip on sneakers. These are so incredibly comfortable. I put them in at 6 in the morning and sometimes don’t take them off till ten at night. Highly recommend them. By the way, did I mention I’m 71? They are good for all ages.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $60
Size range: 6.5 to 13 men’s; 5 to 14.5 women’s
Colorways: 23 options for men; 23 options for women
Materials: Suede and canvas uppers, rubber waffle outsoles
Special features: Multiple prints and colors
Best for: Wider widths
Zappos Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.8/5
What testers say: “These shoes are great. They are all black, so they are a no-brainer with just about any outfit. They’re comfortable, stylish, and look awesome. I wear them anywhere, from the gym to work, or just hanging out. My first pair lasted about three years before wearing our bottoms, but I will be getting another!”
Price upon publish date of this article: $90
Size range: 6.5 to 13 men’s; 5 to 14.5 women’s
Colorways: 9 options for men; 9 options for women
Materials: Sturdy canvas uppers
Special features: Padded collar for ankle support
Best for: Everyday wear
Vans Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.4/5
What testers say: “They fit true to size and are really comfy. In my experience, flat-sole shoes can be uncomfortable, but these are nicely padded all over. They look very stylish as well. They sit pretty low around the ankle, so a pair of no-show socks works great with them.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $65
Size range: 6.5 to 13 men’s; 5 to 14.5 women’s
Colorways: 6 options for men; 6 options for women
Materials: Suede, ten-ounce canvas uppers, reinforced duracap underlays
Special features: High-traction outsole with gum rubber and Popcush cushioning
Best for: Standing for hours at a time
Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.4/5
What testers say: “I use them day to day and for work. Super comfortable and nice to wear them.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $85
Size range: 6.5 to 10 men’s; 5 to 11.5 women’s
Colorways: 4 options for men; 4 options for women
Materials: Sturdy canvas uppers, rubber waffle outsoles
Special features: Checkerboard print, elastic side accents
Best for: Styling
Vans Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.4/5
What testers say: “These platforms are very comfortable, and I even went half a size down bc my other slip-on platforms run a bit big. Half a size down is perfect. I wore them all day while standing on my feet. I’m a hairdresser, and I was fine! Get them! They are cute. The color is cool, the platform is nice, and I like that they are suede.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $75
Size range: 6.5 to 16 men’s; 5 to 17.5 women’s
Colorways: 15 options for men; 15 options for women
Materials: Suede uppers, puffy 3D molded Sidestripe
Special features: Puffy tongue and ankle collar
Best for: Versatility
Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.4/5
What testers say: “Love the new look and style! And the comfort is beyond great.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $75
Size range: 6.5 to 13 men’s; 5 to 14.5 women’s
Colorways: 19 options for men; 19 options for women
Materials: Leather and synthetic uppers, ComfyCush outsole
Special features: Heritage Flying V logo
Best for: Workwear
Vans Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.4/5
What testers say: “I am a huge Vans fan, to begin with, so I was stoked to finally come across a shoe that I am willing to risk wearing to work. I work 12+ hours as a nurse, and I have to have a shoe that is easy to wipe down (read that as sanitize).”
Price upon publish date of this article: $100
Size range: 6.5 to 13 men’s; 5 to 14.5 women’s
Colorways: 8 options for men; 8 options for women
Materials: Suede uppers with leather accents
Special features: Suede uppers with leather accents
Best for: A lightweight fit
Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.4/5
What reviewers say: “This might be my new favorite pair of Vans. I have over 40 pairs, and these are just a dream on my feet. They’re so comfy and lightweight. The purple/teal combo is incredible in person. Would love this shoe in more fun colors! Blues, oranges, greens! Anything loud, I’m game.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $70
Size range: 6.5 to 16 men’s; 5 to 17.5 women’s
Colorways: 20 options for men; 20 options for women
Materials: Recycled PET and polyester upper materials
Special features: All terrain-grip
Best for: Running
Vans Top-Quality Store Badge on Google: 4.4/5
What reviewers say: “30k steps a day for a month, and these were the only shoes I brought. Didn’t even break them in before I left. Never once did I wish I had brought any other shoes. They were cute to dress up, comfortable to be in all day, and even good for CrossFit (the main reason I went with this line). The best shoe I have ever invested in, and I will be buying them in every color.”
Price upon publish date of this article: $100
The History of Vans Shoes
Vans’ history began in 1966, when brothers Paul and James van Doren founded the Van Doren Rubber Company in Anaheim, California. The mission of the company was to provide the community with high-quality footwear — sans the expensive cost. The brothers began to produce and sell the shoes through their first store, which was adjacent to the factory that crafted each pair. The first pair of Vans sold was called the #44 Deck shoe — now known as the “Authentic” — which had a low profile silhouette that initially caught the attention of skateboarders. The shoes were the first of their kind to feature an outsole twice as thick as what other brands were crafting, and that rubber sole delivered impressive grip for skaters and athletes alike.
The brand kept expanding its offering through the 1960s and 1970s, and in 1976, a modern iteration of the #44 shoes was reimagined by athletes Tony Alva and Stacy Peralta. The updated look included a padded ankle collar; you might recognize it as the “Era” model today. Vans kept expanding their shoes through the ’70s and, in 1977, added the Old Skool, Sk8-Hi, and Slip-On, which are popular with skateboarders, surfers, and BMX riders today.
1989 brought the Caballeros (inspired by skater Steve Caballero) shoes to life. The brand cut the collar off to provide more ankle movements so athletes could have more flexibility while skating. Over the next few years, the shoes evolved into the Half Cab, a mid-top option.
For decades, Vans held its own in the sneaker market and gained a new fan base with hip-hop artists like Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and Lupe Fiasco. This attention also caused the fashion world to pay attention, which prompted designers such as Marc Jacobs and Junya Watanabe to put their spin on the brand’s models.
Vans’ secret to success is being able to evolve and grow with an ever-changing market. Today, the brand has moved away from only offering its classic models and now produces trainers, high- and low-top silhouettes, and even platform shoes. Apart from new-and-improved designs, Vans has also introduced other materials (beside the traditional canvas the brand is known for) to their shoes. Today, Vans shoes come in synthetic materials like rubber and leather, allowing you plentiful options to choose from when shopping.
How We Chose the Best Vans Shoes
For more than 75 years, Footwear News has been the shoe authority. Our coverage spans top industry news, retail trends, head-to-toe fashion, athletic and outdoor analysis, and more. Footwear News’ global network of editors has carefully curated all product selections featured using our expansive brand knowledge and thorough research to find quality, long-lasting items.
When creating this list of the best Vans shoes, we studied Vans’ history, researched the market, used customer reviews, and looked at celebrity styles to compile a list of the ten best models. From there, we assessed each pair and learned about the features, what they best cater to, and how durable they are. We also included Vans’ latest shoes to stay up to date, so you can rest assured that you are purchasing the best Vans shoes. Learn more about us here.
Meet the Author
Taylor Lane is a freelance beauty and shopping writer based in Charleston, South Carolina. The former New Yorker previously held titles in the commerce space at Yahoo Life and Dotdash Meredith. Her bylines appear in publications like InStyle, Forbes Vetted, Women’s Health, and more. Lane has over seven years of experience covering shopping trends and style, and her editorial expertise contributed to the selections in this article on the best Vans shoes.
