Vans is a Southern California-based manufacturer of sneakers, skateboarding shoes and other shoe types catering primarily to the skateboarder/surfer youth market.

Originally known as Van Doren Rubber Company, Vans was founded on March 16, 1966 by Paul Van Doren, Jim Van Doren (Brother), Serge D'Elia (Investor based in Japan), and Gordy Lee on 704E Broadway in Los Angeles, CA.

At first, Vans shoes were produced in the store, decades later American production of Vans shoes ended in July 1995. Vans began taking custom orders when people wanted different color schemes on their shoes.

In the beginning, Vans designed their shoes with a diamond tread. Later on, the middle part of each sh..