Vans Old Skool

The first pair of Vans Old Skool shoes was released in 1977, though at the time they were called Vans #36. These sneakers were the idea of none other than company founder Paul Van Doren, whose addition of the iconic side stripe (known today as the ‘jazz stripe’) made the low-top silhouette an immediate classic.

With their plain rubber soles and simple suede and canvas uppers, Old Skool Vans remain a popular choice to this day, particularly among skateboarders. They’re stylish yet timeless in design, and importantly, they have lots of practical features, from sturdy toe caps to supportive collars. Over the years, different models, such as the ComfyCush (a revised iteration with a foam and rubber sole), have placed the focus on specific qualities, meeting the needs of the diverse individuals who wear the legendary trainers.

Most versions of the Old Skool feature a lace-up design for men and women; however, these shoes also come in smaller sizes for kids, which include accessible Velcro straps. In the JD Sports Australia range, you’ll find not only different fits but also unique colours and patterns: solid colours (such as black and grey), checkerboard, leopard, tie-dye, and floral.