Vans
# 95 model ( known today as the Era ), with a patented diamond waffle-sole and padded ankle collar . The company ’ s slogan was “ Tell your friends about Vans ,” and that ’ s what the kids did . In Santa Monica and Manhattan Beach , many skaters started customizing the same color combinations , which led Vans to add three multi-color stock models : navy / red , navy / yellow and beige / brown .
store attached to it . Opening on March 15 , 1966 , Vans offered only one style of sneaker , known as the # 44 Vans Deck Shoe , which was available in four colors – navy , white , red and loden green - and ranged from $ 2.49 to $ 5.00 a pair . On the first day , they sold sixteen pairs of sneakers , all made-to-order and ready for pick-up within 24 hours .
The Z-Boys affiliation not only solidified Vans ’ credibility in the skate community , but also provided valuable feedback . By 1976 , pool skating was on the rise , thanks to the invention of urethane skateboard wheels , new trucks , and grip tape . Concrete skate parks started opening across America and Europe during the late 1970s , and the Van Doren brothers were paying close attention . Vans began sponsoring elite young skaters , who were now competing around the world and featured in the pages of skateboard magazines .
Vans soon began making custom-pairs for anyone who walked in with material that could be sewn into a pair of sneakers . Everything from denim jeans to Hawaiian shirts and high school team colors were turned into # 44 Vans Deck Shoes , but the kids who really created the most far-out designs were the local skaters . The most famous skate crew to adopt Vans were known as the “ Z- Boys ,” led by Tony Alva and Stacey Peralta .
After being approached by Alva and Peralta to create a custom shoe , Vans created the
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