Collection: Vans

Vans is an American footwear and apparel brand founded in 1966 by brothers Paul and Jim Van Doren and two partners in Anaheim, California. The original Vans was a small custom-shoe operation where customers could walk in, pick their colours, and pick up their shoes at the end of the day. From that humble start the brand grew into a global lifestyle icon, embraced by skaters, surfers, musicians and streetwear devotees.

The defining moment came in the early 1970s when skateboarders adopted the Vans Era for its sticky vulcanised rubber sole and reinforced canvas. The brand has been synonymous with skateboarding ever since. The Old Skool, with its sidewall jazz stripe; the Authentic with its low-cut profile; the Sk8-Hi with the ankle-supporting high-top; the slip-on with its iconic checkerboard pattern: these four silhouettes are now permanently in the streetwear canon.

Beyond skate, Vans has built a strong lifestyle and music association. Tour partnerships, art collaborations, the Vans Warped Tour music festival, and frequent collaborations with designers and other brands have kept Vans culturally relevant for nearly six decades. The Vans Customs platform lets buyers design their own pairs from scratch — a direct continuation of the original 1966 business model.

Vans sizing runs slightly large for most styles. The Old Skool in particular tends to feel roomy — going down half a size from your usual UK fit gives a snugger feel. The Authentic and Era run truer to size. Slip-ons can vary by style; the elastic side panels accommodate slightly wider feet. Children's Vans use kids' UK sizing.

Vans canvas styles can be hand-washed with mild detergent. Avoid the washing machine for any Vans with vulcanised soles — the agitation can damage the rubber-canvas bond. Suede Vans benefit from a soft brush and a waterproofing spray. The replaceable insole inside many styles can be swapped out when it compresses, extending the shoe's useful life by months.

Cordners has been Northern Ireland's footwear specialist since 1937. Family-owned across three generations, we've built our reputation on three things: choosing the brands customers can trust, fitting shoes properly using trained staff and free in-store measuring, and standing behind every pair we sell. Our stores across Northern Ireland stock the widest range of footwear in the region, and our online store brings that same expertise to anyone in the UK and Ireland.

Every pair is sourced directly from the brand or its authorised UK distributor — what you order is 100% genuine and comes with the manufacturer's full warranty. Free 30-day returns means you can try at home with zero risk. If the size or style isn't right, send them back at our expense. Free standard UK delivery on orders over £75, with next-day delivery available on orders placed before 2pm Monday to Friday. Click-and-collect from any Cordners store across Northern Ireland is free of charge, with stock typically ready within one working day. Need sizing advice? Visit any Cordners store for a free fitting from our trained team, or chat to us online during business hours.