In celebration of the final iteration of our FEATURE x Vans Vault 'Sinner's Club' collaboration, we're taking a look at the history of Vans Vault and the subsidary line's early beginnings. To enter the draw for the FEATURE x Vans Vault 'Double Down Sinner's Club' footwear capsule + coinciding FEATURE graphics collection, click here.

First introduced in 2003 as a subsidiary line of Vans, Vans Vault was brought onto the footwear industry to offer more exclusive and upscale designs. The Vans Vault line, or Vault by Vans, also features collaborations with artists, designers, and other brands, making it more popular for those looking for something more elevated.

With a rich history dating back to its founding in 1966, Vans has become an iconic brand, specifically in subcultures such as skateboarding and streetwear. Vans was founded as the Van Doren Rubber Company in Anaheim, California. Gaining popularity in the 1970s with skateboarders due to their grippy and durable sticky rubber soles, Vans sneakers quickly became synonymous with the skateboarding culture. Over the decades, Vans expanded beyond skateboarding shoes and into footwear for surfers, BMX riders, and streetwear enthusiasts. This was when iconic styles like the Vans Era, Vans Slip-On, and Vans Old Skool came to play. So once the 2000s rolled around, the rise of sneaker culture made it necessary for Vans to expand into offerings that were more limited, rare, and of higher quality.

What exactly makes Vans Vault so elevated and unique? Its premium nature is due to various reasons, which helps the line distinguish it from the regular Vans models. High-quality materials like leather, suede, and other high-end fabrics are regularly seen on Vans Vault silhouettes. The unique colorways and limited-edition versions also make them sought-after. Collaborations are also prevalent in the Vans Vault line, and some of the most popular collabs are with Brain Dead, Stüssy, UNDERCOVER, Disney, Taka Hayashi, WTAPS, Rhude, Supreme, Sandy Liang, and many others. The Vans Vault line often offers unique and rare colors that distinguish them from other standard Vans silhouettes. These eye-catching designs also feature solid attention to detail and a premium craftsmanship aesthetic. The stitching, finishing, and overall construction of shoes made by Vans Vault are of a higher standard.

When it comes to the timeless nature of Vans Vault footwear, a few key silhouettes are considered icons throughout the brand’s repertoire, one of them being the Vans Vault OG Sk8 Hi LX. Vans introduced this iconic design in the late 1970s, and has since become a staple in skateboarding and streetwear fashion. Maintaining a timeless aesthetic, the Vans Vault OG Sk8 Hi LX is typically made from premium materials like high-grade leather, suede, or canvas. Often arriving in exclusive patterns, colorways, and editions, the Vans Vault Sk8 Hi is a premium high-top sneaker that is a pinnacle component of skateboarding culture.

Another essential Vans Vault silhouette is the Vans Vault OG Authentic LX. This elevated take on the original lace-up and low-top silhouette was initially named the Vans #44 Deck Shoe. The Authentic was Vans most popular shoe until the early 2000s and remains one of the most prominent Vans sneakers, as it is up there with the Slip-On, Era, and Old Skool. The design’s lace-up closure allows its wearer to adjust the fit according to their preference. At the same time, its clean aesthetic and minimalistic branding are also thanks to its subtle Vans logo tag. The Authentic’s simple design has contributed to the silhouette’s timeless aesthetic.

In addition to Vans Vault’s iconic silhouettes, the brand has significantly influenced streetwear and high-fashion circles by bridging the gap between skateboarding and contemporary fashion trends. This impact can be found through the brand’s diverse range of collaborations, versatility, street credibility, retro aesthetic, and overall skate culture popularity. Vans Vault’s influence on streetwear and high fashion is rooted in its ability to merge skateboarding culture with contemporary fashion elements.