Way back in 1966, in sunny California, Paul Van Doren and his brother Jimi created their first pair of sneakers. The legendary waffle-soled sneakers became a phenomenon and lifestyle. Even though they were originally designed for yachtsmen, they found their home in the communities of skaters and BMX riders. Today, Vans is one of the first things that pops into your head when you hear the word “sneakers”. But are you familiar with the brand’s origins?
704 E. Broadway, Anaheim, California. That’s the exact spot where Paul and Jimi Van Doren’s first factory was located. It served as a store at the same time, and the first 12 customers bought their sneakers there on the 16th of March, 1966 – they were made on the same day. Although the brand later relocated to accommodate for its growth, it didn’t forget where it came from. On the contrary, Vans pays tribute to Anaheim with the Anaheim Factory Pack, which uplifts all the benefits of the first models.
WHAT IS THE VANS ANAHEIM FACTORY PACK?
You might be wondering what sets the sneakers in this pack apart, and why should you buy them? Although they might seem similar at first glance, a closer look tells another story. All the models in this pack come with a Marshmallow Sidewall and a higher profile with a slight shine to it – this is thanks to the vulcanization process taking place. The original colors, including Racing Red, Mineral Green and Light Grey are all present – what’s new is the UltraCush technology, so you can enjoy an OG pair in a softer, lighter version.
One last thing. When these sneakers were first introduced, there were no names like Old Skool, Authentic or Sk8-Hi. All of the sneakers were marked by the numbers 36, 44 or 38, some ending in DX. Find out which number is which model!
