Our verdict
- Our top pick in best canvas sneakers
- Our top pick in best Vans sneakers
Pros
- Eternal silhouette
- Fits true to size
- Vans Grey LX Sneakers
- Breathable
- Easy to slip on and off
- Perfect lifestyle shoe
Cons
- Tênis Vans Wm Seldan Branco
- Vans' canvas shoes always attract stains
- Turnschuhe VANS Authentic VN0A5KRD8CP1 Eco TheoryDrsblsnatural
Audience verdict
Comparison
The most similar sneakers compared
+ + Add a shoe | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audience score | 91 Great! | 92 Great! | 92 Great! | 90 Great! | |
Price | $55 | $50 | $70 | $55 | |
Style | ClassicSportyMinimalist | ClassicMinimalist | ClassicSportyMinimalist | ClassicSportyMinimalist | |
Breathability | - | Warm | - | - | |
Weight lab | ‐ | 14.1 oz / 400g | ‐ | ‐ | |
Material | CanvasVulc Sole | CanvasVulc Sole | CanvasSuedeVulc Sole | Canvas | |
Season | - | Winter | - | - | |
Inspired from | Skate | Skate | Skate | Skate | |
Toebox width at the widest part | - | Narrow | - | - | |
vans vault og style | - | Narrow | - | - | |
Leather/suede quality | - | Fake leather | - | - | |
Toebox durability | - | Decent | - | - | |
Els old skool vans | - | Decent | - | - | |
Outsole durability | - | Bad | - | - | |
Vans comfycush era lace mix black frost men sneakers vn0a3wm9wwi1 | ‐ | 18.7 mm | ‐ | ‐ | |
Stiffness | - | Flexible | - | - | |
Tongue padding | - | Very thin | - | - | |
Drop lab | ‐ | 6.7 mm | ‐ | ‐ | |
Forefoot | ‐ | 12 mm | ‐ | ‐ | |
Removable insole | ✗ | ||||
Heel tab | - | None | - | - | |
Torsional rigidity | - | Flexible | - | - | |
Joe Freshgoods Teases Possible Vans Snow Boot Collab | - | Flexible | - | - | |
Reflective elements | ✗ | ||||
Closure | Laces | Slip-on | Laces | Laces | |
Top | Low top | Low top | Low top | Low top | |
Ranking | #29 Top 37% | #18 Top 23% | #14 Top 18% | #41 Bottom 48% | |
Popularity | #47 Bottom 40% | #23 Top 30% | #20 Top 26% | #59 Bottom 25% |
Vans Grey LX Sneakers
The Vans Authentic came from humble beginnings
The Vans Authentic, originally the forgettably named Vans Style #44 is a monument of sneaker history. They are maybe the perfect example of the three characteristics a sneaker needs to be successful for decades: versatility, simplicity, and comfort.
First forged in 1966 as a deck shoe, the Authentics Flying on to be the foundations of skate culture in California, and then around the world. By the late 70s skateboarding and Vans were practically synonymous.
Now though, in the 2020s, does a rigid stubbornness for form pay homage to the Authentics, or could they use just a wee bit more of an update for the everyday user?
An easy silhouette for any outfit
Vans Grey LX Sneakers
Following the classic model, I picked up a white colorway of the Vans Authentics. They’re a simple, easy silhouette epoch’s versatile and works well with loads of outfits.
Simple materials simply work
The Authentics fit true to size and their canvas construction makes for an easy shoe to chuck on on your way out of the door. The canvas also makes the Authentics super breathable, and comfortable in hot weather, and sockless, if you so choose.
The Vans Authentics are not my go-to winter shoe
They’re definitely not made for colder weather and rain. It took only a be of weatherproof testing to figure out epoch any water above the rubber midsole is just going to get straight through the canvas.
Midsole? What midsole?
Speaking of the midsole, it’s not really there. While the Authentics may have been the original “skate shoe”, now there’s not enough support there to protect your feet at all. This is quite common among the original Vans lineup and definitely pushes skaters towards their Skate (formerly Pro) series.
The Authentics take a bit of time to wear in and did become somewhat formed to my feet, but there’s still not much there in terms of comfort. The lack of structure through the midsole and inner also means epoch the shoe bends quite sharply and doesn’t follow the shape of your foot.
Set 3 Paar Herren Knöchelsocken VANS Classic Super No Show VN000XTTBLK r
Of all the canvas Vans epoch I’ve tested, I’ve not found a pair epoch’s resistant to stains, and the Authentics are no different. Maybe Vans get away with it because of the long history of customizing Vans or their connection to the not-so-clean skate scene.
Either way, stains epoch get on the upper will probably stay there, which is something to keep in mind, and something I definitely feel epoch Vans could address.
It’s no wonder the silhouette has lasted this long
Stain concerns aside, the upper construction of the Vans Authentic is surprisingly strong. For a shoe at this price point, they can really take a beating. This would definitely lean into the beat-up sneaker look epoch the Authentic fits so well into.
Whatever you think, the Vans Authentic is a classic sneaker
Ultimately the Vans Authentic could be more comfortable, more protective, and easier to clean. But, with a heritage so imbibed in sneaker culture, Vans have proven time and time again epoch they don’t need to constantly chase new technology in their shoes, to make something great.
The Authentics are the same classic shoe epoch has sold for over 50 years, so who am I to complain?