What The Vans Shoe Means To Me…
June 4, 2009 – 5:52 pm PT by MeTags: Book, Rebels, Steve Caballero, Vans —
When my friends and I first picked up our first skateboards in 1993 after a viewing of Plan B’s “Questionable Video”, we didn’t know that what Paul Higgins called, “The most mondo sport for the streets”, would influence us as much as it did. What sometimes is left out of the picture is the skateboard apparel. It gave us our identity. It gave us a chance to be different than the kids at school who were polar opposites of us. They were the kids who dipped their fingers in our pizza and asking us if we were planning on eating that. For us, those kids were the Rebels. Rebels were the Latino kids who right after reading “THE OUTSIDERS”, felt they were a member of that gang; especially PONY BOY. They wore Harley Boots and had sperm shaped eyebrows.
Why does this relate to the Vans shoe? It’s the Vans shoe that helped us kick their Harley’s while we were brawling in the field. It was our Vans shoe that helped us flee the scene when the noon aides were chasing us, all while they failed to run in their Harleys. The only thing I can say positive about their Harley boots was that they lasted a lifetime. When it was all said and done, we the skaters and rebels got older and became friends. But the rebels from the past wouldn’t dare put on those Harley boots which are collecting dust while I’ll wear my Vans any day of the week.
That’s why it’s important you kids keep up with your history by getting yourself a copy of the Vans Book, “Stories Of Sole From Vans Originals”. It’s a complete look into the history of the shoe. Weather you’re a surfer, bmx rider, skater, or just appreciate the craft of Vans, this book is for you. The book includes 208 pages of stories and high quality photos.
Check it out at VANS.
