There's a reason Vans have been a staple in almost everyone's closet for decades. Their classic skate shoes hit that perfect sweet spot of cool, comfortable, and affordable. With iconic styles like the Slip-On, Old Skool, and Sk8-Hi, they effortlessly blend rebellious skate culture with go-with-everything versatility.
But while Vans are forever, sometimes you want to mix things up and find a new go-to sneaker. If you love that laid-back, effortlessly cool vibe but are ready to explore other options, here are 23 shoe brands like Vans to add to your rotation.
As the other undefeated champion of classic canvas sneakers, Converse is the most natural alternative to Vans. Best known for their iconic Chuck Taylor All-Stars, their shoes share that same timeless, rebellious spirit. They’re priced similarly, around $50-$70, and offer endless colorways for self-expression.
While Vans are rooted in skate culture, Converse has a stronger connection to basketball and music history, giving them a slightly different kind of retro cool. If you love the simple canvas look of Vans but want a silhouette with a slightly different heritage, Chucks are a must-have.
Shop now at converse.com
If you're looking for a slightly more polished and chic alternative, meet Superga. This Italian brand crafts simple, high-quality canvas sneakers with a clean, minimalist design. Known for their sturdy platform soles and timeless look, Supergas offer a more elevated take on the canvas shoe.
Priced around $60-$80, they compare to Vans in their versatility but trade the skate-park edge for a sophisticated, European street-style vibe. They pair beautifully with everything from jeans to summer dresses, offering a step up from a basic skate shoe without sacrificing casual comfort.
Shop now at superga.com
Known for their iconic "Champion" canvas sneaker, Keds offers a lighter, more streamlined alternative to Vans' durable skate shoes. With prices around $40-$60, they are an incredibly affordable option for a simple, timeless look. Their shoes are known for being lightweight and comfortable, often featuring cushioned insoles.
While sharing the casual canvas material, Keds leans more towards a crisp, classic American preppy style, often with a more feminine silhouette. If you want something less bulky than a skate shoe that serves a similar easy-to-style purpose, Keds is a fantastic choice.
Shop now at keds.com
New Balance has mastered the art of blending sporty performance with unbeatable streetwear cool. While known for their "dad sneakers," their range includes sleek, casual styles that are perfect for everyday wear. Ranging from $60-$120, they focus heavily on comfort and support, often offering multiple widths.
Compared to Vans, New Balance offers a sportier, more athletic aesthetic without losing that laid-back feel. If your style leans towards athleisure and you prioritize all-day comfort, New Balance sneakers are a stylish and incredibly functional pick.
Shop now at newbalance.com
For those who love Vans' bold prints and graphics, Superdry is an excellent brand to check out. Their sneakers fuse vintage Americana, Japanese-inspired graphics, and contemporary British style into a unique streetwear look. Often priced between $70-$100, their shoes make a statement.
Superdry takes the streetwear vibe of Vans and turns up the volume with bolder branding and eye-catching colorways. If you're looking for a sneaker that adds a shot of personality to your fit and isn't afraid to stand out, Superdry delivers on the rebellious edge.
Shop now at superdry.com
Adidas Originals offers legendary styles like the Superstar, Stan Smith, and Gazelle, all of which have transcended their athletic origins to become streetwear essentials. With prices from $80-$150, they provide that effortless cool factor backed by iconic branding.
Similar to Vans, their sneakers are versatile and deeply integrated into street style culture. However, Adidas leans more into a clean, sporty aesthetic compared to Vans' skate-focused designs. For a timeless casual sneaker with a legendary heritage, Adidas Originals is a must.
Shop now at adidas.com
Puma excels at creating sneakers that are both stylish and accessible, with most styles falling in the $60-$120 range. Known for modern silhouettes and retro-inspired designs like the Puma Suede, they offer a sporty alternative to the classic skate shoe look of Vans.
Puma shares a similar relaxed vibe but often incorporates more forward-thinking design elements and performance materials. Whether you're after a classic low-top or something more modern, Puma strikes a great balance between athletic function and everyday fashion.
Shop now at puma.com
Reebok brings a heavy dose of retro flair to the sneaker game. Classics like the Club C or the Classic Leather offer a timeless silhouette with a vintage sportswear vibe, priced similarly to high-end Adidas or Nike models around $70-$130. They masterfully blend sporty comfort with undeniable street style credentials.
They share Vans' casual, easy-to-wear appeal but swap the skate-park feel for an '80s and '90s fitness aesthetic. If you love timeless, leather and suede sneakers with a touch of nostalgia, Reebok's classics are an impeccable choice.
Shop now at reebok.com
Fila has made a massive comeback by championing the bold, chunky sneaker trend of the '90s. With accessible pricing around $50-$90, Fila is the brand to check out if you love nostalgic sportswear. Their designs are loud, fun, and packed with logo-heavy details.
While sharing a casual streetwear spirit with Vans, Fila's aesthetic is much more maximalist and chunky. If you find Vans' sleek silhouettes a bit too simple, Fila's sneakers are perfect for adding a statement-making, sporty edge to an outfit.
Shop now at fila.com
Skechers' main selling point is uncompromising comfort. Known for their memory foam insoles and cushioned designs, their sneakers are built for all-day wear. Priced between $50-$100, they offer an incredible range of casual slip-ons and lace-up styles.
If your favorite thing about Vans is their slip-on ease and comfy feel, Skechers delivers that in spades, with an even greater focus on supportive technology. They're a bit less edgy, but for pure, practical comfort in a casual sneaker, they can't be beaten.
Shop now at skechers.com
As another titan of the skate world, DC Shoes offers a grittier, Y2K-era alternative to Vans. They're known for their iconic, often chunkier silhouettes with padded tongues and collars, built to withstand the rigors of skateboarding. Their price point is directly comparable to a pair of classic Vans.
While Vans has a lean, California-cool aesthetic, DC channels a more '90s street and tech-focused skate style. If you want to lean fully into the skate look with a different flavor of cool, DC is required checking.
Shop now at dcshoes.com
Globe is an Australian-born skate and surf brand that puts a heavy emphasis on durable, performance-ready footwear. They offer classic skate silhouettes similar to Vans' Era or Old Skool, but often with upgraded materials and a focus on sustainability, using materials like recycled rubber and organic canvas.
Priced similarly to Vans, Globe sneakers appeal to those who value not just the style but the substance and ethos behind the brand. They feel like a more rugged, earth-conscious cousin to Vans, perfect for skaters who are tough on their gear.
Shop now at us.globebrand.com
Etnies is one of the original skater-owned shoe companies, and that heritage shows. They provide no-nonsense, durable skate shoes that are still celebrated for their timeless style. From classic low-tops to more technical models, their shoes mean business.
Compared to Vans, Etnies often provides a slightly more padded, supportive fit, truly designed for high-impact action sports but equally at home for casual wear. It's an authentic choice for those who appreciate the legacy of skate culture.
Shop now at etnies.com
Before Chuck Taylors ruled the courts, there were PF Flyers. This heritage American brand specializes in classic canvas sneakers recognizable by their vertically-ribbed toe bumper and cushioned Posture Foundation insole. They radiate an old-school, vintage athletic charm.
Like Vans and Converse, they're a timeless canvas staple. But their distinct design and cult-classic status (immortalized in the movie "The Sandlot") give them a unique kind of vintage cool that feels less common and more like an insider's pick.
Shop now at pfflyers.com
Born in 1960s California, SeaVees captures a retro coastal cool that's a bit more refined and preppy than Vans' skate vibe. Their sneakers, like the popular Legend and Monterey styles, are perfect for capturing a laid-back, sun-bleached look.
While sharing a love for casual canvas footwear, SeaVees skips the skate park and heads for the beach club. They're a fantastic alternative if you want that comfortable, lived-in feel in a package that's a touch more sophisticated.
Shop now at seavees.com
Cariuma is a new-school darling famous for creating ridiculously comfortable sneakers with sustainable practices. Using materials like organic cotton canvas, natural rubber, and Portuguese cork, they produce skate-inspired silhouettes that rival Vans in style.
They carry a slightly higher price tag, but the trade-off is superior comfort straight out of the box and an eco-conscious mission. For those who love the shape of an Old Skool but want a greener, arguably more comfortable option, Cariuma is the perfect fit.
Shop now at cariuma.com
The original brand that eventually became ASICS, Onitsuka Tiger is known for its legendary Mexico 66 silhouette. These Japanese sneakers feature a sleek, low-profile design with distinctive stripes that stands out from the crowd. They bring a dose of retro track and field style to everyday wear.
Compared to Vans' chunkier rubber soles, Onitsuka Tigers are much lighter and more streamlined, offering a completely different foot-feel while still nailing the casual, vintage-inspired look. They are perfect for a fashion-forward, international take on the classic sneaker.
Shop now at onitsukatiger.com
Nike's Skateboarding division is a direct competitor to Vans, offering performance-oriented takes on classic Nike silhouettes like the Dunk and the Blazer, alongside signature models like the Janoski. They fuse top-tier skate tech with unmatched hype.
While Vans stays rooted in simple, effective designs, Nike SB often incorporates innovations like Zoom Air cushioning. If you love sneaker-collecting culture and want a shoe that performs on the board and turns heads on the street, Nike SB is an obvious choice.
Shop now at nike.com/skateboarding
The French brand with the iconic "V" logo has become a favorite among the fashion crowd for its minimalist designs and committed sustainability. While not a skate brand, models like the Campo and V-10 offer a cool, laid-back style that easily fits into a Vans lover's wardrobe.
Veja is a significant step up in price, but that gets you a consciously-made shoe with a distinctly Parisian-chic aesthetic. It's the Vans alternative you choose when you want to look effortlessly stylish and eco-aware at the same time.
Shop now at veja-store.com
This British heritage brand offers retro sportswear sneakers with a uniquely vintage charm. Gola's designs are inspired by their rich history in soccer and track and field, featuring simple suede and nylon uppers with their signature "wingflash" logo. They have an understated cool that feels authentic and non-fussy.
Gola shares Vans' appreciation for a classic silhouette but draws from a completely different aesthetic playbook. If you love the vintage trainer look of UK street style, Gola provides a refreshing and timeless alternative.
Shop now at golausa.com
If the Vans Slip-On is your go-to, then Toms is an essential brand to try. Their iconic Alpargata slip-on is a direct alternative, made from lightweight canvas with a distinctly more rustic, bohemian vibe. They are incredibly light and perfect for warmer weather.
The main differentiator is the feel - Toms are softer and less structured than a Vulcanized Vans sole. Plus, their one-for-one charity model adds a feel-good component to your purchase. For the ultimate in casual, easygoing vacation footwear, Toms are unbeatable.
Shop now at toms.com
Born from the counter-cultures of NYC and San Francisco, HUF is a skate and streetwear brand founded by pro skateboarder Keith Hufnagel. HUF offers durable skate shoes that have an edgier, city feel, often featuring clean lines mixed with a bit of "dirtbag" attitude.
HUF represents a more raw, street-level aspect of skate culture compared to Vans' broader mass appeal. If you're looking for an authentic skate brand with deep roots in streetwear, HUF is a name you need to know.
Shop now at hufworldwide.com
Straye is a skater-owned shoe brand that offers classic silhouettes with a focus on comfort and a rebellious, fun-loving spirit. They make shoes similar in style to Vans' most popular models, but with comfy memory foam insoles, often at a slightly more affordable price point.
What makes Straye different is their lighthearted and sometimes provocative approach to design, with bold colors and hidden messages on their outsoles. It’s an accessible, comfortable, and independent-minded alternative straight from the heart of skate culture.
Shop now at straye.com
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