Vans vs Converse

Published on March 23rd, 2010

James Dean wore Converse

Chances are that you’re reading this because you’ve already taken sides. Rarely have people felt so strongly about a shoe as wearers of Vans and Converse. They’re both symbols of rebellion and have become entrenched in their respective subcultures: Vans for the skaters and Converse for the musicians.

Becoming the world’s first performance basketball shoe in 1912, the Converse All Star cemented its status as a symbol of youth rebellion in the 1950s when celebrities like James Dean started wearing them. The Van Doren Rubber Company were unique when it started in 1966 for manufacturing and directly selling its shoes. In the early 1970s Southern Californian skateboarders adopted them since they were (and are) ideal for their sport and have never let go since.

The call to allegiance runs deep. I recently heard of a woman who refuses the offer of heavily discounted Vans because she’ll only wear Converse. I can identify. Before we started going out, I flirted with the guy I ended up marrying by insulting his Vans. He wore the traditional black and white check and I a rather girly pink floral pair of Converse, both pairs busted up beyond belief.

If they lived in the same era, could Dogtown and Z-boys kick James Dean's tush?

Alas it is not for Dressed in the Dark to make such a life-altering decision so we’re keen to hear your thoughts. You tell us who wins.


CONVERSE VINTAGE TRAINERS £37

vans v converse war
VANS CLASSIC SKATE SHOE £39.99

What think ye?

Adele Jarrett-Kerr

Comments

  1. Posted by Anonymous on March 23rd, 2010, 13:46 [Reply]

    Vans all the way…
  2. Posted by Liam Camps on March 23rd, 2010, 15:23 [Reply]

    Neither. Cheap sandals.
  3. Posted by alex robinson on March 23rd, 2010, 16:10 [Reply]

    i’ve got multiple pairs of both, i couldn’t choose, however recently my vans authentics have been favoured
  4. Posted by Larry Jarrett-Kerr on March 23rd, 2010, 13:46 [Reply]

    Vans all the way…
  5. Posted by Tom Hasson on March 23rd, 2010, 19:11 [Reply]

    Has to be Converse for me, Vans can’t match an ad-campaign like this – http://firasd.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/converseconnectivity.jpg
  6. Posted by liamcamps on March 23rd, 2010, 15:23 [Reply]

    Neither. Cheap sandals.
  7. Posted by alex robinson on March 23rd, 2010, 16:10 [Reply]

    i've got multiple pairs of both, i couldn't choose, however recently my vans authentics have been favoured
  8. Posted by Kylene on March 23rd, 2010, 21:23 [Reply]

    I don’t own either but personally I think the Vans look cuter :)

  9. Posted by Tom Hasson on March 23rd, 2010, 19:11 [Reply]

    Has to be Converse for me, Vans can't match an ad-campaign like this – http://firasd.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2008/03…
  10. Posted by Kylene on March 23rd, 2010, 21:23 [Reply]

    I don't own either but personally I think the Vans look cuter :)

  11. Posted by Kath on March 24th, 2010, 16:02 [Reply]

    No need for debate, converse are clearly superior, that James Dean chose them is good enough for me :)

  12. Posted by Kath on March 24th, 2010, 16:02 [Reply]

    No need for debate, converse are clearly superior, that James Dean chose them is good enough for me :)

  13. Posted by Anonymous on March 25th, 2010, 02:59 [Reply]

    Liam = fail. Tom, that is a wicked pic. Love it. But it did make me feel that I had to insert a pic from Dogtown and Z-boys. The whole film is like an advertisement for Vans. I like your thinking, Kath but, in another era, might he have been a Vans kinda guy? Like you, Alex, I’m a bit of a multi-shoer. I’ve guiltily just become an owner of a pair of Vans. Not abandoning Converse anytime soon though. And Kylene, thanks for your vote!
  14. Posted by Ophelia_was on March 25th, 2010, 02:59 [Reply]

    Liam = fail. Tom, that is a wicked pic. Love it. But it did make me feel that I had to insert a pic from Dogtown and Z-boys. The whole film is like an advertisement for Vans. I like your thinking, Kath but, in another era, might he have been a Vans kinda guy? Like you, Alex, I'm a bit of a multi-shoer. I've guiltily just become an owner of a pair of Vans. Not abandoning Converse anytime soon though. And Kylene, thanks for your vote!
  15. Posted by Anonymous on March 25th, 2010, 15:46 [Reply]

    Vans are something you have to live with to understand. I’m stepping up the debate with a video… http://www.youtube.com/v/q9E8ASnbrqY&hl=en_US&fs=1&
  16. Posted by Larry Jarrett-Kerr on March 25th, 2010, 15:46 [Reply]

    Vans are something you have to live with to understand. I'm stepping up the debate with a video… http://www.youtube.com/v/q9E8ASnbrqY&hl=en_US&f…
  17. Posted by Anonymous on March 26th, 2010, 08:55 [Reply]

    For some reason… I look at those two pictures and think ‘I like the Vans more’, despite this, I will always chose Converse.
    Some sort of weird left over loyalty from adolecense…

    I have also just realised as the sun is peeping it’s head out, and my boots are getting a bit warm: I need some new shoes..
  18. Posted by MichelleArthurs on March 26th, 2010, 08:55 [Reply]

    For some reason… I look at those two pictures and think 'I like the Vans more', despite this, I will always chose Converse.
    Some sort of weird left over loyalty from adolecense…

    I have also just realised as the sun is peeping it's head out, and my boots are getting a bit warm: I need some new shoes..

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