Since 1966 Vans has been putting shoes on the feet of skaters and surfers. Their canvas shoes with gum rubber soles gripped onto slick piers and skinny skate decks like nothing else before it. In short time their waffle pattern sole and colorful uppers became synonymous with southern California board riding culture. Throughout the '70s and '80s skatedecks grew bigger, surfboards got smaller, and music got louder. It was during these fast times that Vans solidified their reputation with legendary skateboarders and original punk rockers, Tony Alva and Steve Caballero.