Which Vans shoe model was the first to feature the side stripe?

The Vans Old Skool was the first Vans shoe to feature the side stripe. Originally called Style 36, it introduced the sweeping leather stripe that became one of the brand’s most recognizable design signatures.

The model appeared in 1977, following the Era, Vans’ first dedicated skate shoe. The side stripe was initially known as the “jazz stripe,” and it was more than decoration: the leather overlay added reinforcement to a high-wear area of the shoe while giving Vans a distinctive visual identity.

A common mix-up is the Sk8-Hi, which also carries the stripe and debuted in 1978. It was not the first. Another point of confusion is the name: “Old Skool” became the familiar name later, while early references often use Style 36 or Vans #36. The shoe’s combination of canvas, leather panels, vulcanized construction, and the new stripe helped establish Vans in skateboarding and later made it a major lifestyle sneaker.