Vans Levels Up Its Iconic Checkerboard Design with a Bold Reissue of Its Most Important Sneaker

This unique footwear combines the brand’s original shoe with arguably its most iconic pattern, plus some special materials.

Close-up of black and beige knit sneakers with beige laces and perforated details.

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By Sean Tirman

Published February 25, 2026

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For 60 years, Vans has been a staple of Southern California skate and surf culture, as well as a fashion icon around the world. And the bulk of that fame is owed to its legendary sneakers, especially the one that first put the brand on the map, the Authentic (the brand’s first shoe release).

That very same shoe — which has remained a brand staple since its inception — just got one of its wildest reinterpretations, which sees another of the brand’s signatures — the iconic checkerboard pattern — applied in a highly unique way. This is the Vans LX Authentic 44 Shell Knit.

Pair of black and white checkered Vans sneakers with white laces on a beige background. — From afar, the sneakers look like they have a chunky checkerboard pattern, but a closer inspection tells a much more interesting story.

Not your grandma’s Vans

From afar, these Authentics appear to have a checkerboard pattern applied to their upper, one that’s much chunkier than the brand standard. That is partially true, but it’s also a bit deceptive.

Typically, the checkerboarding is a print. However, on this shoe, it’s actually an overlay. Think of it like a dual lattice. The primary pattern sees thick strands of material woven together like a grid. Then, alternating between them, there’s another tighter grid-like lattice.

Pair of black and white checkered lace-up sneakers with thick black soles on a beige surface. — The checkerboard pattern is actually a knit overlay. And beneath it, a complete pair of corduroy and suede Authentics.

Together, they give a close approximation of a classic checker pattern from afar, but there’s more depth and texture up close. This overlay is finished off with a dual set of relatively thin laces.

But here’s where things get really interesting: the shoe below the checker knit isn’t just a flat, typical take on the Authentic. It, too, has some interesting components that make this shoe even more intriguing than a first glance might suggest.

Black and white woven platform sneakers with thick black soles on a beige surface. — The sneaker also has a reinforced toe done in black to match the suede of the upper.

Hiding in plain sight

The original Authentic sneaker (originally called the Style #44) was actually a deck shoe, also known as a boat shoe. This means it was lightweight but offered good grip on wet surfaces. As such, it was usually made from canvas, a durable but light material that wouldn’t get ruined by a bit of moisture.

This version strays pretty far from its origins in more ways than just its lattice overlay. In fact, the shoe beneath is really not water-friendly at all. Instead of a classic, basic canvas, it has a suede toe — a material that’s notorious for its susceptibility to water damage, but also has a great texture and soft feel.

Pair of black and white checkered crochet lace-up shoes with thick black soles on a beige surface. — You’ll notice these shoes actually have three separate laces, which is odd for any shoe, let alone a classic Vans skate shoe.

But it doesn’t stop there. The counter and heel of the shoe are also made from an unusual material: corduroy. While Vans has traded in suede for a very long time, this choice is a much odder one that makes this sneaker even more unique among its siblings.

But the final, perhaps strangest detail of all is that this shoe has three separate laces. There are two for the lattice overlay and a third on the shoe beneath — a classic cable-style lace fed through the Authentic’s classic eyelets. That might mean a bit more fussing to get them on and off, but it also means more security.

Pair of black and white low-top sneakers with patchwork knit design and white laces on a white background. — While the upper is a strange departure, the outsole retains the brand’s classic waffle pattern.

Pricing and availability

While the Vans LX Authentic 44 Shell Knit sneaker was briefly available on the brand’s Mexican site for 2,009 pesos (approximately $117), it has since been taken down. It is unclear whether or when they will see a wider release on the brand’s sites.

However, you can find them at On the Spot, a Korean retailer, for ₩129,000 (approximately $91).

Low-top sneaker with black and white patchwork mesh upper and white rubber sole with black toe cap.

Vans LX Authentic 44 Shell Knit

$91 at On the Spot

About the Author: Sean Tirman is an associate editor at Gear Patrol who specializes in EDC, cannabis and outdoor gear.

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