Vans Celebrates 60 Years of the Authentic with a Retro, Surprisingly Affordable Refresh

The definitive Vans silhouette gets an aesthetic update while maintaining the features that made it a global icon.

Pink and navy blue checkerboard Vans sneaker with white laces and white sole on a yellow background.

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By Hayley Helms

Published March 16, 2026

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Updated March 16, 2026

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Maintaining 60 years of enduring style is no easy feat, especially when it comes to footwear, where taste and trends are constantly shifting.

Despite the challenge, Vans has made it look effortless and infinitely cool since 1966.

To celebrate its 60th anniversary, the brand has released a faithful retro refresh of its most iconic shoe, proving that the Authentic remains as relevant as ever.

Person with long bright yellow hair wearing a stained white shirt, yellow slip, plaid shirt, and red checkered sneakers upside down on a blue chair. — American singer and songwriter Hayley Williams wears the latest Authentic.

As Authentic as it gets

Introduced as a deck shoe called the Style 44 in 1966, the Authentic was adopted by California surf and skate culture in the ’70s.

The impact was so profound, the silhouette effectively put Vans on the global map.

Pair of blue and white checkered Vans sneakers with white laces and white rubber soles on a beige background. — The 2026 Authentic Checkerboard Shoe is a faithful homage to the classic model.

Officially renamed the Authentic in 1993, the iconic shoe has remained a pivotal style in the brand’s expansive catalog, undergoing multiple evolutions since its debut.

Tattooed person wearing a beanie and checkered slip-on shoes playing a drum set outdoors with leaves falling. — Travis Barker wears the new Authentic Checkerboard Shoe.

The Spring 2026 version, which celebrates 60 years of the classic style, sees a few aesthetic and component updates.

Dressed in five shades of checkerboard, Vans’ most recognizable print, the heritage low top gets a rubber sidewall with a classic foxing stripe, pulled straight from the ’90s Vans outsoles.

Pair of red and white checkered Vans sneakers, one showing top view and the other showing the brown waffle sole. — The deck shoe roots remain, along with the skate-ready construction.

The lace-up closure, signature waffle outsole and vulcanized build that helped define the style remain.

The canvas upper and cotton laces keep things lightweight and durable, while the metal eyelets maintain the retro feel of the shoe.

Pair of blue and white checkered Vans sneakers with white laces on a wooden office desk with papers, a black mug, and a conference phone. — The classic foxing stripe on the rubber sidewall is a deep-cut heritage detail.

Despite its rich history and heritage, the Authentic Checkerboard Shoe has remained surprisingly affordable, with the 60th anniversary edition ringing in at just $60. (I’m sure this price is no coincidence.)

Availability and pricing

The Authentic Checkerboard Shoe is available now on Vans’ website, retailing for $60.

Low-top Vans sneaker with red and white checkerboard pattern and white rubber sole.

Vans Authentic Checkerboard Shoe

$60 at Vans

About the Author: Hayley Helms is an associate editor at Gear Patrol specializing in outdoor gear. Once upon a time, she wrote for Men’s Journal, Gearjunkie and Shape. Whether it’s testing a new rain shell or putting a pair of hiking boots through its paces, she leaves no stone unturned (however, she always Leaves No Trace).

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