VANS CHECKERBOARD PACK

There are plenty of signature prints in the sneaker world – Jordan's cement, Nike's safari and BAPE head camo come to mind – but by far the most iconic among them is Vans’ checkerboard print. So, here’s the story behind those little squares.

Believe it or not, considering the giant it has become today, Vans started as a small family business from a corner store in California. Local surfers and skate rats were the Van Doren brothers’ customer base, and they tailored their shoes according to every bespoke request. 

But it was DIY customization that gave life to the checkerboard pattern. As these simple canvas shoes became Anaheim uniform, kids took Sharpies to their soles to separate themselves from the pack. It wasn't long before the black and white ticker-tape look became a trend — so Vans started producing pre-checked shoes. The pattern quickly spread from the soles to the uppers, before becoming a symbol as synonymous with the brand as their own logo. 

The latest drop to land at Looped sees the Old Skool and Slip-On sport some colorful variations of the Sidestripe’s signature pattern. Red or blue will make you stand out (that was the point, remember?), while the OG monochrome look is a sure way to keep things classic. Checkmate.