Vans Style 36 Decon SF review

Who should buy the Vans Style 36 Decon SF

This Vans sneaker is a good match for you if:

• You want a shoe with a lace-up closure for snug fit
• You are after a sneake with low-top construction for free ankle movement
• You prefer a shoe with Ultra Cush insole for dependable comfort and support

Style of the Vans Style 36 Decon SF

Part of the Style 36 series is the Vans Style 36 Decon SF. The classic Style 36 is given a modern twist in this new iteration with uppers designed in a deconstructed aesthetic.

Its upper, depending on the colorway, is made of canvas and suede or vegan leather. It bears the iconic sidestripe of Style 36 which was first introduced in 1977. Contrast stitching details appear all over the upper outlining areas of the shoe. 

Depending on the colorway it has a color-contrasting or color-matching trim on the upper sole. A toe cap is added to bring a fresh new style to the classic silhouette.

The Black/Red colorway has a cartoon yin and yang detailing on the midfoot area of the sole and goes around the heel area. The Quiet Shade/Marshmallow and Red/Marshmallow colorways have a black and white checkered pattern on the same area.

The Vans Style 36 Decon SF comes in multiple colorways including:

• Black/Red
• Black/White
• Marshmallow/Marshmallow
• Quiet Shade/Marshmallow
• Red/Marshmallow
• Stargazer/Lead
• Alex Knost Bitter Chocolate

Notable Features

The Vans Style 36 Decon SF carries the classic Style 35 silhouette in a deconstructed upper made of either canvas and suede or vegan leather material. It is reinforced by overlays on the toe, heel, and lace area with visible double stitching details all over the upper making it durable. Vans sidestripe appears on the lateral and medial sides and a Vans rubber logo patch on the heel. 

Vans Ultra Cush insoles are added for light cushioning and dependable comfort. Hard-wearing rubber outsole in a waffle tread pattern offers traction and grip preventing slips on any surface. Water-based inks and glues are used for detailing and binding the construction. A new addition to this iteration of the iconic silhouette is a rubber toe cap that gives it a fresh modern look. 

History of the Vans Style 36 Decon SF

In the mid-1970s, brothers Paul Van Doren and Jim Van Doren introduced the Style 36. It was initially created for skateboarders as a low-top skateboarding shoe. Now, its more popularly known by its alternate name, Old Skool, and has become a streetwear staple for both men and women. 

The Vans Style 36 or Vans Old Skool was not the brand’s first foray into skateboarding shoes. When skateboarding peaked in California in the mid-1970s, Vans released their very first skate shoe in 1976 called the Vans #95 or the Vans Era. The success of the Vans Era paved the way for the introduction of the Vans Old Skool a year later. 

Style 36 was the first Vans sneaker to feature the iconic Vans sidestripe stitched on the lateral and medial sides of the shoe which then became a symbol of Vans for years to come. It isn’t just intended for aesthetics, it has a protection function to the sides of the sneaker as well. Since the Old Skool was made for daring skaters, their sneakers would easily get beaten. The leather sidestripe stitched to the sides extends the shoe’s lifespan. Aside from the iconic sidestripe, skaters at that time loved the Old Skool due to its sticky sole made of durable rubber that grips well on the wooden board. 

Today, the low-top Vans Old Skool still remains an icon as it has become an integral part of the grunge era and hip-hop culture. It has become a sneaker staple by skaters, sneakerheads, artists, and the fashion community. I

t has been continuously modified and upgraded into countless versions of casual footwear still with the potential of the skateboarding shoe it was designed to be. 

The latest modification of the Style 36 is the Vans Style 36 Decon SF which features the classic silhouette in a deconstructed look made of canvas and suede or vegan leather material upper. Vans Ultra Cush insole is added for more comfort. The iconic sidestripe and classic waffle rubber outsoles are kept and a rubber toecap upgrade is made for a fresh addition.