The Heritage Shoe that Started It All. This is the Authentic-Since 1966. The Authentic is the original Vans silhouette. First introduced in 1966 and driven forward by creative culture ever since, this time-honored shoe keeps the old school vibe alive with sturdy textile uppers. With its classic low-top design and iconic rubber waffle outsole, the Authentic is a blank canvas for creativity that allows you to do your thing in your own unique way.