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Vans are one of the biggest shoe brands in the world, with dozens of different styles. Originally designed as skateboarding shoes, Vans have maintained the same focus on sports shoes to this day. However, they have also expanded into everyday footwear, and remain one of the most popular shoe brands out there.
One of Vans’ defining features is the great grip they have, even on slippery surfaces. Their original design needed good traction to stay firmly on a skateboard, and this same design is universal across all of their styles.
But just how well do Vans measure up as non-slip shoes? This article will look at whether Vans are non-slip, how good their grip is, and how you can make it even better. Let’s get right into it!
Are Vans Non-Slip?
The short answer is that yes, Vans shoes are non-slip. The soles of Vans are coated in a vulcanized rubber, which improves your grip on the ground by creating more friction.
The iconic waffle grid pattern on the sole is designed with traction in mind, and helps your feet stay steady. This aligns with Vans’ original purpose as shoes for skateboarders who need a good grip while riding their board.
Since their initial release, Vans have adapted towards a wider target audience – however, they have maintained their non-slip design over the years.
Nowadays, Vans are still extremely popular for both skaters and non-skaters and continue to make great non-slip shoes.
How Good Is The Non-Slip on Vans?
Vans make for good non-slip shoes, and are a great way to keep your footing at work, on the go, or (as per the intended function) on a skateboard.
The vulcanized rubber on the soles gives a better grip on its own, while the iconic waffle patterned sole is designed for more traction. This makes them better than most regular shoes when it comes to a non-slip design.
However, there are some limitations that Vans can’t overcome. Over time, the non-slip sole will wear down and become smooth, resulting in less friction against the ground. This means that it’s easier to slip and slide around.
Vans are also unsuitable for certain situations regardless of how good the non-slip is. While Vans are good non-slip shoes for servers and kitchen staff who need a good grip on frequently slippery floors, they don’t offer much in the way of protecting your feet.
If you need non-slip shoes to wear to a construction site, you’re much better off getting a proper pair of safety shoes.
That said, Vans still function great as non-slip shoes. And if the non-slip rubber wears down, there are several methods you can use to get your grip back.
How To Improve the Non-Slip Soles On Your Vans
Whether the sole of your Vans has worn down, or you simply want to improve your Vans’ grip, there are a few different ways to get a better non-slip sole.
Take a look at some of my favorite Vans
Non-Slip Spray
The first, and probably the easiest method is to apply a non-slip spray to your shoe. If you put on an even coating of non-slip spray or coating on the sole of your Vans, you’ll see a marked improvement.
While Vans are good non-slip shoes on their own, the addition of this coating only serves to improve this. Sprays are also a great way to get some more grip on your older Vans. If you have a well-loved pair that have lost their grip, applying a layer of non-slip coating will keep them going despite their wear.
Scuffing/Scoring
Another way you can improve the non-slip grip on your Vans is by wearing them. No, seriously. When you get a new pair of shoes, you’re more likely to slide around because you haven’t had the chance to break them in yet. And while Vans are designed to be non-slip from the get-go, you will still have to wear down the smooth sole.
Scuffing is an easy way of doing this. Simply walk over some rougher terrain to get used to your shoes and break them in. Or, if you want to save time, grind your feet into the ground for a minute or so. It might not be the cleanest way to do it, but this will wear down the rubber enough that you’ll have a better grip.
If you want a more instant improvement to your grip and don’t mind damaging your shoe slightly, you can cut ridges into the sole of your Vans with a nail file. The added ridges will improve your traction, without leaving the same visible marks as scuffing.
Traction Pads
If you want an effective and long-lasting improvement to your Vans’ non-slip efficacy, adding traction pads to the soles of your Vans moves them past their regular standard of non-slip. While this will cover up the famous waffle grid pattern on the soles of your Vans, it will greatly improve the grip of your shoes.
Traction pads are designed to have greater traction than Vans, so applying them is simply an upgrade to your grip.
Something to bear in mind if you’re going to use traction pads is that they can make the sole of your shoe more rigid. Vans are designed to mold to your feet over time to give you a better grip, and a rigid sole will stop this from happening. You should look for a more flexible traction pad to keep your Vans mobile.
Why not take a look at my top picks for Vans Alternatives
Final Thoughts
Overall, Vans are a great non-slip shoe for everyday wear. They provide a good grip, and are specifically designed for maintaining a high level of traction when skateboarding or running. Not only that, but Vans are also a great choice for bartenders, kitchen staff, and cleaners, who routinely work on or around slippery floors.
However, if you need something with a bit more grip, you can add another level of non-slip to your Vans by breaking them in or adding a product like a non-slip spray.
So if you’re looking for a non-slip shoe, Vans are a great choice.
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