The Heritage Shoe that Started It All. This is the Authentic—Since 1966. The Vans Authentic has been gracing feet worldwide since 1966 (originally unveiled as the Vans #44 Deck Shoes), but there is something about the Vans Authentic that elevates these Classics into another dimension. The usual Vans notes are hit—the low-top, lace-up profile, the metal eyelets, the rubber waffle outsoles—but the graceful navy finish gets all the attention, as it should. Sneakers as stylish as this don't come around very often. Once in a blue moon, you could say.