Vans Off The Wall, Still Going Strong

July 06, 2025

Welcome to Authenticity Report - Issue #75

This week, Vans’ Warped Tour 30th-year revival reminds us that the most authentic brands don’t chase culture—they create it, lose it, and find it again.

Our Roundup explores how authenticity is redefining marketing, social media, and personal connection—from Polaroid’s analog rebellion to Reddit’s community-first approach and a new framework for building real relationships.

Plus check out NEW TOOLS from Authenticity.co with insights to help you master business basics and apply authentic strategies for personal and brand success.

This Week’s Report
—> Vans Off The Wall, Still Going Strong
—> Tell Us
—> Takeaways
—> Authenticity Roundup
—> Top Voices

What Do You Think? We are reshaping and expanding our Authenticity platform, we'd love to have you on board and contribute! Email us directly at [email protected] 

Read Time: 3.5 mins

| Vans Off The Wall, Still Going Strong

In a cultural moment thick with reboots and revivals, one anniversary stands out with real grit: the 30th anniversary of the Vans Warped Tour.

What started as a DIY punk tour in parking lots across America grew into a rite of passage for millions.

And at the center of it all? — Vans (#3), a brand that’s managed to stay stitched into the soul of youth culture while navigating the tricky terrain of growth, missteps, and reinvention.

Vans hasn’t always been perfect. In their pursuit of scale, the brand occasionally strayed into product categories and marketing moves that felt off-brand—too corporate, too forced, and too far from the original vision.

Yet, what makes Vans remarkable isn’t that they never veered off course but that they’ve always found their way back.

They’ve reconnected with core communities, doubled down on skate, music, and creative expression, and let culture—not commerce—guide their direction.

That’s why Vans consistently ranks near the top of the Authenticity 500 Index, year after year.

While other brands chase relevance through gimmicks or trend-chasing, Vans simply shows up in the hands of skaters, in the worn shoes of musicians, and in the parking lots of Warped Tour shows.

Their authenticity doesn’t come from what they say—it comes from where they are and who they’re for.

The Warped Tour’s 30th anniversary shows aren’t just a victory lap. They’re a cultural checkpoint—for Vans and for us.

They remind us that brand loyalty is earned through consistency, community, and courage to course-correct.

In a world of noise, Vans is still off the wall and still right where it belongs.

| Tell Us

Have You Attended Vans Warped Tour?

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| Takeaways

1. Stay Rooted, Not Stuck
Don’t be afraid to grow, but always stay connected to your original why.

2. Show Up Where It Matters
Be present in the spaces your community actually values—not just the ones with media buzz.

3. Course-Correct With Confidence
Authenticity isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being real enough to pivot when you stray.

4. Let Culture Lead
The most trusted brands aren’t chasing trends—they’re earning trust by reflecting culture, not manipulating it.

| Time To Choose

What Brands Are Authentic? It is time once again to choose which brands you feel are authentic. Please tell us via our survey (it takes less than 5 minutes to fill out).

The results of your decisions will be part of our annual Authenticity 500 Index rankings, which you will receive for free.

| Authenticity Roundup

This week's curated reads from web

 marketing
•  Polaroid Gets Real: Campaign Pushes Back on AI

With bold messaging and raw imagery across NYC, Polaroid’s latest outdoor campaign champions real, human moments—taking a powerful stand for authenticity in an AI-saturated world.

Read More → media4growth

 social media
•  Respect the Thread: Why Authenticity Wins on Reddit

Reddit’s CRO urges brands to engage with empathy and authenticity—using AI to enhance, not hijack, the conversation across Reddit’s vast, interest-driven communities.

Read More → beet tv

 personal
•  From Contacts to Community: A Better Way to Connect

A new approach to connection shows how trust, curiosity, and purpose can turn everyday interactions into lasting, meaningful relationships.

Read More → worth

| Tools

We have NEW TOOLS from Authenticity.co with insights to help you master business basics and apply authentic strategies for personal and brand success.

For a limited time, these will be available for free to our subscribers.

| Past Reports

| Top Voices

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Our weekly guide explores the meaning of Authenticity as it relates to our personal and professional lives and the brands we connect with, bringing you the latest insights, curated news, and guest authors.

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