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Both are Vans models, but lasts differ. Old Skool is labeled True to Size (True to size; half up if wide). Authentic is True to Size (True to size; half up if wide).
Vans Old Skool fits true to size in length with a skate-oriented snug, shallow toebox. Average feet take their usual size; wide feet should half up or use Vans Wides rather than expecting the canvas to become a roomy sneaker.
Vans Authentic tracks classic Vans length — true to size with a slim, low-volume, shallow toebox. Wide feet may need half up. Minimal padding means a snug fit is normal out of the box.
Use the table below as a starting point from fit offsets — then confirm with try-on or returns. Width can matter more than length between these two.
| Old Skool | Authentic | |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | True to Size | True to Size |
| Advice | True to size; half up if wide | True to size; half up if wide |
| Width | Can feel narrow/snug in toebox | Low-profile slim silhouette |
| Break-in | Canvas softens | Canvas softens |
| Fit offset | +0 | +0 |
| Confidence | high | high |
If the left model fits at the listed size, start here in the right model (chart + fit offsets).
| If Old Skool fits | Try Authentic | Note |
|---|---|---|
| US 7 | US 7 | offset +0 |
| US 7.5 | US 7.5 | offset +0 |
| US 8 | US 8 | offset +0 |
| US 8.5 | US 8.5 | offset +0 |
| US 9 | US 9 | offset +0 |
| US 9.5 | US 9.5 | offset +0 |
| US 10 | US 10 | offset +0 |
| US 10.5 | US 10.5 | offset +0 |
| US 11 | US 11 | offset +0 |
| US 12 | US 12 | offset +0 |
The size-bridge table on this page is all offset +0: if Old Skool fits at US 7 through US 12, Authentic starts at the same number. The wear-box repeats it. Both models are labeled True to Size with “half up if wide.” This is not a centimeter brand chart — it is two Vans lasts with the same length offset.
Length matching does not mean the shoes feel the same. Old Skool adds a padded collar and side stripe; Authentic is the low-profile, barely-padded canvas. The snapshot table already flags Old Skool as “narrow/snug in toebox” and Authentic as a “low-profile slim silhouette.” Same US 10, less foam in Authentic, so the same foot can feel the Authentic tighter even though the offset is zero.
Wide feet should not take a second half-up “just because Authentic looks skinnier” if they already half-up in Old Skool — that stacks length. Use Vans Wides or one half, not both. Canvas softens on both; it does not become a wide last. Start at the bridged number, then treat width as a separate decision from the +0 length column.
Check prices: Old Skool Authentic (paid link)
Full Old Skool guide · Full Authentic guide · Reverse compare · Open in converter