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Skateboarding Product Reviews

Vans Half Cab Pro

Some things you just shouldn’t mess with. Things that have stood the test of time have usually done so for good reason and tinkering around with them rarely works out the way it should. Basically, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.

Half Cabs, for me, fall into this category as something so fundamentally ‘unfuckwithable’ that only idiots would argue otherwise. Thankfully, as Mrs Dickfingers is all too eager to point out, I am occasionally wrong and very often an idiot. This is one of those cases: Crossfire Fans, I present: the Half Cab Pro.

The boffins at Vans HQ deciding that an idiot wasn’t really worth listening to, decided to ignore my earlier statement and update the classic Half Cab, a shoe beloved by almost every skater out there, for a new generation. Bringing new colour ways, better quality materials and improved construction to the table, which can only be a good thing, they took something that was great to start with and improved it.

Having had a fair few pairs of Half Cabs in the past I knew roughly what to expect and was hoping for big things. I can happily report that I was definitely not disappointed. My only real gripe with the original was the foot bed, which I’m pleased to report has been changed from the unsupported insole to a reasonably thick, removable foam affair which provides a lot more support if you are a fan of hurling yourselves down and over things. (Or walking about comfortably in my case.) The shoe itself is very similar to the original although at a push you could say it is slightly thinner, more similar to the Syndicate Half Cabs than the originals themselves.

The waffle sole is as grippy and hardwearing as you would expect and overall the shoes “feel” like more attention has been put into the assembly process and gives the impression that they will last a bit longer than the originals which might go someway to justify the slightly elevated price tag. Over the last 6 months I have been happily rocking a pair of the Ray Barbee Colour ways, the black Urban Camo’s and am currently chuffed to be kicking about in the Tri Tone Grey (pictured).

These are definitely worth checking out if you are already a fan of the Cabs or if you are looking for something with a little bit more support than a low top.

If you like these, click here for a recent 20 yr shoe review.

Dickfingers