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Skateboarding => Shoes & Gear => Topic started by: Bristol_Palin on March 02, 2026, 03:39:04 PM
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The all time 5 thread had me thinking how a lot of my favorite shoes that are not half cabs are sort of still half cabs. For a while there every brand had a shoe that was half cab alternative that was still pretty much a half cab. Think Kenny Reed’s Ipath mid.
What are your favorite shoes from all time that are not half cabs but still sort of are half cabs?
Just some examples off the top of my head (not all of these are favorites of mine I’m just naming examples) I’m think Kenny Reeds Ipath shoe, Mike Carroll lakai selects, Jerry Hsu’s first emerica shoe, Ricky Oyola’s second vox shoe, Peter Hewitt’s vox shoe, fallen forte mid, DC ryan smith 2.0, etc.
Bonus points I guess if they still make the shoe today so people could buy it as a half cab alternative.
The iPath Kenny Reed shoe is my favorite. I like that it comes in a low too. I always wanted a low half cab but I didn’t really like the cab low shoe that vans made. I’m skating Ipath Kenny reed lows right now and have another pair on deck.
Sort of a sleeper pick that skated really good was fallen forte mid and lows. I wasn’t a big fallen fan but those actually skated great - also Jack Curtin made those look good.
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That's a really comprehensive list of Half Cab Inspired Shoes you put together!
Was going to say Jerry's emerica was my favorite of the bunch, but then I remembered this etnies shoe for Tyler Bledsoe called the Portland. Maybe it's a bias because of my love of PDX. But it is seriously the same exact outline as the Half Cab, same collar angle and height, and overall volume.
(https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSX1ETZ2kZ7hYFECOGQ_qZZmyQrpmzLwVg0k_QP0XfSo8KlamyxZ-CEz181ZBuyWKJtF0XqS7kpBoa8POuPBVJPPZ0FK557dHL7FD8d6oZCFcIR3rKfTHl95ezzpqVEFN3z0U8vZoxGmM/s1600/IMG_4887.JPG)
And then éS had a couple Half Cab-esque models.
The Bobby-backed First Blood Mid (similar to the Fallen Forte in that it's like a deconstructed Half Cab)
(https://www.skateboarding.com/.image/w_3840,q_auto:good,c_limit/MTk2NDExNTExOTYyMDE4OTY2/es-x-krooked.jpg?arena_f_auto)
Justin Eldridge's Theory and it's iterations were all like a Half Cab meets Dunk.
(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71zD6284JOL._AC_SY695_.jpg)
Also, honorable mention for the Grosso NSS shoe? Half Cab meets Sk8-Mid
(https://i.imgur.com/mD8DgIu.png)
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Bonus points I guess if they still make the shoe today so people could buy it as a half cab alternative.
For current shoes that are still available, there is that Opus shoe the Standard Mid. They have a Vulc and cupsole option:
(https://opusfootwear.com/cdn/shop/files/opus_standard-mid_black-white_1.jpg)
(https://opusfootwear.com/cdn/shop/files/opus_standard-mid_cup_cream-white_1.jpg)
And of course, the NB Franky shoe is very Cab-coded:
(https://exodusrideshop.com/cdn/shop/files/nm417ods_2.jpg)
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@stets great contributions my bud. ahhh I was thinking about that Justin Eldridge shoe. I skated a pair because they were on sale and came in brown and blue and I used to have a bunch of blue sweaters and brown cords and I thought it looked fly together. Coupled with a knit hat (I was really into habitat) it was sort of a kit I would run. They skated really good in my opinion.
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Mike Carroll's aka MC 96:
(https://www.561skateboarding.com/cdn/shop/products/image_d9317120-4ad0-40c0-be03-f48d7bfca4bf_3024x.heic?v=1675277302)
Rowan 1's:
(https://i.redd.it/2gu9nzm41jd81.jpg)
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Do the Telfords count? If not the eS Theory mid, the first one.
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Not necessarily my favorite although I did have quite a few pairs of Emerica Francis’
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Do the Telfords count? If not the eS Theory mid, the first one.
I would say es theory mid for sure counts and are a great example. They skated good and Jamal Smith made them look good.
As far as Telfords I feel like they’re more of a dunk inspired shoe. As far as dunk inspired shoes, my favorite was the Ipath locust.
Edit these are Ipath locust:
(https://i.imgur.com/uXcq6Vvl.png)
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Great thread!
I had a few pairs of the Vox Hewitt, even some plaid ones that I loved.
And the iPath Kenny Reeds were really great to skate. I had a couple pairs of the maroon suede colorway I ran for months. Really solid shoe.
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@TastyBurrito I really loved the first Rowan shoe. I got the first colorway that came out and I thought it skated like a low half cab. After skating them it made me miss half cabs and I just bought another pair of half cab classics then the new skate ones came out and I skated those exclusively for around 5 years. They have felt really inconsistent last few pairs.
@MOE SYZLAK i would have mentioned emerica Francis but I couldn’t remember the name of it for the life of me.
@dstrytruitt I always thought about skating the vox Hewitt because I thought it was basically a half cab. I think vox had a lot of half cab-esq shoes. I really liked Oyola’s second shoe which was super similiar to the Hewitt and basically a half cab.
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fav is the Vans Mike Caroll which has been mentioned, had one pair when they dropped, all white leather.
Honourable mention to Jerry's last Oriris shoe, which was a straight halfcab knockoff but I couldn't find a pic.
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Torey Pudwill had a DVS shoe that was fairly similar
(https://i.ibb.co/HDh1zMWW/169-125-2968-70959-1682640536-386-513.jpg)
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Rowley Shams
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There's the Emerica Pillar aswell
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Rowan 1's:
(https://i.redd.it/2gu9nzm41jd81.jpg)
rowan 1s are more bearcat than half cab.
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(https://i.imgur.com/cjBUMJU.jpeg)(https://i.imgur.com/te5GUNJ.jpeg)
Emerica hsu
Last resort vm001 mid
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Leo Baker show feels like a half cab to me just better
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Leo Definitely a better halfcab alternative.
Overall, I just like this thread to look at old shoes that are similar design
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(https://cdn.avebmx.pl/image/stare_zdjecia5/Etnies-120816-64.jpg)
my favorite shoes from when i was 12 years old
i had the emerica hsu shoes too but they were defective and the toe split in half after some flatground pop shoves
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(https://sneakernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/ba2-570x380.jpg)
The BA blazer (with cup sole) mids. These were great to skate it.
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As noted already, Reeds and Rowans were/ are as cool as Cabs without the Right-Wing Christian component. In fact both those shoes fit and look better also.
Would like to try some Reeds again.
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Ryan Smith’s DC? Omar Salazar’s Nike for the win?
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Haven’t and won’t try them but Dilos hours is urs shoe is like a half cab/dunk
I remember shop I grew up by put a bunch of those hsu emericas on sale they were real nice
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Ryan Smith’s DC? Omar Salazar’s Nike for the win?
I feel like the Leo is a retooled Omar.
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Don't got the pic's but Fallen Rangers, Rebel, and hi-volt
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Leo Definitely a better halfcab alternative.
Overall, I just like this thread to look at old shoes that are similar design
Skating some now and they're pretty great. They remind me of airwalks
I miss Jerry's shoes
Glad the Reed is back though
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Anyone interested in a pair of the Half Cab-esque Jerry Hsu's from Emerica in a size 9.5? I saw these all canvas ones pop up locally near Portland for $25. I could pick them up and ship if these are something anyone like REALLLY wants. I'm looking at you, vegan Half Cab lovers.
(https://scontent-sea5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t45.5328-4/663046065_1178578317580776_8212305302706038604_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=247b10&_nc_ohc=k9xptdSvvKsQ7kNvwEPE5Ed&_nc_oc=AdppBW_rp6CZIYsxkvo3C7t4EyOWabEOeOH036MWiVugJc29UUnaBRonJp9FwRtPoFc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea5-1.xx&_nc_gid=V5RjO4E7AZujHdoRqWxqxg&_nc_ss=7a3a8&oh=00_Af3-2KCO0hClNIgDZdpJ2mvYCT5ToBoVbexLaH2Gmd0Ohw&oe=69E47707)
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Hjk7tRjdW/ (https://www.facebook.com/share/1Hjk7tRjdW/)
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Anyone interested in a pair of the Half Cab-esque Jerry Hsu's from Emerica in a size 9.5? I saw these all canvas ones pop up locally near Portland for $25. I could pick them up and ship if these are something anyone like REALLLY wants. I'm looking at you, vegan Half Cab lovers.
(https://scontent-sea5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t45.5328-4/663046065_1178578317580776_8212305302706038604_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=247b10&_nc_ohc=k9xptdSvvKsQ7kNvwEPE5Ed&_nc_oc=AdppBW_rp6CZIYsxkvo3C7t4EyOWabEOeOH036MWiVugJc29UUnaBRonJp9FwRtPoFc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea5-1.xx&_nc_gid=V5RjO4E7AZujHdoRqWxqxg&_nc_ss=7a3a8&oh=00_Af3-2KCO0hClNIgDZdpJ2mvYCT5ToBoVbexLaH2Gmd0Ohw&oe=69E47707)
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Hjk7tRjdW/ (https://www.facebook.com/share/1Hjk7tRjdW/)
I had those in blue canvas. They were dope
Anyways
The Nike Leo baker shoe for sure. And blazer mids if that counts.
I had wayyyy too many experiences with half cabs and sk8-his where the white foxing peels away from the gum sole in a catastrophic manner
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Anyone interested in a pair of the Half Cab-esque Jerry Hsu's from Emerica in a size 9.5? I saw these all canvas ones pop up locally near Portland for $25. I could pick them up and ship if these are something anyone like REALLLY wants. I'm looking at you, vegan Half Cab lovers.
(https://scontent-sea5-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t45.5328-4/663046065_1178578317580776_8212305302706038604_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s960x960_tt6&_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=247b10&_nc_ohc=k9xptdSvvKsQ7kNvwEPE5Ed&_nc_oc=AdppBW_rp6CZIYsxkvo3C7t4EyOWabEOeOH036MWiVugJc29UUnaBRonJp9FwRtPoFc&_nc_zt=23&_nc_ht=scontent-sea5-1.xx&_nc_gid=V5RjO4E7AZujHdoRqWxqxg&_nc_ss=7a3a8&oh=00_Af3-2KCO0hClNIgDZdpJ2mvYCT5ToBoVbexLaH2Gmd0Ohw&oe=69E47707)
https://www.facebook.com/share/1Hjk7tRjdW/ (https://www.facebook.com/share/1Hjk7tRjdW/)
Damn I’m a size 10 or else I’d take you up on these. I learned kickflips back in the day in a pair of these in a different colorway. One of my favorite shoes of all time
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Surprised the Nike Leo hasn't been mentioned, that's one of the closest 1:1 with a Halfcab Pro/Skate.
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Surprised the Nike Leo hasn't been mentioned, that's one of the closest 1:1 with a Halfcab Pro/Skate.
it was, and then confiremd by at least 1 more user ;D
I have the Vans Zahbas and they to me seem like an upgraded half cab. I got half a size up and wow I am glad I did. they feel a tiny bit sloppy, but at least they dont crush the top of my feet anymore.
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The hours highs were thinner and not really like the crab but these are good
(https://i.ibb.co/ksjC69Pr/Screenshot-20260415-150850.png) (https://ibb.co/ksjC69Pr)
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(https://i.imgur.com/cjBUMJU.jpeg)(https://i.imgur.com/te5GUNJ.jpeg)
Emerica hsu
Last resort vm001 mid
Love how the vm001 mids look like smoothed out half cab
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The Kenny Reed mid in a synthetic brown was my favorite and probably top 5 favorite skate shoe ever.
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Expand Quote
(https://i.imgur.com/cjBUMJU.jpeg)(https://i.imgur.com/te5GUNJ.jpeg)
Emerica hsu
Last resort vm001 mid
Love how the vm001 mids look like smoothed out half cab
kinda like when Mr. Messy takes a bath.
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(https://reloadshop.it/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/156_78334.jpg)
As mentioned…. The lakai carroll - had three of those thrasher collabos in a row.
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(https://reloadshop.it/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/156_78334.jpg)
As mentioned…. The lakai carroll - had three of those thrasher collabos in a row.
Oh man I remember those! I had the patent leather primary color (yellow-blue-red) colorway.
This Thrasher ones had like suede bumper on the toe of the vulc foxing instead of the normal rubber bumper right?
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maybe this is wrong thread for this but i started skating those Zahbas and I am really liking them
They seem like better half cabs to me!!! the pair i got happened to be .5 size up and my toes are no longer in pain
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Expand Quote
(https://reloadshop.it/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/156_78334.jpg)
As mentioned…. The lakai carroll - had three of those thrasher collabos in a row.
Oh man I remember those! I had the patent leather primary color (yellow-blue-red) colorway.
This Thrasher ones had like suede bumper on the toe of the vulc foxing instead of the normal rubber bumper right?
Yeah, they had a weird suede toe bumper. The seam between it and the shoe collected rocks, ended up taking the bumper off.
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Got the zahbas for 20 bucks at a thrift shop on south st by nocturnal in Philly.skated the crap out of them but wore a hole in the toe instantly.emerixa hsu were great and the only reason I only had one pair is because I was addicted to reynolds 3s
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Got the zahbas for 20 bucks at a thrift shop on south st by nocturnal in Philly.skated the crap out of them but wore a hole in the toe instantly.emerixa hsu were great and the only reason I only had one pair is because I was addicted to reynolds 3s
I find all Vans seem to blow out the sole super quick especailly in the Toe. oh well i got them on the cheap as well i dont think i paid more than $40 canadian all in
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Lakai trudger were my favorite mid and are similar to half cab
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https://www.instagram.com/p/DOtqKF-D3fQ/
Anyone skate opus, seems like they had the cub cab for a minute?
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Airwalk NTS series
(https://i.ibb.co/G4j8JGLY/airwalk600.png) (https://ibb.co/G4j8JGLY)
Airwalk Plus
(https://i.ibb.co/SFB00jQ/AIRWALK-PLUS-skateboarding-shoes-VIC-NTS-DISASTER-SERIES.webp) (https://ibb.co/SFB00jQ)
online photo sharing (https://imgbb.com/)
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Emerica Francis was a dope one