Half Cab issues

[DISTANT RUMOURS]

I recently bought some half cabs and I have a question.

They are the "pro" version with the duracap rubber on the toecap.
So they should be good for skating.

The insole is "pro" as well and is super thick.

The thing is, the shoes itself fit really good. quality looks decent although it's a really "stiff" shoe.

When I wear them my heel keeps slipping out.
At first it was only when I was pushing, now it's while I walk as well.
Tightening the laces doesn't help either ...

Pretty damn frustrating and very unsafe as well.

Does anyone else have this issue? How do I solve this?

[moonordie]

I recently bought some half cabs and I have a question.

They are the "pro" version with the duracap rubber on the toecap.
So they should be good for skating.

The insole is "pro" as well and is super thick.

The thing is, the shoes itself fit really good. quality looks decent although it's a really "stiff" shoe.

When I wear them my heel keeps slipping out.
At first it was only when I was pushing, now it's while I walk as well.
Tightening the laces doesn't help either ...

Pretty damn frustrating and very unsafe as well.

Does anyone else have this issue? How do I solve this?

By not buying Vans ever again.
Jokes aside try a different insole.

[Coastal Fever]

1) Lace them all the way up with longer laces if necessary.

2) Switch out the insole for a thinner one, thus sacrificing cushioning but allowing your foot to sit deeper in the shoe.

If neither of those things help, then hopefully you can return or sell them and get something else.  Not sure if the Pros are the same as Skate Half Cabs, but I can’t fit my foot in the Skates at all, and if I could I’d have the same heel issue.

[moonordie]

1) Lace them all the way up with longer laces if necessary.

2) Switch out the insole for a thinner one, thus sacrificing cushioning but allowing your foot to sit deeper in the shoe.

If neither of those things help, then hopefully you can return or sell them and get something else.  Not sure if the Pros are the same as Skate Half Cabs, but I can’t fit my foot in the Skates at all, and if I could I’d have the same heel issue.

Never has issues with the pros. With the skate ones just what you said.

[rawbertson.]

From the sounds of it, I have a pair of the exact ones you are talking about with the Pop Cush insole.
I am fairly certain these are the exact same ones the pros are skating as I have seen many people wearing the exact same colourway as mine IRL and in pro videos so i dont think its a coincidence.

It took me awhile to get used to them, and then after not skating them for awhile, I put them on the other day, and they felt super hard to get used to. Its possible i experienced some heel slip but maybe that doesnt bother me as much as it seems to bother other people or i am not experiencing the same thing. I just remember them being extremely hot and very tight on the top of my feet, like it was pressing down on them. Mine came laced super tight and was hard to get my feet into them (seems like all the distributors in canada send them rambo laced super super tight which i think is probably what you want for skating...) I thought after I got used to them I skated quite well in them for the most part. But to be honest I dont think I would buy them again if I could find other stuff for the same price...

I hear a lot of people saying you could change the insoles. I tried to do that but it is hard to find an insole that is the exact shape of the shoe, and then I found that also led to other problems where the insole was slipping around so my toes would pinch in weird places or things like that.

[DISTANT RUMOURS]

Thank you for all the input guys. Much appreciated.

[myfeetarekillingme]

Last time I tried the skate Half Cabs I rolled the shit out of my ankle twice. Not sure if it was due to the shoes or my sucking at skating, but I blame it on the thick popcush insole sitting on top of a chunky vulcanized sole with sidewalls that taper in. Sucks because it’s such a classic and good looking shoe but I can’t risk it/the thinner insole solution makes them hurt too much for my aged body.

[Ok]

i retired my 92s because i kept coming out of them, when pushing.
fuck they looked so good pov

[pops]

You could try this heel lock lacing techinque.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1633/7341/files/Heel-Lock-step-2_large.gif?v=1487273548

[Noble Experiment]

I love skating in half cabs but the last couple pairs I had the outsole always ends up separating from the midsole on the bottom. It’s really the only issue I’ve had with em, but it’s definitely an annoying one.

[Mbrimson88]

I recently bought some half cabs and I have a question.

They are the "pro" version with the duracap rubber on the toecap.
So they should be good for skating.

The insole is "pro" as well and is super thick.

The thing is, the shoes itself fit really good. quality looks decent although it's a really "stiff" shoe.

When I wear them my heel keeps slipping out.
At first it was only when I was pushing, now it's while I walk as well.
Tightening the laces doesn't help either ...

Pretty damn frustrating and very unsafe as well.

Does anyone else have this issue? How do I solve this?

Just to be clear, are you meaning the older "Pro" versions or the newer "Skate" versions?  I am 99% sure you mean the new "Skate" versions, but just wanted to check.

The older ones with "Pro" in the name, last released a couple of years or more ago now, but the newer ones with the checkered tag are the "Skate" shoe, both being pro skate shoes with xxx - CUSH in the name, older ones often being blue insoles, newer ones being purple - not the material on top but the colour of the body of the insole.


The older "Pro" versions were very soft and flappy feeling, hence the upgrade to the "Skate" versions which have a much stiffer feel, thicker sole tread, red lining with tongue straps and the main thing I have noticed that a lot of people have said about the new ones is the heel to ankle padding right at the back splits easily, which can then in turn cause the shoe to tend to slip off the foot.

I see it as a design fault, because the other ones, Classic versions and most others have suede back, but these new "Skate" versions have canvas or other material at the back top, which comes apart and then as I am guessing in your case, causes the shoe not to fit correctly.


As others have said, the two things I would be doing is putting in a thinner insole so your foot sits down in the shoe more and lacing them up tight to the top, which should hold your foot in the shoe.  Both options I have seen others say NO to, as they like to have the insole in the shoe that came with it and leave them fairly loosely and low laced, but either way, those two things might be the best option, or as people have said, give away or sell them if they just don't work for you.

The only other thing that may or may not work is if you are good with a needle and thread, or have someone else do it, but sew up the top heel / ankle area, either with a bit of leather from another shoe or something else just to strengthen up that area and keep it tight, so then it will not slip off your foot, but in doing that, make sure that every time you take them off and put them on, you undo the laces right out so you don't tear the heel / ankle area again.

Even just trying on a pair not too long ago, I could feel the heel area ripping a little bit, which put me off getting them.

Hope that helps a bit.  Sorry it is another essay.

[Coastal Fever]

Not to derail, but what is the roomiest fitting Half Cab currently out?  I’ve seen “Anaheim Factory 33 DX” versions on a bunch of lifestyle sneaker websites, and they seem fairly bare bones in terms of padding and insoles.  Anyone ever skate them though?  Do they fit better and hold up okay?

[marcusbutler]

Many different ways to break a shoe in. The more you wear it, it will go away. Maybe a different sock could help. I would wear a thinner sock with the NB#480's and they would slip off my heel. But if I wear a thicker sock, it would mitigate the heel slip. I remember the half cabs I skated didn't slip off my heel. Even when I had it relaxed laced down to the metal eyelet.

[lemonchicken91]

I almost threw mine in the garbage.

I swapped the insole w the emerica g6 and am liking them.

They are still stiff but much better and no slippage now

[thehogsniper]

You would assume the Half Cab (as a classic skate shoe) wouldn't have had as many changes over the years as it really has, but they keep messing with it. Honestly I've had a lot of issues with them lately. I've bought probably 6-7 different models in the last two years and each one has felt a little different. The last ones I had were made super small and poorly, so much so that I even made a warranty claim and got a credit. I know that they pretty recently did a collab with 18 east and brought out a completely new "OG" model. When half cabs exploded in popularity Vans tried to ride the wave and now we're seeing the result of overproduction. I think there are like 4-5 different Half Cabs that they offer. Vault, Skate, Anaheim, 92, and whatever this new one is. I try to like this shoe and get swept up with how it looks on-foot, but it is definitely too tight and hot compared to a lot of shoes on the market.

[Mean salto]

I'd we're just throwing out gripes with halfcabs I'll say I had pairs of the older pros where the sole was the actually wrong size. I had size 13s and the waffle outsole was the exact same size as my friends size 11s. The whole sole would be folded under so you'd be walking on the foxing tape. Made them look like some weird gravis.


An easy fix for the split canvas at the back of the collar is get a little bit of suede or leather (some kind of synthetic would prob work as well) and super glue it over the canvas like a band-aid 

[Banned from the room]

Buy fast breaks. They don't got that problem it's a floppy shoe with good flick

[zozu]

Not to derail, but what is the roomiest fitting Half Cab currently out?  I’ve seen “Anaheim Factory 33 DX” versions on a bunch of lifestyle sneaker websites, and they seem fairly bare bones in terms of padding and insoles.  Anyone ever skate them though?  Do they fit better and hold up okay?

Got a pair of those and I would say they are the worst fitting Half Cab, or at least on par with the skate line (which I do not have but tried on a couple times)
Padding is about the same as a pair of OGs but a lot stiffer, materials feel on par with the "Skate" models.
Main problem with them is they all seem to have a hard pad on the heel which feels annoying and gives me heel bruise. Although having skated a pair in the past it softens out and the shoe lasts about as long as any other pair of pro vans.

Just tried on the 3 pairs I own (Anaheim, Pro and OG) and I would say the OG is the best fitting out of the lot if you can find them.

[moonordie]

I almost threw mine in the garbage.

I swapped the insole w the emerica g6 and am liking them.

They are still stiff but much better and no slippage now

I did the first.
It hurt since they were the Reynolds one.
They also ripped on the heel.
Worst Vans ever.

[Crabby_Bastard]

I have been lucky. I am on my eight pair since the SKATE Half Cab came out. 3 pairs of 92 and 5 pairs of regular. I have had zero issues with them other than some damage caused to one pair due to the orthotics I was wearing at the time. aVans still replaced them for free.

It is not a perfect shoe but it is the only vulc shoe my destroyed feet can still skate in.

I would say to play around with lacing up at different eyelets. I find instead of lacing them all the way up when they are new, to lace them only up to the metal eyelets and tie them reasonably snug. They tend to keep my feet locked in better than if I were to lace them all the way up. After a few days of skating them and they break in/stretch a little I will lace them all the way up for a little more of a secure fit.

[Bristol_Palin]

I have been lucky. I am on my eight pair since the SKATE Half Cab came out. 3 pairs of 92 and 5 pairs of regular. I have had zero issues with them other than some damage caused to one pair due to the orthotics I was wearing at the time. aVans still replaced them for free.

It is not a perfect shoe but it is the only vulc shoe my destroyed feet can still skate in.

I would say to play around with lacing up at different eyelets. I find instead of lacing them all the way up when they are new, to lace them only up to the metal eyelets and tie them reasonably snug. They tend to keep my feet locked in better than if I were to lace them all the way up. After a few days of skating them and they break in/stretch a little I will lace them all the way up for a little more of a secure fit.

I'm in the same boat. I think I'm on my 8th too. I like the new skate ones a lot. They work for me but I keep the laces loose and same only lace to the metal loop hole and leave the top two free (the correct way to lace them). The 92 30th anniversary tan pair and the 92 chive pair (Rizzo) felt the best but they are all were good and felt like the right skate shoe for me. I'll most likely just skate half cabs for the rest of my life.

[easymoneysniper]

Never had any issues with mine other than this weird breakage on the back. no noticable slipping or discomfort, though. maybe just fit a little less snug. great shoes tho, have lasted me awhile and got a new pair for Christmass wooh



here's where my wear is at. got these in October of 22... lots of sessions but definitely not the most consistent or ripping skater on here so. also have switched between skating these, Tyshawns, and Fastbreaks so not full committed to just skating these badboys. nevertheless, they've served me well and still have some life in em.

[Noble Experiment]

I get the weird split in the back too. Usually it’ll happen when I put them on by putting my feet in them without untying them (kinda like a slip on) instead of untying them, putting my feet in them, then tying them back up (that’s one of the main reasons I like half cabs, you can slip em on without having to untie em instead of having to untie em every time like you would have to do with like a Chuck Taylor hi top or something).
the split looks ugly but doesn’t seem to effect the feel of the shoe or how they skate at all, so it’s not too big of a deal to me.

[Rick Trapasso]

Last time I tried the skate Half Cabs I rolled the shit out of my ankle twice. Not sure if it was due to the shoes or my sucking at skating, but I blame it on the thick popcush insole sitting on top of a chunky vulcanized sole with sidewalls that taper in. Sucks because it’s such a classic and good looking shoe but I can’t risk it/the thinner insole solution makes them hurt too much for my aged body.

I've never tried half cabs, mainly because they look like ankle roll machines.

[turdtastic]

Expand Quote

Last time I tried the skate Half Cabs I rolled the shit out of my ankle twice. Not sure if it was due to the shoes or my sucking at skating, but I blame it on the thick popcush insole sitting on top of a chunky vulcanized sole with sidewalls that taper in. Sucks because it’s such a classic and good looking shoe but I can’t risk it/the thinner insole solution makes them hurt too much for my aged body.

[close]

I've never tried half cabs, mainly because they look like ankle roll machines.

Yallz both trippin
Or, everybody’s different
Idk, whatevs

[jums]

Vans suck. When will people realize this???

I’ve had so many of those over the years and the best ones I’ve had were vaults or lxs or whatever and the worst were a regular degular navy pair from Zappos. I remember returning them because one of the tongues were about an inch shorter than the other. You couldn’t pull the tongue up to the top of the shoe because they weren’t stitched on right.

People, save your feet, knees, and back and wear better shoes. Vans need to stay in the 80s.

[moonordie]

Vans suck. When will people realize this???

I’ve had so many of those over the years and the best ones I’ve had were vaults or lxs or whatever and the worst were a regular degular navy pair from Zappos. I remember returning them because one of the tongues were about an inch shorter than the other. You couldn’t pull the tongue up to the top of the shoe because they weren’t stitched on right.

People, save your feet, knees, and back and wear better shoes. Vans need to stay in the 80s.

^ this
Before we all knew that Vans lasted nothing and they skated nice and reasonable priced.
Now they last longer, they skate like shit and super expensive + a team that has not much appeal unless you're a kid.
Vans should die alongside a bunch of other brands.

[jums]

Expand Quote

Vans suck. When will people realize this???

I’ve had so many of those over the years and the best ones I’ve had were vaults or lxs or whatever and the worst were a regular degular navy pair from Zappos. I remember returning them because one of the tongues were about an inch shorter than the other. You couldn’t pull the tongue up to the top of the shoe because they weren’t stitched on right.

People, save your feet, knees, and back and wear better shoes. Vans need to stay in the 80s.

[close]

^ this
Before we all knew that Vans lasted nothing and they skated nice and reasonable priced.
Now they last longer, they skate like shit and super expensive + a team that has not much appeal unless you're a kid.
Vans should die alongside a bunch of other brands.

Vans has not made ONE good shoe in the 21st century. Seriously. The last good shoe they made were Rowley classics. They have the worst shoe designers in the industry.

[Mbrimson88]

.

Maybe I am just special, but of all the various Half Cab shoes I have tried / owned over the last how ever many years (a few decades actually), the best ones have been the plain simple classic versions, that I strip out and put in the old Vans V1 pro insole from TNT2 and similar shoes from back in the day (think early to mid 2000s) and they just feel better and skate well for me.

A little super glue on the stitching, change out the glued in footbed, which sometimes comes out very easily, other times not so much, then maybe one day to break them in and good to go from there.

Same for classic versions of the Sk8 low / mid / hi, Old Skools, Eras, etc.  The classic versions just feel more comfortable on my feet and the sole lasted better than the pro versions, up until the Skate range came out.


They are not for everyone, but they sure do work well for me and I am happy I still have a good supply of them.

Speaking of the Classic Half Cabs, the newer ones look weird, like the profile has been lowered again or something.  Haven't seen any in person, but the online pics just don't look right for those shoes now.

I feel like they were best up to or until about two runs ago, before they changed them again to what they are now, but some of the older ones had a much stiffer sole, taller toe cap, thicker sidewall to what is out now and a few other things I have noticed, with the newer ones being thinner overall, not sitting quite as high as they used to, flatter toe area and most have a footbed that is not really well glued down, which suits me just fine.

They are also on sale, so I can buy almost two pairs of Classics and turn them in to pro shoes, more so than the pretty steep RRP of the new Skate Half Cab shoes.

[Bristol_Palin]

Never had any issues with mine other than this weird breakage on the back. no noticable slipping or discomfort, though. maybe just fit a little less snug. great shoes tho, have lasted me awhile and got a new pair for Christmass wooh



here's where my wear is at. got these in October of 22... lots of sessions but definitely not the most consistent or ripping skater on here so. also have switched between skating these, Tyshawns, and Fastbreaks so not full committed to just skating these badboys. nevertheless, they've served me well and still have some life in em.

Of my 8 pairs I only had it happen on this color way which was my first pair. I just bought another of this color way and I can sort of say they don't really feel as good as my other pairs but I loved them last time I skated. I'll still end up skating them and liking them I skated them once and went back to an older pair just because I like the pair I'm skating so much. I think this only happens because this collar is canvas. The rest of the pairs I skated had a suede collar.