COFFEE BREAK WITH THE HALF CAB AND HALF CAB PROhttp://www.freeskatemag.com/2017/08/30/memory-screen-25-years-of-the-half-cab/After watching the Free Skate Mag: Memory Screen Half Cab vid on repeat for the last month, I decided to check out the differences between the original SLAPpal uniform shoe of choice - the original Vans Half Cab and its fancy schmancy counterpart - the Half Cab Pro. Having only ever skated the original Half Cab, I wanted to know whether the Pro offered anything more than just a bloated insole. (SPOILER:
It does).
Half Cab (left) / Half Cab Pro (Cab 25th Anniversary Ver. (right))Toe ShapeThe toe of the original Half Cab (right) is much wider/rounder, while the toe of the Pro is narrower. The Pro also has a rubber foxing stripe around it and dura-cap stuff under the suede. When next to each other, the Half Cab looks a bit like a blown-out version of the Pro. I dunno the science of it all, but I tend to like a narrower toe for flip tricks.
Half Cab Pro (left) / Half Cab (right) Also, the Half Cab Pro fits snugger to the top and sides of your fore-foot, which is rad if you like a more glove-like fit, but I think the original Half Cab toe is one of the most comfortable toes in skateboarding, so I'm biased against the Pro on that aspect.
Sidewalls/Panels/DetailsHalf Cab -- Nothing much to say other than it's suede with some of the oddest paneling in skateboard shoe design... but we love it. Also the toe vulc has the classic arch shape to it, whereas the pro has the straight cut.
original Half Cab original Half Cab - toe vulc archHalf Cab Pro -- Thicker suede, some duracap stuff underneath, and the panels are actually smaller/tighter in comparison to the original (less space between them). The Pros will should last longer due to the foxing, duracap, suede, etc. Again, they make the original Half Cab feel like they've blown out after a week of wearing compared to the fit of the Pros. Again again, I prefer the original fit... but any of you unfamiliar with the half cabs would probably prefer the fit of the Pros as its more like the fit of other shoe brands.
Half Cab ProHalf Cab Pro / Half cab Half Cab Pro - smaller panelingHalf Cab Pro - straight cut toe vulcCollar / Heel LockThe original Half Cab collar is basically cinching a piece of cardboard around your ankle, but man, it's best feeling cardboard around. It's pretty loosey goosey, but you can get it as tight as you want depending on how high you loace em up and how tight you like your laces. At the highest eyelet and yanked down, your heel isnt going anywhere (at least for the first couple of weeks). The collar on the Half Cab Pro is narrower and forms to your Achilles a bitter better than the original. Also, the material/construction is a little more comfortable than the cardboard described above. Again, if you're new to Vans, then I'd think the Pro will probably feel better for you. My only gripe is that the Ultracush seems a little "too" thick for the shoes themselves and for me, I'd probably have to walk in em for a month or so to pack it down to where I like where my heel rests (i.e. lower in the footbed).
original Half Cab collarHalf Cab Pro collarHalf Cab Pro (left) / Half Cab (right) The TongueThe tongue on the Half Cab will cure all your nostalgia. It's necessarily puffy... in the perfect way. The tongue on the Half Cab Pro is thinner and probably made with better stuff. Again, if you're coming from another shoe brand with an athletic-heritage, then you'll probably prefer the Pro tongue.
original Half CabHalf Cab ProThe SoleThe Half Cab Pro's sole is narrower in the arch, again giving it a more consistent feel for those of you coming over from other brands. It also goes along with the tighter/snugger fit of the shoe overall. However, to me, the original sole is perfect.
Half Cab Pro (left) / Half Cab (right) Final ThoughtsThe Half Cab is one of the best skate shoes ever. For most, it was blasphemy to even mess with it. But, after finally comparing the two side-by-side, I think the Pro offers anyone who wants to try Vans a shot a good transition from other shoe's fits/feels over to Vans. The Pro seems like it'll last longer the original... but the real question is whether it'll get to that perfect floppy stage of perfection for about 34 hours like the original, just before they completely turn into socks?
(this review is dedicated to SLAPpal Sweatercuff a/k/a @idealhandmades)