A cupsole Half Cab!? Rad! Vans recently reimagined one of its most legendary silhouettes—the Half Cab—by introducing WaffleCup technology for the very first time. The result? Well, this timeless skate shoe has officially leveled up with some modern innovation "for the unmatched balance of boardfeel and support," Vans mentioned on Instagram. Peep Cocona Hiraki putting them to use below.
"Atiba helps us introduce the first-ever Half Cab to feature a WaffleCup outsole, bringing his personal touch to the design with one of his most iconic photos of skate legend John Cardiel printed on the insole and custom hand-drawn logos by Atiba's friend and graffiti artist Haze," Vans mentions on its site. "Durable suede and canvas uppers with breathable mesh ensure durability, while SickStick™ rubber sole grips hard and resists griptape wear. PopCush™ footbeds cushion impacts, and Wafflecup construction offers sturdy support with flexible boardfeel."
The WaffleCup sole might be a slight tweak, but let's be real—this is pretty rad. It gives skaters the best of both worlds, and personally, I'm super curious to see how they skate. It’s an update that preserves the Half Cab’s timeless look while arguably enhancing its performance.
You certainly don't need me to tell you the Half Cab has been a skate shoe staple since it first showed up in 1992. Skaters have cut, stitched, and reimagined it their own way for decades, and in a way, this latest version stays true to that DIY spirit.
It’s still the Half Cab you know, just tuned up with tech that makes sense in 2025. Look for it at your local shop! Or get a closer look on the Vans site.
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