30 Years of the Half Cab Series

Vans’ Three-Part Series Kicks Off with Historical Look at a Cultural Icon

After three decades, the origins and creative DIY spirit of the Half Cab still run true to Vans’ and skateboarding’s DNA. To honor the Half Cab’s cultural influence, undeniable impact on skate and street style, and timeless appeal over the years, Vans will highlight the iconic silhouette’s progression —starting with its humble beginnings in the ‘90s, the shoe’s adoption and adaptation throughout the years, and the staying power of the Half Cab through the eyes of the next generation of skaters.

Vans worked with acclaimed documentary filmmaker Patrick O’Dell to produce the three-part series, which kicks off with a look at the historical significance of the Half Cab. The shoe ushered in the introduction of signature skateboarding shoes, marking a new frontier for the industry, and reinforcing the power of listening to skateboarders and tapping into a community’s creative spirit.

“Steve Caballero, the Caballerial, and the Half Cab shoe together are one of the most enduring legacies in all of skateboarding, and it was an honor to get invited into Steve’s home and explore the history of a skateboarding icon,” O’Dell said. “Whenever you see a Half Cab on someone’s feet, you know that the person they belong to is a skater and has an appreciation for skateboarding history. There’s not another shoe with that much instant skate cred.”

In the first episode, The Full Cab, Vans and O’Dell tap into the story behind how the original Caballero silhouette came to be, with insights from Steve himself, as well as skateboarding legends Ray Barbee and Christian Hosoi, who provide context into skateboarding culture at the time. A question of which skater was the first to infamously cut down the silhouette leads into episode two, The Street Cab, which explores skateboarding’s transition from vert to street and the Half Cab’s staying power. Episode three, The Cab Legacy, delivers the next generation’s perspective on the future of the Half Cab, punctuated with skate footage from around the world. Look for episodes two and three to drop later this year. Guest appearances and interviews range from Geoff Rowley, Andrew Reynolds, and Jerry Hsu to Lakai Founder Mike Carroll and professional photographer and skateboarder Atiba Jefferson.

Introduced in 1989 by Vans and Steve Caballero, the Caballero marked the introduction to an era of signature skate shoes. Over the next few years, skateboarders saw a chance to reimagine the silhouette by cutting down the high-top padding to better meet their needs, and in 1992, the Half Cab was born. Three decades later, Vans is proud to uplift the Half Cab’s story and heritage, while shining a light on its influence on the future of skateboarding. Stay tuned to Vans.ca/HalfCab throughout the year for more information on all upcoming product drops, exciting collaborations, and content releases.