Every streetwear brand doing a flannel is one thing, but when a big company tries to rip off the greatest skate shoe of all time, it needs to understand that there’s going to be backlash. Come on guys! DC Shoes just posted its Spring 2009 line-up on dcshoes.com and we couldn’t help but be alarmed by the similarities between the Smith 2.0 S model and Vans’ iconic Half Cab silhouette. Did someone from Vans defect? Were they “inspired” by the Half-Cab? Maybe none of the above, maybe all of the above, but if you thought no one was going to notice, you were mistaken. We’re always on patrol like Ricky Ross.
Ripping off Air Force 1s and Nike Dunks is common practice in the land of sneaker manufacturing, but jacking the Half Cab is a first. Maybe Ryan Smith just loved Caballero so much that he wanted his pro model to look exactly the same. Oh well. At least it’s not as bad as the Levi’s/Supra thing. Have a look for yourself after the jump.
DC Smith 2.0
Vans Half Cab Pro
Posted under Industry News, Sneaker News, Spot the Ripoff
February 3, 2009