Positives
- Excellent Adjustability
- Near Excellent Heel Hold
- Very Heat Moldable Liner
- Near Excellent Flex Retention
- Very Durable
Negatives
- Below Average Shock Absorption
- Traction Isn't Good Out Of The Box
Summary
The Ride Fuse doesn't have much shock absorption but is a very adjustable, durable boot with excellent flex retention.Update 2025: The Ride Fuse has remained the same for the last few years and will remain so in 2025.
Where To Buy
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Blauer Board Shop
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Christy Sports
Sun & Ski Sports
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PRFO Sports Canada
Riding Level | Intermediate - Expert |
Lacing Type | Mixed Lacing |
Manufactured in | China |
Where To Buy
No obligation, but these links support the site.
Blauer Board Shop
Favorite Storeevo
Christy Sports
Sun & Ski Sports
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PRFO Sports Canada
Ride Fuse- A Breakdown of How It Rides And Who It Is For Review by The Good Ride
Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews. We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average rider’s perspective.
How This Review Happened: Borrowed this for an extended demo and sent it back. 1 day demo. A few laps at a demo. Liked it so much, asked to keep it (only do this with favorites). Liked it so much we bought it. Precious Good Ride dollars were spent buying and reviewing this.
Size: 9US
Days: 40+
Conditions: Everything from Super Deep Pow and an early morning slackountry time with Drift Board bindings on Union Rovers
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10”, 185-190lbs)
Insoles: Footprint Insole Technology Gamechangers,
Bindings: many, including the Union Atlas, Union Force, Burton Genesis X, Burton Cartel, Nitro Team, Nitro Phantom +, Nitro Phantom, Rome Cleaver, Rome Katana, Rome Vice, Rome DOD, Rome 390 Boss
Boards: Many, but here are some. Capita Spring Break 158 Powder Glider, Soul Blower, Korua Dart, Korua Pencil, Korua Café Racer, Weston Japow, Soul Shift, Gentemstick Mantaray 156, Yes Hybrid, Jones Hovercraft, Korua Transition Finder, Salomon Dancehaul, K2 Excavator, Cardiff Powgoda, Jones Mind Expander, YES PYL Uninc, Jones Flagship, Jones Mind Expander, Korua Otto, Jones Frontier, Ride Shadowban, Yes Greats, Ride TwinPig
Jacket: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Tusk Jacket, Volcom TDF Infuse 3L Gore-Tex Jacket
Pant: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant, Burton AK Gore-Tex 2L Swash Pant, Burton Gore-Tex Ballast Pant
Helmet: Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Guide Glove, Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Clutch Glove, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Burton AK Tech Glove, CG Habitats Glove, CG Habitats Work Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt, Drop Cascade Glove, Drop Web Glove,
Similar (but not the same) Boots: Ride Deadbolt, Ride Fuse, Ride Torrent, Burton Ion, Vans Infuse, Nitro Team TLS
James’ Foot Specs
Foot Size: 9 US
Foot Width: E
Arch Length: Right 9.5 and Left 9
Calf Circumference: Top of boot 17” & Bottom of boot 12”
How These Were Tested
I’ve ridden these a ton with a wide variety of boots and bindings and even compared them to several other boots as well.
Fit
The Ride Fuse fits pretty true to size for my 9 US boots but runs a little on the tight side for my size E Width. With a heat molding, they opened up nicely, and it has a pretty wide toe box, which I personally like.
Even after these boots are packed out, they are pretty close to staying true to a 9 US. All I needed to do was add a little boot-fitting foam into the heel to keep it close.
Flex/Response
The Ride Fuse is a pretty responsive boot for traditional lace, and the Flex matches the response.
Flex Retention/Construction
It doesn’t look like it will keep its flex, but it does a near-excellent job with flex retention. There is a hard plastic spine and then a rubber-like tongue that doesn’t break down easily. That combo, along with a little ankle articulation, does an amazing job at retaining the flex. After 40+ days, it’s pretty close to the original flex, and there is only a little breakdown of the shell next to the ankle articulation.
The ride went for durability, and it has rubber throughout the toe, and the boot is holding up incredibly well.
Adjustability/Heel Hold
So having traditional lace with a BOA around the ankle makes this incredibly adjustable. It’s a little slower than Double BOA getting it on but it’s soo much more adjustable. If you have heel hold issues but still want a lot of adjustablility, this is a great choice.
Shock Absorption
This is one area where I’d personally like to see improvement. The Fuse looks like it has lots of shock-absorbent foam, but it’s very stiff and doesn’t give easily. It has a great board feel, but I wish they made this foam more like the Deadbolts, which has more shock absorption.
Traction
The Ride Fuse had really poor traction out of the box but after I scraped about 1mm off the soles over pavement it became usable.
Reduced Footprint
This isn’t bad, and it is only about 5mm longer in footprint vs. a size 9 Burton, which leads to the reduced footprint game.
Conclusion
So if the Ride Fuse had better shock absorption this would be one of my all time favorite boots but as it stands it’s quite exceptional for adjustability, response and overall flex retention.
Ride Fuse Past Reviews
Ride Fuse 2021 Snowboard Boot review
Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews. We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.
How The Ride Fuse Review Happened: We borrowed this for an extended demo and then returned it.
Days: 10+
Size Tried: Size 9
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs), Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs)
Insoles: Footprint Insole Technology Gamechangers, Footprint Insole Technology Gameghangers Low Profile, Sandsole Custom Insoles
Bindings: Union Atlas, Ride C10, Ride C8, Union Stratas
Boards: Burton Skeleton Key, Gentemstick Mantaray 156, Jones Hovercraft, Jones Ultracraft, Endeavor Pioneer, Ride Wild Life, Yes 420, Yes 420+, Yes Hybrid, Weston Hatchet 152
Similar (but not the same) Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV, Burton Kendo, Burton Imperial, Vans Implant, Vans SQL, Ride Lasso Pro, Ride Trident, Adidas Tactical Lexicon, Adidas Response
James’ Foot Specs
Foot Size: 9 US
Foot Width: E
Arch Length: Right 9.5 and Left 9
Instep: (left and Right) 10.5”
Calf Circumference: Top of boot 17” & Bottom of boot 12”
Weight
Size 9 was 2.0 lbs. That is pretty light for a snowboard boot.
Sizing/Fit
The Ride Fuse fit my true size 9 feet pretty well, but I think if I wanted a proper fit, I would size down to an 8.5, and after a few days, it would feel really good. Peter, a true size 8.5 would really like the 8’s. As far as width goes, it was just wide enough for my E width, and I didn’t feel cramped inside like I can with boots that work better for narrower feet.
Construction/Flex/Flex Retention
The Ride Fuse felt and looked well-built. We can’t say for sure, but it should last a long time. So should the flex with the articulating cuff and stiff spine.
Adjustability/Heel Hold
Traditional lace is the best for adjustability. We love how the laces are locked in at each rung. That makes it very easy to have this boot fit around your foot and leg. The BOA around the Ride Fuse ankle really help with heel lift too. It’s not quite there with Focus BOA that has 2 BOA’s overlapping your ankle but those boots have a fraction of the adjustability.
Response/Turn Initiation
The Ride Fuse has a nice smooth response that sits pretty much in the middle of the response spectrum. It matches up well with a wide variety of boards and bindings.
Shock Absorption/Board Feel
It looks like there is a lot of shock absorption in the sole, but we didn’t feel it underfoot. It’s average and has more of a skate-shoe feel. So that could not be good if you want a cushy ride, but it would be good if you like a more board feel.
Traction
Great traction here with the Ride Fuse.
Footprint
You get a pretty reduced footprint with the Ride Fuse. I would love to compare a size 8.5 Ride Fuse to a Burton boot (same fit) to see how they compare but they aren’t much bigger than our 8.5 Adidas which are really reduced.
On & Off Ease
Traditional lace isn’t easy but that is not why you buy the Ride Fuse. You get this for adjustability. Still, it’s not that slow on and off.
So overall, the Ride Fuse worked really well for us. Boots are a pain in the ass to buy and feet are all very different but this has a fit that will work for a pretty wide variety of riding styles and foot types.
Ride Fuse Specs
Ride Fuse Images
Ride Fuse User Reviews
Pretty Perfect Boots
Highly recommend the Fuse! These are premium-quality boots, and I have owned two pairs of these in the last couple of years, as well as Adidas Tactical ADVs before. (Got rid of the ADVs because of the pain they cause on the top of the foot when they flex, a well-known issue.)
The Intuition liner and internal Boa lacing work flawlessly to hold your heel in place, with no bulk around the ankles, where you don't need it. Michelin rubber sole and rubber toecap make them grippy and durable whether you're hiking, splitting, and/or sledding. Traditional shell lacing is foolproof, and you won't be SOLed by a busted Boa or torn lace—just knot it till you're able to replace it. Padding is not as cushy as Adidas Boost, but better function and durability more than compensate. Toebox is both roomy and warm.
Bonus: Ride stands behind their products. (Good luck with the three-stripers on warranty issues.)
Great boot!
These boots are great. Comfortable not too stiff, not too soft. I agree with their review mostly about the skate feel. Yes they are no adidas boost tech, but they aren’t burton EST either. I had burton imperial before this and those were way thinner than these. I feel like the fuse has good shock absorption in the back half of the foot. It gradually thins out towards the toes. A nice compromise, cushion where you need it and a little more board feel in the toes. I added fp insoles and they are super cush now. And yes size down 1/2 size. Boot footprint of ride 11 was same as burton 11.5. Inside fit was similar w/ ride being slightly bigger. Overall a good all mountain boot!
Where To Buy
No obligation, but these links support the site.
Blauer Board Shop
Favorite Storeevo
Christy Sports
Sun & Ski Sports
More stores to buy from:
Blauer Board Shop
Favorite Storeevo
Christy Sports
Sun & Ski Sports
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