Positives
- Very Well Built
- Blake Paul has Split Mode or Calf Adjustability
- Great Traction
- Great Water Resistance
Negatives
- Very Heavy
- Shock Absorption Comes From Insole
- Slower On/Off than some BOA
Summary
The Vans Verse is heavy and gets most of its shock absorption from the insole, but it is very well-built, has great traction and water resistance. It's a very versatile boot in either model you choose. The Blake Paul has a negative flex and strap on the back and the Szumowski doesn't. Update 2025: This is a review of the 2024 Vans Verse but it doesn't seem to be changing much or at all for 2025. I'll confirm in a few months.Where To Buy
No obligation, but these links support the site.
evo
Stoked Board Shop
Behind The Pines
BlueTomato Belgium
BlueTomato France
BlueTomato Sweden
PRFO Sports Canada
Riding Level | Advanced - Expert |
Lacing Type | Double BOA |
Manufactured in | China |
Where To Buy
No obligation, but these links support the site.
evo
Tactics
REI
Stoked Board Shop
Behind The Pines
BlueTomato Belgium
BlueTomato France
BlueTomato Sweden
BlueTomato Denmark
BlueTomato Finland
BlueTomato Italy
BlueTomato UK
BlueTomato Netherlands
BlueTomato Austria
BlueTomato Germany
BlueTomato Spain
PRFO Sports Canada
A Detailed Breakdown of the Vans Verse Snowboard Boot Review by The Good Ride
Vans Verse Snowboard Boot Review: How It Rides And Who It Is For
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How This Review Happened: 1-day demo.
Size:
Days:
Conditions: an early morning slackountry time with Drift Boards & Union Rovers
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10”, 185-190lbs)
Insoles: Footprint Insole Technology Gamechangers, Footprint Insole Technology Gamechangers Lite, Footprint Insole Technology Gameghangers Low Profile, Sandsole Custom Insoles
Bindings:
Union Atlas
Boards: Lib-Tech TRS, Gnu RC C3, Gnu Hyper, Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker
Jacket: Jones Mtn Surf Anorak,
Pant: Jones Mountain Surf Bib,
Helmet: Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Guide Glove,
Similar (but not the same) Boots: Ride Torrent, Ride Fuse, Ride Deadbolt, Vans Infuse
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”
How These Were Tested
I rode these at a demo for the day.
Weight
2.8 lbs – That is very heavy for a boot. Compared to my light Ride Deadbolts at 1.8 lbs, the Verse is 1lb heavier per foot. That is a lot, and I felt the extra weight on my feet.
Fit
This fits my size 9 foot pretty well and seems true to size out of the box. It might pack in a little, but I’m not sure I’d want to size down to an 8.5 as it might not pack out enough.
My E-width feet fit the Vans Verse very well. I usually have to size up to a 10.5 Vans shoe to fit my E-width feet, but with their snowboard boots, the width is pretty good for E and below. It might take a lot of work to get an EE to work with the Verse, but I’m not sure it will, and I think EEE won’t work at all. That being said, it runs a little narrow, so it should fit most feet.
Flex/Response
The flex is adjustable from medium to medium stiff. If you put in both plastic tongue inserts in each foot, it’s medium stiff. You don’t have to put both in, and you can mess around with an asymmetrical flex. The response matches the flex, and it works with a wide variety of bindings/boards without overpowering or underpowering most. There is a medium/stiff lateral flex as well, so this side hills pretty well if you plan to split board.
Flex Retention/Construction
The boot’s very solid construction will allow it to last a long time. It will get softer, but it should hold up well without falling apart or wearing through. The outer shell helps keep water out and also seems to protect the BOAs as well. Everything about this boot construction is well thought out with lots of features but at the cost of being very heavy.
Adjustability/Heel Hold
There is good upper and lower separation, but the lower goes up past your mid-ankle vs. most 2 BOA systems. It does wrap better around your ankle, though, and you can still have separate adjustability for your shin/upper boot. There is very good heel hold, and while it’s slower than other BOA boots on and off, it’s still pretty easy.
Shock Absorption
The Vans Verse has good shock absorption, but it needs the footbed to have it. That is where all the cushioning is vs. the mid-sole. I would much rather change out the insole but I’m forced to keep it to have that cush shock absorption. The thicker sole seems to have a good bit less shock absorption from the metatarsal to the toes for better board feel. This time around I felt their was a little more between my front foot and the gas pedal of the binding which I personally liked.
Traction
There is a very thick rubber sole throughout the Vans Verse bottom that grips well and looks like it will last a very long time.
Reduced Footprint
This 2024 Vans verse seems to have just about the same footprint as Burton size vs. size, which is the industry leader. It’s great for sizing down.
Conclusion
So, despite the Vans Verse being super heavy and having most of its shock absorption in the insole, I like the construction. Adjustability, varied response, and overall versatility.
Vans Verse Past Reviews
The Vans Verse is a very burley, well-constructed boot that works great for split boarders thanks to the thicker sides that make side-hilling easier. It’s a little thicker, but it’s not an awkward boot for resort riding either.
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
We borrowed this for an extended demo and then returned it. We borrowed this for a day and then returned it. We had a couple of laps on a frantic, manic demo day. We liked it so much we asked to keep it (we only do this with our favorites). After a demo, we liked it so much that we bought it. We spent our precious Good Ride dollars to buy this and review it.
Days: 2
Size Tried: 9
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-195lbs)
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles
Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Strata
Boards: Yes Pick Your Line, Gentemstick Mantaray.
James’ Foot Specs
Foot Size: 9 US
Foot Width: D bordering on E
Arch Length: Right 9.5 and Left 9
Calves (Top of boot): 17”
Calves (Bottom of boot): 12”
Sizing/Fit/Heel Hold
The boot is bulky on the sides, which makes for a pretty tight fit in my Union bindings. I usually don’t have issues with that, and they have a pretty decent-sized heel loop. The fit is perfect for my size 9s with a width between D and E. I don’t think there is much room width-wise for a much wider foot than mine. The lower lacing is somewhat higher around the ankle to lock it in pretty well.
Lacing/Adjustability
There is a pretty good lacing system to adjust your upper and lower lace. The lower lace is higher around the ankle compared to some, but the upper is completely separate. You have a power strap and a somewhat standard inner lace lock. You can really dial it out to fit around your foot.
Comfort
It was very comfortable on day one, and it only took a run or two for them to start to mold a little bit to my feet. It wasn’t that cold both days I rode them, though.
Flex & Flex Retention
Vans have come a long way, and the flex retention has really improved since the early 2000s when I first started riding these boots. The Vans Verse is clearly built to last for the 100-day-a-year rider. It has a beefy spine, ankle articulation, plastic inserts to reinforce the tongue, and a very thick shell. I only had two days on it with these, but they just feel made to last.
Footprint
It had a pretty reduced footprint, and it was close to my Adidas Tactical ADVs in size 8.5 (they fit me like the 9 Verse), which are some of the most reduced in footprints for my size that I have come across.
Response/Turn Initiation:
While the Vans Verse is stiff on the sides and has little freedom of movement, its response matches the medium/stiff forward flex pretty well, and it easily turns the PYL and Mantaray 156.
Shock Absorption
There is almost nothing in the front of the foot from the toes to where the foot meets the toes, and then it slowly increases until you get to the heel.
Traction
Very good, competent traction, with a ton of rubber on the sole, makes this shoe ideal for walking in all kinds of terrain.
On & Off Ease
It’s not very easy on and off due to the outer zipper and power strap for a BOA, but still, overall, it’s pretty easy.
Vans Verse Specs
Vans Verse Images
Vans Verse User Reviews
These boots have an excellent grip on your foot. With the two boas, shin power strap, liner lace, and outer zipper, it will take you a little longer than your ski friends to get these boots on and ready for hiking, but the extra time is well worth it. I have a wide foot and these fit great on my toes with plenty of room. I've worn these in the park at the resort and deep into the backcountry and have no complaints about responsiveness. The shock absorption could be better for hardpack trails but is no problem in the pow. The x-cage inner liner irritated my ankles pretty badly during break-in so keep your old liners around to swap out until your ankles can deal. Well-made, would recommend
Where To Buy
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