Hello and welcome to my Ride Fuse snowboard boots review.
In this review I will take a look at the Fuse as freeride snowboard boots.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Fuse a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other freeride boots.
Overall Rating
Boots: Ride Fuse
Price: $359 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Freeride
Flex Rating: Stiff (8/10)
Flex Feel: Stiff (8/10)
Rating Score: 84.7/100
Compared to other Freeride Boots
Out of the 19 freeride boots that I rated:
Overview of the Fuse’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Fuse's specs.
Specs
Style: | Freeride or hard charging all-mountain (or going really big in the park) |
Price: | $359 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Weight: | Normal |
Lacing System: | Traditional Lacing with BOA (tongue tied) |
Who are the Fuse Most Suited to?
The Fuse are are best suited to anyone looking for a stiffer boot but want a more reasonable price than boots are typically in the 8/10 to 10/10 flex range. And ideal for someone who wants a stiff boot, but still not ultra stiff.
Not for a beginner - the stiffer flex makes things less forgiving and more difficult to ride in at slower speeds.
The Fuse in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Fuse are capable of.
Demo Info
Boots: Ride Fuse
Size: 10 (US Men's Sizing)
Date: February 7, 2022
Conditions
Overcast and really poor visibility.
Temperature: Around 34°F (1°C) and 27°F (-3°C) with wind chill - was warm enough to rain, but thankfully it stayed dry.
24 hour snow: 0" (0cm)
48 hour snow: 0" (0cm)
7 day snow: 10" (25cm)
On groomer: Soft packed, well groomed - some slushy sections, which grew as the day wore on - and got more cruddy over time as well.
Off groomer: A little harder/crunchier than the groomers, but nothing too bad - some softer spots there too.
Setup
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Board Demoed With: Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker
Bindings Demoed With: Burton Malavita
Outersole Length: 30.8cm (mondo 28cm)
Difference between Mondo & Outersole: 2.8cm
Backstay Height: 10.8" (27.5cm)
Weight: 2lbs 2oz (960 grams)*
* The average of the boots I've weighed is 1018g (2lbs 4oz), so a bit lighter than the average but pretty close to average. Though quite light for boots this stiff - typically stiffer boots tend to be heavier than average. Heaviest were 1320g (2lbs 15oz) and lightest were 740g (1lb 10oz). .
Fit
Width: It's a true medium width, IMO. They're not narrow, but not wide enough to be mid-wide.
True to Size?: I'm typically a 10 and these felt just right in a 10. My toes were just brushing the end, but without any pressure. A 9.75 in this boot might be OK (if it existed) for me, but 9.5 would be too small and 10.5 certainly too big.
High or Low Arch: Pressure on top of foot felt really normal, so shouldn't be an issue for those with high arches.
Responsiveness
As expected, they weren't as good for shorter/sharper turns, particularly at slow speeds versus my control boots (Adidas Tactical ADV) - but I was able to carve harder/deeper in them versus my control boots.
Heel Hold
Very minimal heel lift. Very good heel hold for my feet in this boot in this size.
Adjustability
Really good adjustability with the traditional lacing - and even better for the fact you can tighten around the ankle easily and without opening out the outer boot, with the boa. It uses Ride's "tongue tied" to pull the tongue around into the ankle.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Comfort
The first thing I was worried about was the plasticy tongue and what kind of shin bite that might cause, but it turns out I didn't get any shin bite - a big part of the reason is likely because of how plush the top of the liner is.
I felt some pressure behind right ankle and some pressure on top of right foot but that's normal and nothing but nothing major.
My biggest issue with comfort was the cramping I got in my feet. This won't be the same for all feet and every foot feels different, but I did get some foot cramping after a couple of laps.
Shock Absorption
Noticeably less shock absorption versus my control boots (both in my stomp test and when riding on snow), but that's never a surprise given the Tactical ADVs are the most shock absorbing boots I own.
But in both stomp test and riding they felt less shock absorbing than other boots I was testing as well - the Burton Ion, Photon, the Vans Aura Pro and the DC Travis Rice.
Board Feel
Board feel wasn't terrible in these boots, but not amazing either.
Reduced Footprint
Slightly reduced footprint versus the average but not super low profile.
Entry/Exit
Had to make a little bit of effort to get foot in, but not as bad as some other boots can be. They have that Boa that works on the liner - and no other lacing on the liner, so that is really fast and easy. And you can readjust it after doing the laces. Quite simple with not having that lacing harness in addition. There is Velcro to get the top part of the liner tighter. Laces slower and require a bit more muscle than the likes of speed lace and BOA, but all good - and you get that extra customization.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 4.5 | 31.5/35 |
TRACTION | 4.0 | 12/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.5 | 9/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 9/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.0 | 6/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 3.5 | 7/10 |
COMFORT | 3.0 | 6/10 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 84.7/100 |
The Fuse are stiff, without being ultra stiff - and allow you to carve hard. I didn't find them super comfortable, mostly because of cramping, but that could be specific to my feet.
Overall, they feel like well made, quality boots and come in at a really decent price compared to other boots in their flex range.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you’re interested in learning more about the Fuse, are ready to buy or want to research current prices and sizing availability, check out the links below.
If you want to see how the Fuse compared to other freeride, or want to check out some other options, check out the link below.
Hi Nate,
I tried these on today, I could fit a size 10us. Might be safer with a 10.5. I’m 11us slx and 11.5us 32.
Think I’ll have to get them. Do you think they will pack out much? I’ve been told intuition liners back out a bit?
Cheers
Tim
Hi Tim
If you could fit a 10 and it wasn’t giving you any pain spots or pressure points, then it probably works. I would go with the smallest size that still feels comfortable for you. Being a US11 for the SLX I would have guessed more like 10.5 but if you feel the 10s weren’t too tight, then they could work. Like any boots, they will pack out. I haven’t had Ride boots for an extended period of time to see how much they would pack out, but most boots pack out at least somewhat.
What would you reccomend between Ride Fuse, K2 Ender, or Salomon Dialogue Lace SJ? I want a system that locks heel back and in place to avoid cramping and toe bang, but dont want to kill the top of my ankle/instep, which most pull string liners have been doing to me but without the heel hold, narrow ankle but high instep.
Hi Alex
In my experience the heel hold in the Ender and Fuse are really really good. In the Dialogue Lace Boa it’s also really good, but I found the Ender and Fuse just that bit better. I have narrow-ish ankles too but not a high instep. I found all 3 to be fine in terms of the instep. My right instep is higher and that felt it a bit with all of them when first trying on but all faded with time and heat molding. I wouldn’t say any of them are bad for high insteps, but couldn’t say if they were particularly good either, given I don’t have particularly high insteps.
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision
Also i have Burton Ion in my country for 350euro and Fuse for 280
Compare those two and tell me is Ion worh 80 euro more ?
Hi Filip
I would personally choose the Ion over the Fuse and would personally pay the extra for it. But it’s up to as to whether that extra 70 euro is worth it for you. Both boots would match well with the Deep Thinker/Cartel X, IMO.
In terms of top 5. Would depend on the Deep Thinker you have. The 2023 model, from what I’ve heard is quite different (and supposedly softer flexing) but we didn’t get a chance to re-ride it (as the specs didn’t indicate any changes). If it is softer then that would change what my top 5 might be. But if it’s an earlier model, then I would be looking at something quite stiff. At least 7/10 but preferably more. The Ion fits in there as does the Fuse. But something from our freeride boots list would be my go to for the older Deep Thinker.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate Legend of this website….
Would u consider Ride Fuse good pair with Deep Thinker and Cartel X est ?
Also if u can tell me ur top 5 with this combo ?
These fit me really well, but I’m afraid they may be too stiff. Do you think the Ride Anchor would be a better All Mountain boot, or does it also lean more towards Freeride?
Hi AB
Thanks for your message.
You should find the Anchor noticeably softer than the Fuse, so yeah, depending on the board you’re matching with and your style of riding, the Anchor may be a better choice. If you’re riding a stiffer board and going to be charging a lot, riding quite aggressively, then the Fuse would certainly be a good option but as an all-rounder, if you’re also looking to slow things down and riding more playfully or casually at times, and if you have more of a mid-flex board, then the Anchor would be more suitable, IMO.
Hope this helps