Vans Hi-Standard Pro Snowboard Boots Review

Hello and welcome to my Vans Hi-Standard Pro review.

In this review I will take a look at the Hi-Standard Pro as freestyle snowboard boots.

As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Hi-Standard Pro a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other freestyle boots.

Overall Rating

Boots: Vans Hi-Standard Pro

Price: $269 (USD recommended retail)

Style: Freestyle

Flex Rating: Medium (5-6/10)

Flex Feel: Medium (5.5/10)

Rating Score: 90.8/100

Compared to other Freestyle Boots

Out of the 26 freestyle boots that I rated:

Overview of the Hi-Standard Pro’s Specs

Check out the tables for the Hi-Standard Pro’s specs and available sizes.

SPECS

SIZING

Who are the Hi-Standard Pro Most Suited to?

The Hi-Standard Pro are best suited to park/freestyle riders and casual all-mountain riders who aren't wanting to charge at super high speeds and carve aggressively. 

They aren't bad for moderately high speeds and more moderate carves though - but they do shine more at low to moderate speeds and when you're getting creative. 

Best matched to boards with a 3/10 to 6/10 flex and even more optimal in that 4/10 to 5/10 range, IMO. 

A bigger or stronger/more athletic beginner can probably get away with these, but for most beginners, they're a little too much. But anyone from intermediate and up should have no issues riding in these, technique-wise. 

The Hi-Standard Pro in More Detail

Bindings angles: +15/-15

Board Demoed With: Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker

Bindings Demoed With: Burton Malavita

Control Boots: Adidas Response ADV, size 9.5

Rider Height: 6'0"

Rider Weight: 180lbs

Outersole Length: 30.4cm (mondo 28.0cm)

Difference between Mondo & Outersole: 2.4cm

Backstay Height: 11.6" (29.4cm)

Forward Lean: 8.3°

Weight: 2lbs 8oz (1120 grams)*

* Average of a sample of around 50 boots I've weighed was 1028g (2lbs 4oz). Heaviest I've weighed were 2lbs 15oz (1320g) and lightest were 1lb 8oz (680g). While the Hi-Standard Pro were pretty much right on average on the scales, they felt lighter than normal on snow. 

Foot to Boot Fit

Length Fit:

My toes came right to the front of the boot but didn’t have any extra pressure on them. In other words, pretty much the perfect length for me. Compared to the Invado Pro that I tested previously there’s more wiggle room, but I would describe it as comfortable, not loose.

Width Fit:

The width is also about perfect, or you could say exactly in the middle of tight/loose. After riding them I felt a bit more space, but nothing too far out of line.

In-Step:

The top of the boot felt good on my instep. Slightly more space than the Invado Pro, but it’s pretty snug all around.

Around Ankles:

The ankles are the one spot that I felt some uncomfortable pressure. I mainly noticed this on the outside test while riding, and it’s not severe, but seems a little ironic since the heel hold is a little less than some boots.

True to Size?: 

As you can tell from the previous comments, I consider these boots being very true to size.

Boot to Binding Fit

I could slide right into my bindings with no problem and tighten all the straps without needing to adjust them. So, a similar profile to my control boots. 

Carving

I scored these a 3 out of 5 for carving control. They’re a little softer and more forgiving than my control boots and the Invado Pro’s, but to be fair I was testing these on a firm snow day and the Invado Pro’s when it was quite soft.

Slow Speed Response

The response they gave at lower speeds was really good. I’d call it a 4 out of 5, so if you compare the slow speed response with the carving comments you’ll put the Hi-Standards more in the category of “good touch” than “powerful carver”.

Heel Hold

When you plug these into your bindings and tighten everything down, the heel feels quite good. Not as nailed down as the Invado Pro’s, but comfortable and solid.

Having them in the bindings did make a difference, and this is one of the spots that made me wonder how the fit and performance may change as they got broken in and packed out a little.

Adjustability

As is typical with traditional lacing, they offer a lot of adjustability. Add to that the power strap to further fine tune the fit and the adjustability scores high on these. It takes a little time to work your way through all the steps, but it’s not as tedious as the Invado Pro's and everything comes together really well.

Comfort

As you might have guessed by now, these boots are really comfortable right out of the box. If you’re a somewhat casual rider who gets in 10-ish days a year you won’t have to worry about a break in period.

If you’re a season pass holder who is on the hill a lot, there is a chance that all this comfort may turn into looseness with a lot of riding. The Hi-Standards are the out of the box winner, but the Invado Pro’s may be a better boot for the long haul and high frequency riding.

Shock Absorption

The sole is identical to the Invado Pro, although my first impression was that they’re not quite as damp. They also feel slightly heavier, but the differences are slight and may just be my mind playing tricks on me.

Board Feel

The toes are very flexy and then the sole gets progressively stiffer towards the heel (which is typical of a sole). Overall, they’re a bit flexy which was evident while riding with great slow speed response and medium level carving control.

Traction/Sole Quality

The tread is medium deep and grippy. There may be subtle performance differences to the Invado Pro, but I doubt it’s anything that you could really notice.

Reduced Footprint

These are quite low profile, which is always nice if you're trying to get on a narrower board than you otherwise could. 

Entry/Exit

Again, smooth sailing right out of the box. Easier to get foot into than the Invado Pro. Liner lacing is typical and identical to Invado Pro. 

The traditional laces don’t go all the way to the top which makes entry/exit easier, and these also have a different formation of eyelets compared to the Invado. There are 3 (vs 4 on Invado Pro) eyelets on the Hi-Standard Pro in the lower section, then  the mid one (that both have), and then just 2 (vs 3 on the Invado) on the upper section.

The power strap finishes it off at the top and  provides plenty of tightening ability, though I found with my slightly skinnier than average legs that I couldn't get it as tight as possible, as the velcro ran out. But was able to get it as tight as I would want it. 

Score Breakdown and Final Verdict

The Vans Hi-Standard Pro provide a great mix of board feel and shock absorption - a combo that can be hard to achieve. While not great for higher speed carves, they aren't bad for more moderate carves. 

But it's at more slow to moderate speeds where these boots really shine. In the park and getting freestyle around the mountain are the best use for these boots, IMO.