Hello and welcome to my Vans Verse review.
In this review I will take a look at the Verse as freeride snowboard boots.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Verse a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other freeride boots.
Overall Rating
Boots: Vans Verse
Price: $460 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Freeride
Flex Rating: Stiff (6-9/10 depending on tongue stiffeners in or out)
Flex Feel: Stiff (9/10) with all tongue stiffeners in
Rating Score: 89.9/100
Compared to other Freeride Boots
Of the 14 current model freeride snowboard boots that we tested:
❄️ The Verse ranked 3rd out of 14
Overview of the Verse’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Verse's specs.
Specs
Style: | Freeride or hard charging all-mountain |
Price: | $460 - BUYING OPTIONS |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Weight: | Heavier than Normal |
Lacing System: | Double Boa |
Who are the Verse Most Suited to?
The Verse are a great option for anyone looking for a stiff boot to freeride in or high speed, aggressive groomer riding.
They're also perfect for those that want to be able to use the same boots on different boards (as most people do). With the removable tongue stiffeners, you can get a noticeably softer feel from them, if you remove them, giving you a very versatile option to use across different boards and different terrain.
Even with the Tongue stiffeners out, they're still too stiff for beginners, but intermediate riders could ride them with the tongue stiffeners out - but otherwise advanced and up.
The Verse in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Verse are capable of.
Demo Info
Boots: Vans Verse 2020
Size: 10 (US Men's Sizing)
Date: February 12, 2020
Conditions: Lightly snowing
Off groomer firm with some soft on top.
Groomers were a nice medium firmness.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Board Demoed With: Rossignol One LF 2018
Bindings Demoed With: Burton Malavita
Outersole Length: 31cm (mondo 28cm)
Difference between Mondo & Outersole: 3cm
Backstay Height: 28.9cm
Weight: 1300 grams*
* Average of a sample of boots I weighed was 1006 grams, so a good bit heavier than the average. They feel like they were built sturdy for sure. Heaviest were 1320 grams and lightest were 740 grams. Stiffer boots tend to be heavier, so for their flex, they aren't massively heavy.
Flex
The Verse (like the Vans Infuse) have removable tongue stiffeners. There are 2 per boot and you can have both in, both out or one or the other in. So there's a good bit of tinkering you can do there.
I rode with all the tongue stiffeners in and it was a very stiff feel. 9/10, IMO.
Fit
Width: Felt normal - not wide or narrow in the toe box and overall down the foot.
True to Size?: Perfect fit in the 10s. Snug but not painful. Even with more wear these boots would be pretty much ideal in 10 and I'm typically a 10, so I would say true to size for sure.
High or Low Arch: There was some pressure on the top of my feet - but not in a bad way. There wasn't any pressure points as such. More so on my right foot. But overall they felt lower than average in terms of the top of the boot. I have relatively flat feet (especially my left), so they may not be as suitable for those with high arches. But certainly fine for normal arches (as my right foot is).
Responsiveness
Really nice on a fast, deep carve. Felt they definitely held the carve more solid and could lean deeper into it versus my test boots (Vans Aura).
So they made the board more carvy and more aggressive than it was before. They did reduce the maneuverability at slow speeds versus the Vans Aura though. Which is pretty typical of stiffer boots. Would be more maneuverable at slow speeds with the tongue stiffeners out though, I would imagine.
Heel Hold
The Heel Hold in the Verse is awesome. I had barely any lift at all.
Adjustability
The Double Boa that the Verse uses allows some adjustability between the upper and lower sections, but they're not completely independent. Both Boas work on cranking the ankle in. The left hand boa tightens the lower zone and the ankle and the center boa tightening the upper zone and ankle.
There is a nice velcro strap that straps around the upper part of the liner of the boot, which helps to give a more secure feel higher up in the boot - so you can use this really tight or slightly looser, so get a little more adjustability.
Apart from that, there is also the tongue stiffeners, which allow you to adjust the flex, which is pretty unique and really nice to have if you like to ride softer boots for particular boards or terrain.
Comfort
I found the Verse nice and comfortable. They were very snug, but snug without giving off any pressure zones and I had no cramping when riding. All round very comfortable boot.
Shock Absorption
Really nice in terms of shock absorption. Absorbs chatter really well as well as feeling nice on flat landings. Inspecting the sole, they do look/feel like they would be shock absorbing with a nice gel in the heel - and getting them out on snow confirmed that for sure.
Board Feel
Definitely not as much in terms of board feel as in the Vans Aura (my test boots) and less than the Ride Trident too, which I also rode that day. The sole, like the rest of the boot is quite stiff feeling - and it's pretty cush too - so you get those things but loose a little in terms of board feel - but if you're going to be charging super hard in these things, it's not a big factor, IMO.
Traction
Nice firm, decent quality sole with decent tread depth. Felt grippy enough walking in them.
Reduced Footprint
For Vans boots they aren't massively low profile. Most Vans boots I've measured are lower profile than this one. But they're also not bulky by any means.
Entry/Exit
With that extra strap on the liner, it’s a bit more to get into and out of, and had to make an effort to get it to a point I could get my foot in there relatively easy. But it’s double boa, so tightening the outer boot was easy.
Then there’s the extra thing to zip up on the outside of the boot. Which isn’t much effort but it’s another step. The zip was a little sticky the first time I tried doing it up, but subsequently after that it was much easier.
So there's a bit going on getting in and out of this boot. But I wouldn't say it was difficult, just takes a little extra time, but not that much, and everything works together really well to get a great feeling fit.
My one small complaint was the tightener on the liner harness - it just feels so cheap and flimsy. Which I thought was quite strange on a boot that was otherwise so sturdy and felt so high quality. This boot is built like a tank for the most part except that one thing. I noticed it on the Vans Hi-Standard 2020, but that's a cheaper boot - I didn't think it would be on the Verse. But that's a small thing.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Carving | 5 | 30/30 |
| Slow Speed Response | 3 | 3/5 |
| Traction | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Heel Hold | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Adjustability | 4 | 8/10 |
| Shock Absorption | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Reduced Footprint | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Comfort | 4 | 8/10 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 89.9/100 |
Apart from the plastic tightener for the liner (as mentioned above under "entry/exit"), these boots are built like a tank. They feel super quality and sturdy and really stiff with all the tongue stiffeners in place.
Can really charge hard in these boots - which made my board more carvy - and they're also really versatile with those tongue stiffeners.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you’re interested in learning more about the Verse, 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 Verse compared to other freeride, or want to check out some other options, check out the link below.
Hi Nate,
As always, this site is such an incredible resource and thanks for doing what you do. I had a pair of Vans Invado Pro boots that had to be warrantied. I’m after a new pair of boots and figured I’d upgrade a bit but have a credit with Vans I must use. I went in thinking I’d get the Infuse but the guys at my local shop were really pushing the Verse. I historically haven’t been a boa guy but these things fit me great and felt awesome walking in store. My worry is that will this boot be too stiff? I rode my invados tied super snug with the power strap tight and everything locked in as I could. I like charging but also enjoy casual cruising on lazy days or riding with less experienced friends. I think these may be my next boots but just uncertain if they’ll be too much for those casual days or if they’ll match my full set up as most of my gear is medium to medium stiff. I have a standard, warpig, skeleton key and deep thinker. For bindings, I switch between malavitas and cartel x. I’d also say I’m an advanced rider and will be on proper mountains. Just never had boots this stiff. Thanks!
Hi Jason
I found them really quite stiff, when I tested them, but that was with all the tongue stiffeners in. I didn’t test these with the tongue stiffeners out, but my experience with other Vans boots with the tongue stiffeners is that the tongue stiffeners reduce the flex by around 1.5-2 notches. So, while Vans says 6-9 for flex, I would say more like 7 or 7.5 to 9. So, if you ride with the tongue stiffeners out on your casual days – and maybe you’ll even prefer them out most of the time, depending on what you like the feel of. You can also remove one from each boot and change the lateral and medial flex that way. You might find that you like it with one in and one out too. Because of that adjustability, I think they’ll match fine with what you’re describing and your boards/bindings. Around that 7/10 to 7.5/10 flex should be fine with the boards/bindings you’ve mentioned, IMO, with the option to go stiffer to see if you like it or maybe even just like it for when your charging.
Hope this helps with your decision
hi
i have a jones flagship 2021 with union atlas 2021 bindings. do you think this boot is too stiff for my setup? thanks
Hi Mihai
Thanks for your message.
I think this boot works with that setup. One of the great things about this boot, is if you find it a bit stiff at first, you can always take out the tongue stiffeners to soften the feel of the boot. With the tongue stiffeners out, they definitely won’t be too stiff for the setup – and even with them in, it could work, depending on your preference.
Hope this helps
thanks a lot.
You’re very welcome Mihai. Hope you have an awesome season
Hi Nate! With the tongue stiffeners out, would you say the flex is comparable to the adidas tactical adv?
I’m after a mid-flexing boot and the ability to stiffen this boot is intriguing
Hi Nick
Thanks for your message.
IMO, it won’t get as soft as the Tactical ADV with all tongue stiffeners out. I would say 7/10 with all out and 9/10 with all in. And Tactical ADV to me is 6/10/. The Vans Insfuse, which also uses tongue stiffeners, I would say feels like a 6/10 with all tongue stiffeners out and can feel as much as an 8/10 with all in.
Hope this helps
Hey Nate,
I just purchased a new pair of Van’s Verse snowboard boots. I have rode 2 days in them. I’m getting a painful pressure point on my right shin where the side boa protrudes too much on the inside of the boot. This pressure point still happens with a different boot liner.
My left boot does not do this at all even when fully tightened. You think this is a defect in the boot? Any tricks to relieve the pressure point? I’ve loosened them up and that kinda helped but I prefer my boots tight.
Hi Vince
Thanks for your message.
It’s strange that it’s happening in the right but not left foot. Hard to say for sure, but it could be a defect, since it’s only on one side. But sometimes we have differences between our left and right feet/calves/ankles. However, given it’s on the shin, I feel like it’s something that’s probably up with the boot. I guess you could try adding a thin layer of padding on the inside of your sock on your right shin to see if that helps but otherwise can’t think of anything else that might help with it.
Hope this somewhat helps
Hey Nate! Really appreciate all the reviews and advise you give.
Just picked up a pair of the Vans Verse Paul Blake and a 2020 Ride Berzerker, 163W, but I am struggling to pick the correct binding. I will use the boots without the tongue stiffeners for the beginning and ride mostly growers and pow.
I am thing of getting the Union Falcor or Strata, good match? Any others a good look at? Cheers
Hi TR
Thanks for your message.
I think the Falcor would be a good match. The Strata probably a bit too soft. Even without the Tongue stiffeners in the boots, I think the Strata would be on the soft side for the board and the whole setup in general. Wouldn’t be completely wrong or anything, but I think the Falcor would be a better match. Something with at least a 7/10 flex would be a good way to go, IMO. I get the sense you don’t want to go too stiff, so I think the Falcor would work well – or something from the following:
>>Top 5 All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings
Hope this helps
Thanks Nate, really helpful. Do you think the Atlas Pro would be a bit too overkill or is the stiffness not as daunting as I think? Atlas could also be an option. Would you suggest any to a better choice with a mondo 30.0 boot? Cheer
Hi TR
The Atlas Pro could work. I haven’t tested them yet, but should be able to get my hands on a pair in the next 2-3 weeks. But for now, can’t say how stiff they feel in reality. I felt the Atlas at 6.5/10 and the Atlas FC at 9/10. Union rate the flex as:
-Atlas FC: 10/10
-Atlas Pro: 9/10
-Atlas: 8/10
So my prediction would be Atlas Pro about 8/10.
But yeah I think the Atlas could work for what you want as well. Hard to say for sure on the Atlas Pro.
Hello,
Since Infuse and Verse have same identical soles how come they are different in length? Because you said infuse have a bigger sole reduction than verse and i see they are the same sole.
I just bought a pair of infuses and i don’t know if i can live with laces and i want to swap them for the verse.
But since i am buying online i wonder if for the same size the sole is different in length.
Thank you
Hi Alex
Thanks for your message.
I can’t say I know the reason for it exactly, just the measurements that I took. I can only guess that it’s something to do with the outer part of the boot on the verse, that the sole attaches to, is a little bulkier. But that’s just a guess. It’s possible that the soles they create for the Verse are slightly different in length spec to fit better on the Verse than they are on the Infuse, but don’t publish that information (which I wouldn’t expect them to) and the soles are otherwise the same (same tread pattern, same materials etc), so they call them the same sole. But again, that would be just be guessing.
Hi,
One more thing if you have time, i forgot to mention i also have a pair of Adidas response ADV size 7 US 25 mondo point but they fit as if they are bigger. Is vans verse 26 mondopoint still a good choice?
Thank you,
Alex
Hi Alex
Yeah I find that Adidas do fit as if they’re bigger. As in, I would typically be a 10, but 9.5 in Adidas fits me better. That would suggest if you were a US7 in Adidas, then you might be 7.5 in Vans (25.5). However, it’s hard to say. I find that a 9.5 Adidas fits quite easily. I haven’t tried a 9, so I don’t know how tight they would be on me, but I fit 9.5 easily and in a Vans 10, it fits very snug for me. So, you might still be a 26 Vans. Hard to say for sure without trying on, as each foot is different. With a 25.7 foot, I do still suspect a 26 (US8) for Vans, but 25.5 (US7.5) is still possible.
I am from Romania and most of the time my only option is to buy online but to be homest i am tired of buying boots that i have to sell after at half the price :)) and most of the time i don’t find two sizes to order, i find a 25,5 and sometimes a 26 like i did now, i found verse and infuse but only 26 and i don’t know if i should order them or not. And i also see the new 2022 infuse that look sick 🙂
Thank you fery much for your support
Hi,
I want your help, i am having a lot of trouble in finding a pair of boots.
I tried ride trident size 25.5 but ther small in length, 26 is big. I tried thirtytwo focus boa 25.5 also small, rode dc travis rice for about 2 years size 8 us but also big, i put the elite liner inside but i didn’t like how soft the boot was. I managed to get a pair of rome libertine size 25.5 and they fit perfect but still too soft. From your experience with vans verse what size should i order? 25.5 or 26? My feet are about 25,5 cm average. One 25,3 and one 25,7. What do you recommend? I also don’t want when they pavk out to be big. Thank you
Also another question after sizing, should i go with infuse or verse?
Hi Alex
Thanks for your message.
With 25.7 and 25.3 foot size, I would say go with the 26 for either Infuse or Verse. In my experience I think you would find the 25.5 of either to be a little too small. Every foot is different, for sure, so it doesn’t necessarily hold true for the same length. But my best estimate is that the 26 will be the best fit for you.
Hope this helps
Thank you, i bought a lot of snowboard gear based on your reviews, i think is the most complete review blog i have ever seen.
Thank you!
You’re very welcome Alex. And thanks for visiting, much appreciated. Happy riding!