My Vans Cirro boot review - Snowboarding Forum

03-12-2010, 11:13 AM

This review is from my blog (Boarder Gear: Vans Cirro Boot Review)... I was kind of wondering, has anyone else had durability issues with their Vans boots????

After using the Vans Cirro boots for a year (08/09 model), I really wanted to love them. The main reason I got them was for the dual Boa lacing system. You are able to adjust the ankle/heel area and the lower foot area of the boot separately. After having a decent experience using a different pair of Vans Boa boots (I think they were Fargos), I had fallen in love with how easy it was to just crank the dials and tighten up your boots.

I really thought that the boots fit me well after trying them on in the store. My feet fit in them perfectly, I didn't think I had any heel lift at the time, and I thought they were decently comfortable. I guess I was wrong. I found out that my heel lifted a little (possibly from them packing out a bit - the J bars didn't fix this for me either) and a pressure point developed in my left boot only - around the area where the tongue of the inner liner met the rest of the liner. Aside from that, the boots were relatively comfy. It was very easy to overtighten the Boas and I found myself having to adjust the dials at various times during the day (to either tighten or loosen) depending on how my feet felt and how I wanted to ride. Not a big deal though because it was so easy to do! Even though the boots themselves performed well, I did notice that a plastic piece that helped guide the Boa laces broke off of the boot after only using it six times! This part just dangles from my Boa lace now. Annoying. I'm not sure if it will eventually tear apart my Boa lace (because of the sharp jagged edge) or if more plastic will break off. Another gripe from me is that the velcro used to tighten the top of the inner liner is pretty cheap and I wouldn't be surprised if I ripped them off of the liners one of these days.

Regarding the performance of the boots, I cannot complain. These are a relatively stiff boot (especially for Vans) and they provided me a lot of control and stability. I was still able to flex them a bit as needed. They performed well in whatever conditions I put them through. Probably not a very good park boot but definitely a good all mountain boot.

If I were to give it a grade, I would give these a C+. Performed well. Loved the Dual Boa system. I really wish the craftsmanship of the boot and the inner liner were better though. There is no reason that I should have developed a pressure point and plastic parts should not have broken off of the boot. I actually just returned these boots today because of the broken plastic piece. Thanks for the great return policy REI! The lady at the store told me that this was the first time she had ever heard of plastic breaking off of the boot so maybe I'm an isolated case. In the future, I am definitely not opposed to getting Boa boots again, but I just scored a great deal on some Burton Ions a few days ago so expect to hear my thoughts on those sometime next season!

MunkySpunk · 03-12-2010, 11:54 AM

Good review.

My own experience with the Cirro is quality and comfort. I'd give mine a qualified A. Comfy, held up for two years of use thus far (about 50-60 days) and are still kicking. I have semi-wide feet and I leave the lower boas fully relaxed. Once the liner is warmed up to my feet and everything's settled (about 2 runs), I can leave them on and tightened all day, even through lunch, with no problems. I should mention here, however, that I have custom footbeds because I've got some severely flat feet.

I haven't had any issues with the boa laces or pieces falling off. The liner lace cord stop is a bit cheap and doesn't like to hold. I threw some cord stops (like you find on your sleeping bag sack) on the laces from the local sewing store and that fixed the problem.

I'm in the market for another pair of Cirros for next year, that's how much I like mine.

This all goes to show you that everyone needs to try as many boots on as possible when boot shopping. What works for one person doesn't mean it'll work for another.

Flick Montana · 03-12-2010, 01:51 PM

I did a review here: http://www.snowboardingforum.com/equ...ans-cirro.html

I pretty much came to the same conclusion you did. I really like the boots, but after about 4 hours, I started getting a pressure point on the top of my foot where the seam of the liner's tongue rests. It's more than just annoying, it's downright painful. I'm not sure why you would have a solid seam right along the bony part of the foot like that.

Aside from that one complaint, though, I'm hard-pressed to find anything else I don't like.

03-12-2010, 03:06 PM

Thanks for the comments guys!

Flick, I've actually read your review before and it is an awesome initial look at the boot. I was super excited when I got mine too

I was totally bummed out about the pressure point but I found out that if i kind of flipped how that joint connected to the boot (have the tongue on the outside of the rest of the liner at that junction point) I found that it relieved a lot of the pressure.

Too bad these boots just weren't meant to be for me!

Flick Montana · 03-12-2010, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by $yen

Thanks for the comments guys!

Flick, I've actually read your review before and it is an awesome initial look at the boot. I was super excited when I got mine too

I was totally bummed out about the pressure point but I found out that if i kind of flipped how that joint connected to the boot (have the tongue on the outside of the rest of the liner at that junction point) I found that it relieved a lot of the pressure.

Too bad these boots just weren't meant to be for me!

Hah! I actually tried that trick with the tongue just last week. But it didn't work for me. The only solution I found is to stop and rest my feet. I can't go more than 4 hours or the pressure points causes me to lose feeling in a couple of my toes. I'm still happy with the boot, but it's definitely an issue people need to know about. Sorry they didn't work out as well for you.

clubmyke · 03-15-2010, 12:06 AM

i have the 09 cirro's and they are a very good boot HOWEVER, the liner sucks. Pretty much all dual boa systems run into this.

The only one that doesnt is the Ride Crew - they have 1 more tension anchor and a VERY VERY THICK liner.

What I have done to help with that pressure point is use use a sponge underneath the liner tounge ( i put the liner on my foot and then both on the boot). It works really, really well. I'm looking for that type of material to velcro to the tounge so it can be doubled.

03-12-2010, 11:13 AM	#1 (permalink)
$yen Guest Posts: n/a	My Vans Cirro boot review This review is from my blog (Boarder Gear: Vans Cirro Boot Review)... I was kind of wondering, has anyone else had durability issues with their Vans boots???? After using the Vans Cirro boots for a year (08/09 model), I really wanted to love them. The main reason I got them was for the dual Boa lacing system. You are able to adjust the ankle/heel area and the lower foot area of the boot separately. After having a decent experience using a different pair of Vans Boa boots (I think they were Fargos), I had fallen in love with how easy it was to just crank the dials and tighten up your boots. I really thought that the boots fit me well after trying them on in the store. My feet fit in them perfectly, I didn't think I had any heel lift at the time, and I thought they were decently comfortable. I guess I was wrong. I found out that my heel lifted a little (possibly from them packing out a bit - the J bars didn't fix this for me either) and a pressure point developed in my left boot only - around the area where the tongue of the inner liner met the rest of the liner. Aside from that, the boots were relatively comfy. It was very easy to overtighten the Boas and I found myself having to adjust the dials at various times during the day (to either tighten or loosen) depending on how my feet felt and how I wanted to ride. Not a big deal though because it was so easy to do! Even though the boots themselves performed well, I did notice that a plastic piece that helped guide the Boa laces broke off of the boot after only using it six times! This part just dangles from my Boa lace now. Annoying. I'm not sure if it will eventually tear apart my Boa lace (because of the sharp jagged edge) or if more plastic will break off. Another gripe from me is that the velcro used to tighten the top of the inner liner is pretty cheap and I wouldn't be surprised if I ripped them off of the liners one of these days. Regarding the performance of the boots, I cannot complain. These are a relatively stiff boot (especially for Vans) and they provided me a lot of control and stability. I was still able to flex them a bit as needed. They performed well in whatever conditions I put them through. Probably not a very good park boot but definitely a good all mountain boot. If I were to give it a grade, I would give these a C+. Performed well. Loved the Dual Boa system. I really wish the craftsmanship of the boot and the inner liner were better though. There is no reason that I should have developed a pressure point and plastic parts should not have broken off of the boot. I actually just returned these boots today because of the broken plastic piece. Thanks for the great return policy REI! The lady at the store told me that this was the first time she had ever heard of plastic breaking off of the boot so maybe I'm an isolated case. In the future, I am definitely not opposed to getting Boa boots again, but I just scored a great deal on some Burton Ions a few days ago so expect to hear my thoughts on those sometime next season!

03-12-2010, 11:54 AM	#2 (permalink)
MunkySpunk -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Berkshires Posts: 3,212	Good review. My own experience with the Cirro is quality and comfort. I'd give mine a qualified A. Comfy, held up for two years of use thus far (about 50-60 days) and are still kicking. I have semi-wide feet and I leave the lower boas fully relaxed. Once the liner is warmed up to my feet and everything's settled (about 2 runs), I can leave them on and tightened all day, even through lunch, with no problems. I should mention here, however, that I have custom footbeds because I've got some severely flat feet. I haven't had any issues with the boa laces or pieces falling off. The liner lace cord stop is a bit cheap and doesn't like to hold. I threw some cord stops (like you find on your sleeping bag sack) on the laces from the local sewing store and that fixed the problem. I'm in the market for another pair of Cirros for next year, that's how much I like mine. This all goes to show you that everyone needs to try as many boots on as possible when boot shopping. What works for one person doesn't mean it'll work for another. __________________ "Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity." 10/11 - 24, Smote on Feb 13

03-12-2010, 01:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
Flick Montana Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Beech Grove, Indiana sigh Posts: 4,168	I did a review here: http://www.snowboardingforum.com/equ...ans-cirro.html I pretty much came to the same conclusion you did. I really like the boots, but after about 4 hours, I started getting a pressure point on the top of my foot where the seam of the liner's tongue rests. It's more than just annoying, it's downright painful. I'm not sure why you would have a solid seam right along the bony part of the foot like that. Aside from that one complaint, though, I'm hard-pressed to find anything else I don't like. __________________ Zombie Nation Gear: Rome Design 165 / Rome Arsenals Rome Anthem 158

03-15-2010, 12:06 AM	#6 (permalink)
clubmyke Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 156	i have the 09 cirro's and they are a very good boot HOWEVER, the liner sucks. Pretty much all dual boa systems run into this. The only one that doesnt is the Ride Crew - they have 1 more tension anchor and a VERY VERY THICK liner. What I have done to help with that pressure point is use use a sponge underneath the liner tounge ( i put the liner on my foot and then both on the boot). It works really, really well. I'm looking for that type of material to velcro to the tounge so it can be doubled. __________________ Winter Summer 09 Burton Custom 05 Nautique 211 09 Cartel EST Walzer Wakesurf Board (custom) Van's Cirro 09 Liquid Force Watson

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03-12-2010, 03:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
$yen Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks for the comments guys! Flick, I've actually read your review before and it is an awesome initial look at the boot. I was super excited when I got mine too I was totally bummed out about the pressure point but I found out that if i kind of flipped how that joint connected to the boot (have the tongue on the outside of the rest of the liner at that junction point) I found that it relieved a lot of the pressure. Too bad these boots just weren't meant to be for me!