The 66 is a new boot from Vans. It is inspired by the classic 6-6 boot from the 60s and 70s. This new boot is called the 66 due to its six upper soles, which create a 66-knot pattern.
This new boot is designed for downhill, hard-compound, and steep snowboarding. Its steep shape makes it ideal for snowboarding! The 6 does not refer to any specific size, it refers to how tight the upper of the boot is around the foot. This tightness helps prevent blisters and provides better traction on snow.
Downhillers prefer this boot because it is lightweight and easy to put on and take off. The narrow shape makes it good at preserving ankle mobility while snowboarding, making this a great beginner snowboardboot.
Contents:
Soft rubber shell
The 66 is another soft rubber shell boot. This one has a slightly stiffer rubber that makes it resistant to wearing through underfoot pressure. This protects your feet, but also adds some strength to the boot.
This helps make it stay on top of rough terrain and prevent movement of the foot against the bottom of the boot. This is a important attribute since feet can get tired easily.
Still, this isn’t a durable boot. The rubber may thin out or break apart over time, causing feet to be hurt. Also, since this is a stronger material, it may not be recommended for those who have sensitive feet.
But one big plus is that this does not have a lining or footbed! This means there are no restrictions on how much space you give your feet to move and breathe.
Memory foam liner
The Memory foam liner in the Vans 66 Snowboard Boot is a pleasant surprise. Normally, snowboard boot liners are flat, plain pieces of foam that you stick your boot down into. The Memory foam liner in the Vans 66 Snowboard Boot is a pleasant surprise.
Not only does it add comfort and support to the boot, it also adds some cushion to the foot while walking. This is helpful if you are walking up or down stairs or in an environment that requires more movement than just standing still.
This feature is not standard and most snowboard companies do not add it unless it looks nice or people request it.
High ankle support
The Vans 66 Snowboard Boot is a high-ankle support boot. This means you can sit in this boot for a short time without worry. The boot has enough strength in the ankle to keep your legs comfortable for a long time.
This is thanks to the thick, foam padding that surrounds the ankle. It also has thick leather soles that keep your feet warm and secure. Furthermore, these boots have a midsole that cushions the sole so much. This ensures that you do not feel as if you are walking on pillows.
The length of this boot is 67 inches long which makes it long enough to fit someone who is six feet tall. This means that there will be no problem finding another pair of shoes to match your boots.
Metal d-rings
The 66 Snowboard Boot is the first Winter wear boot to feature metal d-rings on the boot top. These metal d-rings ensure that your boots are not lost or stolen while winter camping or skiing.
These metal d-rings are attached with a small black pin that is passed through a series of slots on the boot top. This pin is then passed through an eyelet and then through your snowboard binding and onto the boot top.
Since these metal rings are attached, you will have to take them off to replace them which is a little hard at first. You have to remove one boot heel and then put it back on the other way! Once you do it multiple times, it gets easier.
Quick strap system
Another important feature of the Vans v 66 Snowboard Boot is the quick strap system. This feature allows you to fasten or unfasten the boot around your foot, making it easy to move up or down in the shoe.
Using this system means no more struggling with the upper of the boot getting stuck in one position, or having to pull and stretch the boot until it is on your foot. It also saves you time when changing shoes as you have to remove one shoe and then put on the other.
The quick strap system can be tricky to use at first, but after a few wears it becomes second nature. You have to pull it almost straight out before releasing the pressure point at your heel.
Flexible sole design
The 66 is a versatile boot. It can be worn without Ascension sliders, or with Vans’s legendaryzanne bindings. The 66 is also a nice match-makup with other skins and bindings.
As the sole of this boot is made out of durable rubber, it does not fit too well with certain skins. This does not matter though as this boot is more for snowboarding than snow sports.
The 6 means that this boot has a little room to grow. If you have bigger feet, you might want to look into getting a smaller size.’!
This feature makes this boot flexible, so if you get some pretty good growth on this boot, you can switch it out for another one! It does not need to be the same model though because these are identical in size .
Great price point
Despite being an affordable snowboard boot, the 66 is a quality product. It features advanced material technology, meaning it is resistant to water and heat. This boot will last you a long time!
This technology includes thermoplastic polyurethane (TPPU) in the lining of the footbed and resistant tread on the upper footplate. The lining also contains memory foam to provide comfort and support.
Memory foam also makes up the top component of the comfort liner that surrounds your feet. This comfort padding helps reduce break-in time which is another reason why this boot is such a great value.
The 66 has two sizes: small and large. We suggest going one size up for this model to ensure a perfect fit.
Not great for freestyle riding
While the 66s are a good choice if you just want to ride without thinking, this boot is not the best choice if you do some kind of freestyle riding. The sole of this boot is very stiff and doesn’t allow for any flex while riding, making it hard to get into positions to take your foot out of the board and slide around.
To fix this problem, most resorts require you use two pairs of boots when riding in a freestyle environment. The first pair must be a softer, more beginner boot that allows for some flex, but does not have enough give to be fashionable. The second pair must be a harder, more advanced boot that has enough strength to hold your feet in place.