The North Face Thermoball Versa Boots Review

Keeping your feet warm in the dead of winter can sometimes be a challenge, but with the right boots, heading out for adventures (big and small) are back on the docket. After using The North Face Thermoball Versa Boots for the winter, these are certainly a good option.

The North Face Thermoball Versa Boot Features:

• Waterproof, full-grain leather
• Combination of PrimaLoft® ThermoBall™ and PrimaLoft® Silver Insulation
• Rubberized hardware for durability
• OrthoLite® ReBound footbed for long-term cushioning
• Injection-molded, ground-contact EVA midsole/outsole for cushioning
• IcePick® temperature-sensitive lugs for increased traction
• MSRP: $130

Muted styling hides a lot going on under the hood.

Thermoball in boot form

When The North Face introduced Thermoball insulation, it marked a significant turning point in synthetic insulation. With Thermoball, you get down-like feel and performance that remains warm when wet. It maintains loft and does things that natural fibers can’t. But, what happens when you create a Thermoball liner into a pair of boots? Well, you get the Versa.

With muted styling, the Versa boots are at home on the trail, at the office or around town. But, that muted styling hides a ton going on. Peeling back the layers, we find a ton to talk about.

Thermoball in the cuff with Primaloft on the interior for 360-degree warmth.

For starters, they feature supple, full-grain leather that serves as the first line of defense against water getting inside. inward, the combination of Thermoball and Primaloft really does a great job keeping feet warm. Extended time hiking in the snow or shoveling the driveway never posed a problem and my feet were always comfortable.

Keep in mind that these boots are high-volume and, for me, required thicker socks to take up some of that extra room. Due toe the construction, cinching down the laces only does so much. And, it does lack ankle flex, so making them too tight tends to make for uncomfortable walking. In the end, I got used to a less-snug lacing and found them to be comfortable for all-day use.

IcePick outsole grips well in soft snow, but don’t expect superpowers on glare ice.

The IcePick outsole has nice treads that bite into soft snow like a champ. I did notice a little bit of traction improvement on glare ice, but not enough to warrant the hype. Don’t expect Spiderman-like grip.

As far as durability is concerned, the uppers don’t show much in the way of wear and the outsole is wearing well.

The Good

• Excellent warmth for all-day use
• Great traction in loose snow
• Thermoball/Primaloft feels cozy
• Huge rear pull loop makes for easy entry

The Bad

• IcePick outsoles don’t noticeably increase grip on glare ice
• High volume design that doesn’t cinch down so well

The Bottom Line: The North Face Thermoball Versa Boots

Cold weather activities are just what the Thermoball Versa Boots are made for. I’ve been able to enjoy cozy warmth in these weatherproof boots everywhere I’ve taken them.

Buy Now: Available at Backcountry.com