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

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.

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.

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
4 Comments
Do you recommend them for hiking?
Winter hiking only on snow or when temps are below 45 degrees. They get pretty toasty in warmer temperatures.
can you not wear these for walking around town in fall / winter ?
Winter for us here means just cold weather no snow etc
Oh yeah. They are comfortable for all-around use, but will get toasty indoors. Definitely great cold-weather boots.