Welcome to BRANDED this week Vans, the original action sports footwear and apparel brand, has joined forces with diversely talented team rider Sam Taxwood on an all-new, from-the-ground-up snowboard boot build, the Hi-Country & Hell-Bound.
Hailing from Salt Lake City, Sam’s unparalleled access to the best resorts, street spots, and all-mountain terrain has shaped him into a rare breed of snowboarder who can ride any spot—and, most importantly, with style. The Hi-Country & Hell-Bound boot, equally inspired by Sam’s terrain-transition riding and the Hank Williams Jr. classic “Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound,” has been designed to take snowboarding to the next level.
“I wanted a boot with a clean look that performs highly in all conditions,” Sam said. “Whether I’m riding in the mountains or the streets, the Hi-Country and Hell-Bound provides the optimal comfort and performance I need.”
The Hi-Country & Hell-Bound leads with a V3 Ultracush/The North Face™ FlashDry™ Liner, Vans premium liner built to move moisture to the surface layer and eliminate it as quickly as possible. V3 POPCUSH™, a triple density, 3D-molded, anatomically shaped and PU-blended footbed with TPU arch-support, provides added usability and torsional flex, while a top sheet of open-cell foam promotes airflow under and around the foot for warmth and dryness.
On the boot’s exterior, Vans’ top-of-the-line V3 Ultimate Waffle outsole provides the widest range of versatility and performance. A waterproof zip-up shroud and D-ring protects from snow and ice, while one-way, breathable valves help to control temperature and moisture inside your boot.
Vans Flex Control System’s removable, high-rebound Hytrel tongue stiffeners provide custom-tuning to boot flex. Keep both in for maximum support, use just one for increased lateral or medial response, or remove both for additional flex.
The boot is supported by a Mid-Slip MTE SF shoe and Standard MTE snow boot in the signature Sam Taxwood gray and black colorway. Collectively, the pack performs in just about any conditions, a direct reflection of the true versatility of Sam’s riding prowess.
From the Wasatch backcountry to the rail gardens, Sam Taxwood’s brand of snowboarding is the direct result of riding some of the most iconic locales. With a resume that includes celebrated video parts in some of snowboarding’s biggest films, such as his highly applauded performance in Vans’ first full-length movie, LANDLINE., it’s clear Sam chose the new Hi-Country & Hell-Bound boot to support a diverse riding style that continues to earn him a place in snowboarding’s top ranks.
The Hi-Country & Hell-Bound is now available at Vans Snow retailers and VANS.