DVS is an admirable company that has developed a new and better technology. The Vapor’s improved quality and feel was a constant highlight of our review. The Vapor’s cupsole technology meant that it would have taken a few hours or days for it to become comfortable, but it worked right out the box. If DVS hasn’t impressed you in awhile, then be ready to be impressed at the end of this review.
Review information We reviewed the shoe using our month-long format. It was skated for a total duration of 20 hours. To see the grading system, please check below. Our rating scale is 1-10. 1 is the absolute worst and 10 the best. Enjoy.
Sizing:
The DVS Vapor will fit any foot. Despite being narrow, the DVS Vapor will conform to any size foot. Cush+Foam technology with OrthoLite insole make it easy to form this shoe to your foot.
Short Answer: True To Size
Comfort & Cushioning:
As you may have seen in our FG the Vapor can be far more accommodating that it appears. Vaporcell technology is 3x as absorbent as impact. Vaporcell’s midsole cushioning system can be used for comfort, steps/drops, or casual skating. The Vapor’s cushioning system will instantly make a difference once you wear it. You’ll also find it much easier to break into the shoe thanks to the foam midsole. The forefoot area is where you’ll be flicking, and it feels slightly thinner that the mid and heel. But where there’s a loss in thickness, you’ll get better board feeling in that area. The shoe is perfectly balanced between vulc and solid cupsole protection.
Comfort: 9. Even though we were off the boards, the Vapors provided comfort and no sores. It’s also beautiful.
Cushion: 8. You know how comfortable the Vapors are. It’s not overwhelming, but it won’t make you feel like your board is gone. The Vapors aren’t thin enough so that they could be mistakenly disguised as vulc shoes. It just meets in the middle. Though the collar, tongue, and sidewalls are thinner than the rest, you’ll always feel the DVS puffy padding. The puffiness of the early 2000s would explain why section’s rating was 10.
The Vapor outsole will be worn after 20 hours of abuse from Week 1 through Week 4.
The Vapor outsole will be worn after 20 hours of abuse from Week 1 through Week 4.
Board feel, & Grip
As we stated before, the Vapor is in the middle between board feel and the sanity that we are constantly seeking. There’s no one right or wrong. The grip was not as good as it could have been. We were not disappointed. It was grippy and flexible, but it wasn’t as durable we wanted. The outsole shed at an average pace, but gave us the feel and grip that we wanted. It’s always bittersweet when the outsole wears out. Despite this, the outsole’s intricate design was incredibly effective in breaking-in shoes. The Vapor was a great shoe, and we had a better experience with it thanks to the flex-grooves. The shoe would have felt a lot more comfortable if it had a thicker outsole.
Board feel is 8. The Vapor may be one of the best shoes of 2018. It captures the perfect mix of vulc and cupsole feel. The ideal board feel means you will feel both protected and confident while performing tricks.
Grip: 7. The grip pattern and feel were perfect. We would have given it an even higher grade if the grip hadn’t begun to lose its shape after the 2-week period.
After skating for over 20 hours, there are just too many kickflips. From Week 1 through 4.
After skating for over 20-Hours there is too many kickflips. From Week 1 through Week 4.
Durability:
After 20-hours of usage, the DVS Vapor really impressed. Anyone who’s ever questioned their durability and performance before should read this review. The Vapors met and exceeded our expectations when we added a simple vinyl layer to the suede top. The suede toe is very strong and only shows signs of wear after 15 hours (with fresh grip on our boards). The shoe’s durability was increased by the use of recessed panels. The seams along the paneling, as with the toe area, began to fray around 15 hours. However they didn’t get completely ripped off until the end. The shoe’s stability wasn’t compromised even then. Our foot was kept in good condition throughout our time skate. It is our belief that the shoe was stable because of the vinyl structure. The shoe’s stability was maintained by the heel counter.
Suede: 9. It’s a shoe that is perfect for the tough construction of this shoe and its amazing suede. Other than the toe, our ollie area was protected by the suede and showed no signs that it was tearing through.
Toe: 8. Without the vinyl layer, the Vapor could have collapsed much quicker. But, thankfully, this was not the case. It did more than just help with flicking the shoe, it also kept it together even after the stitching of the panel started to wear away.
Sole: 9.5 It not only survived a beating, but it also didn’t gouge in great quantities. The sole fell away slowly, saving the toe from constant attack. The sole itself glided smoothly against the grip providing an easy flick every time. Without this durable sole, the vinyl layer wouldn’t have survived past the 20 hour mark.
Summary:
The DVS Vapor is an excellent shoe. It’s a stylish shoe, with excellent impact technology and stability. Their brand is no longer the traditional, standoffish one that it used to be. We’re confident that you’ll want to test a pair DVS because of their renewed commitment to skating and product quality. If this shoe and it’s high quality are any indications of future products, we’ll be anxiously awaiting their next move.
If your local shop doesn’t stock the Vapor, ask them to order some. If they can’t get them any time soon, you can find them here or there.