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When you think of Vans, what comes to mind? More than likely it’s an artistic-style brand that makes shoes for extreme sports and daily wear. If you’re a strength athlete, then lifting might come to mind when asked this question.
In my world of training, the EXO has become one of my favorite shoes for blending daily wear with casual workouts. Never would I have thought I’d be saying that I like to cross-train in a pair of Vans.
I’ve loved the EXO so much that I’ve bought four pairs…and that was after two pairs broke pretty quickly, which I wasn’t stoked about. Needless to say, I’m a big fan of the UltraRange shoes.
That love doesn’t come without flaws, though. Outside of this shoe’s variable durability problems, it also has an issue with running exceptionally narrow (discussed below). Is the EXO worth it? Here’s my objective take.
Author’s Note: The UltraRange 2.0 has dropped. This shoe features a wider fit with some fairly big upper reworks. It’s definitely worth a look if you want more upper volume and toe box space.
Vans UltraRange EXO
$100
Pros
- Comfortable midsole
- Versatile in gym
- Great appearance
Cons
- Narrow toe box
- Variable durability
- Low(ish) instep
Best For
- Daily Wear
- Casual Training
- Lighter Lifting
Specs
| Heel-to-Toe Drop | 5-7mm (my estimate) |
| Weight | 10.05 oz (size 10) |
| Width | Narrow |
| Lifting Threshold | ~455 lbs |
| Run Distance Threshold | <2 miles (at one time) |
Who Should Invest In the Vans UltraRange EXO Shoes?
The Vans UltraRange EXO shoes are a great choice for the lifter and athlete who trains recreationally and wants a pair of shoes that also work for day-to-day wear.
I think one of the beauties of this shoe is that it’s comfortable for daily wear, looks fantastic, and can hold its own with recreational training. This is a good shoe for traveling, walking, standing, and doing some casual training.
It’s not going to be the best shoe when it comes to aspects like maximal stability in the gym, but for someone who’s training up to 315 lbs, I think this model will be a good bet for providing them with enough stability to excel.
Vans UltraRange EXO Pros
Throughout my training sessions and daily wear in the Vans Ultrarange EXO shoes, I’ve found three key pros that I really enjoy about them.
- Good Comfort and Responsiveness for Training
- Great Shoe for Daily Wear, Walking, and Standing
- Lightweight and Cost-Efficient
I think the biggest pro of this model is its overall comfort. It utilizes Vans’ co-molded UltraCush® Lite Midsole, which provides a responsive surface for walking, jumping, and training.
Whether you’re walking longer distances or cross-training casually, this model provides a lightweight, responsive midsole. It will work best for recreational training settings where you’re not going super heavy with your weights.
Another pro that comes with this shoe that you don’t always get with normal cross-training shoes is the overall aesthetic. For daily wear, this model looks great, and you can rock them with gym shorts, jeans, and really whatever you want, and they look pretty solid.
This is a nice perk for those that love the streetwear appeal of Vans and want a Vans shoe to do some casual training in. I found this model to be comfortable for all-day wear and walking, so if you want this shoe for working a job where you’re on your feet all day, then these could be worth looking into.
The final aspect that I’ve enjoyed about the Vans UltraRange EXO shoe is its overall lightweight construction and cost-efficient price. This model’s upper, midsole, and outsole are all lightweight, making it easy to wear.
More specifically, I like the lightweight mesh on the medial and lateral sides, and the UltraCush tongue does a good job of providing the foot with some breathability, which is great for wearing this shoe in warmer climates.
The price point for this model is also pretty fair for what this shoe has to offer. At around $90, I like that this shoe can perform well in so many different contexts.
I think the price for this shoe makes sense if you’re looking into it specifically for daily wear and some training here and there. Plus, this model looks good and casual, which is something most training shoes lack.
Vans UltraRange EXO Cons
While I do enjoy this shoe for training and daily wear, there are two potential cons I could see others having with this model.
- Lacks Maximal Stability for Training
- Long-Term Upper Durability
The first drawback of the Vans UltraRange EXO shoes is that their overall stability in the gym will be limited. This shoe is marketed as an all-terrain style shoe, so it’s important to contextually note where they’re going to excel most.
In the gym, they work, but when it comes to heavy loading their UltraCush midsole is not going to be your best for stability. If you plan to train in these shoes, then I’d recommend capping loading to about 315 lbs.
I’ve worked a tad heavier than that in them and I initially started to notice compression once I passed around 285 lbs, so I’d say make 315 lbs the upper limit for deadlifting and squatting in the Vans Ultrarange EXO.
The second potential drawback with this model is the midsole and upper long-term durability. After a week and while wearing these shoes ONCE while casually skating, I had the upper in this model rip.
I know it’s not a skate shoe, but for one wear and a couple of ollies to get up on curbs and down a few stairs, I was a little disappointed in this model’s upper durability. I could also see the UltraCush midsole having long-term durability issues for certain training contexts, so definitely keep an eye on this construction feature, too.
If you’re wearing the Vans Ultrarange EXO on a daily basis and casually training in them, then I think you should be fine with durability. However, I would highly suggest limiting friction from external surfaces and keeping in mind that this model will have its limitations.
Performance
To discuss the Vans Ultrarange EXO’s performance, I’m going to break down how this model performs in a variety of training and daily wear contexts. Since this shoe is marketed as a shoe that can do it all, I wanted to see the range of activities where they excel and fall short.
By doing this, you can better assess and contextualize if this shoe is a good fit for your training and daily wear wants and needs.
Testing the Vans Ultrarange EXO for Lifting and Cross-Training
When it comes to lifting and training in the Vans Ultrarange Exo, this shoe does an okay job. I think if you’re using them more casually and training lighter, then you’ll enjoy the performance that this shoe has to offer.
In regard to stability, this shoe’s performance does fall short a bit, especially compared to other cross-training shoes, and I’d suggest capping lifts in this shoe to about 315 lbs. For the recreational lifter that wants a shoe for more casual training, I think this model’s stability will work though.
I like this shoe for days where I’m working remotely and want a casual shoe for all-day wear, then heading to the gym later in the day for lighter leg day training or upper body sessions.
For cross-training, this shoe does okay as well, but it’s definitely going to fall short if you plan to do more intense cross-training sessions in them. The UltraCush midsole provides a nice “pop” for some exercises, but there are a few construction elements of the shoe that fall a bit short.
A couple of these construction elements include the toe spring in this model and the upper’s long-term durability. The toe spring on this model could be a little better for grounding the feet when doing things like dumbbell snatches and kettlebell swings, and the upper durability could be an issue for high friction training contexts.
Testing the Vans UltraRange EXO for HIIT Workouts, Agility Training, and Plyometrics
This model works pretty well for some casual HIIT workouts, agility training, and plyometrics. When I say casual, I’m more so referencing the athlete and lifter that hits things like box jumps and other bounding activities throughout a workout, but they’re not their main focus.
The UltraCush midsole is responsive enough for casual jumping and HIIT-style training and the outsole tread and construction provide a pretty good grip on different surfaces.
While the traction is good in this model, I could see the flatter outsole in this shoe could be a turnoff for the athlete that has a primary focus on agility training and multi-directional activities. To add to this, this shoe doesn’t have the best medial and lateral support for this training context.
Basically, if you’re an athlete or super-niche in your training with a heavy focus on maximal performance output in these activities, then you’ll want to explore other options that are more hyper-focused on supporting athletic-style training, like the Nike Zoom Metcon Turbo 2.
Testing the Vans UltraRange EXO for Walking, Standing, and Running
For daily wear, I really like the Vans UltraRange EXO. The midsole is super responsive and comfortable so you can wear it all day with ease. It’s a good model for anyone that wants a flatter shoe with a nice level of cushion and support.
The lightweight construction and rubber outsole make this a viable option for things like traveling, running errands, and wearing it to work.
In regard to running performance, I would say you might want to explore other options. You can get away with running shorter distances in this shoe if you have to, but it might not be the best option or most comfortable. Plus, its durability could be an issue for this performance ask.
Vans UltraRange EXO Sizing
For sizing, you should be safe going true to size in the Vans UltraRange EXO. This model’s length fits true and its toe box has a more neutral width to it so I think it will fit a variety of feet well.
- Vans UltraRange Exo Sizing Thoughts: Go true to size.
If you have additional Vans UltraRange Exo sizing questions or how they compare to other models, drop a comment below.
Construction Details
For those interested in the construction of the Vans UltraRange EXO I’ve provided some key features below. I think the biggest points to note are this model’s midsole and EXO skeleton construction.
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: Not specified (it feels like 0mm though!)
- Weight: 10.05 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: No
- UltraCush Lite Midsole
- Rubber Outsole for Traction
- Lightweight Mesh Upper
- UltraCush Tongue
- EXO Skeleton Construction
If you have additional questions about the Vans UltraRange Exo’s construction, drop a comment below.
Takeaway Thoughts
Overall, I enjoy the Vans UltraRange EXO shoes. They’re a great day-to-day model that you can casually train in, so if you are someone looking for a “best-of-all-worlds” style of shoe, then I think this model is worth exploring.
It’s important to note that this shoe’s training performance and long-term durability could be limiting factors, so I’d suggest keeping an eye on or being conscious of this when investing in this shoe.
If you have additional questions about the Vans UltraRange EXO shoes, drop a comment below or reach out to me personally via Instagram (@jake_boly or @that_fit_friend)!
Theo Dehoyos
Super fun and very comfy shoe. I wouldn’t necessary do any heavy lifting in them though. Neither would I run in them, but good at body weight workouts.
Derrick
So when I’m standing on my feet all day, I like a little bit of cushy to them. In that regard, these shoes are probably the most comfortable shoes I own. I have Nike running shoes and other squishy shoes, but they’re always a bit too thick for me. So these are pretty balanced with how low profile they are but also how cushy they are.
I do have an issue with the toe box though. My feet are a bit wide, so my toes feel cramped up in there especially when I tighten the laces. I typically wear them to the gym when I coach, but I leave them unlaced/loose since they have a sock linder. I’ve worn them for a few workouts (back rack lunges, goblet squats, burpees, clean and jerks) and they’re totally fine, but again, the toes get kinda squished since I tie them for that. I typically wear Metcon 6’s and have started to bring them just in case my feet need some space or I have to do rope climbs
I have been thinking about the STRIKE MVMNT Haze Trainer but am not sure if I can get the same level of cushy with those, but the Haze Trainer looks like they might check the same boxes of “casual looking shoes” and “one shoe for everything.” I wish they weren’t $150 though.
Thanks for doing all your reviews!
Hey! Thanks for the insights and feedback on your experiences with the UltraRange EXO — sincerely appreciated!
Yeah, the Haze will not provide you with the same level of midsole cushion as the Vans, so if you already have a Metcon 6 that’s more stable for certain sessions and enjoy the Vans for their comfort for daily wear/casual sessions, then it may be worth holding off on them due to their higher price tag even if it is tempting. IMO, the Haze would be a good model to explore once the Metcon 6s kick it and you need a new trainer for heavier work!
Thank you for rocking with me!