Given the diversity of styles and experience levels involved, buying snowboard boots requires consideration of several factors. Riding style is a major determinant of the ideal snowboard boot, and whether you’re an all-mountain, freeride, or freestyle snowboarder, you must consider boot flex, which ranges from soft to stiff. Soft flex boots are ideal for extended riding, stiff flex boots are great for increased control and medium flex are somewhere in the middle with a balance of comfort and control. Next are lacing systems, which include traditional laces, quick-pull laces, and the Boa system. While traditional laces are straightforward, quick-pull laces allow for more specific attention to different areas of the boot, and the Boa system replaces laces with cables, adjustable with dials or wheels. As with any other footwear, snowboard boot sizes follow other sizing conventions, and proper fit includes consideration of liners, which can be either non-moldable, thermoformable, or custom moldable. Proper comfort and fit of snowboard boots is influenced by the above components and is essential for providing optimal performance and safety.
Snowboard boots have had a brief, but eventful, history. Starting with Sorel, a heavy-duty waterproof boot, riders’ options were limited, and this boot provided vulcanized soles and waterproofing which made it the ideal boot at the advent of snowboarding. However, this boot did not offer much in the way of ankle support, at which point, Airwalk developed the first dedicated snowboarding boot. From there improvements continued to be made, including removable liners, locking lace loops, and internal harnesses. These improvements provided riders with waterproof, stable, and comfortable boots, drastically improving their snowboarding experience
Snowboard boots should be snug and form to the shape of your foot, so it takes a little trial and error to find the right size. A guide is available to help you choose the correct snowboard boot size in two ways: 1) use a sock or shoe on inside your snowboard boot, 2) try different sizes until you find one that fits.
Snowboard boots should fit snug at your heel, instep and toes. Don't worry if they feel tight at first because if they fit "just right" straight outta the box, chances are you'll be screwed in a week.
There are three main types of snowboard boot lacing systems: traditional laces, speed laces, and BOA® lacing. Each of these systems has its own pros and cons when it comes to overall fit, adjustable comfort and performance.
The average price of a snowboard boot is $300 to $450, depending on the model. Most boots use a denser foam liner that will take a bit longer to break in, but it'll also last a lot longer than a liner in a $160 snowboard boot. Keep in mind the liners pack out as well."
Flex refers to the amount of support that a snowboard boot provides, and how quickly it transfers energy from your foot to your board. You should use a flexible binding if a straight binding would make you unstable when you're riding pow, park or freeride.
With the various attributes of boots to consider, it can be difficult to narrow down the best boots for your experience level and preferences. With the following boots, including Vans Infuse, Burton Photon Boa, Ride 92, and Salomon Hi Fi, there’s sure to be a boot that fits your preferences and desired price point. Considering Burton and Salomon are pioneers in the snowboarding industry and Vans and Ride are mainstays in snowboarding culture, there are options that can provide ideal comfort and performance for everyone.
