Snowboard Boots

The right choice of snowboard boots is probably an even more important consideration than that of a snowboard itself.   It's essential that the boots you select are a comfortable fit and that they are a good match with your bindings and board.    If your budget allows, spending a little more on comfortable, quality and good fitting boots will benefit you in the long run.

Together with your snowboard bindings, snowboard boots act as the physical interface between your legs and your snowboard.  The snowboard boots and bindings combination determines how well you can control your snowboard in manoeuvres across and down the slopes.  Don't rush through your boot selection process - they should be a perfect fit and provide the necessary support, comfort and keep your feet warm and dry.   Remember to ensure you wear socks before trying them on (a no brainer I know but some people don't).

Snowboard boots can vary considerably as far as their flexibility goes.   They can range from soft to hard.   Lacing methods can also vary from brand to brand and boot to boot.  When wearing boots they need to be laced up in a secure fashion, feel comfortable (not too tight or loose) and not have strain or stress points that will cause blistering.  

The boots should fit snugly around the ankle and hold your heel firmly down in the boot.   After lacing up your snowboots completely to eliminate heel lift, stand on your toes and check to see whether the heel of the boot rises off the ground.   Ideally, your heels and ankles should remain securely in place, with only the smallest amount of heel-lift.   If you can noticeably lift up your heels then it's not a proper fit.

Choice of snowboard boot is also influenced by preferred riding style and skill level.   Freestyle boots usually have more flexibility whereas freeride boots are generally stiffer and afford greater support.   Hard-shell alpine boots are the stiffest of those available and have buckles in place of lacing.

Hard boots are used predominantly in freeride and Alpine riding such as slalom, giant slalom, and snowboard cross.   These can be ski boots or a ski boot hybrid which flex medially as well laterally to accommodate the different range of movements in Alpine boarding.   This type of boot offers firm support of your foot, ankle, and lower leg.   These attributes give them the best credentials for racing and high-speed carving on a hard snow surface. 

As a general rule of thumb choose a boot with more flexibility if you mainly do freestyle and recreational snowboarding.   On the other hand, if you're wanting to do high sped runs, all-mountain or freeride, it's better to choose a stiffer boot.

Before heading off to purchase your boots remember - new good fitting boots can initially feel tight and almost too short.   This is normal and to be expected.   After several days of riding, the boot liner will begin to compress and shape around your feet.  This should give them a comfortable and snug feeling.   Snowboard boots that are too large can bring about fatigue, discomfort, pain, and may even cause injuries.   In soft boots, the wearer should feel some toe movement.   In hard boots, the wearer should experience minimal toe movement. 

Finally, even though it's important not to scrimp on snowboard boots, you don't have to break the bank to get into a good fitting pair.   Just remember, they need to fit well, be designed for your preferred riding style and work in concert with your snowboard boot-binding system.

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