Tips, tricks, and demystifying
snowboard boots
Measure your feet!
Tutorial on our Tik Tok
Get measured by the metal device called the Brannock device, this is the most accurate way to measure length and width. If possible, find out your mondo size which will be translatable into any other size charts. Our Tik Tok tutorial shows the measurement of Mondo Sizing.
Getting your feet measured by a professional or using our tutorial will give you your true size and foot width without going by your street shoe size. Toes should be touching the end of the snowboard boot but not curling under when trying on. Make sure to gently tap your heel back into the boot before
Many find that their feet are a different size in measurement than the street shoes they wear. Going to a regular shoe store is an option for those that don't live near a shop.
Our Tik Tok tutorial measures Mondo sizing and standard US sizing. Here are links to measurement translations for sizing.
1
Width
Brands vary mostly by width; purchasing a boot that matches the measured width of your foot is key to a good fit. Last is the measurement used for width.
Narrow fit (A/B last): Burton, Vans, Salomon, and Nitro
Standard fit (B/C last): ThirtyTwo, K2, Deeluxe
Wide fit (C/D last): DC and Ride
2
Flex
1
Soft: Comfortable and forgiving best for beginners, park riders, or those taking mellow turns on groomers. Soft boots are less expensive and a good first investment.
Medium: Medium flex is great for all mountain and most off-piste. Medium is the best option for most riders.
Stiff: Least comfortable, but allows for ample precision. Made for high speed, big mountain, and backcountry.
3
Lacing/Features
Traditional laces will save money and allow more precise tightening when using hiking lacing techniques. BOA is a lifetime warranty technology that allows for easy tightening - dual BOA allows for tightness in different zones. Speed laces are a great alternative for those that are going backcountry. Splitboard specific features are becoming more widely available in most brands.
4
Fitting
Getting fitted by a professional ski or snowboard boot fitter is the best way to ensure your boots are the best option for your feet. There are foam ski boot inserts available that can add volume where necessary for a custom fit. Buy after market insoles for the correct arch support for your feet. Make sure your heel is firmly planted in your boot toeside or just sitting on the lift.
1
Tips, Tricks, and demystifying
How to put on boots
Loosen all the way
Slide your foot in
tighten exterior for a firm fit while you Flex and wiggle
Tighten liner and tap heel back some more
Bend your knees and wiggle around
Gently tap heel on the ground to get foot all the way back
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Burton - Boot Style Guide
Overall Burton is known as a narrow fitting boot, but some options are available in wide. Burton recommends buying to your true measured foot size and not going by street shoe.
Advanced
Beginner
Intermediate
Mint
Soft flexing, single boa, lace, or speed lace
Lowest price - least adjustability
Limelight
Medium flex, speed lace, dual boa, or single boa step on
Ritual
Mid-stiff flex, dual boa, step on sweet spot - softer flex lower on sweet portion
Supreme
Stiff flex, speed lace
Felix
Mid-stiff flex, dual boa, various flexing Step On options
DC- Boot Style Guide
DC is arguably the widest boot out there for those with wide feet. Overall their boots are softer flexing than their counterparts in comparison.
Advanced
Beginner
Intermediate
Phase
Soft flexing single boa
Lotus
Medium flex dual boa best for all mountain riding
Mora
Medium-stiff flex with extra waterproofing
K2 - Boot Style Guide
K2 boots are known to fit on the medium-wide side. They have advanced women’s options with stiff flex. Boot should be bought to your measured size and do not fit like street shoes.
Beginner
Advanced
Intermediate
Haven
Soft flexing single boa - $$$
Benes
Soft flexing single boa - $$
Belief
Soft flexing single boa - $
Kinsley
Medium flexing dual boa most all-mountain performance
Trance
Medium-stiff flexing dual boa
Cosmo
Mid-soft flexing Park-focused mix of boa and lacing
Contour
Dual-Boa mid-stiff freeride focused boot
Format
Dual-Boa stiffest women’s option with freeride focus
Ride - Boot Style Guide
Ride snowboard boots are known to be medium width to allow for various foot widths. Known for comfort out of the box.
Beginner
Sage
4/10 Soft flexing single boa
Harper
3/10 Soft flexing single boa
Intermediate
Karmyn
Medium flexing dual boa most all-mountain performance
Hera
Medium flexing dual boa
Context
Mid-stiff flexing with lacing and boa combo
Advanced
Hera Pro
Dual-Boa mid-stiff freeride focused boot
Cadence
Dual-Boa stiffest women’s option with freeride focus
Salomon - Boot Style Guide
Salomon’s boots are known for being narrow. They also have sizing down to a US 4, which is uncommon for other brands. Overall these boots are on the softer side compared to other brands
Beginner
Advanced
Intermediate
Scarlet
Soft flexing single boa
Pearl
Soft flexing single boa
Ivy
Medium flexing dual boa most all-mountain performance
Kiana
Medium flexing dual boa
Vista
Dual-Boa mid-stiff freeride focused boot
ThirtyTwo - Boot Style Guide
ThirtyTwo snowboard boots are known as the most reliable boots on the market. They fit with a medium width. ThirtyTwo has arguably the best heel hold in the game and require heat molding for comfort.
Beginner
Advanced
Intermediate
Shifty
Single boa or laced soft flexing boot
STW
Dual boa soft flexing boot
Lashed
Medium flexing dual boa or laced most all-mountain performance
TM-2
Medium flexing dual boa with high end details
TM-2 Hight
Medium splitboard focused dual boa
Hight MTB
Stiffest flexing dual boa made for splitboarding
Vans - Boot Style Guide
Vans snowboards fit on the narrower side. Known for stylish boots and medium flexing comfort.
Beginner
Encore
Single boa, laced, or linerless soft flexing boot
Intermediate
Encore Pro
Dual boa medium flex best for all mountain riding
Luna Ventana Pro
Medium flexing boa laced combo
Hi-Standard Pro
Medium flexing laced
Advanced
Viaje Pro
Mid-stiff flexing splitboard focused freeride boot
Does your boot fit?
Don’t size up right away if your boots feel snug!
Right out of the box it is going to be tight! You want your new boot to hug your foot like a glove liner. Snowboard boots do not fit like regular shoes - they will loosen up 1/4-1/2 size over time
When putting on your boot for the first time you want to gently tap your heel back. When you’re standing upright your toes should touch the end of the boot but not curl under.
Go into a squat or “active” snowboard stance as though you are snowboarding - your toes should slightly pull back from the end of the boot and allow some toe space.
Wear the boot around the house for 20-30 minutes and note if you lose feeling. Are there hot spots? Is your heel slipping? All these things can be addressed by a professional boot fitter.
Heat molding is the industry norm these days, so if you are just feeling like your boot is a liiiiittle too tight then have them heat molded to your feet. This will speed up the break in process.
If the liner is pushing on your heel bone or down on the top of your foot seeing a boot fitter to put in a slight heel lift will help get your ankle in the right spot. You do not want any pressure directly on the ankle.