RSSSnowboard Boots
Snowboard Boot Technology Guide
Introduction
As the link between you and your snowboard, your boots are undoubtedly one of the most important pieces of gear you can purchase. A pair of well fitting, comfortable boots will make a drastic difference in not only your performance, but also your pleasure while riding. To take full advantage of your time on the hill, make sure you have snowboard boots that are comfortable, and have the right features for how you plan to use them.
Upgrading to a new pair of snowboard boots can have a dramatic impact on your progression as a rider, an are far more important than other aspects of your setup. For more information on what technologies make snowboard boots function, continue reading our snowboard boot technology guide.
When choosing a snowboard boot, determine your riding style and your ability level. Many boots offer different levels of performance that can be broken down between flex patterns and function options. The most important thing is to find the boot that best fits your unique foot. Everybody’s feet are different, and certain brands or models are going to fit better than others. The pair that seems like they were made for your feet will keep you pain free all day.
What is your riding ability?
Beginner - First time, taking lessons, snowboarded 1-3 times.
Intermediate - Ride 10+ days a year, solid linking turns, ride switch, basic airs.
Advanced - Category of your own.
Determine riding style:
Freeride - Utilizing the entire mountain. Powder, trees, groomers, carving, dropping, bonking, catching air.
Freestyle - Technical aspects on the mountain such as Snowboard Parks, Pipe, and Rails. Includes mostly airs, slides, spins, inverts, grabs.
Alpine/Boarder X - High speed, carving and transitions.
Taking riding ability and style into account will point you in the right direction to have a boot perform the way you want it to. Freeride specific boots will be stiffer in flex and have a taller cut. Freestyle boots will have additional cushioning to soften landings and a softer flexing shell, giving the rider more freedom of movement.
Features:
Many different features are used to control how a boot feels and reacts. Five key features to look for are:
Lacing systems - Traditional lacing, speed lacing and boa cables. These will ensure a performance fit and proper foot hold.
Dual Density soles - Phylon, Vibram, or air bag designs. Provide cushioning for hard landings and optimal grip on icy terrain.
Memory foam liners - Offered in most high end boots. Conformable for the ultimate in comfort and fit. Also provide additional warmth for cold days.
Liner Styles - Intuition, Foam injected, and stitched. ULTRALON EVA foam - a patented foam developed specifically to be moldable, flexible and durable for users at all skill levels.
Shell Construction - Synthetic Leather, Cordura, and textiles. Today’s most sophisticated and advanced technologies provide customizable fit and excellent performance.
Fit:
A good fitting boot feels tight out of the box and may remain very snug during the first few days of riding. Ideally, your big toe should brush the tip of the boot while standing up straight. As you flex forward (bend your knees in a natural riding stance) your toe should pull off the front of the boot. Your heel should feel comfortably secure with minimal heel lift. Your boot will break in (usually after a couple days riding in them) and will compress to a comfortable level. Take into account the thickness of your socks. One pair of thin to medium weight, non-cotton socks, will be sufficient.
Types of Snowboard Boots
Below is a summary of the three main styles of snowboard boots. It is important to realize that the boundary between the three is not distinct, but most boots will cater more towards one style of riding than the other, and any of the snowboard boots that we offer can be used everywhere you ride.
Freestyle Snowboard Boots
Freestyle snowboard boots are designed to offer comfortable, flexible support for riders that spend the majority of their time in the snowboard park or half-pipe. Freestyle snowboard boots benefit from increased lateral range of movement to facilitate tweaking grabs, and also have a more progressive forward flex for accommodating a deeper knee bend while riding.
If comfort is paramount for you, and you plan on spending the majority of your time refining tricks or jibbing rails, a freestyle oriented boot will offer the best performance and comfort for how you ride.
Freeride Snowboard Boots
Freeride snowboard boots are designed to allow you to conquer the entire mountain, regardless of the conditions or type of terrain. A boot that is geared more towards freeriding will generally be stiffer than a freestyle boot, which offers increased control, power and edge response, at the deficit of some comfort and tweak-ability. The additional support provided by a freeride style boot is welcomed by many snowboarders with ankle injuries due to the additional support the boot provides.
If you spend much of your time riding the entire mountain, carving hard pack or value additional support for your ankles, a freeride snowboard boot will offer the control, power and stability you need, while also pampering your feet with technology and comfort.
Snowboard Boot Technology
Below is a review of the basic technology that is used in current snowboard boot design and construction.
The laces on a snowboard boot provide the tension that holds the boot together, surrounding your foot and leg in a supportive, comfortable position. Although technological advancements have changed the way a snowboard boot is laced, the end result is the same.
BOA Lacing System:
BOA lacing system mimic their traditional counterparts, but feature a very thin titanium cable where the lace material would normally be. Additionally, tension in the cable is supplied by a small ratcheting dial mechanism. A rider simply puts their foot in the binding, and spins the dial on the tongue to dial in just the right amount of support and tension. At the end of the day, pull out on the dial and the tension in the cable is released allowing you to open the tongue of the boot and remove your foot. the BOA system is a great piece of technology that takes much of the work out of lacing your boots and can be found on many intermediate to high end snowboard boots.
Lace Assist Systems:
Recently, manufacturers have worked hard to simplify the system that is used on their snowboard boots, without compromising the effectiveness. The result as been a lace assist system which takes much of the work out of the actual lacing process, and makes it easier to supply the necessary tension to ensure a correct fit.
The names vary depending on the manufacturer, but goal of providing an easier to use system, that reproduces the same fit each time you ride is the same. This style of lacing system is fast replacing traditional laces, and offers a world of improvement in terms of performance and convenience for the rider.
Traditional Lacing Systems:
The standard for snowboard boot lacing is a traditional lace system, similar to what you find on most athletic shoes. With a traditional lacing system, the laces are secured up the front of the boot manually, and the tensioned is supplied by pulling on the free ends of the laces. This style of lace is consistent, strong and affordable, which makes it a perfect choice for beginner to intermediate level snowboard boots.
Boot Liner
The liner is the part of the boot which surrounds your foot and is responsible for being supportive and yet forgiving at the same time. Since you are in contact with the liner everyday, it is important that it serve its purpose extremely well. Recently, snowboard boot manufacturers have invested a great deal of R&D into making liners that offer a better fit with more comfort. At the end fo the day, a high quality liner made with multi-layer foams will make your foot much happier, which leads to better riding and more fun. When shopping for a snowboard boot, liner technology should be at the top of your list.
In Conclusion:
Buying a snowboard boot can be a time consuming process. The uniqueness between the boot and a foot can limit choices. Think you have found the right boot? Leave them on your feet and walk around to give them time to settle. There is no right or wrong snowboard company to choose from, but certain characteristics can help narrow down your search.
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