Choosing the proper boot for your snowboard is one of the most important decisions when investing in quality equipment. Like any footwear, you’ll want to find the best snowboard boots that fit well and provide excellent comfort, support, and arch height based on your feet.
While some people, even experienced snowboarders, may recommend certain brands or styles, you’ll want to take a more individualized approach when choosing the right boot for your next adventure.
How We Tested and Compared Different Snowboard Boots
We tried several snowboard boots with various styles, shapes, lacing systems, and liners. We aimed to find which types of boots were ideal for different riders, including kids taking beginner lessons and adult skill levels from novice to advanced.
We focused on the quality and durability and how they compare in various brands and price ranges. We chose the best options based on our experience and our kids’ experience snowboarding to get an idea of which boots provided the best overall support and comfort.
Best Snowboard Boots for Men: Burton Tourist Snowboard Boots
Overview:
- Size options: Men’s size 9 to 13
- Color options: Black
- Materials: Synthetic leather and a rubber heel
- Activities: Snowboarding, winter hiking, and camping
- Other Features: Dryride heat cycle lining, adjustable lacing
What We Like About It
Burton is definitely one of our favorite brands and always performs well, whether you buy boots for skiing, snowboarding, hiking, or snowshoeing. It’s a well-designed boot that provides a good grip on the climb and the ride downhill. Burton snowboard boots provide great support, with excellent insulation, negative flex, and warmth, so you can wear them on long hiking treks and other outdoor activities.
Why is it an excellent boot for tourists? We found it was best suited to various conditions, from mountainous regions and backcountry adventures to ski and snowboarding resorts for all levels.
What We Don’t Like
There’s nothing we don’t like about this boot, though it’s essential to ensure you find the right size so you don’t experience any discomfort.
What Past Buyers Had to Say
Burton is a popular brand, and buyers are generally satisfied with the quality and performance of these boots. These Burton snowboard boots offer a high standard, like the brand’s ski boots and other winter sports gear, that offers durability and comfort on all terrain. The company is also well known for its excellent customer service and support, which is ideal for beginner or intermediate riders.
Best All-Mountain Women’s Snowboard Boots: Rossignol Alley Boa H4 Snowboard Boots
Overview:
- Size options: Women’s sizes 7 to 9
- Color options: Black
- Materials: Recycled materials and synthetic lining
- Activities: Snowboarding, winter hiking, and camping
- Other Features: Thermal warmth
What We Like About It
Rossignol Alley Boa is a great women’s snowboard boot, offering the Boa fit system that gives you a comfortable, precise fit to ride with secure support. We were impressed with how well these boots can handle a lot of outdoor activity, with minimal wear, due to the sturdy rubber on the outer boot and spectacular grip on and off the board. We found the liner quality was superb, providing a moldable, custom effect with thermal support so your feet stay warm and stable as you ride.
What We Don’t Like
The only minor drawback is the limited sizing options, which may change over time. Since the size range available is seven to nine, in women’s, it may not be a good option for anyone with larger or smaller sizes, even with additional lining for support.
What Past Buyers Had to Say
These boots are well received by snowboarding enthusiasts, especially with the precise fitting, Boa lacing system, and thermal lining, for excellent warmth in cold temperatures. They offer a medium boot flex with moldable liners that provide shaping and cushioning, so you’ll unlikely experience any discomfort on the slopes.
Best Kids’ Snowboard Boots: K2 You+H Snowboard Boots for Kids
Overview:
- Size options: Kids’ size 3 to 7
- Color options: Black, white with grey and green
- Materials: High-quality rubber and foam lining
- Activities: Beginning to intermediate snowboarding
- Other Features: Lightweight with excellent grip to prevent slipping
What We Like About It
When we decided to introduce our kids to snowboarding, we found these boots were among the best! K2 You+H snowboard boots provide exceptional comfort so children can focus on learning basic snowboarding skills instead of worrying about any shift in their feet with their ride. These snowboarding boots are durable, easy to adjust, and slip on and off without any issues, making them ideal for kids just getting started.
They fit well with children’s snowboard gear, with a soft flex and Grows-A-Long shims, so you can adjust the boot’s lifetime and extend their use, increasing the durability. The flex rating is three out of ten, offering just enough flexibility for comfort.
What We Don’t Like
Is there anything to dislike about these K2 snowboard boots? Our kids had no issues with them and could maneuver quickly on and off the board without any discomfort. The only drawback we could think of is if your child is an advanced snowboarder or grows out of the boots quickly, they may need a new pair sooner than expected. These boots are ideal for beginner to intermediate levels.
What Past Buyers Had to Say
These lightweight, easy-to-use kids’ snowboard boots are an excellent choice for taking lessons and learning basic skills. They are reasonably priced and last as long as they fit, with the option to extend sizing as needed. The boots also contain comfort foam, and the primary focus on comfort and support is what makes this product a clear winner in choosing the right option for your kids.
Best Premium Snowboard Boots: K2 Thraxis Clicker X HB Snowboard Boots
Overview:
- Size options: Size 6.5 to 13
- Color options: Black
- Materials: High-quality synthetic materials, rubber, warm lining
- Activities: Snowboarding, all levels
- Other Features: Internal heating system for greater comfort
What We Like About It
This premium snowboard footwear offers a stiff boot flex, superior fit, technical features, and excellent support. It’s the ideal snowboard boot for advanced riders, with a stiffer boot, a liner lacing system, and a soft section around the ankle to prevent heel lift. The K2 Thraxis Clicker boot is our top pick for experienced snowboarders.
What We Don’t Like
While you’ll get the best quality and support when you purchase these boots, they come with a high price tag, so it’s a worthwhile investment if you’re a serious rider looking for the best.
What Past Buyers Had to Say
Many buyers enjoy these boots for snowboarding, hiking, and other winter activities, due to their durability, warmth, and overall comfort. They offer a specialized heated liner that traps warmth, keeping the cold from seeping into the boot and maintaining a consistent experience throughout snowboarding.
Best Budget-Friendly Snowboard Boots: Head Classic BOA Snowboard Boots
Overview:
- Size options: Size 5.5 to 13
- Color options: Black
- Materials: Synthetic materials, rubber
- Activities: Beginner snowboarding
- Other Features: Comfort Cuff offers greater flexibility
What We Like About It
This boot offers everything you need to get started if you’re just learning the basics of snowboarding. They include an easy-to-fit boa system that allows you to fasten the boot quickly, with no lacing issues, while providing an impressive grip and stability for the foot. These boots also offer excellent traction, with rubber studs that are centered so you can grip well on and off the board.
The flexible rating is five out of ten, making it a well-balanced boot that offers just enough flexibility and stability, which is ideal for anyone new to this sport.
What We Don’t Like
There’s nothing we didn’t like, but it’s worth mentioning that these boots are ideal for beginners; they may not provide the support needed for more advanced riders.
What Past Buyers Had to Say
These classic, easy-riding boots are a hit with new snowboarding, as they provide all the support and flexibility needed for greater confidence. Many buyers find them stylish, easy to wear, without any complex lacing, and a convenient Boa fit system offering customized options.
How to Choose the Best Snowboard Boots: Buying Guide
When you choose the proper snowboard boots, there are various factors to consider, including the proper support, lining, flex rating, and performance. Your skill level also determines which type of boot you’ll need, sizing, compatibility, lacing systems, and how you ride.
Boot Flex
The type of flex you choose can depend on your ability, skill level, and preference. As a beginner learns the basics and progresses to an intermediate or advanced level, a specific flex rating may become your favorite. Over time, you may also try a new flex to see how it compares or based on how you develop riding techniques.
The Fit and Sizing
Before you consider any features when choosing a snowboard boot, the size and fit are most important. While the sizing is crucial, you’ll also want to consider other features that accommodate your fit, such as whether you have wide feet, skinny ankles, narrow feet, greater heel support, and other areas of your feet and ankles that require customization. You’ll also want to consider pressure points, as you shouldn’t experience this with a comfortable fit.
Bindings and Lacing Systems?
Binding and lacing systems vary based on the boot you buy. Strapless bindings are among the most common, though not everyone finds them accommodating, whereas regular strap bindings are a better option.
There are three main types of lacing systems: speed lacing, double Boa and single Boa systems, and traditional lacing. While there are slight variations to each type, you’ll often find some brands feature one or more options, some of which may vary based on the style and size of the boots.
Lining Options
There are three main types of snowboard boot liners, standard, heat-moldable, and moldable. While standard liners provide some molding to your feet, they are not as effective as moldable or heat-moldable liners, which work quickly.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right size, shape, and style of snowboard boots is essential to enjoying the sport and getting the most out of comfort, warmth, and support as you ride. Whether you buy your first pair of boots at a snowboard shop in person or online, it’s essential to focus on sizing and fit first, and above all else. Once you get familiar with the type of boot you prefer, you’ll find many significant variations and options for greater customization.
FAQs
What is important when choosing boots for freestyle riding?
Shock absorbency is essential when you choose a boot, as well as medium flex and a cushioning, supportive interior.
Are free-rider snowboarding boots more expensive?
Typically, free riders look for more customizable options to respond quickly as they ride, meaning they need a more snug fit, double Boa lacing, and moderate shock absorbency.
What are the best socks to wear with snowboard boots?
Moisture-wicking socks prevent wetness, while Merino wool socks are ideal for warmth.