Arguably the most important part of your snowboard gear, snowboard boots can make or break your day on the mountain. Snowboard boots must fit comfortably, correctly, and work well with your bindings and board.
Snowboard boots should fit snugly, but not to the point where they cause pain. Most boots need several days of riding for them to pack out and form to their true size, and as a result should be fairly tight when brand new.
In a good fitting boot your toes will gently graze the boot’s toecap and you should be able to wiggle your toes inside the boots. Heel hold is another important factor. When your knee is driven forward your heel should remain in place; this is important for board control in toeside turns. Remember that socks also play a part in boot fit - a single thin to medium weight wool or synthetic sock is all you need. There is a fine line between a boot that is too tight or uncomfortable and one that is too loose and gives heel lift. Give our customer care team a call if you have any questions and/or schedule a personalized snowboard boot fitting session with one of our expert boot fitters in one of our shops.
Snowboard boots have different flex ratings, ranging from soft to stiff. Boot flex is a personal preference but generally a softer flex is chosen by park and beginner riders. For advanced, all mountain riders and freeriders, a stiffer flexing boot is often favored. Boot flex ratings are not necessarily standardized from one manufacturer to the next, so flex may vary from brand to brand. Many manufacturers will give a number rating ranging from 1-10, 1 being softest and 10 being stiffest. At Slidewayz, we rate stiffness as a "feel" rating ranging from soft to very stiff. Generally we class manufacturers' ratings of 1-2 as soft, 3-5 as medium, 6-8 as stiff, and 9-10 as very stiff.
Traditional laces are the tried and true option for your prototypical rider. Easy to use, traditional laces are very customizable but often loosen during the day. Despite this, many snowboarders stick with this classic system for easy lace replacement and a tailor-made fit.
Faster than traditional lacing systems. Many quick-pull lacing systems allow the forefoot and ankle/lower leg to tighten independently from each other, this is called zonal lacing. This type of lacing system is fast, easy, and can be tightened while wearing gloves. There are many different types of quick-pull lacing systems that vary from company to company.
Boa® lacing systems offer fast and easy micro adjustability to your boot fit. Boa® systems use a ratcheting dial attached to a cable. The turning and locking can be done with one hand and also with gloves on. Boa® closures are often offered as a double system, with one dial controlling the forefoot tightness and one or two controlling the upper cuff tightness.
Types of Boa® Lacing Systems
| Boa® Coiler | Central, fast Boa® on the boot tongue |
| Double Boa® | Boa® at the sides of the boot for upper and lower zone tightening |
| Stock Liners | Provide base-level padding and stability and over time will conform to your foot’s shape. |
| Moldable Liners | A step up from stock in price and materials; they are built to mold to your foot shape overtime through body heat. |
| Heat-Moldable Liners | A premium in the boot world that provides a true custom fit for your feet. The heat molding process is best. |
Orthopedic footbeds or insoles can be used to increase your foot’s comfort level in your snowboard boots. To choose a proper footbed for both your foot shape and boot, come to see us in one of our stores.
Snowboard boots use traditional US number sizing, but actual boot sizes can vary by manufacturer and even by model within a single manufacturer's line. For example, the outsole of manufacturer A's size 11 might be slightly longer than the outsole of manufacturer B's size 11. Similarly, there are some boots specifically built with a low profile. The shorter outsoles of a low profile boot allows a rider to use a narrower snowboard. Additionally, the ramp angle on snowboard bindings also partially determines how large of a boot you can put on a particular snowboard. Another reason why we would rather you came to see us.
When it comes to compatibility with your snowboard, the size of your boot is important to take into consideration. People with larger (11.5+) and smaller (<7) boot sizes should purchase wider and narrower boards, respectively.
| Boot Size (US Men’s) | <8 | 8 - 10 | 10 - 11.5 | 11.5+ |
| Width (mm) | <245 | 246 - 254 | 255 - 259 | 260+ |
| Snowboard Width | Narrow | Regular | Mid-Wide | Wide |
Please note: These are approximations, and do not take into account specific board/boot combinations that may work. Boot overhang is a much better measurement of whether a boot will fit a board.
Although they may seem trivial, your choice of snowboard socks can make a big difference in comfort and performance. Snowboard specific socks, made of synthetic materials and/or merino wool that keep you warm and wick moisture away should be standard. Along with synthetic sock materials like polypropylene, wool is an excellent insulator, keeping your feet extremely dry and warm. Cotton socks should be avoided since they don't wick moisture away from your feet, and damp feet = cold feet. Thicker socks and wearing 2 pairs of socks places additional material between you and your board and reduces your feel for the snow - the thick outer shell of the boot and the foam inside normally provides plenty of insulation.