Snowboard Boots Buying Guide

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 shop a call if you have any questions.

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 evo, 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. Flex ratings and feel may vary from boot to boot.

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 or even triple system, with one dial controlling the forefoot tightness and one or two controlling the upper cuff tightness.

Hybrid systems combine two of the three aforementioned systems into one boot, often with the combination of traditional or quick-pull lacing for the liner and Boa® for the exterior.

A liner is the inner boot within the snowboard boot and is most commonly made of a lightweight, moldable material called EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate). The liner is an important aspect of the boot construction because it provides the cushioning, stability and insulation you need to ensure comfortable feet on the mountain after long days of ripping. Some liners are removable, while others are permanently attached to the boot. Removable liners can be taken out for speed drying when they get wet.

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, see a bootfitter.

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.
 
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.

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. Please see our discussion of snowboard width below for a better understanding of how to find the winning combination!