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Snowboard boots are one of the most important pieces of winter gear that you need to get you ready to hit the mountains this year. In this article, I’m going to shed some light on the best snowboarding boots available that will keep your tootsies warm and that will last season after season.

My first word of advice is that if you can afford to, make sure you put enough dough away to buy a good pair of boots. You don’t want to cheap out on this because, in my opinion, besides your actual snowboard, this is the most crucial part of your setup. Let me explain why.

A good pair of boots ensures that your feet stay warm and dry. If your feet end up getting wet, you end up getting cold, and that could be a total bummer. So, make sure you get a good waterproof pair.

There are a lot of options out there when deciding on which pair is right for you and your riding style.

So, sit back and relax. Kick your feet up, and let me school you on some of the best snowboard boots available.

Product

Details

Top of the Line

K2 Maysis Snowboard Boots

  • Brand:K2
  • Color:Black

Premium Choice

Burton Photon Step On Boots

  • Brand: ‎Burton
  • Color:Black

Super Stylish

Vans Hi Standard OG Boots

  • Brand:vans
  • Color:Black/ White

Best Innovations

Burton Ion Boa Snowboard Boots

  • Brand: Burton
  • Color:Black

Supreme Comfort

Salomon Launch Lace Boa Boots

  • Brand:Salomon
  • Color:Vanilla Ice/Grape Juice/Rainy Day

Best for Professionals

Thirty Two TM-Three XD Boots

  • Brand:Thirtytwo
  • Color:Black

Best Snowboard BootsOur Top 6 Picks

An important thing to consider when purchasing snowboard boots is the fit. You want your boots to fit comfortably and snug, but not too tight where it’s causing discomfort or pain.

Most boots take a couple of sessions until they pack out and form to their true size. Basically, meaning until they break in, so when you first buy a pair, they should fit tight. Also, remember, it’s not easy to walk in snowboard boots as compared to ski boots.

Some boots even come with the option at purchase for heat moldable liners. They custom fit to your feet, so you skip all the time it takes to pack them out. You will have a completely custom fit that forms to your foot the first time you use them. Super dope.

I will review some of the best snowboard boots on the market and then talk about some more things to consider as far as what to look for to find that perfect pair of women’s or men’s snowboard boots.

1. K2 Maysis Snowboard Boot

best freeride snowboard boots

Since 1962, K2 sports has been a leader in providing top-quality gear. They strive to make the best quality product that’s proven to last.

The K2 Maysis snowboard boot is a perfect example of how K2 sports is constantly innovating and pushing the boundaries to provide the best product for consumers. This boot features an intricate and awesome Boa lacing system that ensures you get a customized snug fit.

Let’s talk about the sole of these bad boys. This boot comes with “This Grips! Premium Rubber Outsole’s.” These offer performance at the lowest possible weight. The lighter, the better.

snowboards boots brands

They are also very quiet to walk in. You won’t go clanking around the parking lot or lodge like the skiers do. No offense to skiers out there. These will offer a quiet comfortable walk, and they will provide great grip as well.

The K2 Maysis boots come with a dampening system that is of higher quality called Harshmellows. These are placed in the right spots to dampen the vibrations and give a quieter underfoot. They help reduce impact and also reduce fatigue while rippin’ the slopes.

Most snowboard boots have a flex rating system from 1-10. 10 being the stiffest and 1 being the softest and having the most flex. The k2 Maysis gives a flex rating of 7, which is perfect for intermediate riders and advanced riders.

This stiff boot is packed with great features and stands true to the K2 name. These all-mountain snowboard boots are a great choice and are worth checking out.

K2 Maysis Snowboard Boo

The price of “K2 Maysis Snowboard Boo” varies, so check the latest price at

2. Burton Photon Step On Snowboard Boots

warmest snowboard boots

Burton has been at the top of winter sports apparel and gear for years. In fact, they are literally one of the biggest clothing brands out there. They are known for their product durability and lasting toughness. Let’s face it, Burton rocksin the world of top snowboarding brands!

The Burton Photon boots come with the Boa lacing systems. This boot tightens up snugly, and they feel great, allowing for more precision. With Lockdown technology, it adds heel-specific tensioning to the two-dial system. Check this out.

When wearing your boots, pay attention to the heel hold. When your knee is driven forward -your heel should remain in place. This comes in handy when making toe-side turns. You will have much better control overall with the better heel hold you have.

good snowboard boots

This boot comes with a 3-heat moldable liner which is totally awesome. You can have these bad boys heated up and molded to your feet ensuring a custom fit, a feel that is just out of this world. Skip to the front of the line and miss the break in period.

These boots come with Vibram Traction Lug outsoles with an Eco Step rubber toe cap. This provides excellent grip when walking round when you’re not riding.

They keep the water and cold out to prevent cold feet with sleeping bag heat reflective foil insulation. Keeping the heat in and the cold out. This boot will definitely keep your feet toasty warm.

This boot has a firm flex and is used by intermediate and advanced riders. The GripLITE backs stay snug up between the boot and hi-back for the direct energy transfer. This will reduce riders’ fatigue so you can shred the terrain park longer.

The Burton Photon boots are considered as the best backcountry snowboard boots and a great choice for any rider who wants a boot that will last and perform season after season.

If you want to know Vans Snowboard Boots Review then click here.

Burton Photon Step On Snowboard Boots

The price of “Burton Photon Step On Snowboard Boots” varies, so check the latest price at

3. Vans Hi Standard OG Boots

best snowboard shoes

Vans Hi Standard OG Boots are Vans’ number one selling boot of all time. Vans is a trusted name, and these boots have that classic Vans look.

This boot has the traditional laces. It’s a lacing system, just like your shoes! Just tie them up, and you’re off. Easy enough! They have an Instep Lace Lockout and Web Harness for additional support. They also come with V1 UltraCush Liners that help with performance and heel hold.

Don’t be afraid to hit the high jumps with these boots. They come with the V1PopCush footbeds, which drastically reduces the impact on those hard landings.

They also have an anti-fatigue design, so you can last longer on the mountain. PleasureCuffs ensure that your calves are supported and comfy. This will reduce fatigue and give you overall better performance.

best park snowboard boots

This boot is super lightweight and comes with the V1 Waffle Lug outsoles that provide an amazing grip and protection from the elements. Oh, and let’s not forget about that famous Vans side strip. These things look sick!

The Vans Hi Standard OG Boots have that classic Vans look and are great for all-mountain riding. A stylish pair of boots, and they are super affordable as well.

Vans Hi Standard OG Boots

The price of “Vans Hi Standard OG Boots” varies, so check the latest price at

4. Burton Ion Boa Snowboard Boots

best boa boots

Once again, Burton has created another great boot. The Ion Boa’s come complete with Boa focus lacing systems. These give you a tight snug feel with zonal fit control technology.

This is the only Burton model to feature a boa “focus” lacing system. This is the top-of-the-line lacing system. The crème de la crème!

These boots are packed with technology. Made with life liners for lightweight comfort and a better rebound. They include autocant EST soles, which give a natural lower body alignment. This will allow for better control and won’t tire your legs out as fast.

Keeping your feet warm is so important when you’re out in cold temperatures. The Ion Boas come with dryride heat cycle which gets rid of moisture and keeps the feet dry and warm. It also helps with cushions as well. Gotta love the soft landings on some fluffy powder!

best freestyle snowboard boots

This boot is used by intermediate to advanced riders, and it provides a firm flex and is a stiffer boot.

Another cool feature Burton has created is the shrinkage footprint reduction technology. Say that five times fast! But in all seriousness, this is a pretty cool feature that allows your fit to stay where it’s at and not change over time. This is ideal because you need a constant snug fit for better control and comfort.

Burton is a great choice for riders, and it’s also my personal preference and go-to for winter gear.

Burton Ion Boa Snowboard Boots

The price of “Burton Ion Boa Snowboard Boots” varies, so check the latest price at

5. Salomon Launch Lace Boa

best snowboard boot

The Salomon Launch Lace boot is another highly recommended choice to give your feet what they deserve. These come with heat moldable liners, and let me tell you they are comfortable boot.

Inside the frame of the boot, there is this cool thing called an Str8jkt. It’s an internal harness to help keep your heel down while riding. Remember, earlier I talked about heel hold? It is important to have, and this boot has plenty of it.

These have a Boa lacing system. You can adjust the tension with a dial on your outer boot. Adjusting this will also help alleviate heel lift so you will feel locked in but still comfortable.

You have the option to adjust it tight or loose, depending on your riding style. Different strokes for different folks, and who doesn’t like options?

top rated snowboard boots

The soles of this boot are made of Ortholite. A breathable and durable material that grips well and reduces unwanted vibrations. They also help keep your stinky feet problems to a minimum. Yea you! Your feet will stay dry and warm all season long.

These are marketed as freestyle boot, but they can be used by all riders for all-mountain performance. These Salomon Launch Lace Boa boots are super comfy, lightweight, and look great on your feet.

Salomon Launch Lace Boa

The price of “Salomon Launch Lace Boa” varies, so check the latest price at

6. Thirty Two TM-Three XD Snowboard Boots

freestyle snowboard boots

This boot is the choice for pro rider Chris Grenier. These boots come with tailored lacing technology and can be fine-tuned exactly the way you want. They offer a comfortable fit and keep the heel hold problems under wrap.

The outer boot is incredibly durable and is made with Exo Armour and Storm Sheild. Together they will keep your feet warm and dry in some of the worst conditions.

There is a cushion cup built in to prevent you from twisting or even worse, breaking your ankles. So, fear not those huge airs! Send it.

Don’t worry about heavy landings either. It will be soft as butter because the midsole of the TM-Three XD’s are made from Energy foam and even have an Elite Internal Harness to help with high impact.

This boot has a medium flex and is made for intermediate to advanced riders. These are a freestyle-focused boot, but again they can be used well for all riding styles. They come in a sweet camo color too.

snowboard boots companies

The outsole of these boots is made of Michelin FiberLite rubber, giving these boots durability and great grip, so you’re not sliding all over the place trying to walk around like the skier folk. Just kidding skiers!

Something unique about this model is that it comes with a heel hold kit. Basically, these foam rings you can place at the heel to help the heel hold. It also gives you a better fit and feel. I thought this was a great option, and it’s ideal if you have a narrow heal. A total game changer!

All in all, this boot is another great choice and comes with all the tech and perks a pro rider or hobbyist could want.

Thirty Two TM-Three XD Snowboard Boots

The price of “Thirty Two TM-Three XD Snowboard Boots” varies, so check the latest price at

What To Look For When Buying The Best Snowboard Boots

Now that we went over some of the best boots on the market and covered some basic knowledge about what to look for when buying snowboard boots. I’d like to elaborate on that topic more and what better thing to start than with the fit.

Fit

It doesn’t matter what style you like to ride, or what kind of flex you prefer. Whether you like a soft boot or a medium flexing boot you need to have a good-fitting boot. It is so important to make sure you take the time and find a boot that fits your feet the proper way.

I mentioned earlier that for some boots, you have the option for a heat moldable liner. If you can afford it my advice would be to take advantage of that option. That is the best fit you can have because it molds to your specific foot perfectly. It gives the rider better control along with better stability.

Don’t worry, though, if you can’t afford that option, you can still break them in on your own by simply shredding the slopes more. They will pack themselves in overtime and fit like a charm. No worries. Let’s move on to comfort.

Comfort

Of course, we all want our snowboard boots to be comfortable, and lucky for us, they have some sick options to make that possible. Initially, you will try on your pair of boots and feel that out-of-box comfort.

It’s good, but it could and will become better over time. Every boot has a break-in period until one day you realize, damn, these things feel even better! It’s a glorious moment.

You want to stay comfortable throughout the day. You will be wearing these boots for long periods of time and doing a lot of physical activity in them. You want your feet to be as comfy, warm, and dry as possible and for as long as possible.

Snowboard boots come with some great options to keep our feet feeling good all day. Look out for cool options like calf adjustment technology, heel hold, and good cushioning. This will all contribute to comfortable snowboard boots that you won’t want to take off. Snowboard boots fit tight, but they shouldn’t feel overly tight.

Flex

Okay, so let’s break this down. All snowboard boots have some flex in them. When you buy a pair of snowboard boots, they will have a flex rating on them. A rating from 1-10. 10 being the firmest/strongest flex and 1 being the softest flex.

Advanced riders usually like a medium flex or mid-stiff boot. Some novice snowboard boots or less advanced model boots have a softer flex and are much softer boots. As you get better, you will eventually want a firmer flex. Keep that in mind when buying your boots.

The higher the flex rating, the more control you have during turns, and you will also feel improved edge control as well.

Nothing feels better than hitting a sharp turn at fast speeds while being in complete control. It’s heaven on earth! Freestyle boots generally have a higher flex rating that matches their freestyle snowboards.

Outsole

Just like when choosing a snowboard, you need to choose a pair of boots with a good outsole. There are lightweight EVA outsoles to dense firm rubber-treaded outsoles. It all depends on what you want to do in the snow.

If you plan on doing a lot of hiking or walking in the snow, let me suggest you get an outsole made from rubber for better grip and traction. Some outsoles even have specially placed shanks for extra support.

Lacing

When choosing which pair of lacing system is right for you, it can be a bit of a challenge. There are speed zone lacing systems, boa lacing systems, and traditional laces amongst a few other options.

Traditional lacing is my personal favorite because it’s simple and easy. It’s just like tying your shoes.

Many other people swear by the boa lacing system though and say that it is the best because you can adjust how tight you want to make your boots. They give a better overall fit and feel. Especially the double boa system.

Try out your options and see which style works best for you and you’re riding style.

Warmth

Keeping your feet warm is essential for having a great time on the slopes. In order to keep the toes warm, you will need a good pair of insulated and waterproof boots.

A lot of higher-end snowboard boots will come with sleeping bag foil insulation to keep the heat inside and keep the cold outside, all while eliminating moisture.

This helps with keeping foot odor under control so you can use the same boots for many seasons without a problem. Smells like a good idea.

Don’t forget about some good socks too! They can even help with cushioning, and they help tremendously to keep your feet warm and dry during the season.

FAQs

How Do You Break in Snowboard Boots?

There are a few ways you can break in new snowboard boots. The first way I would suggest is getting them heat molded specifically to fit your feet.

This is the best fit in my opinion and it lets you skip the time it takes for the break-in period. Keep in mind not every boot has this option.

The next best thing is simply to go snowboarding in them! It may take a few days on the mountain for them to pack themselves in but once they do, they officially become your boot for your foot and your foot only.

One other thing you can do is walk around in them a lot before you take them to the mountains. Just try and wear them as much as you can and eventually, they will break themselves in and be ready for the snowboarding season.

Are Snowboard Boots Easy to Walk In?

I guess it depends on who you ask. They are definitely harder to walk around in than shoes, but they have some flex in the boot, unlike ski boots, making ski boots the hardest to walk around in.

So, you won’t be walking around “Frankensteinish” like skiers do, but you may still have a small hitch in your step.

Most snowboard boots are made with a good outsole with some flex in it as well, providing a good grip while walking. So, they aren’t the easiest to get around in, but they also aren’t the hardest.

Conclusion

There are a number of items and the best snowboard accessories you need to get ready for this year’s snowboarding season. Getting yourself a good pair of snowboarding boots is one of the most important pieces.

There are a lot of brands available and a lot of options. In this article, we covered the ins and outs of snowboarding boots. I reviewed some of the best boots available and what to look out for when buying a pair. Happy shopping!

This year is going to be a great season! I hope to see you in the mountains with a sick pair of snowboarding boots. Remember, stay safe, stay warm, and always stay stylish!

Categories: SnowboardingGear

Troy Krum

Troy Krum is a New York City – based sports writer. Troy has been part of the sports writing scene for over a decade. He also holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and competes regularly. When he isn’t competing or writing, Troy can be found whitewater kayaking in the summer and snowboarding the mountains in Pennsylvania during the winter.

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