How to choose snowboard boots

During snowboarding, the rider's feet are the main burden. For this reason, snowboard boots receive serious attention. Their correct choice and the conformity of the design to the riding conditions have a direct impact on the comfort and, most importantly, the safety of the rider. For this reason, the choice of snowboard shoes is given serious consideration.

The best snowboard boot manufacturers

High-quality snowboarding boots are branded items produced under a name recognizable among customers. It is best to give your choice in favor of well-known manufacturers of sports equipment:

1. Nike

2. Black fire

3. Puma

4. Button

5. Reebok

Each of the listed brands presents dozens of different models for the buyers' judgment. Which one to choose depends on the anatomical features of the rider, as well as information on the technical characteristics of a particular model, presented in the form of reviews on the Internet.

Fundamental differences and types of snowboard boots

Unlike everyday shoes, snowboard boots are designed for active riding, stability on the board, and protection while riding. They are characterized by high strength, tightly fixed on the leg and rigidly fix the ankle – a joint that is most often injured during outdoor activities and ski slopes.

Snowboard shoes differ, first of all, in their rigidity.

Soft boots

Easy-to-use models provide the ability to conveniently maneuver and get up after a fall, without experiencing discomfort. They are made of synthetic materials or natural leather and securely fix the lower leg and ankle. Popular with freestylers and jibbing enthusiasts.

Advantages

• Low weight;

• Convenient for high-speed maneuvering;

• Decent workmanship;

• Inexpensive;

• Anatomical fixation of the lower leg;

disadvantages

• Not able to provide protection against serious injury;

• Less durable than rigid models;

Hard boots

The complete opposite of the above option. They are equipped with a power frame that fixes the lower leg and protects against mechanical damage. Most functional during downhill descents and when performing tricks at high speed.

Advantages

• High injury safety;

• Strong and durable;

• Rigid ankle fixation;

• Convenience of performing maneuvers and professional riding technique;

disadvantages

• Expensive;

• Heavy;

• Not suitable for beginners;

A kind of compromise is considered to be semi-rigid boots that provide an acceptable level of protection against mechanical stress, fix the ankle, but are much more comfortable to use. Most experienced riders recommend them for purchase, they are cheaper than their rigid counterparts.

What are the main criteria for choosing snowboard boots?

There are a lot of criteria for choosing high-quality snowboard boots, all of them are similar to those used when choosing shoes for everyday use.

Boot material

Natural is characterized by high strength, mobility and plasticity. It can withstand loads, temperature changes and is suitable for riding both at positive and negative air temperatures. The disadvantages of leather shoes are hygroscopicity – the ability to absorb moisture, which increases the weight, as well as the whimsicality of care and maintenance.

Boots made of artificial materials in this regard show themselves much more advantageous. They are not afraid of moisture and temperature extremes; they show themselves with dignity under any operating conditions. Synthetics are distinguished by excellent performance characteristics, allowing you to combine various insert materials to achieve certain functional characteristics. Among the shortcomings are the fact that the leg 'does not breathe' in artificial boots, as well as the mediocre quality of manufacture of budget models of boots;

Boot shape

This parameter should be selected based on the characteristics of the operating conditions and the design of the anchorage unit of your snowboard. There are both universal mounts designed to work with all boots without exception, and specific types designed for operation with strictly defined shoe models. For example, the Flow type bindings allow for the installation of low boots with a rounded toe, while the Step-In fastening system requires the use of one specific type of shoe.

Inner boot configuration

Or a boot, as the riders call it otherwise. Currently, there are two main types of boots on sale according to this criterion:

1. The neoprene boot can be considered versatile. This material has good performance characteristics and provides anatomical placement of the foot in the boot. Due to its softness, neoprene provides comfort and excellent thermal insulation. Boots with a neoprene boot can be considered versatile;

2. The Thermofit boot is a more advanced version, characterized by maximum anatomicality. In its original form, this material has no shape. In order to prepare the boot for use, it is heated and put on the leg. Acting like thermal insulation, it cools and follows the individual contours of the rider's leg for an anatomical fit and, as a result, maximum comfort.

Separation of shoes by gender

There are men's, women's and children's shoes. The differences between the first two types lie exclusively in the form factor of the boot, as well as in the height of the boot – due to anatomical features, the ankle joint is located higher in women than in men. Children's shoes differ not only in size, but also in rigidity – almost always such shoes are soft or semi-rigid.

Boot lacing system

Classic lacing involves evenly pulling the upper part of the boot with the laces and then tying the laces on the 'bow';

1. The fast lacing system was developed by Adidas and is a special design in which two different cables tighten the boot from the top and bottom, after which they are fixed with special metal clips;

2. The BOA lacing system is very similar to the quick lacing design. Here, manufacturers also use two different cables, simultaneously pulling the top and bottom of the boot, but this is not done manually, but using a special drum mechanism rotating around its axis. It also plays the role of latches.

How to choose the right boot size

You can finally decide on a specific model of boots only after a clear selection for your foot size.

First of all, it is necessary to study the specified shoe size and compare it with the shoe being worn. This information is printed on the inside of the tongue and is presented in the form of classic numbers, as well as the closest foreign counterparts.

Having chosen the appropriate size, the boots must be tried on. This is done on a toe, the thickness of which is comparable to the sock that will be used while riding. After fixing on the leg and completing the lacing, the boot should sit firmly on the leg, and the foot should not come off the sole when performing bends and squats. During the execution of these manipulations, there should be no discomfort, rubbing and cramps, the leg should not hurt and numb. Trying on shoes should be done for at least 25-30 minutes.

In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose snowboard bindings and the secrets of choosing a snowboard jacket.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.