BOOTS

From near-instantaneous speed-lacing systems to space-age cushioning materials, most snowboard boots these days come with a ridiculous number of bells and whistles. Check out the vid above to see a few of our favorites. But a built-in espresso machine is pretty useless if your boots don’t fit properly. Dialing in fit should be the first priority, because if your feet are cramping up and your toenails are turning black, you’re going to have a crappy day on the hill.

Fit 101

Regardless of your riding style or the specific boots you’re running, there are a few universal fit principles to keep in mind. Snowboard boots don’t fit like your skate shoes—while standing straight up with your boots tied tight, you should feel your toes touching (but not completely smashed into) the front of the boot. Lean forward into the boot like you would during a toeside turn, and your toes should pull slightly away from the front. While leaning forward, your heels should stay locked into the heel pocket and your foot shouldn’t be able to slide around. Loose boots may feel comfortable just standing there—but you’ll be in for a world of hurt once you actually start riding.

Keep in mind that your liners will pack out a little bit, and the boot will get slightly roomier as you break it in to the shape of your foot. Heat-moldable liners will accelerate this process, but don’t get it twisted—they won’t turn a bad fit into a good one.

Flex

Boot stiffness is largely a matter of personal preference. But here are some flagrant stereotypes, anyway: Park and freestyle riders usually prefer their boots on the softer side, while freeriders and more aggressive all-mountain types gravitate toward stiffer boots. Why, you ask? Softer boots offer more flexibility for tweaking grabs and styling out presses, while stiffer boots deliver the support you need for powering through warp-speed turns and stomping mammoth landings.

Lacing

There are ups and downs to both speed lacing systems and traditional laces. Although it takes longer, tying your boots by hand does offer the most customizable fit—and lots of people will tell you that it’s easier to tie a traditional lace boot tighter. However, speed lacing systems have improved a ton in recent years, especially the designs that let you adjust tension throughout separate parts of the boot. Separate adjustability is important in accommodating different foot shapes without creating pressure points. And we have to admit, when it’s 20 below in the parking lot, it’s pretty nice not having to fumble with laces while your fingers turn into icicles.

Support/Cushioning

This is where the tech can get a little bit confusing, and where you’ll find most of the differences between high-end boots and more entry-level models. The liners in more expensive boots tend to be made with higher-quality foam, and often feature supportive materials on the outside of the liner to improve rebound and give the boot a lively feel. Higher-end liners help your boots last multiple seasons and also improve overall fit. But you can definitely find lower-priced boots that are just as comfortable—in fact, plenty of pros prefer a basic design. Remember, a solid fit is more important than anything else.

Cushioning materials also typically get better as you go up the price scale. Even though a good ol’ EVA midsole works just fine, lots of other options exist for absorbing more impact without adding as much weight. Options include air pockets (yay, expired patents!), shock-absorbing gel, engineered foam, and other materials that help take the bite out of flat landings and choppy run-outs.