How to choose snowboard boots?

Snowboarding was invented in 1965 and since then boards have been constantly improved. The same can be said about equipment. Every year, shoes for riders become more and more comfortable and safe.

Criteria for choosing snowboard boots

Snowboard manufacturers don't just produce shoes tailored for a specific board. You should try to buy kits. In them, each component smoothes out the shortcomings and enhances the advantages of the other component..

If it is not possible to purchase a ready-made pair of board boots, then when choosing, rely on stiffness, gender, type of lacing and your own build.

Soft or hard?

A lot depends on your riding skills. For beginners, models of medium hardness (2–6 on a 10-point scale) are more suitable. With such shoes you can make mistakes, fall and turn too sharply without harming the ankle joint.It also goes perfectly with soft boards, with which all snowboarding lovers begin their sporting journey.

Important! Non-rigid boots reduce risks by bending the shaft.

Softness is good only in moderation. Loose fitting shoes impair “merging” with the board. She becomes less obedient, which in turn increases the frequency of falls. Therefore, for high-speed descent from a long steep slope and for driving on wild roads, it is worth choosing a stiffer pair (from 6 and above).

Requires hard boots (7 points and above) and snowboarding discipline, which involves performing tricks. For them, they usually buy short, lightweight, but very rigid boards that obey the slightest turn of the foot. Soft boots complicate the connection between the foot and the snowboard, which is why they are rarely worn by fans of halfpipe and jibbing.

Important! Hard shoes rub your feet and can also cause swelling and pain. Because of this, in the first days of skiing it is better to limit the time you spend on the slope.

At the same time, some snowboarders riding in parks, on the contrary, prefer the softest boots possible, sacrificing handling in the name of safety and comfort. The easily bendable boot allows you to perform tricks in very narrow “tubes”.

Correct lacing

There are 4 types of lacing:

1. BOA. The boot is secured with a steel cable. The location of the lacing area and the number of wheels depends on your riding skills. Models with 1 wheel are recommended for beginners (1 wheel = 1 fixation zone), for professionals - with 2–3. Advantages of the system: fast and reliable fixation. Disadvantages: the boot cannot be used if one wheel is broken, as well as the fragility of the plastic loops.You don’t even need to fall to break them, just exceed the permissible load.
2. Quick lacing. The boot is secured with thin cords. Just pull them on, and the mechanism will secure the lace itself (very convenient when you don’t want to take off your gloves). The design provides 2 lacing zones: upper and lower. Advantages: high tying speed, no need to worry about loops and bows. Minuses: It will not be possible to achieve the correct fit of the boot the first time, you need to learn how to use the system correctly.
3. Classic option. Everything here is built on regular laces. An economical option in which you don’t have to worry about a broken fixing element.
4. Combined model. Combines 2 types of fixation. Quite often there are models with laces and a tie belt. This pair is suitable for freeride.

Important! Some major manufacturers offer a lifetime warranty on lacing. Among these brands are Burton and Solomon.

What should the inner boot be like?

Characteristics that will be useful:

• the ability to remove the liner for washing and drying;
• antibacterial impregnation;
• the presence of additional fixation (lace or Velcro in the upper part of the “boot”);
• high density and hairiness of the material;
• ability to absorb and remove moisture well.

Important! If your limbs always get very cold in the cold, buy boots with thermal insoles.

External material

Shoes are made from synthetic fabrics with water-repellent impregnation and from leather (the latter is prone to stretching and deformation, so shoes made from it quickly lose their rigidity). Sometimes boots are made of plastic, but this option is rare, as it is in demand only among fans of downhill racing.

Important! Leather boots are heavy, absorb moisture, and quickly deform, but they are ideal for tourists who are going to be in the mountains for a long time (for those for whom skiing is not an end in itself). They are also bought for fashionable ski resorts.

Sole

Its type is determined based on the purpose of the appeal. If you need a pair for riding in the park or going down the wild slopes, take a closer look at models with increased shock absorption. Exactly The multi-layer sole with special inserts and air cylinders in the heel area dampens vibration well.

Important! Some performance boots are not designed for off-board use at all. They have an absolutely smooth and thick sole. You can't walk on the floor or on the snow in them.

A pair with corrugated tires will come in handy for those who are going to conquer untrodden slopes. They will also be comfortable for ordinary ski lovers - people who just want to ride, and not jump or do tricks.

How to navigate the size range?

Just measure your foot with a centimeter and use a special table to determine the size.

Important! Some manufacturers have their own sizing chart, so you should not blindly rely on the universal table.

What is thermoforming?

This is the fitting of a specific pair to the foot. However, not every model has this function, only boots with a special inner boot. Their marker and identification mark: heatmoldable.

The process takes only 15–20 minutes. At the end of the procedure, the shoes begin to correspond to all the physiological characteristics of the foot:

• width of the foot (a very important point for those with wide feet);
• heel size (the issue with the narrowness of the heel bone is resolved);
• protruding bones (the protruding bone of the thumb or small finger will no longer cause pain);
• lifting height;
• calf coverage

Important! The procedure cannot be carried out independently. Thermoforming must be done by store specialists.

Which manufacturers are better?

1. Burton are the leaders when it comes to snowboards and gear. The brand spends fabulous sums on developing proprietary production technologies. A huge number of “tricks” of boots for boards were invented by specialists from this particular company, and the source and the original are always better than copies. Disadvantage of the product: high price (15–20 thousand).
2. “32” produces ultra-lightweight models that are ideal for girls. Even the most fragile women can ride comfortably in them. Flaw: shoes wear out quickly and lose their rigidity.
3. Salomon is another major brand specializing in the production of products for snowboarders, but unlike Burton, it is still trying to keep prices down. Its products usually the issue of shock absorption and protection from cold has been well worked out. Most boots come with the ability to be heat-molded. Disadvantages: the cost is higher than the market average, and lacing is a weak point (not for all models, but for many).

What to look for when choosing children's, women's, men's shoes?

Purpose is the key guideline. According to this criterion, the following are distinguished:

1. Carving boots. Designed for sedate riding on prepared trails. Not suitable for snowboarders who love high-speed descents and sharp turns. Often equipped with a sole that allows them to be worn indoors. Ideal for children and beginner snowboarders.
2. Sports. An option for professionals and those who plan intense training to polish and hone their skills.It is characterized by maximum rigidity and smoothness of the sole. Children should definitely not buy such a pair.
3. For freeride. Buying them for skiing is not the best idea. Otherwise there are no restrictions. They are well insulated and equipped with adjustable straps that loosen during the ascent and tighten before descending.
4. For freestyle. Characteristic feature: the thickest sole. Walking indoors in such shoes is uncomfortable, but it saves from ankle injuries during jumping and dampens vibration from sharp landings. This model is not suitable for children and beginners; it is designed for those who like to ride in the park.

Also it is worth considering the characteristics of the board: rigidity, weight, length and gender. Soft boards should be used in conjunction with boots of low rigidity. The rule also applies to boards intended only for children or only for women. These categories of snowboarders weigh less, so they should buy lightweight and relatively soft shoes with a low top.

Well, especially short models and boots with the BOA lacing system are not suitable for large men. Plastic hinges will constantly break due to increased load. If, contrary to the rule, you decide to buy, then do not tighten your leg too tightly or loosely.

How do you know if you've chosen the right snowboard boots?

You need to try on shoes before purchasing (wear only thermal socks, otherwise you will not be able to choose the size). In the process, it is worth lacing not only the outer, but also the inner boot - this approach gives a more realistic feeling. When you finish lacing, move the boot in different directions without lifting your legs. With a normal fit, the rotations do not cause a feeling of tightness, the tongue remains in place, and there is no pain in the area of ​​the foot and instep.

Next test: attempt to lift the heel off the insole (try standing on your toes). If it rises up inside the shoe, then the size is chosen incorrectly. The reason may also be the narrowness of the heel. People with this physiological feature should select boots for sports only under the guidance of a consultant. He will tell you which manufacturers produce models with inserts that hold the heel.

Finally, it’s worth trying to walk around the hall. However, this test is not indicative of professional boots. Their soles are not intended for indoor walking. Only shoes for carving and freeride are checked this way.. The remaining options simply do not film for 20–30 minutes. During this time, problems with blood circulation will become noticeable, and the tongue will become uncomfortable.