Snowboard boots reviews on people who claim to know something about snowboarding and who have been asked the same thing many times. Someone wants to know how on Earth they choose a snowboard boot from amongst the hundreds of options out there. It can be a daunting experience for someone who has never bought a boot before. Fortunately, there are some guidelines which are nearly universal and will help anyone pick a boot that works best for them.
The first thing you need to figure out is your budget. And this is where many people already end up making a mistake. If you have a total gear budget of $250 and you are looking to get boots, bindings and a board, you may think about splitting the money equally. This would be a bad idea. A better idea would be to spend all the money on boots and keep renting the bindings and board. Sounds ridiculous right? It’s not. Think of your boots as tires on a car. You would never want to skimp on tires because it could set you up for a whole series of bad events. Snow board boots are the same way. If you are going to splurge on any item, make it the boots.
The second thing to consider is what type of boarding you will be doing. This is crucial to figure out and will narrow down your search immensely. For park riding, a soft boot is ideal. For mountain riding, a stiff boot works better. While these are not rules set in stone, it will make the experience much more enjoyable. A soft boot in deep powder can lead to exhaustion and a lack of control, while a stiff boot in the park can lead to some pretty rough landings.
Another thing to take into consideration is the fit. It’s always a good idea to try on boots before you buy them. While it is okay for street shoes to slide a bit on your feet, that can mean lots of time spent with your butt on the snow if it happens in snow board boots. Snowboard boots should fit snug, but not tight. They will pack out over time and the last thing you want is a boot that lets your heel lift out easily. Some boots may come with inserts that can help alleviate this problem.
One more thing to consider in this short list is the lacing system. A few years ago, this was not an issue as laces were the only thing available. But now there is a BOA system in addition to laces and some companies even have their own system, such as Burton’s fast lace. For the most part, this is personal preference. BOA systems tend to hold tight throughout the day, whereas laces can loosen. However, there are problems with every new technology and BOA systems may have faults of their own. You will just have to try both on in the store and see which suits you best.
Buying a proper pair of snow board boots doesn’t have to be an overwhelming decision. You just need to know what you are looking for and what your needs are. Once you educate yourself about the different choices, you will find that buying a good pair of boots can be easy and a lot of fun.
About The Author
Matt Banks snowboards and surfs in North County, S.D. and writes for BoardRiderLounge. Visit the Lounge to find great deals on burton snowboards and womens snowboard gear.