WHAT DOES THE RIGHT SNOWBOARD BOOT LOOK LIKE?
The main purpose of the snowboard boot is to give you enough grip on the snowboard and to protect your feet from the cold temperatures. That's why it is built more firmly than an ordinary boot or street shoe.
Only in the right snowboard boot is snowboarding really fun. Which one you need depends on many factors. In this guide, we'll show you what you should look for when making your purchase decision, so that you can find the perfect snowboard boot that suits you and your needs:
- Hardness
- Size & fit
- Lacing system
- Board & Binding
- Your style
THE FLEX: SOFT, MEDIUM OR HARD
The flex of the snowboard boot stands for its flexibility, i.e. the pliability or the degree of hardness. When you want to change direction on your board, you have to bend your knees over the tips of your toes. The flex indicates how easily the boot allows this movement. Generally, the harder the snowboard boot, the greater the power transfer to the board. The softer the boot, the more manoeuvrable you are.
We divide the flex into a scale of 1-10, from soft to hard:
| Flex | Hardness level |
|---|---|
| 1,2,3 | Soft |
| 4,5,6,7 | Medium |
| 7,8,9,10 | Hard |
DRIVER LEVEL: HOW WELL DO YOU DRIVE?
- Softer boots are more suitable for beginners. Beginners first have to develop a feeling for their snowboard boots and are rewarded with a higher tolerance for mistakes with a soft flex.
- Advanced riders are well advised to go for a medium flex because they have already got used to wearing snowboard boots and make fewer mistakes when riding.
- Experts, on the other hand, are usually drawn to harder boots because they are more stable, offer more power and allow faster reactions. They also give you a much more direct feel.
BOOTS BY RIDING LEVEL
BEGINNER
ADVANCED
EXPERT
AREA OF OPERATION: WHERE DO YOU RIDE?
Freestyler
Freestylers & jibbers who are on the slopes or in the fun park need a soft flex because snowboard tricks are easier to perform with a soft boot. Freestyle boots absorb shocks better. Some are equipped with additional cushioning in the heel area.
All-Mountain Rider
All-mountain riders need a medium flex because they can use their all-mountain boots for different purposes on the mountain, both to do tricks in the park and to carve on the slopes.
Freerider
For touring in the backcountry, freeriders need a stiffer boot with a hard flex. Freeride boots are built more robustly overall and allow for more power transfer on the ascent.
BOOTS BY AREA OF APPLICATION
FREESTYLE
ALL MOUNTAIN
FREERIDE
THE SNOWBOARD BOOT SIZE CHART
First and foremost, the snowboard boot has to fit you. If it is too big, you will slide around in it while riding. If it is too small, wearing it will be an ordeal in itself. That's why it's important to measure your feet properly to determine the size.
Sizes for snowboard boots are given either in EU, US, UK or in the special Mondopoint standard. The foot length (A) is measured in centimetres (cm) at Mondopoint. In our size chart you can see which normal shoe size corresponds approximately to your future boot. Please note that the shoes of each manufacturer are different, because each brand has different tables. You will always find the manufacturer tables linked to each individual product.
Here you will find a selection of three tables from the manufacturers Burton, Nitro and Salomon. Salomon boots generally have a narrow cut, while Burton and Nitro boots have a slightly wider cut. This naturally results in small but important differences. In addition, men's and women's boots are very different:
SIZE CHART MEN
| EU | 40,5 | 41 | 41,5 | 42 | 42,5 | 43 | 43,5 | 44 | 44,5 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondopoint, cm | 25,5 | 26 | 26,5 | 27 | 27,5 | 28 | 28,5 | 29 | 29,5 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 |
| US | 7,5 | 8 | 8,5 | 9 | 9,5 | 10 | 10,5 | 11 | 11,5 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| UK | 6,5 | 7 | 7,5 | 8 | 8,5 | 9 | 9,5 | 10 | 10,5 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| EU | 40 2/3 | 41 1/3 | 42 | 42 2/3 | 43 1/3 | 44 | 44 2/3 | 45 1/3 | 46 | 46 2/3 | 47 1/3 | 48 | 48 2/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondopoint, cm | 26,5 | 27 | 27,5 | 28 | 28,5 | 29 | 29,5 | 30 | 30,5 | 31 | 31,5 | 32 | 32,5 |
| US | 8,5 | 9 | 9,5 | 10 | 10,5 | 11 | 11,5 | 12 | 12,5 | 13 | 13,5 | 14,5 | |
| UK | 7,5 | 8 | 8,5 | 9 | 9,5 | 10 | 10,5 | 11 | 11,5 | 12 | 12,5 | 13 | 13,5 |
| EU | 40 2/3 | 41 1/3 | 42 | 42 2/3 | 43 1/3 | 44 | 44 2/3 | 45 1/3 | 46 | 46 2/3 | 47 1/3 | 48 | 48 2/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondopoint, cm | 26,5 | 27 | 27,5 | 28 | 28,5 | 29 | 29,5 | 30 | 30,5 | 31 | 31,5 | 32 | 32,5 |
| US | 8,5 | 9 | 9,5 | 10 | 10,5 | 11 | 11,5 | 12 | 12,5 | 13 | 13,5 | 14,5 | |
| UK | 7,5 | 8 | 8,5 | 9 | 9,5 | 10 | 10,5 | 11 | 11,5 | 12 | 12,5 | 13 | 13,5 |
SIZE CHART WOMAN
| EU | 40,5 | 41 | 41,5 | 42 | 42,5 | 43 | 43,5 | 44 | 44,5 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 48 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondopoint, cm | 25,5 | 26 | 26,5 | 27 | 27,5 | 28 | 28,5 | 29 | 29,5 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 |
| US | 7,5 | 8 | 8,5 | 9 | 9,5 | 10 | 10,5 | 11 | 11,5 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
| UK | 6,5 | 7 | 7,5 | 8 | 8,5 | 9 | 9,5 | 10 | 10,5 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| EU | 40 2/3 | 41 1/3 | 42 | 42 2/3 | 43 1/3 | 44 | 44 2/3 | 45 1/3 | 46 | 46 2/3 | 47 1/3 | 48 | 48 2/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondopoint, cm | 26,5 | 27 | 27,5 | 28 | 28,5 | 29 | 29,5 | 30 | 30,5 | 31 | 31,5 | 32 | 32,5 |
| US | 8,5 | 9 | 9,5 | 10 | 10,5 | 11 | 11,5 | 12 | 12,5 | 13 | 13,5 | 14,5 | |
| UK | 7,5 | 8 | 8,5 | 9 | 9,5 | 10 | 10,5 | 11 | 11,5 | 12 | 12,5 | 13 | 13,5 |
| EU | 40 2/3 | 41 1/3 | 42 | 42 2/3 | 43 1/3 | 44 | 44 2/3 | 45 1/3 | 46 | 46 2/3 | 47 1/3 | 48 | 48 2/3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mondopoint, cm | 26,5 | 27 | 27,5 | 28 | 28,5 | 29 | 29,5 | 30 | 30,5 | 31 | 31,5 | 32 | 32,5 |
| US | 8,5 | 9 | 9,5 | 10 | 10,5 | 11 | 11,5 | 12 | 12,5 | 13 | 13,5 | 14,5 | |
| UK | 7,5 | 8 | 8,5 | 9 | 9,5 | 10 | 10,5 | 11 | 11,5 | 12 | 12,5 | 13 | 13,5 |
HOW DO YOU FIND THE RIGHT FIT?
A good fit encloses the foot and supports it without causing any pressure points. The toes must not have too little space in the toe cap and the heel must fit tightly. When simulating frontside and backside turns, your heel should not lift off the sole and your toes should not bump into the front of the boot.
When you put on the snowboard boot for the first time, you will feel a tightness - but this is normal. By tying the laces, you take some of the pressure off. Over time, the snowboard boots will stretch a little anyway. If you don't choose your boot tight enough, it can expand so much over time that the riding characteristics are negatively affected.
LINER & FITTING
While the shell of the snowboard boot primarily provides support, the inner boot acts as padding and insulation from the cold. It is made of a softer foam material and comes either with or without its own lacing.
With a boot fitting, the inner shoe can be made malleable by means of heat and thus adapted to problem feet in order to avoid pressure points. This is also referred to as thermoforming or baking the shoes. Keep in mind that despite the fitting you should always break in your boots before you ride them. This is also enough for 1-2 hours while ironing or watching TV at home. Through frequent riding, they will adapt more and more to the shape of your feet.
SOCKS
Snowboard socks are the perfect connection between foot and inner boot. They have just the right length and thickness. They have extra padding in key areas to reduce pressure on your feet. You should never wear a pair on top of each other, because that would prevent them from working. Wool socks or winter socks are not suitable for snowboarding.
WHAT IS THE BEST LACING SYSTEM?
If you look at a lot of snowboard boots, the first thing you will notice is the lacing. It has a lot to do with the style of the boots, but also with the handling. Do you prefer the retro look or do you like it more modern? How fast and uncomplicated do you want to be on your snowboarding holiday?
CLASSIC LACES
Classic laces are tied individually, similar to hiking boots. The laces are easy to replace when they wear out. The big disadvantage is that you have to take off your snowboarding gloves to tie the laces and, if in doubt, it will take you longer than with the other lacing systems.
SPEED LACING
Speed lacing is a quick lacing system that exists in different variations. You don't have to go through the hassle of laces through eyelets or hooks, but can simply pull on the loop and loosen the system again later. The whole thing can also be operated with gloves. With the two-zone lacing system, it is even possible to adjust the shaft and forefoot separately. Depending on where you like it tighter, you simply pull a little harder.
BOA® LACING
The Boa® lacing is a special quick lacing system that is adjusted with a turning wheel. The retracted steel cable then pulls the snowboard boot together. In itself, the lacing is easy to adjust with the wheel, but it is possible to overdo it and turn it too much. It is important to find the right pressure point between loose and tight. - With Boa, as with other speed lacings, there is a single and a separate lacing, either as a single Boa or dual Boa system. If the rope breaks, which rarely happens, it can only be repaired by a specialist.
BOOTS AFTER LACING
CLASSIC
SPEED
BOA®
HOW DO BOARD, BINDING & BOOT FIT TOGETHER?
The shoe size of the boot and binding must match, otherwise your turns will be difficult to ride. There should be no gap between the boot and the binding. The boot must fit snugly against the heel and the tips of the toes must not protrude too far over the edges of the binding. The BURTON Step On System is the perfect solution in this respect: the boot forms a solid unit with the binding - an achievement especially for all-mountain riders.
If your snowboard boot is longer than the width of the board, it will rub against the snow when riding - this must be avoided at all costs. Therefore, compare the length of the boot with the centre width of the board. If the boot is the same length or longer, you already need a wideboard. This is the case from a snowboard boot size of EU 44, but can possibly occur from EU 43 with a long boot. Of course, we will be happy to help you choose the right snowboard for you.
SUMMARY: PERFECT SNOWBOARD BOOTS
With the right flex, your individual size and fit, as well as your preferred lacing system, you will find the perfect snowboard boot. Of course, it has to be stylish and match your binding and board. Whether it's black, bright colours or a cool leather look - if it fits you correctly and your whole system is coordinated, you'll be able to enjoy it for a long time. Find your perfect snowboard boot at Planet Sports and then off you go into the winter fun!
