With the long offseason here, now is a good time to snag a super deal on all kinds of snowboarding accessories. We’re spotting deals offering up to half off the normal retail prices (and in some cases more than that), and with the early end to the season due to a warm winter and everything that’s been going on in the world, retailer’s stock of the most common sizes is better than it’s been for offseason sales of the past.
One piece of equipment we’re seeing good deals on is on snowboard boots. And they’re very important to a good day on the hill. Good boots turn your day into a heavenly montage of cozy lines and cushy powder turns underscored by warm, toasty feet, while an inferior pair creates a horror sequence of frozen toes, cramped ankles, and numbness that will ruin your day.
Your boots are a critical part of your winter gear closet and they must fit you correctly — your foot shape, fit preference, and riding style. And just like with snowboards, you want the best snowboard boots you can find. Here is a list of the best snowboard boots available.
Men’s
DC Phase
DC’s Phase snowboard boot is one of the best “value” snowboarding boots out there, without being “cheap,” either in construction or design. A medium-stiffness boot, the Phase is perfect for the rider who spends equal time on the mountain and in the park. Using traditional lacing, strategically designed overlays in the upper parts of the boot allow better leverage for optimal shell closure and custom fit.
While the sole insert is less cushiony than more expensive boots, it’s still comfortable enough for all-day wear on the hill. The Unilite outsole is durable and offers a lot of shock absorption and cushioning while walking without adding a good deal of weight. All in all, the DC Phase is a great mid-priced boot for freeriders, although park rats might want to look elsewhere.
K2 Maysis
The K2 Maysis boot saw a recent redesign that makes this season’s version much lighter and more comfortable than ever before. One of its most attractive features is its double Boa system, which allows you to adjust both the outer shell and inner liner — making it extraordinarily easy to dial in the perfect fit.
Like the DC Phase, the K2 Maysis is also a mid-flex boot, making it another perfect all-around boot. But with the addition of both a better Vibram insole and the aforementioned double Boa system, you’re going to find this boot will fit you far better. The construction of this boot is solid: The Maysis line has held up for its owners over multiple seasons. There’s nothing here that suggests the reworked 2019-20 boots won’t do the same.
Burton Moto Boa
Burton’s Moto Boa boot aren’t the cheapest on the market, but they earn high marks for their fit (even though you might want to buy a half-size bigger) and durability. Burton’s Boa system uses the company’s exclusive New England rope laces, which it claims lasts longer than competing Boa lace systems. There’s also no break-in period, and its imprint liner with its own lacing keeps your feet comfortable and warm without cutting off your circulation.
Buyers report the boot is lightweight and responsive and it stays dry even in the slushiest conditions. However, as we said above, the Burton Moto Boa seem to run smaller than they should, so it might be a good idea to order the next size up to ensure a correct fit. Tight boots can ruin your day on the hill real quick.
Burton Invader
While you might have got the impression from the previous boot that all of Burton’s boots are expensive, that’s not the case. The Burton Invader boots are a great option for beginning riders, and while cheap in price, they’re not necessarily lower quality.
You’ll get the same kind of inner liner and outsole construction of the much more expensive Moto but without the Boa lacing system. The Invader are also not as durable as the Motos in our opinion, but we’d recommend moving to better boots by the time these wear out anyway. Buyers report the fit is nice, although perhaps like the Motos buying a size up might give you better results.
Women’s
Burton Mint
The Burton Mint is a good option for those that want a better fit than traditional lace systems can provide, but don’t like the idea of mechanical parts (that can break) controlling the most vital part of your boot’s fit. Burton calls it speed zone lacing, and you’ll be shocked at how fast you can lace these up and even customize the fit of the upper and lower zones of the boot.
Buyers report that the fit of Burton Mint is on point for most size feet, and the construction is durable and lasts. While the lacing system might take a bit of getting used to, it gets high marks for being able to stay tight even after several aggressive runs on the hill. One word of caution: If you have wider feet or high arches, you may want to look elsewhere.
Solomon Ivy
If you enjoy a day on the hill, but enjoy it more after lapping the boys in the park, then the Solomon Ivy boot is the perfect boot for you. The boot’s softer flex lends itself to better performance in the park, but it will do well in all but the blacks and double blacks everywhere else if you keep your speed in check. The Zonelock lacing system allows you to quickly customize the tightness of the upper and lower parts of the boot, and its interior line is heat-moldable for the perfect fit.
We think this is a boot for intermediate and advanced riders. If you’re a beginner, we’d recommend a stiffer boot as your mechanics aren’t going to be what they need to be to use a softer boot. Any of our other recommendations should work. However, even for some more advanced riders who spend little time in the park, the Ivy Sterling might not be your best option.
Burton Coco
Like the Invader boot for men we talked about earlier, the Coco boot is Burton’s entry-level option that provides higher-end features at an affordable price. The Coco is the same boot as the Invader, but the cushioning of the boot is unique and customized to a women’s foot.
Owners report the Coco fits great and is comfortable. We think these boots would work best for beginners as they aren’t as flexible, but these will definitely last you a few seasons before you’ll want to look for a better quality option.
DC Search Boa
Boa-laced boots are typically your most expensive boot, so the DC Search Boa caught our eye as it is cheaper than most other options we’ve listed, and gets exceptionally good reviews for their comfort — even for those with wider feet. Their lightly firmer construction makes this boot a good choice for freeriders, with just enough flex for a few runs in the park if you so choose.
We’re big fans of the exterior construction of the boot which uses faux leather to repel moisture and water from your boot, keeping your toes warm and dry. Our only beef with the DC Search Boa is the insole: It’s basic and we’d expect something better out of a boot at this price. It is removable, however, allowing you to replace the insole with something more padded.
How to pick the right snowboard boot
Buying boots online can be a challenge because every boot fits differently. However, there are some things you can do to make it a less stressful process.
Perhaps the easiest way to find the best boot is to go to a local shop and get professionally fitted. While this may cost you additional money upfront, you will have a much better idea of your foot size and what boots will and will not work. Keep in mind that most of us wear shoe sizes that are a half to full size too big. With snow sports, you want to have a snug fit that is still comfortable.
If you plan to travel at higher rates of speed or love the backcountry, then a stiffer boot will be necessary to ensure you have a much more responsive connection between you and your snowboard. Freestyle and park enthusiasts will want just the opposite, however, as it won’t restrict movement as much.
Most boots will come with medium stiffness, which makes them equally good (but not great) on both mountain and park runs. If you don’t know what to pick, medium stiffness is probably a good fallback.
