The Best Snowboard Boots in 2023

Your boots are the point of contact with your board, which means that they are the connection between your body and the snow you are riding. Needless to say, this makes them one of the most important elements of your snowboard gear. Not only do you need boots that provide a great fit (because really, who’s having fun when your feet hurt?), but you also need to select a pair that is suited to your riding level and style.

Like your goggles, helmet, gloves or any other equipment that is essential for your comfort, it is worth taking the time to find the right ones for you. We’ve gone over the details of many of the best snowboard boots on the market and broken down the pros and cons as well as what kind of rider they are best suited for. Take a look and happy shopping!

burton swath boa snowboard boots
  • Flex Rating: medium
  • Edge to Edge: medium / fast
  • Lacing System: double Boa
  • Terrain: freeride and all-mountain freeride
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These intermediate to advanced boots are perfect for all-mountain to freeride terrain and can be a good match for the park as well with their medium flex. Above-average shock absorption is a plus as is the great board feeling.

Burton Swath boots provide a great fit for mid to wide feet and can easily fit a bit snugger after heat molding. Velcro panels on the liners contribute to a snug fit by allowing the rider to tighten the liner and outer boot separately. The double boa lacing system allows the lower and upper parts of the outer boot to be tightened separately as well which provides a very individualized fit. These are definitely a high-end boot providing high comfort, good on-snow performance and above-average warmth.

Pros:
  • heat moldable
  • excellent adjustability
  • great board feeling
  • very responsive
  • good shock absorption
Cons:
  • not great traction
  • minimal tread
  • mediocre responsiveness

Salomon Dialogue Dual Boa Snowboard Boots

The Best All-Mountain Snowboard Boots Riders

salomon dialogue dual boa snowboard boots
  • Flex Rating: medium
  • Edge to Edge: medium / fast
  • Lacing System: double Boa
  • Terrain: all-mountain to freestyle
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An all-mountain boot designed with freestyle perfection in mind, these boots are highly customizable – great fit guaranteed! The double Boa lacing system is a unique combination of separate upper and lower lacing areas connected by a few lacing wires: this allows for individual adjustment of the upper and lower zones of the boot. Heat moldable, multi-density foam liners help deliver for a customized fit.

The Salomon Dialogue’s are high-performance boots offering precision and control with a progressive flex. You can expect an ideal middle ground between aggressive performance and more playful riding styles. While these narrow fitting boots aren’t for beginners, they are still quite forgiving and are a great choice for intermediate to advanced riders who want a playful all-mountain experience.

Pros:
  • Dual cable lacing system
  • Heat moldable liners
  • Progressive flex
  • Quick dry insoles
  • Lightweight construction
Cons:
  • No walk mode
  • Relatively narrow fit

K2 Maysis Snowboard Boots

The Best Stiff Snowboard Boots

k2 maysis snowboard boots
  • Flex Rating: medium / stiff
  • Edge to Edge: fast
  • Lacing System: inner & outer single Boas
  • Terrain: all-mountain
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These boots are stiffer than average without being ultra-stiff. Great power transfer and responsiveness make them a pleasure for deeper carving; however, agility isn’t the best at slower speeds. Both the board feeling and footprint size are pretty average.

The K2 Maysis’s offer a unique combination of Boa systems: as opposed to the standard upper and lower lacing zones, one of these Boas tighten the liner while the other tightens the entire outer boot. This is a plus point for the liner, but really limits the adjustability of the outer boot.

If you are looking for a stiffer boot that will perform at higher speeds without breaking the bank, these are for you!

Pros:
  • great responsiveness
  • great traction
  • Boa laced liner
Cons:
  • minimal adjustability
  • no separate upper and lower laces
  • limited maneuverability at lower speeds

Ride Trident Snowboard Boots – Men’s

The Best Freeride Snowboard Boots for Experts

ride trident snowboard boot mens
  • Flex Rating: stiff
  • Edge to Edge: fast
  • Lacing System: single inner & double outer Boas
  • Terrain: freeride
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The Tridents are stiff boots designed for expert snowboarders. Considering that stiffer boots are generally heavier, these are relatively lightweight. They handle really nicely and are responsive enough to ride those long deep carves to perfection.

These boots take adjustability to a whole new level with three Boa systems: two provide separate adjustment for the upper and lower portions of the outer boots while the third Boa tightens the liner.

If you are looking for a stiff freeride boot or something for hard-charging all-mountain terrain, look no further!

Pros:
  • superb adjustability
  • lightweight
  • decent shock absorption
  • good traction
Cons:
  • mediocre board feeling
  • longer than average footprint

Adidas Acerra 3ST ADV Snowboard Boots

The Best High-Performance Boots for Aggressive Riders

adidas acerra 3st adv snowboard boots
  • Flex Rating: stiff
  • Edge to Edge: fast
  • Lacing System: Double H3 Boa®
  • Terrain: all-mountain
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These are some serious boots. Made for the advanced to expert rider, you can expect great energy return from these relatively stiff boots. The double boa lacing system allows for the upper and lower portions of the boot to be individually adjusted. It also allows the ankle to be kept stable without tightening the entire fit which gives the feel and response of a stiffer boot despite the softer shell construction – comfort meets performance.

The shell design is higher than average making these boots particularly well geared toward taller and / or more aggressive riders. The soles have great grip and provide excellent dampening for those hard landings. The heat moldable liners seal the deal ensuring a personal fit. If you are an experienced ride ready to rip in style and comfort then look no further.

Pros:
  • Heat moldable liners
  • Progressive flex
  • Low profile
  • Double boa lacing system
  • Great durability and decent flex retention
Cons:
  • Not cheap
  • Poor compatibility with easy turning boards

Salomon Trek S/Lab Snowboard Boot – Men’s

The Best Snowboard Boots for Touring

salomon trek s lab snowboard boot mens
  • Flex Rating: medium
  • Edge to Edge: medium
  • Lacing System: double Boa
  • Terrain: touring
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Splitboarders rejoice – these are the ideal boots for hiking and touring in the backcountry providing top performance uphill. Not only that, the Salomon Trek S/Lab’s still deliver exceptional performance on the way down as well. The wide toe box provides some extra comfort, especially for long traverses and the liner is thick enough to be more comfortable than average.

A fully articulated cuff, unique to Salomon, provides adequate calf support and the flexible construction ensures a good board feeling. An elastic lace secures the lower part of the foot with an additional strap for heel hold and a snug fit at the ankle. The Boa system tightens the upper portion of the boot. All-in-all, decent adjustability and an easy transition from hike to ride.

Pros:
  • exceptional comfort
  • walk mode
  • fully articulated cuff
  • good board feeling
  • decent adjustability
Cons:
  • heavier than average
  • only compatible with strap crampons

Burton Ruler Boa Snowboard Boots – Men’s

The Best Snowboard Boots for Wide Feet

burton ruler boa snowboard boots mens
  • Flex Rating: medium
  • Edge to Edge: medium
  • Lacing System: double Boa
  • Terrain: freeride or all-mountain
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Here is your solid middle-of-the-pack option, and that’s a good thing! These boots are super versatile and could be a great match for anyone who considers themselves a high-end beginner up to the advanced rider. They are medium flex and perform well in various terrains as well as with various riding styles. If you are looking for a boot that offers a little bit of everything at an affordable price then you have found the right boots.

The double Boa lacing system, which allows for separate upper and lower adjustment, combined with the traditionally laced liner makes for great adjustability. The slightly wider than average build of these Burton’s makes them really comfortable, especially with the ample space in the toe box.

Pros:
  • lighter than average
  • great adjustability
  • good board feeling
  • acceptable shock absorption
  • ideal for wide feet
Cons:
  • limited traction

ThirtyTwo 32 STW BOA ’18 Snowboard Boots

The Best Value Entry-Level Snowboard Boots

thirtytwo 32 stw boa 18 snowboard boots
  • Flex Rating: soft / medium
  • Edge to Edge: medium / slow
  • Lacing System: single Boa
  • Terrain: all-mountain
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These boots are soft enough to serve you for your first few years on the mountain, and maybe longer if you prefer a looser more playful feel to your ride. You have found your boot if you are looking for affordable comfort and fun.

Good shock absorption and great traction make these boot a pleasure all the way from the parking lot to nailing your first flat landings. The heat-moldable liner and wider than average footbed make these boots pretty comfortable and less likely to have pressure points.

Pros:
  • heat-moldable liner
  • good shock absorption
  • relatively small footprint
  • very comfortable
  • decent traction
Cons:
  • limited adjustability

Vans Hi-Standard OG Snowboard Boots

The Best Snowboard Boots for Beginners

vans hi-standard og snowboard boots
  • Flex Rating: soft / medium
  • Edge to Edge: medium / slow
  • Lacing System: traditional lacing
  • Terrain: freeride and casual
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These boots are the perfect starting point for anyone who is relatively new to snowboarding but still wants to let it rip. Ideal for beginners or intermediates that enjoy casual or playful riding, these boots are soft and forgiving but still feel great for cruising down the groomed piste.

The thin soles make for an awesome board feeling, although the tradeoff is mediocre shock absorption. The soft flex is great for playing around and learning at slower speeds, but not designed for deep carves or speedy descents. The traditional lacing provides adequate adjustability; however, the plastic pulley for tightening the liner is not the best quality.

Pros:
  • heat moldable
  • awesome board feeling
Cons:
  • not suitable for high arches
  • plastic lace pulley of liner is ineffective
  • minimal traction

Salomon Ivy Boa STR8JKT Snowboard Boots – Women’s

The Best Women’s Freestyle Snowboard Boots

salomon ivy boa str8jkt snowboard boots womens
  • Flex Rating: medium
  • Edge to Edge: medium
  • Lacing System: single Boa
  • Terrain: freeride
CHECK PRICES

Believe it or not, these boots cover it all, whether you are a progressive beginner or a more advanced rider looking for a looser feel, the soft-medium flex of these boots will serve you well.

Salomon has a unique ‘straight jacket’ (STR8JKT) lacing technology integrated in these boots which makes for super-fast and convenient lacing as well as great heal hold.

Pros:
  • heat-moldable liner
  • machine washable liners
  • quite warm
  • low profile
  • fast lacing & great heal hold
Cons:
  • minimal adjustability

Vans Encore OG Snowboard Boots – Women’s

The Best Women’s All-Mountain Snowboard Boots

vans encore og snowboard boots womens
  • Flex Rating: medium / soft
  • Edge to Edge: medium / slow
  • Lacing System: single Boa
  • Terrain: all-mountain
CHECK PRICES

These boots are soft enough to be ideal for beginners and versatile enough for any ladies who are looking for a more playful, casual ride. The Vans Encore OG’s are super comfortable and have great traction making them ideal for the full-day experience at the hill.

The biggest disadvantage is the single Boa lacing system, which doesn’t allow any freedom to adjust the upper and lower portions of the boot separately. The V1 UtraCush liner is not only very soft and comfortable but heat moldable as well, which helps provide that custom fit.

Pros:
  • heat-moldable liner
  • great shock absorption
  • super comfortable
  • great traction
Cons:
  • minimal adjustability

What to Consider When Buying Snowboard Boots

There are a few major factors to take into consideration here, mainly rider skill level and style, as well as a handful of features that can really impact your day-to-day experience with your new snowboard boots.

Skill Level

If you are an advanced to expert rider then you probably already know exactly what riding style is best suited to you and should choose the flex of your boots’ base on the “ride style” section below.

If you are a beginner snowboarder, even a beginner who’s ultimately looking to let it rip in the backcountry, you should start with soft to medium-soft boots regardless of the type of terrain you ride. The softer flex will be more comfortable, and most importantly, will be much more forgiving of mistakes as you learn.

If you consider yourself an intermediate rider, then you should stick to boots in the medium-soft to medium range: these will be forgiving enough as you continue fine-tuning your technique but will deliver enough responsiveness to serve you well on the mountain.

Ride Style

Your preferred style of riding will be a major factor in determining the flex of your boots.

If freeride is your jam, then you’ll need boots in the stiffer range. This means you want to rip fast, carve deep and enjoy challenging groomed terrain as well as the backcountry. A stiffer flex will give you more support and better responsiveness, which you will need for top speeds or narrow descents.

All-Mountain is a pretty broad term, but it basically refers to medium flex boots that can handle a bit of everything. If you like to rip a little faster, hit the backcountry now and then and enjoy steeper slopes then you should be looking at medium to stiff boots. If you prefer a more playful ride or the occasional visit to the park then medium to soft boots will be best for you.

If you are a freestyle rider you will want boots with a flex ranging anywhere from soft to medium-soft. You need the extra flexibility for those park tricks, grabs and presses. The extra flex is also important for landings.

Lacing System

There are two main categories of lacing systems. The first is traditional laces, which are exactly like they sound: cloth laces just like most shoes or hockey skates. The benefit of the traditional lace is that you can really fine-tune the pressure at every point along your boot, which provides a great fit and can be especially good if you tend to struggle with pressure points. Traditional laces are also usually cheaper than other systems. The drawback is that they do require a little more time and if you need to re-lace your boots on the go, you will need to stop and take your gloves off. Wet or icy laces are also something to take into consideration.

The Boa systems are the most common brand of ratchet laces; however, there are other systems on the market that are essentially the same. These systems all use a wire that can be synched tight or loosed by turning or releasing a single crank knob. A single Boa system means that one wire will synch down the entire outer boot, which is fast and convenient but provides less ability to adjust for different pressures in different areas. The double Boa systems allow for adjustment of the upper and lower portions of the boot separately and generally offer the best adjustability as well as a super snug fit.

Board and Binding Compatibility

Generally, the flex of your boots should match the rest of your set up. Your snowboard bindings will also have a flex rating as will your freeride or all-mountain snowboard. Even if the flex ratings aren’t exactly the same, you will have a much better riding experience if you keep them in the same range: soft boots don’t usually pair well with a super stiff board.

Thanks for reading and have a great ride!

About The Author

AthletePath Staff

We are a team of enthusiasts and professional athletes thriving to provide you with helpful advice on buying everything you may ever need to become a better athlete.

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