Whether you’re strapping into a board for the first time or upgrading your kit after years of use, enjoying your time on the slopes starts with a comfortable, capable pair of snowboard boots. Sure, a snowboard and bindings will influence your experience too, but the perfect boot spells the difference between countless laps in fresh powder and sitting on the sidelines with bruised and battered feet. And yet, finding a proper pair of boots takes time as you consider your riding style, foot shape, flex preferences and preferred lacing setup. For that reason, we’ve rounded up the best snowboard boots for the budget conscious, beginners, aspiring pros, youth and every rider in between.
Discover unrivaled comfort and performance with the best snowboard boots.
Illustration: Forbes/Photo: RetailerWhile we always recommend trying on boots in-person before committing to a pair, you can learn a lot about the best snowboard boots from the comfort of your own home. To that end, you’ll find seven of our favorite boots below, including our top overall pick—the Nidecker Kita—as well as timeless options like the Vans Hi-Standard OGs that never stop being cool. Plus, we’ve got the best snowboard boots for kids, those looking to spend all their time in the park and another pair for those in need of superior comfort. Plus, we've also got a superb pair for anyone looking to escape to the backcountry and earn their turns.
To help cut through the jargon and make choosing the perfect snowboard boots as simple as possible, we've asked Won Suh, senior snowboard buyer for leading snow sport retailer Evo, to share their top tips.
And be sure to check back often as we’re constantly testing gear on the slopes and adding new favorites. And because we’re experts on the subject of winter sports, be sure to review our selection of the best goggles, helmets and ski bags too as you round out your kit.
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Low Pressure Studio
Ability: Advanced | Flex: Stiff | Lacing: Dual Boa | Sole: Vibram Icetrek
A stiff and aggressive choice for riders who love to cover as much of the mountain as fast as they can, this boot isn’t designed for beginners who will find the stiffness a bit too much, but if you're an experienced rider, the reinforced construction along the calf means exceptionally quick heel to toe transfers.
We've been very impressed by the Dual Boa lacing system used here, and in particular, the external heel lock that lets you hold the whole foot in position and tweak as needed depending on the terrain.
The toe box has also been 3D-molded instead of stitched, which helps remove excess bulk and increases the level of waterproofing, which is superb here, and by being marginally smaller than some other boots, our size 11s didn't look cumbersome in the bindings.
As for comfort, despite the emphasis being on power and performance, our feet remained snug, with no pressure points to report. The sole features shock-absorbing gel pads inserted around the heel and forefoot area which really helps soak up vibrations, and the top-of-the-range liners are fully heat moldable for a perfect custom fit at home.
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thirtytwo-us
Ability: Intermediate/advanced | Flex: Medium-stiff | Lacing: Dual Boa | Sole: Performance rubber
A mainstay in the ThirtyTwo catalogue for well over a decade, the Lashed is a medium flex boots that's comfortable, supportive and stylish. It's not quite an entry-level boot, and the price may be mildly prohibitive for those new to the sport, but the universal appeal comes from the fact this boot offers a not-too-stiff, not-too-soft feel that snowboarders young and old can enjoy.
The Lashed is also available in a women's fit, and also it comes with standard laces for $50 less if you're keen to save money, or just prefer the look and feel of laces. We're confident that the durable build will allow this boot to help you progress season after season and offer a solid return on your investment.
As with the Kita above, the Lashed comes with a double Boa fastening system that helps you control the fit across two zones. Combine this with the supplied foam ankle inserts and you've got a boot that's also ideal if you have skinny ankles and suffer from heel lift. The liner is what they call the 'Team Fit' which is mid-tier in terms of cushioning and performance, but it's still heat moldable and delivers decent arch support.
There's plenty of cushioning to be had courtesy of the thick EVA foam sole, and a decent amount of grip from the rubber outsole offers plenty of traction, and from our own experience and research, this boot fits true to size and offers solid value for money.
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Burton Snowboards
Ability: Beginner, intermediate | Flex: Soft | Lacing: Boa | Sole: DynoLITE
Burton has long understood the benefit of hooking 'em while they’re young, and the label’s ranges run from tiny toddlers to teen powder hounds. The Grom, available this season in black or white, has been a mainstay in their collection for years and represents the perfect balance of comfort and performance, with a liner-free design and Boa lacing system that eliminates much of the faff associated with getting boots on your little ones in the early morning.
The Boa system is literally child's play, and allows the kids to take responsibility for the tightness of their boots, even when wearing mittens. Available in a generous size range, we are especially pleased that the footbed has been designed to grow a whole size with the child, so these should last more than one season.
The flex is deliberately soft which makes learning (and walking about) as simple as possible. And thankfully the boot is stuffed with Thinsulate insulation which should eliminate cold toes and whingeing.
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vans
Ability: All | Flex: Medium-stiff | Lacing: Lace | Sole: Rubber
The Hi-Standard OG is the bestselling Vans boot of all time. Why? Well, it does everything with a laidback attitude that should appeal to those riders who want an easy-going, forgiving and super comfortable boot for long, fun days in the park.
This vintage reviewer has worn many Hi-Standard boots over the years, and, despite a penchant for a stiffer boot these days, still longs for the easy comfort and old school familiarity of a simple lace up boot with plenty of style and flex.
And while these boots have been labelled as an 'original', Vans has updated them over the years—they now boast a cushioned liner that can be heat moulded for a custom fit. Combine that with a big cushioned sole and waffle-style rubber sole, and you've got a boot that positively begs to be hiked back to the top of the kicker.
The laidback feel makes these popular with park dwellers, but in truth, they should appeal to comfort-seeking beginners and old-timers who want classic style, fit and adjustability without the need to spend big.
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evo
Ability: Advanced | Flex: Stiff | Lacing: Triple Boa | Sole: Michelin Traverse
If you've got feet like Goldilocks and all the boots you try are just not quite right, this novel triple-Boa system might be the answer. As with many boots, the upper and lower sections can be tightened independently, but here, the liner also has a Boa wire that helps pull the tongue down around the ankle, pushing the foot back for a snug, secure fit.
It's arguably the most customizable boot available, and while many riders will find the cost of the boot and extra adjustment on offer a little excessive, there's a host of people who will be happy to spend big for the added comfort.
To increase the all-day comfort, the tongue is made from Slime—not literally, it's a durable TPU compound—that does a great job dampening out impacts on your shins during a long day. The heel also has plenty of impact resistance, and with a Michelin rubber sole for secure grip on ice and a heat-moldable liner, it has all the features you'd hope for in a premium boot.
Be warned though: This is a super stiff boot, so casual riders might want to approach with caution.
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REI Co-op
Ability: Advanced | Flex: Medium-stiff | Lacing: Laces, Boa | Sole: Vibram V5
This boot has been specifically engineered to suit those people who love to earn their turns on a Splitboard. What stands it apart from a regular snowboard boot is the fact that it features both standard laces and a Boa system. But this is no ordinary Boa, as its primary function is to be loosened, not tightened, as it allows the calf section of the boot to open up like a concertina enabling longer, more natural strides when skinning uphill.
It's an ingenious solution that helps extend your hours in the backcountry, and one that, once tightened up again, doesn’t infringe upon the fun when you’re flying downhill.
There are other splitboard-specific features worth mentioning here. Firstly, the Vibram V5 outsole offers superb grip in all conditions, and the pronounced heel design is also compatible with a semi-automatic crampon, making it a suitable boot if you prefer bootpacking to those steeper sections. The strap across the laces should also minimize the amount of snow that gets inside your shell.
Thankfully the boot isn't just designed for the uphill work. The comfortable heat-moldable liner is warm and temperature regulating, there's a nice heel grip design to avoid any movement and the flex, rated at around 8/10, isn't so stiff as to not be super fun in varying conditions.
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Vans
Ability: All | Flex: Adjustable | Lacing: Laces, Boa | Sole: All-Trac rubber
Adjustability is the name of the game here, with a boot that features a dual lacing system and the ability to adjust the stiffness depending on how you like to ride. Firstly, the combination of traditional laces and a Boa system means you can enjoy unlimited adjustability across the shin via the laces, but the boot also offers more flex control when you adjust the Boa wire that wraps around the back of the boot and across the instep.
Thanks to a couple of removable tongue stiffeners, you can also adjust the flex of the boot depending on how you like to ride. This not only makes the boot appealing to a wider selection of riders, but means you can extend the life of the boot and avoid the feeling of having overly soft boots after a season of hard riding.
And a final note on adjustability: The large strap at the top of the boot can be wrapped around the internal liner or the exterior tongue, enabling yet more customization and control.
This boot is also impressively rugged, with a rubberized toe, motocross-inspired rubber sole and loads of cushioning from the foam and premium quality liner. The liner has a temperature regulating waterproof FlashDry liner courtesy of The North Face, Ortholite foam and minimal seams, and, as we've come to expect, it’s fully moldable for a custom fit.
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Burton Snowboards
Ability: All | Flex: Medium/Firm | Lacing: Boa | Sole: Vibram rubber
Burton introduced its Step On strapless binding and boot combo back in 2017, and while many purists grumbled, those of us who dislike spending time on our backsides faffing with traditional bindings, rejoiced. Six years on, with several important upgrades completed the system is better than ever, with a solid line-up of boots for all ages and abilities. But for us, it's the reworking of the classic Photon boot that ticks all the right boxes.
With a medium/firm flex and superb boot-to-binding connection, these boots offer something for almost every rider. The dual Boa system can be precision dialled to fit and offers an impressive amount of support, especially as the centre dial doubles as your main binding strap. The shell and tongue are quite rigid, and the heat moldable Imprint 3 inner does a brilliant job hugging your ankles, and seems impervious to snow ingress, and with a reflective foil liner underfoot your feet stay warm without extra bulk.
The Step On specific outsole feature toe cleats in the forefoot that securely fasten into the binding, plus clever clip just above the heel to keep your pants out of the way as you stomp into position.
They're built tough, with recycled (30%) Vibram Traction Lug outsole, and quality materials throughout, which is just as well given the high price and lack of binding compatibility. But if you're sold on the Step On system and want to mix up your days lapping the park, hiking to the stash and hammering down groomers, you'll not find a better fit.
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Ride
Ability: Beginner | Flex: Soft/Medium | Lacing: Boa | Sole: +SLIME, rubber
A simple, fuss-free snowboard boot with mellow feel and soft/medium flex that is just about perfect for first time riders looking to progress, the Ride Rook boasts a simple but stylish aesthetic and all the important features, including a classic Boa lacing system and heat-moldable liner for a custom fit with no break-in discomfort.
Obviously a budget-friendly boot will lack many bells and whistles, but Ride has been sure to get the basics right, and in truth, if you're just starting out and want to avoid sweaty old rental boots, you won't need more.
Unusually for a modern boot, the liner is stitched in, and while that means you won't be able to replace or upgrade it, the plush foam can be heat molded, either using your foot heat over a few days, or using a custom machine in the shop. They will take longer to dry though if conditions are especially wet.
The integrated construction does make the Rook one of the lightest and most compact boots on the market, which may be a bonus for anyone with huge feet who struggle with board overhang.
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Backcountry
Ability: Intermediate/Advanced | Flex: Medium/Firm | Lacing: Hybrid | Sole: Bio-based foam, rubber
This understatedly cool, impressively sustainable boot from Deeluxe combines the latest in eco-friendly materials without compromising on performance or durability. Designed in collaboration with German snowboarding legend Elias Elhardt, this medium/firm flex all-mountain boot combines the convenience—and evenly distributed pressure—of Boa to pull the heel in, while the hefty Velcro strap helps tighten everything up an extra notch around the calf.
Snowboarding brands have typically struggled to find greener alternatives for their boots, so the use of Rise by Bloom is to be applauded. This bio-based foam—which replaces a significant portion of the traditional EVA required in the manufacturing of the boot—contains at least 45% renewable content, reducing our reliance on petrochemicals.
Often, eco designs can feel like greenwashing, but here, there's no compromise on features and feel. The superb Stage 4 liners are some of the best we've come across, with excellent heel retention, and a generous toe box made from a four-way stretch material. Naturally, they can also be thermo-fitted.
Some riders might find the simple tongue design a little soft, but if that’s the case, Deeluxe sells a Flex Booster that inserts into the tongue, adding stiffness and support.
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To help make sense of all the jargon, and get you the best snowboard boot for your riding style and budget, we asked Won Suh, senior snowboard buyer for leading snow sport retailer Evo, for their top tips that lead to a perfect fit.
A good-fitting snowboard boot is essential for comfort and control and makes the biggest impact on your experience. “The perfect snowboard and binding setup will not make up for poorly fitting boots,” explains Won Suh. “Customers ask me what is the best snowboard boot or brand and I tell them that the best boot is the one that fits their foot (shape and volume) and gives the right amount of support for their riding style.” There are great options out there from many brands, so take the time to find the right snowboard boot for you and you’re sure to have a great day out on the hill.
“The ability to flex your boot and enjoy all-day comfort are important for progression, so I would recommend soft to medium flexing boots for beginners,” says Suh. A stiff boot requires greater precision, while a softer boot has a wider range of tolerance so you'll be able to turn easier without catching an edge.
If you prefer riding a flexible board to do tricks on, a softer boot is generally a good idea. The boot can bend with the board and give you a smoother feel, and with more motion around your ankle, you'll be able to tweak grabs and land with greater ease. As with running shoes, look for super responsive soles to help cushion the impact.
If, like most snowboarders, you'll be riding a wide range of terrain, you'll need a Goldilocks boot that's stiff enough for fast carving on groomers, but not too stiff to be no fun in the park or powder. A flex rating of 5/6 is a good place to start, but it's all about individual preferences. It's worth noting that riders that are on either end of the weight spectrum should consider going softer or stiffer to compensate.
“Generally, stiffer boots provide more support and response but are not as comfortable as softer boots and require a break-in period,” explains Suh. “Softer boots are usually more comfortable right out of the box but do not offer the same level of support and response as stiffer boots.”
If you're tackling technical lines in deep snow somewhere in the backcountry, you'll need a stiff boot with plenty of control. Look for backcountry boots with high-performance rubber to aid traction, reinforced protection on the boot shell for durability, and, if you're planning on touring (going uphill) ,an adjustable/flexible cuff will make life easier.
“Boa closure systems are very popular for good reason,” enthuses Won. “Boots with Boa technology are easy to tighten and adjust, even with gloves on, and make getting them on and off quicker and easier.” Dual Boa systems, with two wires—one that tightens around the ankle, one that does the same around the calf—offer a huge amount of control and evenly distributed pressure. A few brands have triple Boa systems, and these tend to be advanced, aggressively stiff.
You'll pay a small premium for Boa fastenings, and many riders still prefer the old school adjustability of laces. They're cheaper to maintain, too. Several manufacturers have hybrid boots with Boa wires holding the ankle in position, while traditional laces take care of the rest.
Many boots now come with liners that can be heat-molded for a truly custom fit. Some require you to go in-store and have them professionally heated, while others use the heat of your feet as you ride to naturally form to your feet. Custom fit liners can be game-changing for riders with awkward-shaped feet or podiatric issues.
“Start with a good snowboard-specific sock,” says Won. “Snowboarding socks are designed to keep your feet dry and warm. The thickest sock is not necessarily the warmest sock. If there is not some dead air space around your toes, you might be challenged to keep those toes warm. If your circulation is not the best, try boot warmer heat packs or splurge for an electronic boot heating system.”
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