6 Things All Good Snowboard Boots Need to Have
Whether you are heading out to the local peaks this year or are planning to head over to Europe – there is one item that can make or break your snowboarding trip.
As you can probably guess from the title of this article, we are talking about snowboarding shoes. Anyone who has done a trip in uncomfortable, blister-causing boots will know exactly what we are talking about and why it is so important to get the right pair of boots for your trip.
In this article, we are going to talk you through 6 essential elements that every good snowboarding boot has.
1 – You can put them on with one hand
Sometimes accidents happen on the slope or you don’t quite pull off a trick and you lose your boot in the process.
Putting a boot back on in the middle of the snow is one of the most frustrating things to do. You have to take off both your gloves, sit down, and spend time fiddling with laces, velcro, and making sure the shoe doesn’t pull your sock down.
A snowboarding boot that can be done up with only one hand is drastically going to improve your quality of life on the slopes.
2 – They are waterproof
There is nothing worse than a boot that hasn’t been correctly waterproofed. Wet socks are the worst. But, on a more serious note – snowboarding boots that aren’t properly waterproofed can be dangerous.
If snowmelt gets into your boots then your feet will start to get cold. This happens slowly, and most people don’t notice until it’s too late. If your feet get too cold you can suffer from permanent damage to your toes.
When you are looking for a new set of snowboard boots, make sure that the boot advertises that it is waterproof and is well-reviewed by other users.
3 – They are comfortable
You want boots that are easy to put on. You want boots that keep your feet dry. And you want boots that are comfortable.
Remember that you are going to be wearing these boots for the majority of your trip. Sometimes all day. If you had to do that anywhere else you wouldn’t settle for a shoe that causes blisters, bruising, and crushes your toes. So, why do it when snowboarding?!
Keep an eye on what the reviewers are saying about these boots. If you see multiple people talking about them being uncomfortable then stay well away. The lining of the boots is usually what makes the biggest difference when it comes to comfort.
4 – If they have laces, they’re easy to do up
Earlier, we talked about finding boots that you can do up with one hand. Some people like to wear boots with laces because they can stay on their feet for longer. If this is you, then you should make sure that the laces are easy to do up.
You can get thick, glove-friendly laces – these offer you the best of both worlds. You can have the security of laces without having to take your gloves off on the slope.
You can also get wind-up laces that allow you to do up laces with one hand (and while wearing your gloves). This system is called BOA.
5 – They have an insulated lining
You should spend some time researching the type and material of lining that the boots come with. The lining is very important, without the lining the boots won’t keep your feet warm and they will be very uncomfortable.
Some linings are better than others. Some linings can be too thin, they don’t cover the whole foot, or they break apart after a few hours of wear.
How can you make sure that the boots you are buying have a good lining? Research the material that the lining is made from and look at the boot’s reviews.
6 – They look good
Finally, you want to make sure that your snowboarding boots look good.
Long gone is the time where you had to make the choice between good quality and aesthetically pleasing snowboarding equipment. You don’t have to settle for ugly snowboarding boots anymore.
That being said, there are some brands that will sacrifice substance for style – but good brands like Burton won’t let you down.
Bonus Tip
Pick a pair of boots that are easy to clean when you have got home from your trip. You don’t want to have to buy a new type of cleaning fluid for a set of boots you only use twice a year.
Barry Lachey is a Professional Editor at Zobuz. Previously He has also worked for Moxly Sports and Network Resources “Joe Joe.” He is a graduate of the Kings College at the University of Thames Valley London. You can reach Barry via email or by phone.
