The Best Men's Snowboard Boots

 

 

Our favorite boot this winter was the Ride The ’92 Boots. It features a dual Boa system, which allows the rider to literally dial in the fit so that the boot hugs the foot all over. This is a medium flex boot, which hits the sweet spot for most riders. It is versatile enough for a few park laps and can generally be worn all over the mountain, which is why we liked it. For a rider who wants something stiffer, try the Vans Infuse with its removable boot stiffener to dial in the responsiveness.

Our most recent snowboard boot test was over the winter of 2016-2017, when our tester compared boots on both in-bounds runs and in side country stashes at Mammoth Mountain, Jackson Hole and several Utah resorts.

Find the best snowboard boots for you

The very first consideration when searching for snowboard boots should be fit. No matter how techy or flashy, if a pair of boots does not fit your feet, you will be miserable and your shredding will suffer. So look for a brand or specific pair that works well with your feet, whether they are wide, narrow, or extra long.

Second, consider the flex of the boots. Most manufacturers rate snowboard boot flex on a scale from soft to stiff. Keep in mind that this rating is subjective and not consistent over brand so a boot rated as stiff may not feel stiff enough for you. The stiffer a boot, the more responsive it is, which is better for speed and precise turns off-piste. Softer boots are generally preferred by freestyle riders who hit the terrain park. Fun features require a little more flexibility in the boots, which is why a softer flex tends to be preferred. All-mountain riders, who will want to do a little bit of everything, will probably want a medium flex.

For your final decision-making factor, consider the lace system. Traditional laces can create a custom fit, but can be tedious. Quick-pull laces are fast to use but not as precise as other lacing systems. Boa systems tighten the boot with small dials for precise fit and easy adjustments on the slope – especially with gloved hands.

Review Year
Best in Class
Overall Rating
Price
Name Overall Rating Ratings The Good The Bad Price
Burton Photon Boa
94
Best in Class
2016
Fit/Comfort 9
Weight/Response 8
Durability 9
Versatility 9
Traction 9

Double boa makes lacing quick and simple

Vibram sole has good traction and is built with partially recycled material

Clean design

Careful with that boa—it’s easy to crank it down too much

Narrow toebox—not a good option for wide feet

MSRP
$369.95
BEST DEAL
K2 Maysis
93
Fit/Comfort 10
Weight/Response 8
Durability 8
Versatility 8
Traction 9

Good value

A great balance of tech and user-friendliness

Boa is tough to play with underneath snowboard pants.

Boa can loosen

MSRP
$279.95
BEST DEAL
Ride Lasso
90
Fit/Comfort 7
Weight/Response 9
Durability 8
Versatility 8
Traction 8

All mountain performance

Boa enables solid fit

Heat moldable liner

The laces on the liner can snag on the buckle

The sole is stiffer than most

MSRP
$289.99
BEST DEAL
Vans Implant
89
Fit/Comfort 7
Weight/Response 7
Durability 9
Versatility 8
Traction 8

A balance of new technology and old

Lean and clean aesthetic

Cork insole

Laces, especially on the rear foot eventually have to be replaced

Takes a little longer than most to dial in fit

Tough to get the top section of the boot snug

MSRP
$239.95
BEST DEAL
N/A