- Boots serve to secure your feet to the snowboard and transfer your energy efficiently so that you have appropriate control over the snowboard. They work in conjunction with bindings which serve to lock each boot in place. Boots are also heavily insulated and waterproofed to protect from cold, wet conditions of snowboarding.
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The main distinguishing aspect of the snowboard boot is its stiffness. The most rigid snowboard boots are hard boots composed of plastic. These boots are designed for racing and carving applications, and only make up a very small percentage of snowboard boots on the market. The vast majority of snowboard boots are soft boots that are constructed more like a regular boot with leather, synthetics and padding. Soft boots do, however, vary in stiffness.
Stiffer boots are designed for the lengthier, more fluid carves of big-mountain riding, while more flexible boots are designed for freestyle riding that requires a lot more motion and flexibility. Most soft boots are designed work in conjunction with strap or flow-in bindings. However, for a while, step-in systems were popular. Step-in boots were manufactured with metal inserts that clicked into a locking binding mechanism. This boot/binding system wasn't as comfortable or supportive as traditional soft boots/strap bindings and is no longer popular. - The typical snowboard boot has a liner and a outer shell. The liner provides padding and insulation to keep the feet warm and protected, while the outer shell provides the structure and stiffness. Each of these can be tightened around the foot using laces or tension system. The most adjustable, convenient system is a BOA lacing reel, which uses cable in the place of laces and a wheel that winds the tension to tighten the boots around your foot, providing a quick, customized fit that can't be reproduced by traditional laces.
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The most important consideration when shopping for boots is fit. Snowboard boots need to fit your feet snugly so that you can effectively control your snowboard. If your boot is not fitted properly and you have heel movement within the boots, you will not have the efficient level of control you need, and your performance and possibly safety will suffer. Boots also need to fit properly in the bindings and on the board. Test new boots with your bindings and vice versa to ensure proper fit.
A larger foot may require a wide snowboard to prevent toe hang. Also consider your riding style (freeride, freestyle), and purchase boots accordingly. Finally, pay attention to how easily boots are to put on and take off--having boots that loosen enough to easily slip on and off can save a lot of time and frustration and get you on the slopes quicker. - Since fit is the most important aspect of the snowboard boot, boots should be purchased in person at a shop as opposed to over the Internet. If you have found an unbeatable deal on the Internet, it pays to fit the boot at a shop and then order online accordingly. Do your best to get the right size boot, or you may end up buying a second pair of new boots.
