The Finest Snowboard Boots of 2023

Why You Should Trust Us

Our snowboard gear testing crew at GearJunkie has a range of experience levels from intermediate to expert snowboarders. We include backcountry splitboarders (with AIARE 2 certification) and backcountry snowmobilers as well (snowboard boots are well-suited for the job). We meet for an annual gear testing week to swap notes, too, including a recent ski week at Crested Butte Mountain Resort in Colorado, which is known for its extremely steep terrain.

Leading the gear testing, Snowsports Senior Editor Morgan Tilton has been snowboarding since 2002. She’s also a backcountry splitboarder, snowmobiler, and pow surfer. Editor Austin Beck-Doss has been snowboarding since 2005. Both editors have faced challenges with finding the best-fitting snowboard boots, due to foot shape and injuries, and are aware of the obstacles.

Beck-Doss has wide feet and a high arch. Tilton has narrow feet and a narrow heel. She’s also experienced superficial frostbite on both feet — the first level of frostbite damage — which made her feet extremely sensitive to cold. She also lives in Gunnison Valley, which tends to be one of the coldest, snowiest places in North America. So, she’s always working on finding the warmest, most energy-saving snowboard boots out there.

We’ve also had contributing gear testers test boots on- and off-piste and in the backcountry; one being Whitney Gilliam, an AIARE instructor and avid splitboarder based in Southwest Colorado.

We’ve tested snowboard boots in a range of conditions from California to the Colorado Rockies and high-alpine environments. Our boots have been used to navigate the park, moguls, glades, steep terrain, and fast groomers.

While testing our boots we consider overall fit, stiffness level, durability, comfort, support, the outsole grip, and the lace design. We also take into consideration the most novel, objective-specific, popular, highly rated, and legacy products across a range of price points.

We’re confident this list is composed of the best snowboard boots on the market to serve a range of athletes, goals, and budgets.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose the Best Snowboard Boots

Style

Snowboard boots for the ski resort are generally categorized by terrain preference or rider “style.” Those three broad categories include all-mountain, freeride, and freestyle followed by a small category that exists, backcountry.

• All-mountain: Groomers, powder, park, halfpipe
• Freeride: Off-piste (backcountry, slackcountry, side country, big mountain), steep terrain, firm snow
• Freestyle: Half pipe, rails, jumps, spins, jibs, tricks in the park and around the mountain
• Backcountry: Ascending and descending slopes out-of-bounds, uphilling at the resort

Depending on personal preference, backcountry objectives, and backcountry terrain choices, some snowboard boots could work well in the backcountry, too.

For more experienced backcountry enthusiasts, it’s typically good to pick out a second stiffer, technical boot for the backcountry with specific features tailored to off-piste travel like deep lugs for traction, crampon compatibility, or extra rigidity and arch support for those long hours.

Women’s vs. Men’s Snowboard Boots

Snowboard boots are broadly categorized for men or women. The biggest difference between the anatomy of women and men is that the calf muscle is lower on a woman’s leg. For better support and comfort, the cuff of a woman’s snowboard boot is shorter in length.

Women’s boots also generally have a narrower heel, a more streamlined shape, and greater flex. Some women with longer or wider feet find men’s boot options work great. For some men with narrower feet, women’s boots are a better fit.

Fit & Sizing

Beyond these two broad categories — men’s and women’s snowboard boots — snowboard boots can have a narrow, wide, or regular width. Their shape can also be more precise and streamlined for refined performance.

It’s important to determine your correct boot size for a particular boot, which can vary slightly from brand to brand. The best way to determine your boot size is to visit a retailer, get accurate foot measurements, and try on different pairs with your preferred snowboard socks.

When you wear snowboard boots, your toes can lightly graze the front of the boot but you don’t want your toes to curl under. You also want to be sure there’s no heel lift, an indicator that the boots are too long or wide.

Be sure to go to your local snowboard boot shop to try on boots across different brands, so that you have an idea of which size boot for each brand fits your feet. The size run across each brand, and the tightness across styles of boots is unique.

Comfort

A boot’s overall comfort is delivered through the combination of the midsole, liner, and footbed as well as the level of overall support, which prevents fatigue. For instance, the K2 Trance features a foam midsole and anatomically designed EVA footbed for a plush feel that’s also paired with a chatter-absorbing cuff.

Generally, an all-around soft boot might provide immediate comfort but doesn’t necessarily deliver stability for preserving energy on a bell-to-bell or big-objective day. All considered, what feels most comfortable is based on each rider’s preference and foot needs.

Flex

Snowboard boots are constructed on a flex range from soft to medium to stiff. Often brands use a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the stiffest. Occasionally, boots have an adjustable flex, like the Vans Viaje, which uses tongue stiffeners and ranges from 6 to 8 on the stiffness scale.

Some snowboarders prefer super-soft boots, while others need a very stiff pair for sensitive responsiveness. Generally, softer boots are a great choice for new snow sports athletes or instructors who need to be on their feet all day. Some park riders also prefer a softer boot.

• 1-4: Softer boot, great for beginners
• 5-7: Moderately stiff boot, nice for intermediate riders
• 8-10: Stiffest boots out there, expert-level

Stiffer boots enhance the reactivity and precision of the board, a trait more experienced and aggressive riders often prefer. Often stiffer boots are better for backcountry, too, especially with foot perspiration and exposure to the elements, which can soften the liner during an outing and in the long haul.

The conditions in the backcountry are also more variable than at the resort, and you don’t get the reprieve of a ski lift, so it’s generally helpful to have stiffer foot support for those long days on your feet. Ultimately, the ideal flex of a snowboard boot hinges on personal preference and foot needs.

Softer boots typically pack out and break down faster, while stiffer boots last longer and cost more.

A rider’s preferred stiffness level can also come down to personal preference. For instance, some park riders prefer a slightly softer boot for nimble movements while hitting jibs.

Other advanced or expert riders don’t prefer the stiffest boots, despite heading into steep and challenging terrain, because they can take away comfort depending on your foot shape. Be sure to try on lots of different types of boots in person before you choose!

Outsole

The outsole is the rubber located on the underside of the boot, which grips the snow and ice. Each boot has a unique lug design to help provide great traction while walking on sidewalks or up a slope.

If you’re in the market for a backcountry or splitboard mountaineering boot, pay attention to this feature. Look for an outsole with aggressive lugs and dependable, well-vetted material like the heavy-duty Vibram mountaineer outsole on the K2 Aspect Snowboard Boots.

Lacing & BOA

Traditional snowboard boots close up with laces, which certain riders prefer for a more fine-tuned fit all the way up the boot.

Conventional quick-pull closure systems are faster and easier to operate while wearing gloves. Various designs exist across brands, like the speed zone lacing on the Burton Supreme. Other models have a single- or dual-zone BOA system.

Some folks feel quick closures provide a more uniform hug that doesn’t pack out compared to lace setups. One tradeoff is that laces are simpler to replace as they wear out or if they break in the backcountry. Overall, laces are more economical than quick-pull and BOA systems.

A handful of designs mix these options like the Ride Context, which has laces plus a single BOA. And several backcountry and powder-conscious boots feature a zippered shroud to protect the lower portion and closure of the boot from ice and snow, like the Vans Viaje. Some boots add extra reinforcement with a Velcro strap.

Liners & Footbed

The liner is a boot-shaped layer that fits inside the boot’s exterior shell. Most liners are removable, which is helpful for drying them out after a long day.

We prefer to remove the liner and use a boot dryer to move air through the material, which helps eliminate odors and prevent mold while getting the liner dry for the next day.

Liners are typically constructed with EVA foam, a lightweight and malleable polymer. The foam provides a cushion-like feel and stabilizes the foot. Some liners are heat-moldable, which is great for a more custom fit and shorter break-in period.

The liner slides into a boot and is cradled by its own lace system, which typically tightens down with a drawstring that also has a release tab. For a better fit, it’s important to tie down this internal harness before tightening down the exterior lace system.

The footbed is removable, so you can upgrade with an aftermarket option that provides tailored support or cushion.

Warmth

Many new-age snowboard boot designs boast unique technologies to help keep your toes safe and toasty. For instance, the Vans Viaje features FlashDry, a technology from The North Face that pushes moisture to the liner surface and keeps the feet dry. The shell has waterproof/breathable valves to release moisture. There’s also a heat-retention wrap integrated around the toebox and above the outsole to hold heat.

The Burton Supreme both have a heat-reflective layer in the liner. Some designs also have an integrated heat-reflective foil beneath the feet like the Ride Context and Burton Supreme.

If your feet tend to get cold or you’ve experienced a cold injury, prioritize getting a pair of boots constructed with heat-regulating technology. And don’t forget to choose a warmer snowboard sock if needed. Furthermore, if you’ll be hanging out after the lifts close or have a long drive, bring a dry pair of socks and cozy snow boots to change into.

If your feet still get cold, consider purchasing a pair of rechargeable heated liners or footbeds.

Socks

Choosing the correct snowboard socks can help manage foot temperature and moisture.

They’re available across various densities depending on how cold the climate is where you most ride and your overall body temperature needs. You can find lightweight, medium-weight, and heavy-weight socks.

Snowboard socks also provide targeted cushioning for overall protection and comfort in your boots. These sport-specific socks are woven with a synthetic or merino wool blend.

Backcountry Riding and Splitboarding

When snowboarding in the backcountry, you’ll need an effective method of traveling uphill. Most snowboarders hike in their boots and snowshoes or invest in a splitboard and set of skins.

In general, backcountry snowboarding does not necessitate the use of a specific boot. However, certain boot features can significantly improve your comfort and performance. Backcountry terrain requires both uphill and downhill travel. It’s tricky for manufacturers to craft boots that can handle both.

Stiff boots will be efficient while hiking and carving on firm surfaces, while softer boots will feel more playful and nimble in the power. Ultimately, you’ll need to decide which aspects of the backcountry experience you want to prioritize. If you tend to take longer tours that are more than 1-2 hours long, we suggest opting for a stiffer boot that will provide more support.

Backcountry-specific boots do exist, though many riders simply stick to the boots they wear at the resort. Some features commonly found on backcountry-specific boots include crampon compatibility, a reinforced toebox for kicking in steps, deeper and more strategic lugs for snow and ice traction, and extra rigidity for traversing across steep slopes.

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