Snowboard Boots

You can have the best skis or boards in the world, but unless you have comfortable and responsive boots, youre not going anywhere!

Whether you like to cruise, hit the off-piste or the park, you need the boots to help you do the job, and there are probably going to be your first equipment purchase ahead of skis or a board.

What is a boot for?

Its not just for keeping your feet dry! Your boot is your link to your skis and the movements you want it to make against the snow. It has to be able to translate your choices effectively and, as you could be wearing them for up to 8 hours in a day, comfortably.

What sort of boot?

Recreational snowboarders should generally look at a flexible boot, but if youre really looking for performance from your boots, you should be looking at stiffer, more expensive models.

Rear-entry boots provided a few amusing puns for skiers in the late-80s and 90s, but although comfortable and easy to do up, these are really only suitable for beginners or low-intermediates. Afront- or mid-entry boot offers a much higher level of control, and modern technology (see fitting) allows a much more comfortable fit.

Footbeds - the foundation of the snowboard

There are very few boots that will fit you like a glove (like a sock?) first time round. However, footbeds are essentially the foundation of the snowboard and custom footbeds will greatly enhance your stability, support, comfort and alignment. Most of our stores around the country have professional foot bed machines where we can custom make a footbed for your boot/foot. Other pressure points, caused by odd-shaped bones & toes can also be tackled with some surgery on your boot. This can include heating the shell to change the shape, adding or cutting out padding.

Points to watch for:

• Make sure your foot cannot move about inside the boot, but is not too tight
• stand up in the boot, leaning back - your toes should not touch the front
• can you lift your heel up, it shouldnt have much give
• can you move your foot from side to side, without moving the boot

One final tip - if all of the above applies and your boots are still giving you pain - change them!

Boot Tips

• Dont leave them in the car/outside overnight
• Dry your boots each day
• Do up the buckles on your boots at the end of each day
• Consider two pairs of thin socks if one thick pair isnt wo