Choose well: the guide
To help you find the right snowboard boots, here you have different points to consider while doing your choice:
1) Flex
2) Lacing system
3) Level
4) Size
We will consider each of them below.
How do i choose my snowboard boots?
A good pair of snowboard boots effectively supports the foot as well as providing comfort.
The boots must also be adapted to your style and level. Follow the DREAMSCAPE guide to find the right boots for your feet!
1/ How to choose your flex?
The flex is the degree of flexibility of the boot shell. The selection of flex feature on snowboard boots depends on the snowboarder’s usage and level.
Soft flex
An occasional rider or beginner should go for soft flex for comfort. Less precise but extremely comfortable.
Medium flex
An intermediate rider should go for medium flex for better performance and greater long-term resistance. An intermediate flex maintains good flexibility without losing precision. It's a good choice for riders who want freedom of movement.
Rigid flex
An advanced rider should go for hard flex for its stability and precision. Rigid boots have good ankle support and grip for freestyle landings. This level of flex is generally used for freeride and carving.
2/ How to choose the lacing system?
A/ boots with 1 lacing zone
This tightening category covers boots that only have one tightening system for the entire boot.
Lace tightening
A classic tightening system that remains a favourite with many riders. It works more or less like lace-up shoes.
However, the liner has a separate system to close up the inner shoe with a pull cord.
You can control the technique and tightening with this type of lacing. If the laces break, they are cheap and easy to replace.
The disadvantage? It can be difficult to fully tighten your boots, you really have to try hard.
Quick lacing system
A pair of boots that you will wear all day long without need to tie them up.
Also known as "speed lacing," each brand offers slightly different systems with different names to distinguish them. However, all of them basically follow the same system.
Quick lace tightening systems are generally controlled with just one handle that is simply pulled to tighten and lock in place. This type of lace is frequently found in two zone tightening systems (double systems) where the lower and higher sections of the boot can be tightened independently form each other.
Adjusting different areas of the foot is limited with only one tightening zone (one lace); it is better to choose boots with double zone tightening if you want strong support.
In any case, the speed of adjustment of this system remains the advantage.
Wheel (boa)
An extremely quick dials system with cable and reel.
The strong positive aspect of these types of boots is the convenience of being able to tie them fast whenever you like.
This type of tightening is slightly less effective as the ankle tightening can't be adjusted and only optimises tightening on the calf.
All in, the simple wheel remains a good choice for beginners:
1) it favours flexibility and ease of use
2) it helps the boot opening when taking them on and off
b) Boots with 2 lacing zones
This tightening category covers boots that have one or more separate tightening systems that focus on different areas, namely the ankle and the instep/calf.
The separate tighteners are more effective and favour riders of a certain level looking for good support.
The upper and lower part of the boot can be tightened separately for greater precision:
- Tighten the lower part more for increased support, tightening less gives greater comfort.
- Tightening the upper part more makes the boot stiffer (=increases flex)
Lace - rip-tab
Easy, quick adjustment system. Just pull and lock the system as well as the shin rip-tab. Slightly less effective, it is perfect for beginners who favour comfort and ease of use.
Wheel - rip-tab
An extremely powerful system with cable and wheel + shin rip-tab.
A mix between good ankle and calf closure. The shin rip-tab is extremely easy to use but a little less blocking than laces or the boa.
Wheel - wheel (double boa)
A tightening system with double boa.
It quickly adjusts the tightening by zone. It's an extremely precise, easy and fast system to use.
Lace - wheel
A tightening system with cable and wheel or boa and lace. This means you can adjust the tightening by zone, so you can have a well tightened ankle without losing comfort on the calf.
A word from philippe, snowboard product manager:
Choosing snowboard boots is about finding a compromise between the desired support and the stiffness level of the boots. If you want low stiffness with good flexibility and comfort then the support won't be the best. On the other hand, if you are looking for maximum support then you should go for boots that aren’t too flexible.
A beginner will generally prefer comfort and choose more flexible boots. Whereas an advanced rider will be looking for maximum support and therefore choose extremely rigid boots.
3/ Level
Beginner
Look for flexible, comfortable and forgiving snowboard boots.
Intermediate
Look for snowboard boots with good support and precision, even at speed.
Advanced
Look for snowboard boots with extremely good support and rigidity suited to your terrain of choice.
Speed and Freeride: rigid flex
Park and jump: medium flex
4/ Choose your size - boots size chart
Men’s snowboard boots
Women’s snowboard boots
Kid’s snowboard boots
In summary, to make the right boot choice you should take into account:
- Your level and your style
- Warmth & comfort: cold, friction and pressure from bindings
- Grip: Sole grip on the snow and sole grip on a frozen car park or on the board.
- Rigidity or flex: Frontal rigidity (or flex) of the boots (for frontside turns), back supports (for backside turns), but also on the side for freestyle tricks and rotations.
- Support: heel, foot, support transmission
Don't hesitate to remove the boot liners when you try them on and to compare liners. They will have a lot to do with your future support!
Dreamscape tip:
have you thought about thermoforming?
Thermoforming snowboard boots is a way of customising your equipment to improve performance and comfort.
In short, during the thermoforming process the boot material heats up, expands and softens. The liner of the boots comes into contact with your foot and forms its exact shape.
You will have a pair of snowboard boots that fit your feet perfectly and that is more comfortable than the original setting.
The boot also fills the empty spaces left behind if you have a narrow sole or a thin neck which is another advantage in terms of performance.
How to thermoform your boots at home?
homemade thermoforming
To be well-equipped, check out our complete range of DREAMSCAPE boots:
If you liked this item, please rate it. If you have any questions you can ask them in the comments section and we will be delighted to respond.
Enjoy your boot choice and have a good ride!
(On behalf of the entire Dreamscape team)
If you liked this item, please rate it. If you have any questions you can ask them in the comments section and we will be delighted to respond.
Philippe tiercin
DREAMSCAPE equipment product manager and snowboard enthusiast.
