Burton's Official Snowboard Boot Sizing & Buyer's Guide

Whether you have years of snowboarding experience or are gearing up for your first season, the snowboard boots you select will have a huge impact on your comfort level. Think: Happy feet, happy rider. But it's not as simple as just picking a pair off the shelf and logging 100 days on the mountain. There are more selections, flex ratings, fit options, and lacing systems than ever before.

So, to make it easier and save you some time, we combed through hundreds of snowboard boot sizing questions and other boot shopping issues that the Burton Guides have received over the years and compiled this helpful guide.

The Importance of Correct Snowboard Boot Sizing

We can't stress this enough: properly fitted snowboard boots are the key to a good time on the mountain. Because it's really hard to have fun when your feet hurt or you can't control your edges. And nothing ruins a perfect day faster than blisters, numb toes, cramping arches, or any of the dozens of other issues related to improperly fitted boots.

The Snowboard Boot Buying Guide

There are four main factors to consider when shopping for snowboard boots: riding style, lacing system, fit/sizing, and price. These factors must be carefully balanced against each other to ensure that you get maximum comfort, performance, and fun every time you hit the slopes. If you follow this guide, you're guaranteed to get the best boot for your needs.

Step 1: Determine Your Riding Style

Determining your riding style and ability is the perfect starting point for boot shopping, as gear is typically designed for specific uses and skill levels. Your ability and style will directly influence the overall type of boot you should purchase. Also, note that this recommendation is based on broad trends. A lot of riders have their own personal flex preferences regardless of the type of riding they do. Some people just like a softer boot no matter what, and that's cool, too.

A few examples of how riding style can impact boot preference are included below. Pay close attention to how flex and response matter.

• Snowboard boots for beginners: Soft and forgiving, these boots are ideal for new and aspiring snowboarders who need easy flexibility while learning how to turn. Conversely, they're supportive in the ankles and calves, where your developing muscles need it the most.
• Snowboard boots for park or freestyle riders: Whether you prefer terrain parks or urban spots, freestyle boots are generally softer all around with support in key areas. A high-quality liner provides comfort and cushioning for harsh landings and impacts, while various lacing systems allow riders to tailor the snugness or looseness of the boot.
• Snowboard boots for all-mountain and freeriding: Generally more responsive, all-mountain and freeride boots provide more support so riders can lay down fast turns and stomp bigger airs. Most importantly, these boots feature loads of comfort-driven technologies and R&D innovations, so your feet stay energized after long days of riding.

When shopping for snowboard boots, look for these product specifications:

• Terrain
• Ability Level
• Flex/Response

Step 2: Select a Lacing System

Unlike sneakers, snowboard boots go way beyond just laces. For example, Burton offers three main types of lacing systems.

• Traditional Lacing snowboard boots: If you want to lace up your boots the good ol' fashioned way, traditional laces are the way to go. Traditional laces give you full freedom to lace up however you like and will look and feel much like sneaker laces. So, if you prefer the tongue a little looser and the lower zone snug and tight, just tighten accordingly. This no-BS approach to laces typically puts these boots in a more affordable category, if budget is a factor.
• BOA® Lacing snowboard boots: Now an industry standard for snowboard boots, the BOA® fit system provides quick and easy twist-to-tighten functionality. Using a knob to crank down the laces, you can micro-adjust the tightness of your boot without removing your gloves or picking at every individual lace. The BOA® dial tightens the laces evenly across your feet and loosens just as easily when you pop it out.
• Speed Zone™ Lacing snowboard boots: If you like the old school style of laces but want something faster and more efficient, try out the Speed Zone™ system. Speed Zone™ utilizes two pull-laces that allow you to loosen and tighten the upper and lower zones of your boot independently of each other so you can get a more customized fit.

When shopping for snowboard boots, look for these product specifications:

• Lacing System

Step 3: Find the Right Fit

You want your boots to fit comfortably snug, without being too loose or too tight. This is often where art and science collide in snowboard boot sizing. Here's how to approach fit.

First of all, don't assume that your snowboard boots will be the same size as your street shoes. Sneaker size may be a good place to start, but there are nuances and subtleties of how different boots fit and feel. We recommend visiting your local snowboard shop to get measured with a Brannock Device and try on a few different pairs in a few different sizes, especially if this is your very first pair of snowboard boots.

Pro tip: Try on boots wearing the snowboard socks you will wear when you're actually on the mountain. It doesn't do you any good to try on boots with cotton gym socks only to wear thick wool socks later and cramp your toes (and your style).

Next, with your foot in the boot, cinch up the inner lining, so it's snug around your whole foot. Then start working on the outer laces, again ensuring that the laces are snug, but not overly tight, all the way down your foot.

Once you're all laced up, stand up and walk around for 5-10 minutes. This step is extremely important because if you only gauge fit and comfort while sitting, your foot will sit further back in the boot than it would while standing and riding. While you're walking around, try bending your knees to mimic your riding stance. Ever wonder why people do lunges at snowboard shops? This is why. Your toes should just barely graze the front of the liner. If your toes are smashed up against the front of the boot, try another half size larger, and if you can't feel the end of the boot liner at all, try another half size smaller. Also, make note of anything that feels uncomfortable right off the bat—like pressure points or too narrow of a width—because chances are, they'll only bother you even more on the hill.

Next, rock back and forth from heel-to-toe. Do your heels lift off the footbed inside the boot? If your heel is lifting and the boot is laced as tight as comfortable, try another half size smaller.

Note that if you are in comfortably snug boots that are perfectly sized but still experiencing heel lift, then you may need to try a different boot model. Ideally, you should have no heel lift at all when your weight is on the balls of your feet in your riding stance.

And finally, the last step in getting new snowboard boots dialed in is heat molding the liner. While this feature is not available on all boots, it is currently available on most boots and will provide the ideal custom fit. We recommend visiting your nearest authorized Burton retailer for boot heat molding service. Note that most liners will "pack out" and shape to the wearer's foot after some use, so simply wearing them for an extended period of time is an option as well.

For more sizing information, please review the Snowboard Boots Size Conversion Chart.

When shopping for snowboard boots, look for these product specifications:

• Size
• Liner
• Sole

Step 4: Spend within Your Budget

Make sure that you have money left in your wallet for lift tickets and après by selecting snowboard boots that meet all the criteria above AND fall within your budget. Don't overspend. It is also important to remember that price isn't necessarily the indicator that you're getting the "best" boot for your foot so make sure to try different boots across different price points.

When shopping for snowboard boots, look for these product specifications:

• Price

Video: Snowboard Boot Anatomy

Snowboard Boot Sizing FAQs

Now that you understand how important it is to get proper snowboard boot sizing, let's answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this important topic.

Q: How does snowboard boot sizing work?
A: Snowboard boot sizing is very similar to street shoe sizing. However, as with all footwear, sizing does vary slightly across styles and manufacturers. Getting properly fitted snowboard boots is crucial to getting the performance you expect on the mountain, so it's a great idea to try on boots at your local snowboard shop before handing over those hard-earned dollar bills.

Q: How big of an issue is snowboard boot sizing?
A: Wearing snowboard boots that fit properly is extremely important for comfort and performance while riding. A boot that's too big or too small can lead to discomfort, fatigue, and blisters. If you are unsure of what your proper snowboard boot size is, get some help from the folks at your local snowboard shop.

Q: Is snowboard boot sizing the same for all snowboard brands?
A: Like all shoes, snowboard boot sizing can vary from one brand to the next and across different styles. Sometimes the difference is subtle, and sometimes it's significant. When trying on boots from different manufacturers, pay attention to width, arch support, and how well the toe box and heel cup accommodate your foot. When ordering online, consult snowboard boot sizing charts thoroughly.

Final Thoughts on Snowboard Boot Sizing

Much like a snowflake, every foot is different, and what works for one rider will not necessarily work for another rider. Ask almost any snowboarder on the mountain about their boots, and they'll have a story about the difficulties they experienced before they finally got it right. And while there is a certain level of trial and error involved in this process, following the steps outlined in this guide should set you on the path to happy feet from first chair to last chair.