Burton Snowboard Boot Lacing Systems Explained

There are three main types of snowboard boot lacing systems that can be found on Burton snowboard boots. And while all of these lacing systems perform the same fundamental task of keeping your foot comfortable and snug, there are slight differences in how each lace type functions that create small variations in fit, performance, and ease of use.

Fortunately, Burton has been integrating rider feedback into snowboard boots since the beginning, so we have a lot of data on each lacing style. And instead of keeping all this valuable information in a drawer somewhere in Craig’s Prototype Facility, we’re laying it all out here to help riders everywhere get the perfect snowboard boots for their needs.

This guide includes an overview of the most common snowboard boot lacing systems, the pros and cons of each system, and some general recommendations on selecting a lacing system.

A Reminder on Snowboard Boot Fit

We’ve said this before, but it’s worth mentioning again: properly fitted snowboard boots are the key to maximum fun. Snowboard boots should be comfortable, warm, and snug, with minimal heel lift and zero pressure points—because the quickest way to ruin a day on the mountain is to have sore feet.

Pro tip: When shopping for snowboard boots, visit your local snowboard shop and work with an experienced boot fitter to find the perfect pair of boots.

Burton Snowboard Boot Lacing Systems

Lacing systems are the part of a snowboard boot that allow it to be tightened or loosened around your foot and are typically integrated directly into the boot shell. There is likely an internal boot liner that also has laces (or another tightening system) but this discussion will focus on the main exterior lacing.

There are hundreds of different styles of snowboard boots on the market, but there are primarily three main types of snowboard boot lacing systems.

• Traditional Lacing snowboard boots
• BOA® Fit System Lacing snowboard boots
• Speed Zone™ (or Quick-Pull) Lacing snowboard boots

Note: It is possible (though not especially common) for one snowboard boot to include more than one lacing system; this is called a Hybrid Lacing system.

The snowboard boot lacing system you choose can make a huge difference in how you enjoy your day on the mountain so finding the right one is critical.

Traditional Lacing Snowboard Boots

If you want a straightforward, no-frills option, traditional lacing snowboard boots should be your first choice. Similar to the laces on sneakers, traditional lacing snowboard boots allow you plenty of freedom to go as loose or as tight as you want while maintaining a classic look.

Pros of Traditional Lacing

• It is easy to feel exactly how tight boots are
• Adjusting tightness is intuitive and simple for anyone who wears shoes
• Tightness is evenly distributed so traditional lacing boots are less prone to pressure points
• With minimum parts, traditional laces are relatively lightweight
• Replacing broken laces is quick, easy, and inexpensive
• Boot entry and exit is easy, just completely loosen the laces
• Traditional lacing snowboard boots are generally less expensive

Cons of Traditional Lacing

• Adjusting traditional laces is difficult or impossible while wearing gloves/mittens
• Traditional laces are prone to loosening over the course of a day’s riding
• Pulling on laces to tighten them can be tough on your hands
• Untying or loosening boots means dealing with long dragging laces (watch out in the bathroom!)

Who Should Ride Traditional Lacing Snowboard Boots

Riders on a budget who demand reliable performance across the entire mountain should consider traditional lacing snowboard boots.

BOA® Lacing Snowboard Boots

The BOA® Fit System has grown into an industry standard in recent years, providing quick and easy twist-to-tighten functionality. The BOA® system consists of a knob (called the Coiler™) on the front or side of the boot that is used to adjust the tightness of the boot with cables or ropes that are routed within the boot shell. Twist to tighten the laces and pop the coiler out to loosen the laces.

Pros of BOA® Lacing

• It is easy to fine-tune tightness with micro-adjustments
• Pop out the coiler for quick and easy comfort on the lift or during après
• All boot adjustments can be made while wearing gloves/mittens
• A single-coiler system tightens and loosens evenly across the entire foot

Cons of BOA® Lacing

• The coiler interface may take a couple of uses before it feels intuitive
• It can be easy to over-tighten with BOA® and cause foot fatigue
• A single-coiler system does not allow for independent tightness of the upper and lower zones
• The BOA® coiler sticks off the boot and can get caught on things
• Replacing a broken coiler or cable requires additional parts and can be complicated
• BOA® lacing snowboard boots are generally more expensive

Who Should Ride BOA® Lacing Snowboard Boots

Everyone who likes the fit should ride BOA®, but beginner snowboarders and younger snowboarders often benefit from how quick and easy BOA® lacing snowboard boots are to use.

Pro tip: For a bit more control, consider a dual-zone BOA® system.

Burton Speed Zone™ Lacing Snowboard Boots

Burton Speed Zone™ snowboard boots utilize two quick-pull laces that allow you to loosen and tighten the upper and lower zones of the boot independently of each other for a more customized fit. Similar to BOA®, the ropes are routed within the boot shell and all you need to do is pull up to tighten and back to lock the laces in place.

Pros of Speed Zone™

• Speed Zone is the fastest way to lace up snowboard boots
• Tightening boots is intuitive (just pull)
• With minimum parts, Speed Zone is a lightweight lacing option
• All boot adjustments can be made while wearing gloves/mittens
• The entire system is extremely low-profile, simply tuck the quick pull handles into the integrated pockets on the side of the boot
• Independent upper and lower zones provide custom fit options

Cons of Speed Zone™

• Upper body strength is required to tighten boots properly
• Replacing a broken rope requires additional parts and can be complicated
• Boot entry and exit can be confusing with the lace lock cleats

Who Should Ride Burton Speed Zone™ Lacing Snowboard Boots

Riders who seek ease-of-use, consistent performance, and durability will find a solid range of high-end snowboard boots available with Speed Zone lacing options.

Snowboard Boot Lacing Durability

It is important to note that snowboard boot laces (regardless of the type) are prone to wear over time. The useful life of snowboard boot laces can be dramatically cut short with improper use (such as regular over-tightening, resting your board edge on the laces while riding the lift, or dragging your laces while walking back to the car) so make sure to take care of them as best you can.

But with that said, all Burton men’s snowboard boots, women’s snowboard boots, and kids' snowboard boots that include BOA® lacing are backed by our industry-leading Lifetime Warranty. Additionally, the New England Rope featured in Speed Zone™ lacing boots are virtually indestructible but are also covered by the same Lifetime Warranty—if you somehow find a way to break them.

Snowboard Boot Lacing FAQs

To address any remaining questions you may have, we've assembled this short list of frequently asked questions about snowboard boot lacing.

Q: How do you lace snowboard boots with laces?
A: The instructions for snowboard boot lacing are similar to tying a pair of sneakers. Begin by loosening the laces completely so you can slide your foot in easily. Next, insert your foot into the boot, ensuring that your heel is snug in the heelcup and that your toes are very lightly touching the front. Next, lace the snowboard boots beginning at the bottom, pulling the laces tight enough to hold your foot in place but not so tight that they cause discomfort. Once you've reached the top, tie a secure knot like a bow or double knot to keep the laces in place.

Q: What is a 2:1 power lacing system for snowboard boots?
A: 2:1 snowboard boot lacing refers to the mechanical advantage the lacing system offers. Essentially, for every pull of the snowboard lacing, the boot tightens with double the force that you apply.

Q: What is Speed Zone lacing?
A: Speed Zone snowboard boot lacing is an advanced lacing system available exclusively with Burton snowboard boots. The system is designed to provide quick and precise tightening, allowing riders to adjust the upper and lower zones of the boot separately for a customizable fit. Speed Zone laces are quicker to loosen or secure than conventional snowboard boot laces.