Snowboard Boots

It is impossible to experience the true pleasure of conquering the snowy peaks if the snowboard boots cause a feeling of discomfort. Incorrect shoes will make it difficult to perform complex pirouettes and can lead to injuries.

Shoes for a snowboarder are the most important component of equipment. The design of the shoes (all kinds of overlays) is designed to provide the proper level of rigidity and a good projection of pressure on the board. Low-quality boots level all the advantages of an expensive board, as they will not allow it to be fully managed.

Shoes should be lightweight and have a two-layer sole, where the first layer is hard and the second is damping, necessary to smooth out shock and vibration that occur during riding.

A big plus for shoes will be plastic reinforcements in the sole and back. Thanks to this, the shoes will definitely sit in the mount and will not jump out during riding, will last longer (up to six months).

A good snowboard shoe is equipped with two boots: external and internal.

The first ensures the safety of the foot, the second - the necessary level of comfort. If you are a professional rider, it is worth choosing an inside from polymers (molding). This type of boot is lighter in weight and has an increased level of stiffness. The inner synthetic liner is soft and very comfortable, chosen by amateurs.

The best models of snowboard boots have an inner boot with thermoforming.

In order for the product to take the shape of your foot, you must:

• for 7-10 minutes, heat it in the oven (or using a special hair dryer) at a temperature of 90 ° C;
• insert the inside into the boot, put on the riding socks, and then the boots.
• while the boot is hot, try to imitate the movements familiar to snowboarding: lunges, squats;
• then you need to wait a couple of minutes until the boot cools to the end. Such thermoforming will make skating as comfortable as possible.

The whole variety of existing snowboarding boots is usually divided into two large groups: soft and hard. The former are somewhat reminiscent of casual shoes. They can be walked without experiencing great discomfort. Models of this type, with certain limitations, but can still bend.

Rigid boots are needed for tight fixation of the legs, which is required on hard tracks and downhills. Like ski boots are made of plastic and have snap clips.

As an alternative, the external boot can be laced according to the boa system, where instead of laces thin metal cables with a wheel are provided, tightened with a special handle at the top of the boot. Shoes of this type are used by professionals for carving on prepared slopes.

To make skiing even more comfortable and safe, snowboarders resort to a procedure called bootfitting. This technology makes it possible to change the shape of the boot (plastic part) and adjust the girth of the leg with the inside. As a result, the shoes anatomically duplicate the shape of the foot, protecting it during riding from excessive load and possible injuries.

The feeling of comfort while riding and the ability to improve your athletic performance depend on the degree of stiffness of the boots.

For those who stand confidently on the board, medium-hard shoes are suitable. They are designed to master any riding style on any type of track. In them, the rider will be very comfortable, and such shoes will last for many years. High rigidity of the boots will be relevant for those who love speed skating and have a quick response.

Soft boots are ideal for beginners, as they allow you to control every movement, providing good maneuverability when performing a variety of tricks. In boots of this type, pressure on the snowboard does not occur immediately, therefore it is comfortable in them, and the board is relatively safe.

Women's and men's shoes differ not only in everyday life, but also in a sport such as snowboarding. The main difference is not the shoe design, but its height. The calf muscle in women is lower than in men, so female models have a special fit - a wide and low leg, a lower degree of rigidity and are designed for lighter weight of the wearer.

As for the snowboard boots for children, they are made soft, since the child’s weight is much less than that of an adult and the likelihood that the younger generation will immediately begin to perform dizzying stunts is minimal. In soft models it’s easier to learn how to ride, legs feel at ease, get tired less, landing more smoothly.

Children's snowboarding boots are universal, suitable for all skiing styles: freeride, freestyle, slalom. The purpose of such shoes is to help a novice snowboarder learn the basics of skiing. The main criterion that you need to pay attention to when buying children's shoes is the presence of an internal heat-forming boot.

A significant advantage when buying children's shoes is that they can be taken "for growth", but not more than one and a half centimeters. If you take more stock, then the leg will be poorly fixed, which can lead to injury.

When you are faced with the question of how to choose shoes for the board, remember the basic rule - the legs in it should feel comfortable, regardless of the type of shoes and the material from which they are made.

Before you buy a snowboard board and fasten to it, you need to buy boots.

To understand whether this model suits you, do a little testing: transfer the weight of your body to the toe. The foot inside the boot remained motionless - this indicates its good fixation, and, accordingly, that the shoes suit you. If the heel rises - this is not your option.

Before going to the store, do not forget to bring your socks with a thickness as close as possible to those that you plan to ride. If you try on a shoe and feel that your fingers rest on your toe, this means that the shoes fit you perfectly.

Regarding the choice of material for boots, the most optimal will be modern synthetics, although it has a significant drawback - it is short-lived.

Leather shoes are also not the best option, as over time their shape is deformed, and the appearance is disappointing. The main disadvantage of leather shoes is that it quickly absorbs moisture and becomes very heavy by the end of skating.

To answer the question of beginner snowboarders about how to correctly determine the desired boot size, it is not enough to rely on elementary parameters:

• the foot is comfortable, it does not numb;
• shoes are easy to put on and take off;
• does not press anywhere.

Pay attention to how much the shoes cost. A good couple cannot be cheap. If you buy shoes at a sporting goods retail store, then finding the right option will be easy - by trying on. But when ordering via the Internet, problems may arise. To avoid them, you need to measure the length of your foot with a ruler or centimeter and tell this length to the seller. The insole length of the shoes should strictly correspond to your individual parameters, the permissible range of variation is + - 0.5-1 according to the European standard.

To make sure that the shoes are not small in size, perform the following procedure: insert your foot into the shoe (without the inside) and rest your thumb with your thumb, without bending it, into the toe. If the fifth and first fingers are removed in the sides of the boot, such shoes will be 100% small.

Despite the fact that each manufacturer hones the entire lineup under its own block, the main rules when buying:

• easy to put on;
• they should sit tight, not dangling in either the toe or the heel.

Before using the shoes, it is better to distribute the shoes so that the foot becomes comfortable in unusual shoes. In case your legs become numb, you should know that this size is small and you need to change your shoes urgently, since not all models can stretch the inner boot, this privilege is available only for thermoformed inside.

If you don’t know how best to lace up your snowboard boots, check out the existing systems, evaluate the pros and cons and choose the option that is most suitable for you.

There are 4 types of lacing:

• traditional
• fast
• cable;
• clips.

Let us dwell on each of the following.

The advantage of traditional lacing are:

• good foot fixation;
• the ability to adjust the degree of tightening;
• quick change of laces as needed;
• price.

The main disadvantages of the system are: the length of the lacing and the difficulty of its implementation in the cold (uncomfortable with gloves, cold with bare hands).

• quick lacing allows easy lacing of the boot with self-locking clips, without even having to remove gloves. The disadvantages include expensive repairs if the system is broken.

• a cable with a wheel will allow you to quickly and simply lace up the boot even with one hand, but the fixation along the entire length will be uneven. In addition, this lacing system is not unreliable enough, it often breaks down (especially under heavy loads), and its repair will cost a tidy sum.

• clips are a quick and very convenient lacing option, but it is only suitable for carving boards.

In order for snowboarding boots to please you for a long time, you need to properly care for them and store them. After riding, remove the inner boots and dry-ventilate them overnight. Do not dry your shoes on a battery and near other strong heat sources. This procedure will negatively affect the inside, lead to its deformation and, as a result, the shoes will cease to be comfortable for you.

As for accessories for snowboard boots, the choice here is truly great. If we say that it is better to choose shoelaces or a cable, then there is no definite answer to this question. Each athlete and amateur chooses the option that is closer to him. Ordinary shoelaces are the most versatile option, as they can always be tied up if torn, or you can buy new ones: they are in any store and are quite affordable.

Now a little about the insoles. For snowboard boots, they come in two types: anatomical and standard. Again, here the choice for each individual. The classic insole is made of elastic material, and the anatomical insole duplicates the topography of the foot, supporting it well.

No less relevant accessory for boots will be an electric dryer. It will allow you to gently but efficiently dry your shoes in just a few hours. Due to the flow of warm air, moisture evaporates without adversely affecting the properties of the materials. A big plus will be the presence of ultraviolet light in the equipment, which will neutralize most of the microbes and remove odors.

A bag for snowboard shoes is an integral accessory for any rider, since in addition to shoes it can also accommodate other items of equipment (protection, helmet). Numerous pockets come in handy for all sorts of little things, and a shoulder strap that is adjustable in length allows you to free your hands.

Such bags are made of cordon, impregnated with a layer of vinyl, which provides resistance to mechanical damage and getting wet. The bottom is additionally reinforced and, if necessary, folds. Due to its compact size, the bag can be taken to the cabin or checked into luggage.

In order not to burden yourself with numerous bags for one or another equipment, it is possible that it will be more convenient for you to purchase a cover that will fit both the board, and boots, and other equipment.

When moving or flying over long distances, the cover will be a winning option, since everything will be in one place, protected from mechanical damage. As a rule, covers have wide straps, they are convenient to wear on the shoulder or behind the back. You can choose the option on wheels.

The adidas company has recently appeared on the market for snowboard boots and has already managed to become a universal favorite.

Instead of ethylene vinyl acetate, foam is used as the base of the sole, which ensures better sensitivity and controllability of the board. In addition, the boots are equipped with Recco technology (in case of avalanches), a double lacing system, an unusual insole made from recycled coffee that protects the feet from snaking, and a warm waterproof material - merino wool.

The company selling sportswear and shoes nike has established itself for many years. A characteristic feature of this manufacturer is the constant updating of production equipment, the inclusion of new technologies, stylish design solutions that meet the latest fashion trends among young people, as well as high quality products.

The black fire brand is widely known in the field of extreme sports, famous for its unsurpassed quality and the use of the most modern technologies. The company produces more than 10,000 models designed for a specific riding style and level of training. Among other brands, this manufacturer is distinguished by the fact that the boots are equipped with increased protection against injuries.

Thirtytwo has been a leader in the manufacture of snowboard boots since its foundation (1995). Each model is worked out in detail at a research institute that studies the functioning of the human leg during extreme sports. In the snowboard market, boots of this brand are considered the most technologically advanced, lightest, comfortable and safe.

The advantage of Bone brand shoes is versatility. These boots are suitable for beginner snowboarders and venerable athletes thanks to a modern and functional design, as well as a bright design. All new products, before becoming available on the market, are tested in the laboratory. Despite the high quality, the prices of this snowboard shoe are quite affordable.

Deeluxe is an Austrian company established in 1996 as a subsidiary of Raichle to promote a series of soft snowboard boots. After 6 years, the company separated and began to independently produce a full range of snowboard equipment. Among her main merits: the production of an internal boot from ThermoFlex’s, which allowed him to adapt to the shape of the legs in a short time and the invention of TPS technology - changing the stiffness of the boot individually with plastic rods.

Forum brand is founded by the best world riders: JP Walker, Joni Malmi, Cheryl Maas ... Boots of this brand are intended primarily for freestyle, although they can also be used for backcountry and jibbing.

The Italian company Northwave began making snowboard shoes almost 40 years ago. All products of this company, which have a somewhat aggressive design, are designed in the most thorough manner, fitted on the foot and tested by eminent athletes.

The brand Nitro when creating its shoes uses only high quality materials, which is due to their considerable cost. A huge lineup, an inside made of heat-insulating material (provides the foot with warmth and comfort), a quick lacing system - allow you to spend the whole day on a snowboard, and this is exactly what every rider dreams of.

Reviews of manufacturers of snowboarding boots are controversial. adidas and nike are unconditionally at the head of the ranking, followed by the brands deluxe, forum, northwave and nitro, which users like in terms of price-quality ratio and because the models of these companies are suitable for both beginners and professionals, which cannot be said about black fire and thirtytwo. These shoes are more or less comfortable for beginners, but not advanced ones. None of the snowboarders recommends purchasing bone shoes because of their poor quality.

The range of cost of snowboard boots is quite large.Their price depends on the level of training, the material from which they are made, internal and external bells and whistles.