How Do You Choose Snowboard Boots? Flex, Size and Lacing Systems
Snowboard boots should fit snugly but without hurting, and your heel should not lift. According to Burton, do not assume your everyday shoe size; wear the boots and walk around for 5–10 minutes. When you bend your knees, your toes should lightly touch the end of the liner, and if your heel lifts with the boots fully laced, try half a size smaller. For beginners, a soft and forgiving flex is best. There are three lacing options: traditional laces (full control), BOA (even tightening with a dial, adjustable with gloves on) and two-zone speed lacing. In your first season you can rent boots too; what matters is the right size and fit.
On a snowboard, most of your control comes from your feet; a foot sliding around inside the boot cannot steer the board. According to Burton's boot guide:
Do not assume your shoe size. Sizes can differ between brands; try on every boot separately.
Look for a snug fit that does not hurt. It is normal for boots to feel a little tight the first time; the liner moulds to your foot over time.
Wear them and walk around for 5–10 minutes. A quick try-on will not reveal pressure points.
Bend your knees. In a snowboard stance, your toes should only lightly touch the end of the liner.
Check your heel. If your heel lifts with the boots fully laced, try half a size smaller; ideally, your heel should not lift at all.
Heat-mould the liner. If possible, have the shop heat the liner and mould it to your foot.
Flex: start soft
Boot stiffness (flex) is chosen according to your level and style. Burton recommends soft and forgiving boots for beginners and those still learning: a soft boot tolerates mistakes and makes learning easier. Stiff boots are more precise at speed and when carving, but they tire beginners out.
Lacing systems
System
How does it work?
Who is it for?
Traditional laces
Tied like a shoe
Those who want full control of tightness in every zone; usually cheaper
BOA
A steel cable is tightened with one or two dials
Those who want quick, even tightening; can be adjusted with gloves on
Two-zone speed lacing (Burton Speed Zone)
Two pull laces adjust the upper and lower zones separately
Those who want speed and zone adjustment together
According to Burton, BOA is now a widespread standard in the industry; BOA's own guide also offers single-dial, dual-dial and other configurations. For a beginner, which system you choose matters less than the boot fitting in the right size and without heel lift.
Boots and board compatibility
Your boot size also determines the board width: the boot should overhang the board's edges by about 1–2 cm on each side. With large boot sizes (men's US 11–12 and above) you may need a wide board; for details, see our guide How do you choose your first snowboard?.
Bindings and safety
Snowboard bindings do not release by themselves in a fall the way ski bindings do; the boots and bindings stay fixed to the board. That is why the binding straps should sit snugly on the boot without making your foot go numb. On lifts, you take your back foot out of the binding; for details, see our guide How to use chairlifts, drag lifts and gondolas.
With rental snowboard boots
Tell them your size, but always try two sizes.
Lace the boot fully, bend your knees and try to lift your heel: if it lifts, go a size smaller.
Tighten the laces or BOA firmly in the morning and loosen them a little at lunchtime; your feet can swell during the day.
Wear a single pair of thin socks; thick socks spoil the fit.
Boots and your activity holiday
In your first season, boots are part of the equipment: on Doğadayız winter packages, a snowboard set (board, boots, bindings) is included in every package and handed out at the rental shop according to your size. On the first day, the instructor also checks how your boots and bindings fit. On an activity holiday these details are planned, and learning with people at the same level turns the programme into a social adventure holiday. To get started with snowboarding, see our guide How Do You Start Learning to Snowboard?.
Doğadayız Packages
Doğadayız packages for your level
Winter activity holidays with accommodation, ski pass and equipment included, shared with a group.
The easiest way to learn to ski: a winter activity holiday
An activity holiday puts a sport at the heart of your trip: transport, accommodation and meals are planned, so you can focus on learning on the slopes. On Doğadayız winter activity holidays, accommodation, ski pass and ski or snowboard equipment are included in every package; course packages include basic lessons with instructors affiliated with the Turkish Ski Federation, while experience packages let you practise on the slopes at your own level.
What makes the programme different is the group: sharing the slopes with people at a similar level, dinners and nights out together, and a group leader by your side at all times. Solo travellers become part of this social adventure holiday from day one. That is why we describe our programmes as a social adventure holiday.
Snugly but without hurting. When you bend your knees, your toes should lightly touch the end of the liner, and your heel should not lift with the boot fully laced. If your heel lifts, try half a size smaller.
Should I buy snowboard boots in my shoe size?
Not always. Burton says not to assume your everyday shoe size and notes that sizes can differ between brands. Try every boot by wearing it and walking around for 5–10 minutes.
BOA or traditional laces?
Both are good. BOA gives quick, even tightening with one or two dials and can be adjusted with gloves on. Traditional laces give you full control of every zone and are usually cheaper. What matters is the right size and a fit without heel lift.
Which snowboard boots are best for beginners?
Boots with a soft, forgiving flex. A soft boot tolerates mistakes and makes learning easier; stiff boots are more precise at speed and when carving, but they tire beginners out.
When choosing your first snowboard, weight matters more than height: according to Burton, the board only “knows” your weight and your boot size, and manufacturers' weight ranges are recommendations, not rules. A practical starting point is a length that comes between your chin and nose when the board is stood upright; for beginners, Ride finds a slightly shorter board more forgiving. If your boot size is large (men's US 11–12 and above), you may need a wide board; otherwise your toes and heels drag in the snow. For a beginner, soft flex and a forgiving profile (according to Burton, a soft flat profile) make the easiest start. Renting in your first season is the best choice.
On a snowboard, if your left foot is in front you ride regular, and if your right foot is in front you ride goofy. Both are correct; as Burton puts it, “regular doesn't mean right and goofy doesn't mean wrong”. There are three simple tests to find out which one you are: the foot you put forward when sliding on a slippery floor in your socks, and the foot you step forward with to keep your balance when someone gives you a gentle push from behind, is usually your front foot; the foot you start climbing stairs with, on the other hand, is most likely your back foot. For beginners, Burton recommends a binding set-up with the front foot positive and the back foot at zero (+/0).
You start snowboarding by finding your stance (regular or goofy), with a beginner lesson with an instructor and with rental equipment. On day one you learn to push with one foot and to side-slip on your heel edge (heelside) and your toe edge (toeside); then you change direction with the falling leaf, and usually on day 2–3 you make your first linked turns.
