How to choose snowboard boots?
Features and benefits
Snowboard boots are an important part of sportsmen’s equipment.
The level of comfort and safety during skiing depends on how well they are made, because most of the athlete’s load is on their feet. Therefore, snowboard boots must meet high technological requirements, have a certain level of rigidity, be made of high-quality and wear-resistant materials, using durable fittings.
At the moment, there are two types of boots for snowboarding - with an inner insert and without it. The model with the insert is considered more practical and durable, since it can be removed and dried.
Fashion models
Women's
Large manufacturers make women's snowboard boots, taking into account the structure of the female calf muscles and feet.
For example, the tops of women's shoes are lower than men's, and they are wider.
Boots should be chosen with a moderate degree of rigidity, unless, of course, you are not doing snowboarding professionally and do not practice extreme skating. Then you should pay attention to the shoes with the maximum degree of rigidity.
The most popular model of women's snowboard boots, which is suitable for both beginners and freeride lovers, is the Burton Casa model. These shoes have optimum fourth degree of rigidity and a pleasant price-quality ratio.
Men's
Male models of shoes differ from female structures and technological features. They are tighter, taller and narrower in the tops.
Among the male models, the most popular brands are Black fire,
Thirtytwo
and burton.
Baby
Children's boots for snowboarding are made taking into account the small weight of the child and the amateur level of riding. Therefore, they are always soft, with a minimum load on the legs.
The best-selling models are the snowboard boots of the firms Burton and Salomon.
Colors
Today, there are many different colors of snowboard boots. And the choice is available both among male, and among female and children's models. Therefore, you can easily choose your shoes to match the color of the suit or jacket for a snowboard.
The most popular models for men are black, dark blue and gray.
Girls prefer white, pink, blue and light green colors.
Materials
Shoes are made of artificial or natural leather, dense textiles, and also use inserts of artificial or natural suede. Experienced athletes believe that the most impractical models are shoes made of leather, because with constant exposure to snow and moisture, it is deformed. Often, snowboarders prefer artificial materials from synthetics and textiles.
Plastic inserts are used in boots designed for extreme skiing. In soft shoes, most of them are made of dense textiles with a special water-repellent impregnation.
The inner part of the boot, if present, is usually performed from a special thermal material, which, when heated, can be adjusted to the leg of a particular person. Heating is performed in a store with a device designed for this. Such a procedure makes the shoes comfortable just for you, all the anatomical features of the structure of the feet are taken into account and you do not need extra time to carry them.
How to choose
When choosing boots for snowboarding, you need to pay attention to their rigidity.From this will depend on your level of comfort when riding.
Hard shoes are better to choose more experienced snowboarders who practice sharp descents and turns. In them, the load on the legs more, but fixing the foot is much better.
This will avoid sprains and sprains.
Usually hard shoes are made with an inner liner and plastic inserts on the outer part, and the lacing is double - internal and external. Lacing is sometimes replaced by special latches.
The sole of hard shoes is also quite dense and tough. Something such boots are similar in appearance to the ski.
Soft shoes are suitable for beginners and amateurs, as well as for those who perform various tricks on the descent - for example, jumping.
They are more suitable for freestyle and freeride. Soft shoes can be made of two parts - external and internal.
The inside of the boot — the boot — can be made of neoprene or a thermoformed material, the main advantage of which is that it adapts to the foot of the wearer. Neoprene is durable, but it takes time to carry it.
The most expensive and comfortable type of boot - custom - is made to order and is popular with professional snowboarders.
Decide on the material of the shoes. The skin in the process of riding absorbs moisture and the shoes become heavier and deformed, and with time they may crack. Synthetic is lighter than the skin and does not absorb moisture due to impregnation. Therefore, many snowboarders prefer it to her.
Choosing boots for snowboarding, take enough time to try on, which is best done on a thick sock. Stand up and transfer the weight of your body from the toe to the heel and back several times. You should be comfortable, your big toes should not rest on the shoes with pressure, and the heel should not hang inside.
Pay attention to any discomfort, because choosing the right size of shoes is very important. Walk around the store in shoes, they should not rub.
At the same time, if you pick up snowboard boots for the first time, remember that in soft boots it is more convenient to move without a board, in hard all movements require effort, and this can also cause discomfort when you are not used to it.
When trying on, try to lace up the shoes and appreciate the convenience of lacing. Note that you must handle the lacing even with gloves in case you need to pull it up and rewire it urgently. When you have laced up your shoes, note that the feeling of stiff legs should be absent, you should be comfortable.
Try on shoes from different manufacturers to determine the model that is ideal for you.
How to distribute
Before you go to the new shoes on the slope, walk into them at home for 20-30 minutes to get used to. And then the best way to distribute shoes will be practice. Go skiing and start from the training slope. After a couple of descents, tighten and secure the lacing to determine the comfortable position for you.
How to lace up
Lacing on boots for snowboarding can be similar to the usual - in this case, they should be laced up like ordinary shoes, but it takes a lot of time.
And it can be a special speed - in the form of clamps with fixation. In such a lacing is used a thin metal cable. Naturally, it is preferable to buy shoes with the second type of lacing, it is faster and much more convenient, although it leads to their appreciation.
How to wear and how to sit
Wearing boots for a snowboard should be sitting, after having weakened the lacing. Then they need to tightly lace up, stand up, move several times from toe to heel and, if necessary, tighten the lacing and fix the legs.
Shoes that are chosen correctly should not be pressed, they will fit tightly to the leg. Therefore, it is important to choose shoes in size, not size larger.Due to the active movement of the legs, after a few descents will have to tighten the lacing.
How to care for snowboard boots
After snowboarding take care of proper care for the boots. If you have an internal boot, it should be removed to dry. The outer part of the shoe should be wiped with a damp cloth from excess moisture and dirt, and if necessary, gently wash.
If it is possible to remove the inside or the insole, it is better to remove it and dry it.
All accessories and laces should be inspected for damage.
If the riding season is over, do all of the above procedures, and after thoroughly drying, collect the shoes and fill the space with compressed paper.
So they retain their shape and attractive appearance until next season.
How much are
Prices for snowboard boots from different manufacturers range from 5,000 rubles to 35,000 rubles. In many ways, the price is due to the brand name, so it is important to find a suitable model with an adequate price-quality ratio.
Deeluxe boots are known for their reasonable pricing and will cost from 5,000 rubles.
Salomon boots, popular all over the world with beginners, cost around 7,000 rubles.
Burton boots will cost 8,000 rubles and more.
Adidas shoes price starts at 10,000 rubles,
the price for Ride shoes is a little less - 9,000 rubles.
Brand news
Nike
Model boots Nike 6.0 Vapen is quite popular among novice snowboarders and fans. They are made in an attractive bright design of artificial leather and wear-resistant textiles with water-repellent impregnation. The shock-absorbing insole provides additional comfort during driving. Reinforced lacing loops and a belt in the middle section of the foot provide reliable and fast fixation of shoes on the legs.
Adidas
Snowboard boots from the famous brand Adidas - Tactical ADV in brown leather and textile look amazing. They have excellent cushioning soles, reliable lacing and insole of a special foam material, which increases the comfortable feeling while walking and riding.
Black fire
Black fire Kurt medium hard boots are very popular. They are made of perforated leather for better ventilation, have backing and a thermoformed inner shoe. The model belongs to the category of "unisex."
Special lady's snowboard boots are suitable for girls starting to learn snowboarding. They are reliable and comfortable, equipped with backing support, shock-absorbing soles and reliable lacing with metal hooks. There is an internal shoe with lacing.
The brand will appreciate the excellent models for children and teenagers in an unusual design with interesting patterns and bright color combinations. For example, models of Young lady, Techno, Junior Boy, Junior Gerl are interesting.
Thirtytwo
The Thirtytwo brand is represented by a wide variety of different models in a bright and stylish design. For example, Thirtytwo Lashed Ft 12 medium hard boots are the most popular among snowboarders in Europe and America. The manufacturer claims that they are suitable for all categories of snowboarders - for both beginners and experienced athletes. Fast lacing, a thermoformed inner multi-layered boot, anti-bacterial treatment and a special insole are all components of the success of this model.
Thirtytwo TM-Two FW17 boots are another super popular brand model. These are hard boots for experienced snowboarders. Lightweight cushioning sole filled with gel for extra comfort when riding, a comfortable lacing system, clear relief of protectors on the sole for walking on slippery areas, a reinforced boot heel, and an inner foam boot for better heat retention - these are only the most obvious advantages of these boots .
Thirtytwo boots are in an affordable price range and are almost an ideal price-performance ratio.
Bone
Bone - Rookie snowboard boots are perfect for beginners.They are soft, with non-slip soles, excellent durable outer lacing and inner boot with lacing, made of textile materials with water-repellent impregnation.
Bone Cool textile shoes with water-repellent impregnation and leather are equipped with a reliable and fast lacing, reinforced back and toe. They are suitable for girls who have just started to master the snowboard. The boots are designed to fit the female structure of the calf muscles and feet.
Deeluxe
Deeluxe Boa FW16 laconic soft boots are suitable for beginners as well as freestyle lovers. Thanks to a special lacing, the process of dressing shoes is very fast and allows you not to even take off your gloves in the process. The shock-absorbing sole is provided with a relief protector, and special inserts in the folds of the shoes do not allow to overload the foot and at the same time allow you to keep the shape of shoes for a long time.
Northwave
Northwave Freedom SL boots with an average level of rigidity are quite simple in appearance, but they are always popular with snowboarders. In them there is an internal boot, there is an additional fixing of the heel, comfortable and fast lacing, as well as lightweight sole.
Nitro
Nitro Select TSL boots perfectly combine stylish design and comfort for experienced snowboarders. Having almost the maximum degree of stiffness, they provide reliable support for the legs, and a comfortable and affordable double lacing system allows you to adjust the position of the shoes on the legs. Boots are equipped with an ultra-light, durable and comfortable sole.
Atom
Atom Team Fluo boots are made in a bright design with the latest technology. They fix the leg perfectly with reliable classic lacing, the lightweight shock-absorbing outsole makes you feel comfortable when riding and landing. The warmed boot will not allow to freeze even after long driving.
Stylish images
1. Bright, slightly sloppy, but stylish and youthful image of a snowboarder consists of an unusual jacket, sweatshirt, warm pants, golf shoes and Burton boots with leopard inserts. The image is complemented by a wide ski mask.
2. Women's snowboarding suit in pink, yellow and blue juicy colors in combination with white boots and snowboard is a very picturesque set.
3. Men's overalls saturated purple with bright green elements perfectly combined with yellow shoes with light green soles and inserts and bright yellow snowboard.
4. A practical combination of non-dirty black jumpsuit with a few greenish inserts and black snowboard boots looks laconic and stylish.