In snowboarding, boots play a vital role: they provide comfort and support for the feet, help guide the snowboard and also act as thermal insulation against the cold. However, a poor fit between the boot and your foot can turn your snowboarding experience into a nightmare. So what’s the best way of choosing your snowboarding boots? We’ll explain everything.
The flex rating of a snowboard boot quite simply specifies the boot’s level of stiffness. The higher it is, the stiffer the boot will be. Conversely, the lower it is, the more flexible it will be. Depending on your snowboarding experience, you’ll either choose a design with soft, medium or rigid flex.
SOFT FLEX
Occasional riders or beginners should go for soft flex for comfort. It will be less accurate but more suitable for learning snowboarding as it offers better control.
MEDIUM FLEX
Experienced riders will go for medium flex, which offers good flex while improving steering precision. This is the best compromise to find a balance between comfort and progression.
RIGID FLEX
Expert riders will be keen on stiff snowboarding boots that allow for high precision of the board at speed. This type of flex also offers excellent foot support, so you can go faster on the slopes and on powder.
This is a lacing category where there is only one lacing system for the entire boot.
➤ Lace-up boots with knots
Traditional lacing which is still appreciated by many riders. It works in a similar way to boots with classic laces. As for the boot itself, it has a separate lacing system to enclose the inner part with a pull cord. This type of lacing system makes it easy to control tension and tightening.
➤ Quick-lace boots
Also called "speed lace", this lacing system is generally controlled by a single handle that you pull on to tighten, and then unlock. This type of lacing often has dual lacing zones, to allow the lower and upper sections of the snowboard boot to be tightened independently of one another. If you’re looking for better support, its also preferable to go for boots with dual lacing zones.
➤ Dial (BOA®)
This is a very fast system, using a cable and a dial with a winder. The main advantage of boots laced with a dial is convenience, allowing them to be adjusted easily at any time. However, this lacing system type is slightly less efficient as it doesn’t allow for the adjustment of tension at the ankle. However, the single dial remains a good choice for snowboarding beginners as it favours flexibility and ease of use as well as ease of opening the boots to slip them on and off.
This is a lacing category where the boots have one or more lacing systems so you can concentrate the tension on different areas, in particular the ankle and in-step/calves. The disassociated lacing system is more efficient and the better choice for experienced riders looking for optimal support. The upper and lower part of the boot can be tightened separately for greater precision:
- Tightening the lower part more offers better support, while tightening it less offers more comfort.
- Tightening the upper part more makes the boot stiffer.
➤ Laced and rip-tab
Easy, quick adjustment system: just pull and lock the system as well as the shin rip-tab. Slightly less effective, it is ideal for beginners who favour comfort and ease of use.
➤ Dial and rip-tab
A highly efficient duo combining a cable, a dial and rip-tab at the shin. A balance between optimal encasing of the ankle and calf. The shin rip-tab is extremely easy to use but offers slightly less rigid support than laces or the BOA® system.
➤ Dial and dial (double BOA®)
The double BOA® system makes it possible to adjust lacing by zones, in a very quick, precise way. This mechanism is ultra-precise and easy to use.
Note that the size of a pair of snowboarding boots is different from that of conventional boots. It is expressed in "mondopoint", which simply corresponds to the length of the foot in cm.
➤ Men and women’s sizing guide
➤ Children’s sizing guide
Are your snowboarding boots too soft? Give them a second lease on life!
The Flex Up slips into the tongue of the boot to make it more rigid.
It is compatible with all models of Decathlon snowboarding boots (from 2022 onwards).
➤ Your boots are too soft
Your favourite boots are old, you really feel comfortable in them, but have they become softer? Give them a second lease on life with this stiffener
➤ You’re changing level
You’re a beginner in snowboarding, you have chosen boots for beginners, but after 10 days you feel that you have made good progress and the carving turns are starting to tempt you: level up your boots with the Flex Up!
➤ You’re a good freestyler
You’re a freestyler, adjust your stiffness level: on the rails, don’t put in the Flex Up, but for better support when landing on big tables, insert it into the tongue.
Thermoforming snowboarding boots is an excellent way of customising your boots to improve comfort. In short, during the thermoforming process the boot material heats up, expands and softens. Once heated, the boot sole melds to the shape of your foot, ensuring optimal fit. This gives you a pair of snowboarding boots closely fitted to your feet, offering ideal comfort as soon as you take to the slopes.
Thermoforming can be done at home... We explain how to do it in the video below:
thermoforming your snowboarding boots
Now you know a lot about choosing the right pair of snowboarding boots! Next comes choosing your board... and then enjoying your days out on the snowboarding slopes!
