Snowboard Boot Fit

Finding the right pair of snowboard boots can be difficult especially when shopping online, which is why we always recommend whenever possible to come into the store so you can try a few pairs on and find the best match for your foot. If this isn't possible, read on!

People often think that their boots should be the same size as their boots, which isn't necessarily the case. Often times people will size up their shoes for extra comfort, extra width, or simply because they don't know their real foot size. Your shoe size is a good place to start, but snowboard boots are a performance item, your everyday shoes aren't.

The best way to determine what size boot you need is to find out the length of your foot in mm, from your heel to the tip of your longest toe. This will directly relate to the size of a snowboard boot, for example, a foot size of 280mm will best fit a size US 10 boot.

Getting your size right is extremely important, and boots that are too big can be just as painful as boots that are too small. When we have customers who complain about snowboarding foot trouble, 9 times out of 10 the issue is boots that are too big. If your foot has too much room inside the boot, every time your turn, jump, or land, your foot will slam forward into the end of your boot which can result in pain, bruising, and a pretty rough time on snow.

How should my snowboard boots fit?

The perfect fitting boots will feel tight when you first put them on. Unlike rental boots your foot is the only foot that has ever been in this boot, and it generally takes a couple days of riding before your boots mold into the shape of your foot. Keep in mind this is the tightest the boot will ever be, and the more you wear it the more it will expand and mould to your foot shape. It might be uncomfortable at first, but it's much better to be uncomfortable for those first days rather than miserable for the lifetime of your boots. If you're looking to shorten this wearing-in process, most boots can be heat molded, and we recommend bringing them into our store rather than trying to do this at home. (Do not put your boots in the oven!)

How tight should my snowboard boots be?

When you first get your boots, put them on and lace them up tight. This will help pull your foot all the way back into the heel of the boot and give your toes more room. When standing up straight you should be able to feel the end of the boot with your toes, but it shouldn’t be jammed into the front with pressure. As you squat down and get into your natural 'snowboard stance' (flexing your knees and pushing your shins into the front of your boot), your toes should pull back ever so slightly. This squatted position should be the same position that you snowboard in. If your boots fit well, after your toes pull back you should be able to only just feel the end of the boot, and without any pressure. Over the next couple days of riding your boots will pack out approximately half a size and give you a comfortable and long-lasting fit.

Some customers may choose to ride with an even tighter fit for better control, and this is generally recommended for people who ride a lot each year (20 days+). If you're not riding this much every year, getting boots that are too small will make the wearing-in process longer, and will cause you more grief than necessary until they're worn in. 

If you have purchased your boots online and think they are too tight, send us an email and we will help assess the fit and can help facilitate an exchange for a different size or style. Any boots that are being returned must be unused, in their original condition with all original packaging.