Best Beginner Snowboard Boots of 2024

BEST FOR: ANY TYPE OF TERRAIN

Whether you’re carving through fresh powder, flying down a groomed run, pushing your skills off-piste (backcountry trails), or practicing your ollies in the terrain park, Burton’s Ruler Boa Boots are your most versatile option that can tackle any type of terrain. 

Sporting a medium flex, these boots are soft enough to give you mobility when carving or landing stunts yet also stiff enough to give you control at high speeds. The sleek Boa lacing system eliminates chunky laces and is paired with a minimal design that sloughs off excess ice and slush. 

The Ruler Boa Boots feature removable liners that can be taken out of the boot to dry quickly. The liners are also thermoformable, meaning that after a single day of snowboarding they will have molded to your feet.

BEST FOR: FREERIDING

Freeriders, or those who seek more off-piste (backcountry) trails and fresh powder, will appreciate the innovation of the Vans Verse Boots. While most freeriding boots come in stiff flex to provide control and stability for high speeds, these boots offer supreme versatility in an adjustable flex option. 

It achieves this feat by offering two dials in the boa lacing system where one dial tightens the “laces” for your feet and the other dial tightens the “laces” for your ankle. The added benefits of a dual-boa lacing system is that it can easily be tightened with a single hand (even while wearing gloves) and can be readjusted as necessary while on the go.

A potential downside to these boots is that as they rely heavily on the boa system (named for the way a boa constrictor tightens), this can also be their biggest weakness. Some people dislike boa systems as they can potentially create uncomfortable pressure points when riding. 

Despite this, the Vans Verse Boots shine by offering footbeds that include an impact cushioning technology that softens the blows after a jump when boarding off-piste. The liners themselves also feature a lacing harness that helps you customize your heel hold to reduce slippage and increase stability. Secure heels = better boarding.

BEST FOR: LONG-TERM INVESTMENT

When buying a pair of snowboard boots, it’s best to invest in a high-quality pair that will grow with you through your beginner stage. After all, you won’t be a beginner forever! 

The Salomon Synapse Focus Boa Boots are the perfect pair to invest in for several seasons of snow. These All-Mountain boots can pretty much do anything you ask of them and ride all over the mountain with flexibility and ease. Their medium flex is the perfect sweet spot for most riding capabilities, balancing support with comfort. 

These boots also feature a custom moldable liner (the inside of the boot) that can be formed to your foot either at home or at a ski shop (recommended). This means you’ll have a perfect fitting boot molded to your unique feet!

BEST FOR: CARVING

When you imagine snowboarding, you probably envision yourself carving back and forth down the mountain, zig-zagging across freshly fallen snow and spraying powder with each glamorous and fluid turn. Let me tell you, it’s a lot easier than you think and it’s even more fun than you could ever imagine!

In order to achieve those results, you’re going to need a boot that offers a full range of mobility for those wide, sweeping turns. The Burton Moto Boa Boots are a fantastic pair that can help you master carving. 

It has a soft flex for supreme ankle movement and offers a break-in time of pretty much zero. Imagine all the comfort of pre-worn boots without the sweat – oh, and it’ll mold to your foot after just a single day of riding. 

If there’s any drawback to these boots, it’s that the liner (the inside of the boot) uses a quick-lace system that can potentially create pressure points if tightened too much and may be hard to achieve a perfect fit. However, many people love the quick lace system for its ability to tie up/tighten with a single pull – no fussing with laces!

BEST FOR: ADJUSTING ON THE FLY

Adjusting your boots is an inevitability. Sometimes you’ll need to tighten them up to create some extra support before hitting a big run at speed while other times you’ll need to loosen them for comfortable, easy riding. You don’t want to have to head down to the lodge every time this happens, and with Vans Infuse Boots, you won’t need to!

Now, adjusting your boots on the fly has never been easier. Nor has dialing in the perfect fit. That’s because the Infuse sport a hybrid lacing system that includes traditional laces (which are great for getting the perfect fit) along with a strap to increase ankle support. 

These boots also have an adjustable flex that can be changed with the turn of a dial. No need to have a second pair of boots for days when you want to hit the terrain park. Just turn the dial to soften the flex and create more mobility and then turn it back to tighten it up for high speed runs. 

These options to customize the flex and fit on the fly just can’t be understated. These are truly a unique boot that can serve a variety of riders in just about any condition.

BEST FOR: LEARNING TRICKS AT THE TERRAIN PARK

Even if you’re a true beginner that’s never set foot on a snowboard, it’s not too early to think about the right boots for the terrain park. You might think that you’re years away from that skill level, but the fact is that snowboarding has a really short learning curve. Make a goal and aim for it, buying gear that will help you achieve that goal.

That said, if you have eyes for grinding rails and popping ollies, then you’ll need boots built specifically for that! Enter the K2 Renin Boots. It sports a soft flex for premium mobility and is designed specifically with freestyle snowboarding in mind. 

Both the boots themselves and the liners inside have a boa lacing system, allowing you to ratchet down the tightness to just the right fit with the spin of a dial. The bonus of having it on your liners is that you’ll ensure maximum heel hold which translates to better performance. 

Lastly, these boots also feature a Vibram rubber sole (highly regarded brand in the shoe industry) on the exterior that provides ample amount of grip when you’re off the board. No slipping or sliding outside the lodge in these boots.

BEST FOR: RIDERS WITH WIDE FEET 

Not all feet are made the same, so why is it so hard to find proper fitting boots sometimes?? I feel you my “wide” footed friend. I, too, have normal sized feet that don’t seem to fit into ballerina sized boots. 

Burton earns extra points in my book for being considerate enough to offer wide sizes. Their Photon Boa Wide Boots are both awesome and comfortable. Made for freeriding snowboarders who prefer ungroomed slopes and fresh powder, these Burton bad boys will help you shred whatever terrain you desire with both speed and stability. 

The stiff flex provides extra support when you need it and the two dial boa lacing system ratchets down to achieve just the right fit, both in the ankle and the insole. Last but not least, they come in a neutral black that can be paired with any style choices you have.

BEST FOR: THE BUDGET CONSCIOUS BEGINNER

We get it: snow sports can be expensive. After boots, board, bindings, goggles, helmet, snow jacket, snow pants, and lift passes, you may be feeling a little drained. However, you can most certainly apply a “financially strategic” mindset when investing in gear. 

The Vans Hi-Standard OG Boots are one such place you can start. Vans has a tradition of creating quality boots so rest assured, you’re not sacrificing durability or craftsmanship here. Rather, you’ll be rocking a throwback design that sports more budget friendly options like traditional laces. 

You don’t always have to have the fanciest and newest lacing technology to get out on the powder. In fact, many snowboarders (pros included!) prefer simpler designs. They’re less likely to encounter problems and are easily fixable on the fly. 

The Hi-Standard OG’s are also a medium flex, All-Mountain boot meaning they will accommodate the widest possible range of snowboarding styles and conditions.

BEST FOR: SPEED AND AGILITY

Calling all high-flying speed demons and adventure junkies! The Salomon Malamute Boots are just what you need to hold that extra edge at high speeds. 

Sporting a freeride design for off-piste (backcountry) runs and fresh powder, as well as a stiff flex for support, these are the ultimate backcountry boots. They’ll help you plow through chunky snow, give you more control to avoid obstacles, and enough support to keep you pushing through fresh, fluffy powder. 

Salomon is a trusted name when it comes to hiking, skiing, and snowboarding boots. They use the highest grade materials and back their products should any problems arise. When it comes to solidly made boots, these are your go-to.

BEST FOR: STAYING WARM

Got cold feet? We’ve got you covered on this one! The K2 Maysis Heat Boots are truly an impressive engineering feat. These boots include an electronic heating system that will keep your toes toasty even in the coldest conditions. 

The heating system fully charges via a USB cable in 7 hours and provides up to 19 hours of warmth, with 3 modes of heating. Not only that, the liners (the inside portion of the boot) are insulated with a heat reflecting foil that bounces the heat back to your feet. 

Aside from keeping you warm, the K2 Maysis Heat are a stiff flex, All-Mountain boot which will keep you stable at high speeds and through tight turns no matter what part of the mountain you’re boarding.