How to Fit Snowboarding Boots

The type of boots you wear when snowboarding can impact both your safety and performance on the board. Boots aren't just a piece of clothing, they're what help you steer the snowboard and transfer energy from your body to board, and they protect your feet and ankles from the cold and stress. Buying the wrong pair of boots can lead to to an uncomfortable and unreliable feel, and it could put you at greater risk to suffer an injury on accident.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

Snowboarding socks

Step 1

Always wear snowboarding socks when trying on snowboarding boots. These socks are much thicker than other types of socks, and they can change the fit and feel of a boot1`. Boots are sized the same as tennis shoes, but many times people wear larger boots than they do tennis shoes because of the thickness of the socks.

Step 2

Decide whether you are a high-speed or freestyle snowboarder or a more relaxed boarder who goes for tricks and style points. High-speed boarders will want a stiffer boot that can respond quickly to their direction changes, but these boots aren't as comfortable as others and aren't very popular among other snowboarders.

Step 3

Make sure the boot is snug at the ends of the toes and along the sides of the feet. You don't want to buy boots with room to grow (unless you're purchasing them for younger children) because this will make them tougher to control. At the same time, you don't want to cram your toes in and suffer the discomfort of aches, pains and blisters after a day on the slopes.

Step 4

Attach the cuff of the boot and make sure the fit is comfortable. The wrong cuff can wear down your skin above your ankle and leave blisters. If the cuff of a particular boot doesn't fit right, many times you can get a different cuff to replace the boot's original one, so this isn't always a major concern.

Step 5

Try the boots on while clipped onto a snowboard. Make sure they don't slip and respond well to your movement and reactions. If the boot is secure in the snowboard, you don't have to worry as much about becoming unclipped mid-run.

Article Written By Jonathan Croswell

Jonathan Croswell has spent more than five years writing and editing for a number of newspapers and online publications, including the "Omaha World-Herald" and "New York Newsday." Croswell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Nebraska and is currently pursuing a Master's of Health and Exercise Science at Portland State University.

Editor's Pick

Backcountry Camping Tips

You've already tried car and RV camping. You've camped at commercial campsites that had a convenient restroom and water supply. Now, you want to explore the road less traveled. Backcountry camping, also known as primitive camping, is a wonderful way to explore the remote...
More Backcountry Camping...
Popular Article

Beach Camping Near Pismo Beach, California

Pismo State Beach, California, has many attractions and activities including camping, swimming, hiking and wildlife viewing. Birdwatching is one of the primary activities in the area. The park also has the largest over-wintering colony of monarch butterflies in the natio...
More Beach Camping...
Featured Video

Common Sense Hiking Tips

The first and most fundamental thing is never hike alone. There are too many situations, especially as an unexperienced hiker, where you may find yourself without anyone to help you. So the buddy system works and applies very much in hiking.
More Camping Basics...