Should snowboard boots be tight? Snowboard boots should feel snug at your heel, instep, and toe box.
Your toes should not touch the ends of the boots. However, most boots need several days of riding to pack out and form to their true size.
Therefore, snowboard boots should be fairly tight when brand new.
Should Snowboard Boots Be Tight?
Should snowboard boots be tight? Snowboard boots should be tight enough to hold your foot in position.
However, they should not be too tight since too tight snowboard boots can cut off blood circulation and cause cramps. They also make it difficult to turn at low speed.
How To Tighten Your Snowboard Boots.
How to tighten the laces of your boots differ depending on their type. There are three types of boots:
- Those with laces like sneakers
- Those you can easily tighten by pulling on a cord (the speed shoelace type)
- Finally, those you tighten with a wire by twisting a dial. (BOA type)
Here, we will discuss how to fit and remove the boots!
1. Those with Laces
They are also called Traditional Lacing Boots. They are the best since you have the freedom to go as loose or as tight as you want.
Fitting Boots With Races
- First, loosen the laces, open the boot up wide and then push the tongue forward before inserting your foot toes first.
- Once your feet are in the boots, pull the boots’ laces until they are tight enough.
- Lock the boot’s laces not to become loose; twist, and store any excess length.
Removing Boots With Races
- Loosen the laces and open the boot forward and backwards while pulling out your feet
| Pros | – It is easy to feel how tight the boots are. – It is intuitive and simple for everyone to adjust the tightness. – They are less prone to pressure points since tightness is evenly distributed. – The laces are relatively lightweight due to minimum parts. – It is quick, inexpensive, and easy to replace broken laces. – They are less expensive. |
| Cons | – Adjusting laces is difficult or impossible while wearing gloves. – The laces are prone to loosening while riding. – Pulling laces to tighten can be tough on your hands. – When you untie or loosen the boots, this means dealing with long dragging laces. |
Snowboard boots are considered best for riders on a budget who demand reliable performance across the mountain.
2. The Speed Shoelace Type
Fitting Speed Shoelace Boots
- Pull on the cord of the inner boots to tighten. Push the extra inner cords length into the outer and inner boots spaces.
- Pull on the outer speed shoelace to tighten it. There are two laces; one is used to tighten the bottom of the boot; the other to tighten the top part.
- Pull the laces back to lock them. The locking notch is either in the front or the side.
- Insert the tag at the end of the cord, that is, at the specialized storage pocket. This storage is to stop it from getting in the way.
Removing Speed Shoelace Boots
- Pull the laces forward using both hands to release the lock. Then loosen the cords. Release the inner lace lock to loosen it and open up the boots. Pull out your feet.
| Pros | – It is the fastest way to lace up snowboard boots. – Tightening boots is intuitive, you just pull. – Speed zone is a lightweight lacing option since it has minimum parts. – All boots adjustment can be done on gloves. – The entire system is extremely low profile. You simply tuck the quick pull handles into the integrated pockets on the side of the boots. – Independent lower and upper zones provide custom fit options. |
| Cons | – To tighten the boots properly, upper body strength is required. – It Can be complicated to replace a broken rope which requires additional parts. – The lace lock cleats can confuse the boot’s entry and exit. |
The speed zone lacing option is best for riders who seek ease of use, consistent performance, and durability.
3. BOA Lacing Boots
Fitting BOA-type Boots
- First, loosen the wire and cord. Open the boot up wide, then ish the tongue forward before inserting your foot’s toes first.
- Pull the shoe laced of the inner boots until just tight enough after your feet are in the boot.
- Lock the inner boots’ laces so that they don’t come loose, twist, and store any length.
- Adjust the position of the tongue for it to sit over your shin. Reist the diel to tighten the wire. Then push the dial to lock it.
Removing BOA-type Boots
- First, pull the final forward to release the lock. Releasing the lock helps loosen the wire to some degree.
- Use both hands to hold the front and back of the boot. Open the boot up wide to loosen the wire further. Release the lock on the inner laces. After that, loosen the shoelaces with your hands. Open up the boots forward and backwards while pulling out your feet.
| Pros | – BOA lacing is easy to fine-tune tightness with micro-adjustment. – Pop out the coiler for quick and easy comfort on the lift and also during apres. – All boot adjustments can be made even on gloves. – A single coiler system tightens and loosens evenly across the whole foot. |
| Cons | – Compared to traditional laces, the coiler interface is slightly less intuitive. – It can be easy to tighten this causing foot fatigue. – A single coiler system hinders independent tightness of the upper and lower zones. – The boots can be slightly heavier due to additional plastic and metal parts. – Its coilers stick off the boot and can get caught on things. – It can be complicated to replace a broken could or cable since it requires additional parts. – With the auto recoil feature, boot entry and exit can be confusing. – They are generally more expensive. |
Beginners and younger snowboarders often benefit from how quick and easy BOA lacing boots are to use. If you like the fit, ride BOA.
