Put boots on and buckle securely using two fingers to tighten.
Remove all long underwear and all outside clothing from boots.
Wear only one thin pair of socks in all boots whenever possible.
When standing tall your toes may lightly touch the front of your boots.
Snowboard boots may be tightened by the ankle strap for fitting but remember to lace them before riding.
Your ankle may lift up to 1/4 inch but no more.
Quick Snowboard Boot Tip.
A tip for putting on stubborn snowboard boots is to put the liner on first and lace it. Then insert it into the outer shell.
Proper boot fit, care and maintenance.
Ken "Bump" Berman
Storing Boots
Boots should be stored in the summer in a cool dry place. Sunlight and air are enough to breakdown the plastic in boots over time and make them hard and brittle. Heat also plays a deteriorating factor, especially if you have had any custom boot fitting and shell stretching. (called punching the shell)
If you have fading colors, worn out heels or toes and warped or uneven soles, it’s time to shop for a new pair.
The best boots in the world The best boots are the ones that fit you the best. Unless you have years of experience and knowledge of boot ‘lasts’ (the model foot a company uses to shape their boots) let a professional boot fitter help you make the best choices.
Once you find a compatible last, it is time to consider the flex of the boot desired. Beginner and intermediate boots are designed to be forgiving and comfortable. More aggressive skiers will need a boot with some resistence to flexing and will be torsionally stiffer.
Expert skiers and snowboarders will choose a boot based on the style of turn or terrain they prefer. Mogul skiers and short turn riders will prefer stiffer boots while powder and park and big mountain riders may want softer boots to absorb shocks from jumps or high speed runs.
How to fit a boot.
Start by measuring your foot in the sock you will be riding in. Then have a professional boot fitter shell size you. This is more important than the size that is stamped on the boot.
Wear one thin pair of socks that has flat seams whenever possible, Avoid cotton and socks that are too short to reach the top of the boot or have ribbing.
Only a foot and a sock were meant to be put in a boot! Pull up your socks all they way up and make sure that you have removed all long underwear or other objects from the inside of your boot.
Putting your boots on Place your foot in the boot and raise your heel up and down while pulling up on the back of the liner. This will help you seat your heel in the back of the boot and is a better way than kicking your heel on the ground.
Using only one or two fingers pressure, start with the lower part of the boot and begin closing your buckles loosly. Repeat going from bottom to top until comfortable. Remember, if you’re using more than 2 fingers to close your boot, then your foot will likely become cold, numb or painful.
When using lace-up boots make sure that you have tightened the inner boots before lacing the outer boot. A tip for stubborn snowboard boots is to put the liner on first and then insert it into the outer shell. Lace them tightly, similar to ice skating boots, they will probably loosen in the first 30 minutes and will need to be retied.
Test your boot fit Once you have your boots on, test the fit.
Do you heels lift? An eighth or quarter inch of heel lift is actually better for balance than being locked down totally flat. More than a half inch of heel raise and the boot may be too large or need custom fitting in the heel or tongue area.
Do your toes wiggle up and down? Can you spread your toes a little?
Does your forefoot move side to side or does your foot tingle or go numb on the bottom of your foot?
Lastly, when standing straight up in your boots your toes may touch the front of the boot lightly but not painfully. When flexing your ankles in the boot you should feel that your toes no longer touch.
