Past Season Cheap Snowboard Boots Lists

BEST CHEAP FREESTYLE BOOTS

Boot: Thirty Two Light

Price: $249

Snowboarding Profiles' Freestyle Rating Score : 88.1/100

>>See Full Review

Why These Boots Were Chosen

Retaining it's place from last year, we have the ThirtyTwo Light. 

The Light comes in at $39 cheaper than the average boot in this category and scores way above the average score. There are cheaper options (some you'll see in the alternatives below) but when it comes to value for money, the Light are top of the pile. 

Part of the reason they are cheaper than others of a similar quality is because they use traditional lace. Traditional lace boots tend to be cheaper than speed lace or BOA boots. Personally I often prefer traditional lace boots, as I find they offer the best adjustability. If you're the same, then you luck out when it comes to snowboard boots as they tend to be cheaper. 

If not, I will list the cheaper BOA options in the alternatives - but often cheap BOA means single BOA, which aren't very adjustable. 

Some other notable numbers: 

• The average price for this category went up by $18 compared to last year.
• The average price for the top half (top 13) was $317, making the Light $68 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list and was the #7 boot in the category. 
• Of the 7 boots costing $249 or less, not named the Light, the average score was 77.3. This compares to the Light's score of 88.1. 

Alternatives

Vans Hi-Standard OG (Traditional Lace) - $199 | 83.0 points

K2 Overdraft (Hybrid Trad Lace/BOA) - $279 | 91.5 points

Vans Invado OG (Hybrid Trad Lace/BOA) - $220 | 84.7 points 

BEST CHEAP ALL-MOUNTAIN BOOTS

Boot: Nidecker Altai

Price: $299

Snowboarding Profiles' All-Mountain Rating Score : 84.2/100

Why These Boots Were Chosen

The Nidecker Altai might only be around the average score, but being $101 cheaper than the average price but still ranking as high as they and scoring as well as they did, got them over the line as the best value-for-money option in the all-mountain boots category. 

They are also the equal cheapest in this list. And they are Double BOA - which is typically the most expensive lacing system. If you're looking for something Double BOA, then this is a nice bonus.  

>>See Full Review

Some other notable numbers: 

• The average price for this category went down by $6 compared to last year.
• The average price for this category is $112 higher than the freestyle category (see above).
• The average price for the top half (top 14) was $434, making the Altai $135 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list! 
• Of the 2 other boots costing $299 or less, not named the Altai, the average score was 81.0. This compares to the Altai's 84.2 score. 

Alternatives

Vans Hi-Country & Hell-Bound (Traditional Lace) - $370 | 90.8 points

Salomon Dialogue Lace BOA (Hybrid Lace/BOA) - $379 | 89.7 points

DC Judge BOA (Double BOA) - $379 | 87.0 points

Ride Deadbolt Zonal (Double BOA) - $379 | 85.3 points

BEST CHEAP FREERIDE BOOTS

Boot: DC Phantom

Price: $399

Snowboarding Profiles' Freeride Rating Score : 89.9/100

>>See Full Review (review coming soon)

Why These Boots Were Chosen

Whilst $399 may not sound like anyone's idea of a low price for snowboard boots, for this category it's $64 cheaper than the average price and only $20 more than the lowest priced option.

The fact that the Phantom is not only that well priced for the category, it defies its price-tag by ranking #2 in our  Top 5 freeride boots list, which doesn't take price into account. 

Some other notable numbers: 

• The average price for this category went up by $6 compared to last year.
• The average price for this category is the highest of all the categories - $63 higher than the next highest category (all-mountain), and $175 higher than the freestyle category (see above)!

Alternatives

Nidecker Kita (Double Boa) - $399 | 88.8 points

Ride Insano (Double Boa) ($449 | 89.4 points)

BEST CHEAP BEGINNER BOOTS

Boot: Vans Hi-Standard OG

Price: $199

Snowboarding Profiles' Beginner Rating Score : 94.2/100

>>See Full Review

Why These Boots Were Chosen

Note that the outcome here is somewhat skewed because price is taken into account for beginner boots scores - which it isn't in any of the other categories. 

But that doesn't take away from the value-for-money of the Hi-Standard OG, if you're looking for an easy going beginner boot to start out your snowboarding journey. They also work well as freestyle boots. 

The Hi-Standard OG are $51 cheaper than the average price in this list and got the #1 position in our top 10 beginner boots list. Part of what makes them cheaper is being traditional lace. If you're not big on the idea of traditional lace, check out some others in the alternatives below. 

Some other notable numbers: 

• The average price for this category went up by $7 compared to last year
• Price is taken into account for the scores for beginner boots – so this is somewhat skewed for this category. 
• The average price for the top half (top 11) was $240, making the Hi-Standard OG $41 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list. The bottom half of the list had a an average price of $263 - larger than the top half - because price in this case influenced the scores. 
• The Hi-Standard OG were the 2nd equal cheapest in the whole category - and only $10 more than the cheapest in the category 
• The average price for this category is the lowest of all the categories, naturally being a beginner list - and with those that are suited to this category being softer flexing boots. 

Alternatives

DC Phase (Traditional Lace) - $199 | 93.6 points

Burton Moto (Speed Lace) - $229 | 94.8 points

Ride Rook (Single BOA) - $229 | 89.5 points

Thirty Two STW Double BOA (Double BOA) ($279 | 90.1 points) - They are actually one of the more pricey options in this category, but the only double BOA option - and for double BOA is reasonably priced - and Double BOAs also often don't come in this soft a flexing boot) 

Also check out our top 10 beginner boots list for some great alternatives as they're all reasonably priced.  

BEST CHEAP FREESTYLE BOOTS

Boot: Thirty Two Light

Price: $249

Snowboarding Profiles' Freestyle Rating Score : 89.1/100

>>See Full Review

BEST CHEAP ALL-MOUNTAIN BOOTS

Boot: Vans Invado Pro

Price: $269

Snowboarding Profiles' All-Mountain Rating Score : 84.8/100

BEST CHEAP FREERIDE BOOTS

Boot: Vans Hi-Country & Hell Bound

Price: $349

Snowboarding Profiles' Freeride Rating Score : 88.8/100

>>See Full Review

BEST CHEAP BEGINNER BOOTS

Boot: Vans Hi-Standard OG

Price: $199

Snowboarding Profiles' Beginner Rating Score : 96.5/100

>>See Full Review

BEST CHEAP FREESTYLE BOOTS

Boot: DC Mutiny

Price: $249

Snowboarding Profiles' Freestyle Rating Score : 87.8/100

>>See Full Review

Why These Boots Were Chosen

The Mutiny come in at $14 cheaper than the average boot in this category and score way above the average score. There are cheaper options (some you'll see in the alternatives below) but when it comes to value for money, the Mutiny are top of the pile. 

Part of that is because they use traditional lace. Traditional lace boots tend to be cheaper than speed lace or BOA boots. Personally I actually prefer traditional lace boots, as I find they offer the best adjustability. If you're the same, then you luck out when it comes to snowboard boots as they tend to be cheaper. 

If not, I will list the cheaper BOA options in the alternatives - but often cheap BOA means single BOA, which aren't very adjustable. 

Some other notable numbers: 

• The average price for this category went up by $14 compared to last year
• The average price for the top half (top 14) was $281, making the Mutiny $32 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list and the Mutiny was #5 in the category. 
• Of those costing $249 or less, not named the Mutiny, the average score was 76.3

Alternatives

Vans Hi-Standard OG (Traditional Lace) ($199 | 83.7 points)

Vans Aura Pro (Double BOA) ($289 | 91.3 points)

K2 Darko (BOA/Trad Lace Hybrid) ($259 | 83.1 points)

Burton Ruler (Speed Lace) ($289 | 82.6 points)

BEST CHEAP ALL-MOUNTAIN BOOTS

Boot: Salomon Dialogue Lace SJ BOA

Price: $329

Snowboarding Profiles' All-Mountain Rating Score : 89.7/100

>>See Full Review

Why These Boots Were Chosen

The Dialogue Lace SJ BOA come in at $57 cheaper than the average price for this category and score well above the average score. They score well enough to take the #3 spot in our Top 10 All-Mountain boots list - which doesn't take price into account. 

Some other notable numbers: 

• The average price for this category went up by $21 compared to last year
• The average price for this category is $123 higher than the freestyle category (see above)
• The average price for the top half (top 15) was $422, making the Dialogue Lace SJ BOA $93 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list! 
• The Dialogue Lace SJ BOA was the lowest priced binding in the Top 15
• Of the 9 boots costing $329 or less, not named the Dialogue Lace SJ BOA, the average score was 79.9

Alternatives

Salomon Dialogue Dual BOA (Double BOA) ($349 | 87.0 points)

Ride Deadbolt Zonal (Double BOA) ($379 | 85.9 points)

Salomon Dialogue (Speed Lace) ($299 | 84.2 points)

Burton Photon (Speed Lace) ($379 | 84.8 points)

Thirty Two TM-2 (Traditional Lace) ($379 | 85.3 points)

Vans Invado Pro (Lace/BOA Hybrid) ($269 | 83.7 points)

BEST CHEAP FREERIDE BOOTS

Boot: ThirtyTwo TM2-XLT

Price: $399

Snowboarding Profiles' Freeride Rating Score : 90.0/100

Why These Boots Were Chosen

Whilst $399 may not sound like a low price for snowboard boots, for this category it is. 

Stiffer flexing boots (same applies for bindings and boards) tend to cost more than softer flexing boots - and with this category only containing boots in the 8/10 and up flex range, it's not surprise why the average price is so much higher. 

The TM-2 XLT though offer great value-for-money, if you're looking for stiff boots. They are $48 cheaper than the average price and still make our Top 5 freeride boots list, which doesn't take price into account. 

Some other notable numbers: 

• The average price for this category went up by $13 compared to last year
• The average price for this category is the highest of all the categories - $60 higher than the next highest category (all-mountain), and $184 higher than the freestyle category (see above)
• The average price for the top half (top 9) was $475, making the TM-TWO XLT $76 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list. 
• Of the 8 bindings not named the XV and that were $399 or under, the average score was 84.6

Alternatives

Vans Verse (Double BOA) ($429 | 91.1 points)

Ride Insano (Double BOA) ($429 | 90.5 points)

BEST CHEAP BEGINNER BOOTS

Boot: Burton Moto Lace

Price: $199

Snowboarding Profiles' Beginner Rating Score : 96.5/100

Why These Boots Were Chosen

Note that the outcome here is somewhat skewed because price is taken into account for beginner boots scores - which it isn't in any of the other categories. 

But that doesn't take away from the value-for-money of the Moto Lace, if you're looking for a nice comfortable, easy going beginner board to start out your snowboarding journey. 

The Moto Lace are $35 cheaper than the average price in this list and got the #1 position in our top 10 boots list. Part of what makes them cheaper is being traditional lace. If you're not big on the idea of traditional lace, check out some others in the alternatives below. 

Note that the Moto also comes in a speed lace and a BOA version.

Some other notable numbers: 

• The average price for this category went up by $14 compared to last year
• Price is taken into account for the scores for beginner boots – so this is somewhat skewed for this category. 
• The average price for the top half (top 12) was $234, making the Moto Lace $35 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list. The bottom half of the list had a an average price of $235 - so basically the same as the top half - because price in this case influenced the scores. 
• The Moto Lace were the equal 2nd cheapest in the whole category - and only $20 more than the cheapest in the category 
• The average price for this category is the lowest of all the categories, naturally being a beginner list - and with those that are suited to this category being softer flexing boots. They are $29 cheaper on average than the next closest (freestyle category) and a whopping $213 cheaper on average vs the highest priced category (freeride).

Alternatives

Vans Hi-Standard OG (Traditional Lace) ($199 | 95.9 points)

Burton Moto (Speed Lace) ($219 | 95.3 points)

Ride Rook (Single BOA) ($219 | 91.3 points)

Thirty Two STW Double BOA (Double BOA) ($279 | 90.7 points) - OK actually one of the more pricey options in this list, but the only double BOA option - and for a double BOA is reasonably priced - and Double BOAs also often don't come in this soft a flexing boot) 

Also check out our top 10 beginner boots list for some great alternatives as they're all reasonably priced.