Hello and welcome to my list of the best freeride snowboard boots for the 2022/23 season. This list covers what I consider to be the best 5 men’s freeride boot choices.
Each pair of boots in this list has been rated on a number of factors that are important for boots that will serve the freerider/big mountain rider and, as always here at SnowboardingProfiles.com, given a total score out of 100.
Some Quick Stats Before We Start the List
Of 19 boots that I rated:
O.k. let’s get into the top 5!
FREERIDE BOOT #5
Boot: Thirty Two TM-TWO XLT
- CA
- uK/EU
Lacing System: Traditional Lace
Flex: Stiff (9 out of 10)
Rating: 90.0/100
Starting off the list at #5, we have Thirty Two's TM-2 XLT.
Not to be mistaken for it's younger brother, the TM-2, the TM-2 XLT features a much stiffer flex and an upgrade in sole for better traction.
These boots are stiff, responsive and highly adjustable with their traditional laces.
Learn more about the TM-2 XLT in the Video Below
Score Breakdown for the TM-TWO XLT
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 5.0 | 35/35 |
TRACTION | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 9/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 7/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
COMFORT | 3.0 | 6/10 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 90.0/100 |
FREERIDE BOOT #4
Boot: Ride Insano
- CA
- UK/EU
Lacing System: Double Boa
Flex: Stiff (10 out of 10)
Rating: 90.5/100
In at #4, we have the Ride Insano.
What can I say, these boots perform well in every factor that I assessed them on. Just awesome across the board – super responsive, great heel hold, comfortable, good shock absorption and plenty of traction for hiking.
And these are the stiffest boots I've ridden - so if you like 'em stiff, these are right up there, without going into hard boots.
Learn more about the Insanos in the Video Below
Score Breakdown for the Insano
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 5.0 | 35/35 |
TRACTION | 4.0 | 12/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.5 | 9/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 9/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 7/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 3.0 | 6/10 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 90.5/100 |
FREERIDE BOOT #3
Boot: Vans Verse
- CA
- UK/EU
Lacing System: Double Boa
Flex: Stiff (9 out of 10)
Rating: 91.1/100
Next up are the Vans Verse.
The Vans Verse are a rugged, responsive boot, built for hard charging and big mountain missions.
Featuring TNF Flashdry™ to wick away moisture from your feet and a waterproof zipper cover, the Verse will help to keep your feet warm and dry no matter what the conditions.
The other great feature of these boots is that they use Vans' removable tongue stiffeners, which means, if you want, you can remove those for a softer flexing boot. So on those days where you want a bit more forgiveness. That might be at the end of the day or for more casual riding with mates in the resort or if you want to ride them with a softer flexing board.
Score Breakdown for the Verse
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 5.0 | 35/35 |
TRACTION | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.5 | 9/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 9/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 3.5 | 7/10 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 91.1/100 |
FREERIDE BOOT #2
Boot: Burton Driver X
- CA
- UK/EU
Lacing System: Speed Lace (Speed Zone™)
Flex: Stiff (9.5 out of 10)
Rating: 91.6/100
In at #3, we have the Driver X. A true freeride boot in every sense of the word.
Stiff as hell, responsive as hell and aggressive as hell.
The Driver X will do just what it suggests – help to drive you hard down the mountain. If you like your boots super aggressive and have a stiff/aggressive board (s), then these just might be the boots for you. In fact the only boots I've ridden that are stiffer are the Ride Insanos (see #4 above) and there's not much difference between them.
But they also offer great shock absorption and traction to help you out when hiking the backcountry.
Add to all of that some great footprint reduction, allowing you to ride a narrower board for more precision and reducing the risk of catching a boot in the snow on those hard carves.
Learn more about the Driver X in the Video Below
Score Breakdown for the Driver X
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 5.0 | 35/35 |
TRACTION | 4.0 | 12/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 8/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 4.5 | 9/10 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 91.6/100 |
FREERIDE BOOT #1
Boot: K2 Thraxis
- CA
- UK/EU
Lacing System: Triple Boa
Flex: Stiff (9 out of 10)
Rating: 93.2/100
And finally at #1, we have K2's Thraxis boots.
The Thraxis are bursting with tech and their performance reflects this. You do pay for it though (but in saying that, they aren't really that far off the average price of boots on this list - freeride boots are just expensive!).
With all the response you could ask for, great traction for those hiking missions and a locked down, yet comfortable fit (fit is different for everyone though of course, depending on your own feet, ankles and calves but with the amount of adjustbility in these boots they should accommodate most), the Thraxis boast everything you need in a hard charging, take no prisoners boot. Perfect paired with stiff/aggressive boards.
Learn more about the Thraxis in the Video Below
Score Breakdown for the Thraxis
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 5.0 | 35/35 |
TRACTION | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.5 | 9/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 9/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 8/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 3.0 | 6/10 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 93.2/100 |
Over to You…
Well there you have my list of the top freeride boots for the 2022/23 season. I hope this has helped to make your decision easier.
If you are interested in any of the boots in this list check out the links for each boot above to learn more and to check prices.
If you think you would prefer something with just a bit of a softer flex – but still want something that is responsive and performance oriented, check out the link below.
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