Hello and welcome to Snowboarding Profiles' list of the best freeride snowboard boots for men for the 2023-2024 season.
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 22 boots that I rated:
O.k. let’s get into the top 5!
FREERIDE BOOT #5=
Boot: Vans Hi-Country & Hell-Bound
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IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Traditional Lace
Flex: Mid-Stiff (7.5 out of 10)
Rating: 88.8/100
Starting off the list at #5, we have the Vans Hi-Country & Hell-Bound.
The Hi-Country is the softest flexing in this list, but still pretty stiff. It's also has the least carving performance, but has the best slow speed response. And then just across all the factors that we test, it performed really well.
The Hi-Country & Hell Bound feature Vans' removable tongue stiffeners so that you can adjust their flex. Whilst they rate the Hi-Country & Hell Bound to be 5-8/10 flex, I found they were 7.5/10 at their stiffest (with all tongue stiffeners in) and 6/10 at their softest (with all tongue stiffeners out).
These are the only Traditional Lace boots in this list as well.
Score Breakdown for the Hi-Country & Hell Bound
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
CARVING | 4.0 | 24/30 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TRACTION | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 9/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 9/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88.8/100 |
FREERIDE BOOT #5=
Boot: Nidecker Kita
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IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Double Boa
Flex: Stiff (8.5 out of 10)
Rating: 88.8/100
Next up we have the Nidecker Kita.
The Kita is the stiffest boot in Nidecker's boot line and they have some serious carving performance. But they're also surprisingly good at slower speeds for their flex.
While they're not the lowest profile boot going around, they're not bulky either and for every other factor we tested these boots performed well and overall felt like a high quality boot.
Score Breakdown for the Kita
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
CARVING | 5.0 | 30/30 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TRACTION | 4.0 | 12/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.0 | 8/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 8/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 3.0 | 6/10 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 8/10 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88.8/100 |
FREERIDE BOOT #4
Boot: Ride Insano
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IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Double Boa
Flex: Stiff (10 out of 10)
Rating: 89.4/100
In at #4, we have the Ride's Insano snowboard boots.
The Insano are the stiffest boots I've ridden - so if you like 'em stiff, these are right up there, without going into hard boots.
While they aren't as friendly for slower speeds, when you get some speed under them, they help you to hold and rip carves like a boss.
Overall a super high quality, super stiff boot for those that want a take no-prisoners kind of stiff boot.
Learn more about the Insanos in the Video Below
Score Breakdown for the Insano
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
CARVING | 5.0 | 30/30 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 3.0 | 3/5 |
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 | 89.4/100 |
FREERIDE BOOT #3
Boot: Vans Verse
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IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Double Boa
Flex: Stiff (9 out of 10)
Rating: 89.9/100
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 (like the Hi-Country & Hell-Bound above at #5=), 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 | |
|---|---|---|
CARVING | 5.0 | 30/30 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 3.0 | 3/5 |
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 | 89.9/100 |
FREERIDE BOOT #2
Boot: Burton Driver X
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IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Speed Lace (Speed Zone™)
Flex: Stiff (9.5 out of 10)
Rating: 91.0/100
In at #2, 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 when laying over carves.
Score Breakdown for the Driver X
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
CARVING | 5.0 | 30/30 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
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 | 91.0/100 |
FREERIDE BOOT #1
Boot: K2 Thraxis
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IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Triple Boa
Flex: Stiff (9 out of 10)
Rating: 92.6/100
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 carving performance you could ask for, better than you'd think slow speed response, 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 adjustability 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.
Score Breakdown for the Thraxis
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
CARVING | 5.0 | 30/30 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
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 | 92.6/100 |
Over to You…
Well there you have my list of the top freeride boots for the 2023/2024 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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