The 5 boots featured below are what I consider to be the best freestyle snowboard boots currently on the market.
This post has been updated for the 2020-21 season.
As per SnowboardingProfiles.com tradition I have rated each pair of boots out of 100.
Comparison Stats
Of the 35 boots that I rated as freestyle boots:
O.k. let’s get into the top 5!
FREESTYLE BOOT #5
Boot: Adidas Superstar ADV
- CANADA
Lacing System: Traditional Lacing
Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)
Rating: 87.8/100
Starting the list at #5, we have the Adidas Superstar.
The Superstars are comfortable, offer great shock absorption and have a nice skate like board feel to them.
And they have pretty good reduced footprint too. Though, note that these don't have as much of a reduced footprint as other Adidas boots - but still better than average.
Learn more about the Superstar in the video below
Score Breakdown for the Superstar
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 16/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 12/15 |
RESPONSE | 3.0 | 9/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 3.0 | 6/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TRACTION | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 87.8/100 |
FREESTYLE BOOT #4
Boot: Burton Swath Boa
- CANADA
Lacing System: Double Boa
Flex: Medium (5/10)
Rating: 89.5/100
Nest up we have Burton’s Swath Boa boots.
The Swath Boa are an awesome boot for riding the whole mountain, riding the park, riding freestyle over the whole mountain or combining all of the above.
With great performance across all areas I looked at, they strike a great balance for freestyle/all-mountain-freestyle riding.
The Swath also come in a speed zone version, if that's more your thing.
Learn more about the Swath Boa in the video below
Score Breakdown for the Swath Boa
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 14/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 12/15 |
RESPONSE | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.0 | 8/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TRACTION | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 89.5/100 |
FREESTYLE BOOT #3
Boot: Vans Hi Standard Pro
- CANADA
- UK/EUROPE
Lacing System: Traditional Lacing
Flex: Medium (5/10)
Rating: 90.1/100
In at #3 we have Vans Hi Standard Pro. In a lot of ways it's like a traditional lace version of the Vans Aura Pro (see #2 below).
The Hi-Standards achieve a great balance between shock absorption and board feel - both highly sort after qualities for freestyle riding, IMO.
And they also offer great comfort and a low profile outersole, all for a really reasonable price-tag for what you get (around the average of the boots I rated in this category and the cheapest that made the top 5).
Learn more about the Hi Standard Pro in the video below
Score Breakdown for the Hi Standard Pro
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 16/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 12/15 |
RESPONSE | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 3.5 | 7/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TRACTION | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 90.1/100 |
FREESTYLE BOOT #2
Boot: Vans Aura Pro
- CANADA
- UK/EUROPE
Lacing System: Double Boa
Flex: Medium (5/10)
Rating: 90.1/100
In at #2 we have the Vans Aura Pro.
The Aura Pro are not to be confused with the Aura "OG" - a more budget friendly, softer flexing, single boa version.
Like the Hi Standard Pro (see #3) they have that great combination of both shock absorption and board feel - they are in a lot of ways Double Boa versions of the Hi Standard Pro.
The Aura Pro’s are super comfortable, have great shock absorption, really good heel hold and great in terms of board feel.
They also have a really low profile outersole and are just overall a well rounded boot for freestyle or all-mountain-freestyle riding.
Check out the video for more on the Aura Pro
Score Breakdown for the Aura Pro
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 16/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.0 | 12/15 |
RESPONSE | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.0 | 8/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TRACTION | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 90.1/100 |
FREESTYLE BOOT #1
Boot: Salomon Lo-Fi
- CANADA
- UK/EUROPE
Lacing System: Traditional Lacing with Boa
Flex: Medium (5/10)
Rating: 93.0/100
And finally in the #1 spot, are Salomon's Lo-Fi boots.
They are the most expensive on this list and quite a bit more pricey than the average price of the boots I looked at in this category. But if you're looking for a high performance freestyle boot and money isn't a factor, then the Lo Fi should be on your radar.
The Lo-Fi's are plush and offer great heel hold with that Boa cranking down on an internal harness over the ankle - and have great shock absorption. As well as being super comfortable (of course depending on fit for your foot) - all round just an awesome boot for those with the budget for it.
Learn more about the Lo Fi in the video below
Score Breakdown for the Lo Fi
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 18/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
RESPONSE | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.5 | 9/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TRACTION | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 93.0/100 |
Over to You….
So there you have my picks for the top 5 freestyle boots for the 2020/21 season.
If you’re interested in any of these boots check out the links for each boot above for more information.
Quick Note
This is by no means an exact science – but the ratings should give you a quick reference as to the performance of these boots.
Also note that some freestylers who are into really big air are likely to want a stiffer flexing boot. This post is aimed at your average freestyler who enjoys small to medium jumps, butters, grabs, 360s, jibs, ollies etc. Or just any intermediate to advanced rider that wants a boot around that 5/10 flex range.
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