Burton Ritual BOA Review

Hello and welcome to my Burton Ritual Boa review.

In this review I will take a look at the Ritual Boa as freestyle snowboard boots.

As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Ritual Boa a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other women's freestyle boots.

Overall Rating

Boots: Burton Ritual Boa

Price: $399 (USD recommended retail)

Style: Freestyle

Other Uses: All-Mountain

Flex Rating: Medium

Flex Feel: Medium (5/10)

Rating Score: 89.1/100

Compared to other Women's Freestyle Boots

Out of the 17 women's freestyle boots that I rated:

Overview of the Ritual Boa’s Specs

Check out the tables for the Ritual Boa’s specs and available sizes.

Specs

Who are the Ritual Boa Most Suited to?

The Ritual BOA are best suited to those looking for an easy going mid-flex boot that will give them enough support to ride moderately fast and do moderately fast carves, but also perform well at slow speeds and be forgiving. 

They are best matched to boards in that 3/10 to 6/10 flex range and even more ideal for the 4/10 to 5/10 flex range. 

Doable for beginners, but not ideal for beginners, except for bigger or stronger riders. 

The Ritual Boa in More Detail

Bindings angles: +12/-12

Stance Width: 19.5" (49.5cm)

Rider Height: 5"7" (170cm)

Rider Weight: 125lbs (56kg)

Rider Boot Size: Women's US8.0 Ride Hera

Outersole Length: 28.0cm (mondo 25cm)

Difference between Mondo & Outersole: 3.0cm

Backstay Height: 10.8" (27.4cm)

Weight: 1lb 12oz (800 grams)*

* Average of a sample of  women's boots I've weighed was 1lbs 15oz (880g). Heaviest I've weighed were 2lbs 10oz (1200g) and lightest were 1lb 10oz (740g). 

Fit

Width: Medially (big toe) was good but a bit of pressure on the lateral side (pinky toe). On forefoot was initially some pressure on outside of forefoot both medially and laterally but that pressure eased a lot after heat molding and riding. Would say they're medium width. 

True to Size?: During initial try on, laterally pinky toe a bit squished. Toes touching the end and quite tight, but not so much so that they had to curl up to fit in or anything. After heat molding and riding on hill, remained quite tight at end of toes and on top of toes, but ultimately I think the 8 would break in as the right size, so I'd say true to size.  

Top of Foot (instep): Snug on top of foot but no pressure points. Comfortable and a good fit there both during initial try on and when riding. 

Around Ankles: Felt comfortable, no pressure points on ankles. 

Shock Absorption

Really decent shock absorption. Not best ever, but really good. In both the stomp test we do before getting them out on hill and when landing jumps/ollies etc, they felt like absorbed shock better than my control boots (Ride Hera). 

Board Feel

Board feel was good but not quite as good as my control boots, likely because of the extra cushness in the sole. 

Responsiveness

For tighter turns at slower speeds, the Ritual BOA performed very similarly to my control boots - which is good. They did well when it came to slow speed quick turns. 

For higher speed carves, they gave a little more support than my control boots. Not a top tier carving boot, but decent enough for higher speed carves. 

Adjustability

The Double BOA system operates with fully independent sections. The side BOA tightens the lower half of the outer boot and the front boa tightens the top half of the outer boot.

Nothing else out of the ordinary. Liner has a standard lacing harness. 

Comfort

Some pressure on the toes, particularly laterally (on pinky toes). Other than that really comfortable. 

Heel Hold

There was a little bit of heel lift, which is typical of every boot. But nothing too bad and nothing too noticeable when riding. 

Traction/Sole Quality

Seems like a good quality sole. With at least a medium tread depth. Has a good variety of pattern too. Pretty stiff in heel (which is typical) with just a touch of give. A bit more give in the mid-foot (again typical). Toe has about the same give as mid-foot (which is not typical – typically there’s more in the toe than the mid-foot).

Entry/Exit

Averagely easy to get foot into. 

Then there's the standard lacing harness which was again, very normal and easy. 

And finally, the outer boot was also nice and easy and quick to tighten, with the Double BOA system. 

Score Breakdown and Final Verdict

Overall, the Ritual BOA were a great feeling boot that didn't really have any major weaknesses.

They provide a good middle ground for both higher speed carving and lower speed tighter turns - or for just cruising.