Burton Ruler Boa Review

Hello and welcome to my Burton Ruler Boa review.

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

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

Overall Rating

Boots: Burton Ruler Boa 

Price: $359 (USD recommended retail)

Style: Freestyle

Other Uses: All-Mountain

Flex Rating: Medium 

Flex Feel: Medium (5/10)

Rating Score: 83.0/100

Compared to other Freestyle Boots

Overview of the Ruler Boa’s Specs

Who are the Ruler Boa Most Suited to?

The Ruler Boa are a great option for those on a mid-to-low level budget, but don't want a boot that's too soft or too stiff. Something just in the middle and an all round solid boot, that works well with medium flexing and medium-soft flexing boards. 

Not ideal for beginner-beginners, but high end beginners should be fine in these. That depends on weight too. A heavier beginner should be OK, but lighter riders probably want to be more of an intermediate level for the Ruler Boa. 

The Ruler Boa in More Detail

Board Demoed With: Rossignol One LF 2018

Bindings Demoed With: Burton Malavita 2017

Outersole Length: 31.1cm (mondo 28.5cm)

Difference between Mondo & Outersole: 2.6cm

Backstay Height: 30.1cm

Weight: 820 grams*

* Average of a sample of boots I weighed was 1006 grams, so a good bit lighter than the average. The lightest I've weighed is 740 grams and the heaviest is 1320 grams.  

Flex

I felt the Ruler Boa at around a 5/10 flex, potentially pushing 5.5/10. 

Fit

Width: They felt like they're a little wider than medium, but not by heaps. Mid-wide, but not massively wide.

True to Size?: I rode 10.5s and I'm typically a 10. The 10.5s worked fine for demoing purposes, and I think they'd be fine to keep riding for a while in that size, but if I bought I would most likely go for 10s as I feel like the 10.5s would pack out too much over time. So, I would say true to size.  

High or Low Arch: It's pretty normal. In the middle. 

Shock Absorption

It's not bad, but not great either. Does a decent job of absorbing shock from flat landings and absorbing chatter, but not ultra-cush or anything. 

Board Feel

Good board feel in these boots. 

Responsiveness

I found the Ruler to be about middle of the road here. As expected really. 

Good manageability at slower speeds but also decent at holding a carve - a good balance between those things, without being outstanding at either. 

Adjustability

There's good separation between the upper section boa and lower section boa - so you can go tighter up top and loose down bottom or visa versa. 

The liner has a typical lacing harness plus velcro for the top of the liner. 

Comfort

All round pretty comfortable. On first try on, I noticed a bit of a pressure point on the top of my right foot - but that's pretty typical for me with most boots. After heat molding and then riding for a while, that was all but gone. 

All round nice and comfortable, without being massively plush or anything.  

Let’s Break up this text with a Video

The Ruler comes in around 1:10

Heel Hold

Really decent heel hold. Not much lift at all. Certainly not enough lift to be a bother at all or notice when I wasn't specifically thinking about it. 

Reduced Footprint

Decently reduced, typical of Burton. If I had to go 10.5, that would take away that reduced feeling, but I think the 10 would be the size I would be best of with, in this boot. 

Burton also tend to have a higher toe bevel, which makes the angle needed to encounter toe drag greater than it would be with a lower toe bevel. 

Traction

Sole isn't the best out of the Burton boots I've tested. Not a massive amount of tread and relatively soft feeling sole. Felt OK walking in them, but based on sole inspection, fairly average for traction. 

Entry/Exit

Pretty easy to get foot in and out of. And that double boa system is really easy to get going. 

There's the velcro you've got to do on the liner and the liner lacing harness, which is all pretty standard. Overall really easy and pretty quick too. 

Score Breakdown and Final Verdict

Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.

The Ruler Boa are a really solid choice for the price.

There's nothing that really stands out as amazing or special about these boots, but there's also nothing to complain about. Middle of the road boots, but in a good way.