Hello and welcome to my DC Mutiny snowboard boots review.
In this review I will take a look at the Mutiny as freestyle snowboard boots.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Mutiny a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other freestyle boots.
NOTE: The 2023 model was the last model of the Mutiny.
Overall Rating
Boots: DC Mutiny
Price: $249 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Freestyle
Other Uses: Casual All-Mountain
Flex Rating: Medium (6/10)
Flex Feel: Medium-Soft (3.5/10)
Rating Score: 87.8/100
Compared to other Freestyle Boots
Out of the 27 freestyle boots that I rated:
Overview of the Mutiny’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Mutiny’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freestyle or Casual All-Mountain |
Price: | $249 |
Ability Level: | |
Flex: | |
Weight: | Normal |
Lacing System: | Traditional Lacing |
Who are the Mutiny Most Suited to?
The Mutiny is a great option for anyone who prefers a softer flexing boot - whether for playful freestyle riding or casual all-mountain riding.
Pairs best with softer flexing boards.
Also a great option for beginners.
The Mutiny in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Mutiny are capable of.
Demo Info
Boots: DC Mutiny 2020
Size: 10 (US Men's Sizing)
Date: January 18, 2021
Conditions:
Sunny as! And no wind. Perfect visibility.
Quite hot with atll that sunshine.
24 hour snow: 7cm (3")
7 day snow: 16cm (6")
On groomer: Hard pack. Hard but not icy except in the occasional patch. Got softer as the day went on.
Off groomer: Very much like on-groomer.
Setup
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Board Demoed With: Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker 2021
Bindings Demoed With: Burton Malavita 2017
Outersole Length: 31.0cm (mondo 28cm)
Difference between Mondo & Outersole: 3cm
Backstay Height: 29cm
Rider Weight: 175lbs (79kg)
Boot Weight: 1000 grams*
* Average of a sample of boots I weighed was 1006 grams, so basically bang on the average. Heaviest were 1320 grams and lightest were 740 grams.
Flex
They felt really soft to me. Initially when trying on, I thought they felt like a 3, but after riding I could get them to a 3.5, maybe bordering on a 4. But to me they definitely didn't feel even close to the 6/10 rating that they have.
Fit
Width: They felt pretty normal width-wise. Maybe just bordering on mid-wide. Wider than the Salomon Launch I also rode that day, but nowhere near as wide as my test boots (Tactical ADV).
True to Size?: When I first put these on (prior to heat molding) I didn't think they would fit me. They felt very tight - mostly on the top of the foot but very snug for the toes too. Toes weren't squished against the end length-wise - they were just brushing, which is good, but the tops of the feet and tops of the toes were borderline. No real wiggle room for the toes.
Thought for sure that the 10.5 would be the better bet. But after heat molding, the fit improved a lot. Still on the snugger side of comfortable, but wearable.
When I got them up to the resort for testing and put them on again, I was again wondering if they were too small. But after the walk from the carpark to the lift they started to feel better and after the first run, they were even better.
For testing purposes, I think the 10.5 would perhaps have been better, but I think if I was to buy them I might tough out the 10. Being a softer boot, it wouldn't take as long as a stiffer boot to become the perfect fit, I would say.
I'm typically a 10, so I would say true-to-size bordering on running 1/2 size small.
High or Low Arch: As above, there was a lot of pressure on the top of my feet (particularly my right foot - my left foot is quite flat and my right foot has a higher arch). That was a lot better after heat molding and better again after riding. I don't have particularly high arches though (even in my right foot), so someone with high arches might find this a little too tight on the tops of their feet.
Shock Absorption
My stomp test, testing against my test boots (Tactical ADV) revealed really good shock absorption in these boots. Not quite to the Tactical ADV level - but those things are like clouds - but still really good. And the Mutiny have awesome board feel too (something the Tactical ADV aren't great for), so they have it both ways.
On snow, that shock absorption was evident and noticeably better than the Salomon Launch I also rode that day. Still not Tactical ADV level, but really good nonetheless.
Board Feel
As alluded to above, the board feel on these boots is really really good. Up there with the best I've tested.
Responsiveness
Not as good for getting really deep on carves as my test boots (Tactical ADV) but really good for maneuverability at slower speeds - better for that than my test boots.
Adjustability
These are just standard traditional lace boots. Nothing fancy going in there - but that's a good thing, when it comes to adjustability. Can easily individually tighten and loosen different sections of the boot.
There's nothing that makes it easy to re-tighten the liner without loosening the outer boot (like a BOA that works on the liner for example) and nothing like a heel hold kit, or tongue stiffeners for flex adjustment, so not full marks for adjustability, but really really good in terms of getting the right fit across the boot.
Comfort
As mentioned in the fit section above, toes and tops of foot there was some pressure in there. Otherwise very comfortable on shins and calves etc. Was a bit of a relief to get them off the tops of my feet when I first tried them on and left a good red mark on tops of both feet.
But after heat molding and then again after riding, they progressively got more comfortable and that pressure got less and less.
And no cramping or anything like that when riding, which is a big part of it.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Heel Hold
There is some lift there, but didn't really notice it when riding. That heel lift is pretty minimal and certainly wasn't a concern for me.
Reduced Footprint
They're not bulky, but not low profile either. Right in the middle. If you had to go 1/2 size up to fit in them, then they would be on the bulky side.
Traction
Sole actually looks pretty decent, which surprised me for the price. There's some rubber in there and there's a good variety of tred pattern and reasonable tred depth too.
Entry/Exit
Getting my foot in was pretty normal. A little tight getting in initially but that's typical of most boots.
There's a strap at the top of the liner, which is an extra step (but a good extra step to have that strap, IMO) and being traditional lace, not super fast/easy to get on and off, but once you're used to it, it's not a biggie.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
---|---|---|
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 16/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
RESPONSE | 3.0 | 9/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.0 | 8/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TRACTION | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 87.8/100 |
Just a really fun, soft, playful freestyle boot, that let's you feel the board really nicely, but somehow achieves that elusive board feel/shock absorption combination - basically the ultimate of what you want out of a freestyle boot.
And really well priced to boot (pun intended!). Softer boots are typically cheaper, but DC rate this a 6/10 flex, so they don't rate it as a softer boot! Traditional Lace is typically cheaper too, but even for a trad lace boot of this quality, it's a really good price for what you get (so long as you're not looking for a 6/10 flexing boot and not looking to use it for hard charging).
Some prefer a stiffer boot, even for freestyle riding, but if you like em soft, these are just awesome boots - and aren't bad looking either (though that's of course in the eye of the beholder).
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you’re interested in learning more about the Mutiny, are ready to buy or want to research current prices and sizing availability, check out the links below.
If you want to see how the Mutiny compared to other freestyle boots, or want to check out some other options, check out the link below.
Colin says
Awesome! Thanks for the reply!!
Nate says
You’re very welcome Colin. Hope you have an awesome season!
Colin says
Hi Nate! Awesome review! Currently I ride 32 stw single boa and I was wondering if the DC mutiny are a stiffer boot since I was looking to go for a bit of a stiffer/All mountain boot and really like the DC Mutiny. Thanks!
Nate says
Hi Colin
I would say it’s mildly stiffer but not by a lot. My experience with it anyway was that it was quite a bit softer than it’s rated as being by DC. Assuming you feel it the same as I did, you probably won’t find it a lot stiffer. Depending on how long you’ve been with your STW, it might feel stiffer to begin with, given boots get softer over time. But if you wanted something noticeably stiffer, you’d be safer going with something else, IMO.
Some good options at the following:
>>My Top All Mountain (medium to medium-stiff flex) Snowboard Boots
and
>>My Top Freestyle (medium flex) Snowboard Boots
Hope this helps