Hello and welcome to my Nidecker Rift review.
In this review I will take a look at the Rift as freestyle snowboard boots.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Rift a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other freestyle boots.
Overall Rating
Boots: Nidecker Rift
Price: $349 (USD recommended retail)
Style: All-Mtn-Freestyle
Flex Rating: Mid-Soft
Flex Feel: Medium (5.5/10)
Rating Score: 93.2/100
Compared to other Freestyle Boots
Of the 26 current model freestyle snowboard boots that we tested:
❄️ The Rift ranked 1st out of 26
Overview of the Rift’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Rift’s specs and available sizes.
SPECS
STYLE:
ALL-MTN-FREESTYLE
PRICE:
$349 - BUYING OPTIONS
Ability Level:
flex:
weight:
Felt normal
LACING SYSTEM:
Double BOA
SIZING
US MEN'S SIZE | UK SIZE | EURO SIZE | MONDOPOINT |
|---|---|---|---|
7 | 6 | 39.5 | 25 |
7.5 | 6.5 | 40 | 25.5 |
8 | 7 | 41 | 26 |
8.5 | 7.5 | 41.5 | 26.5 |
9 | 8 | 42 | 27 |
9.5 | 8.5 | 42.5 | 27.5 |
10 | 9 | 43 | 28 |
10.5 | 9.5 | 44 | 28.5 |
11 | 10 | 44.5 | 29 |
11.5 | 10.5 | 45 | 29.5 |
12 | 11 | 45.5 | 30 |
13 | 12 | 47 | 31 |
Who are the Rift Most Suited to?
The Rift are best suited to anyone looking for boots that can give them a good mid point between being playful enough for slower speed, quick turns and enough support for higher speed carves.
Particularly well suited if you're looking for a boot that's comfortable right out of the box (though there is an element of subjectivity to comfort of course).
Matches best to boards in that 3/10 to 6/10 flex range, particularly well suited to those in the 4/10 to 5/10 flex range.
Still a little too stiff to be ideal for a true beginner, unless you're a bigger rider or a particularly physically strong person. But doable for higher end beginners.
The Rift in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Rift are capable of.
Demo Info
Boots: Nidecker Rift 2023
Size: 10.0 (US Men's Sizing)
Date: January 16, 2023
Conditions
Snowing. Visibility wasn't unlimited but it wasn't whiteout or anything. I'd say 75%.
Bit of wind at times - up to 15mph (25kph), but then settled to more like 6mph (10kph).
Temp: 30°F (-1°C).
24 hour snow: 9" (24cm)
48 hour snow: 13" (33cm)
7 day snow: 14" (35cm)
On groomer: Was nice to start with well groomed soft packed groomers with a good layer of ungroomed fresh on top. Got pretty tracked and messy later in the day.
Off groomer: Really nice. Good pow. Not the lightest, driest powder ever, but not super heavy/wet either.
Fit
Width: Plenty of room width-wise for me for both toes and widest part of foot. I would say medium bordering on mid-wide.
True to Size?: They fit just right in the 10 and I'm typically a 10, so I would say true-to-size.
Toes ever so slightly not touching the end but really close. And overall a snug fit – but snug without any real tightness or pressure points. Really impressed with the fit of these boots out of the box. Top of toes felt really good too. Just enough space to wiggle toes a bit, but still all round snug.
High or Low Arch: Snug on top of foot but no pressure points, which is uncommon for my right foot. One of the most comfortable boots I've tried out of the box in terms of top of foot comfort from the get go. And that remained comfortable after getting them out on snow.
Around Ankles: This was the only area I felt slight pressure points. But only very slight and they went away pretty quickly. By the time I'd finished testing them, this was gone.
Responsiveness
Felt really similar to my control boots (Adidas Tactical ADV) for both quick turns at slow speeds and in terms of support and power for higher speed carves.
Strikes a really good balance between being good at both high speed carves and slower turning.
Heel Hold
I found the heel hold really good in the Rift. Very little heel lift.
Adjustability
The side boa operates the bottom 3 cables and the front boa operates the other 4 cables. No overlap, completely independent.
The liner is tightened with a typical lacing harness.
Comfort
Super comfortable right out of box. One of the most comfortable boots from Day 1 that I've tested.
Shock Absorption
Really good shock absorption and chatter absorption. Right up there. Not quite as good as my Tactical ADV (but nothing is that I've tested so far) but in that tier just below.
Traction/Sole Quality
The sole seemed like really good quality to me and gripped well when I walked in them. There is a good pattern variety and medium tread depth. It's a full rubber sole on the bottom, so should be durable too.
Reduced Footprint
They're not ultra low profile or anything, but they're certainly not bulky. A little bit of footprint reduction vs the average. Average of the boots I've measured is 2.93cm over mondo, with the Rift being 2.6cm over mondo.
Entry/Exit
These boots were super easy to get my foot into, which can sometimes be concerning that they're too big. However, once my feet were in, they felt very snug.
The liner is a standard lacing harness and has 2 velcro pieces at the top of the liner to help keep the top closed and snug. Typical and easy to work with.
And then just a standard double BOA on the outer boot, which is again easy and clean to work with.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
| Factor | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Shock Absorption | 4.5 | 18/20 |
| Board Feel | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Carving | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Slow Speed Response | 4 | 8/10 |
| Adjustability | 4 | 12/15 |
| Comfort | 5 | 10/10 |
| Heel Hold | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Reduced Footprint | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Traction | 4 | 4/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 93.2/100 |
The Rift are really nicely made boots that, for me, were super comfortable right out of the box. In fact I'd go as far as to say they were the most comfortable day 1 boots I've tested.
They bring a good balance between slow speed, playful riding but with enough support to be decent enough for higher speed carves, particularly when paired with a board in that 4/10 to 5/10 range.
They provided great shock and chatter absorption and, for me, provided great heel hold.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you’re interested in learning more about the Rift, 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 Rift compared to other freestyle boots, or want to check out some other options, check out the link below.
Hello!
I was wondering if you had plans to test the Bataleon Salsa too since the Rifts are basically the starting point for these?
I’ve just tried both the Rift and the Salsa back to back and although I loved the Rift, I felt they were too soft for me – softer than stated, basically as soft as my Rulers after 30 days of use, and they were also roomier inside than the Salsa – almost half a size bigger, especially in width, and I felt they would pack out too much and too soon.
For reference I tried 26.5 Mondo and my feet are 26.5. I also wear boots with heat mouldable Gamechanger insoles, so the fit is tighter than with original insoles – despite this I still felt the Rift were too big for me, but I do have a slim foot and no need for heat moulding the liner as I have no pressure points at all.
Two significant differences I noticed between the two are:
– Rift felt softer than a 5/5.5 out of 10 or maybe Salsa felt stiffer than a 6/10. If the Rift is a 5, then the Salsa must be a 7.
– The outside tongue in the Salsa doesn’t touch the liner. The Boa in the Rifts moves the tongue towards the liner without any pressure point or cutting off circulation. The Salsa on the other hand move the tongue below the Boa but not above it. Having said this, I have skinny calves and legs and when I tighten the liner in the Rifts, the two sides meet, and therefore the liner is a lot closer to the outside tongue. On the Salsas, the two sides don’t meet and therefore make it more obvious that the tongue isn’t touching. I wonder if in the lace version of the Salsa, with the power strap, this problem is less pronounced.
I’d love to see what you think of the fit when you get a chance to test the Salsa or other Bataleon models!
Hi Vito, thanks for your message.
I haven’t had a chance to test the Salsa, or any Bataleon boots so far (harder for me to source) but I’m intrigued to try them now. Thanks for your insights, it’s much appreciated and hopefully can get a chance to try them this season.
Hi Nate,
Hope you’re doing fine!
I just had my first ever season of snowboarding (after skiing my whole life) and I really enjoyed it. Picked it up quite quickly. So would say I am high-end beginner currently.
Which shoes would you recommend for a high-end beginner? I am in doubt between the Nidecker Rift and Burton Ruler. Any recommendation between these two boots?
Kind regards,
Ferdi
Hi Ferdi, thanks for your message.
Depending on your weight, they are both potentially a really good bet, flex-wise for your level. I preferred the Rift, but the Ruler are still good options (again assuming they would have a good flex level for your weight). But the best for you would be the one that fits your feet best, first and foremost. If you are able to try them on, that would be a huge benefit – or even if you were able to try on something from the same brands to get a feel for how they feel on your feet. If you’re unable to try on, I feel like the Rift are more likely to be comfortable from early on. Burton and Nidecker boots do fit fairly similarly I’ve found, but not exactly the same. You can also check out this article and this one for more on boot fit.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate, thanks for your reply!!
My weight is 88kg and I am 190cm, therefore looking for a more medium stiff boot, even as I am still considering myself a beginner. I ordered both boots and just tried them on at home. Both feel fine, but will try them on the slopes next week.
However I am not sure if the Nidecker Rift boot is maybe too big in size for me. I bought both boots with Mondo size 30. The difference is that Nidecker is EU 45.5 and the Burton is EU 45. I am not really feeling the front with my toes, only when I stand up straight I can feel it very very slightly, just a small touch (with two toes). I think this should be fine, however I am not sure if the boots will further expand by breaking in after a while. Apart from the toes, they fit very well and snug. What is your experience with the Rift?
On the other hand, the Burton Ruler’s feel too small with Mondo 30. Constantly touching the front while standing straight and squatting.
Your help is much appreciated!
Kind regards,
Ferdi
Hi Ferdi
As a rule of thumb if your toes just touch the end when standing straight and then pull back a little when squatting into a turn, they should be a good fit. So, to me it sounds like the Rift are the better fit in the 30cm mondopoint. They will likely pack out a little, but not sure if the Ruler will pack out enough for you, if they’re touching when in a turning stance.
Both boots are what I would consider medium flex (5/10 on the Ruler and 5.5/10 on the Rift). For your physical specs, I think they are a good flex for you as a beginner.
Hi Nate,
Thanks again for your reply!
I will stick with de Nidecker Rift, like them more. But in doubt if I have to size down to EU 45. You mentioned your toes were slightly not touching the front. Was this in a riding position or standing? I am only touching the front of the boot very slightly when standing with straight knees.
Hi Ferdi
It’s hard to say for sure. Even though my toes were not quite touching, I felt that they were a really good fit for me. But they could pack out a bit over time. That said, often I notice a bit of packing out after testing a boot and sometimes when a boot feels good to start with, by the end of testing I feel like maybe I could go a half size down, if I were to buy them. With the Rift, I didn’t get that sense after testing them – and I have had boots that fit just right out of the box that have stayed fitting well for their duration. So it’s hard to say for sure. The EU45 might be the better bet in the long run, with some teething to begin with, but having not had the boots for a long period of time, it’s hard to say how much or how fast they would pack out in the longer term. I suspect that if your toes are touching, even if very slightly, then you should be OK, given mine weren’t touching at all (almost touching) and they felt good – oh yeah and to clarify, my toes were just not touching in an upright standing position.
If they feel snug around your feet/ankles otherwise and the heel hold is good, then I think you’ll be good in the EU45.5 but no guarantees.
Hey Nate, hope you are great!
Im replacing my Infuse’s for next season as they were getting a bit big for me after 25 days on them.. and they were heavy as hell!
The rift seems like a well made boot with the flex im looking for but I have one doubt.. the guys at thegoodride said they struggled to get a nice snug fit at the top, possibly because the Liner is too wide and always leaves a gap in the shin area, to the point that they almost overlap the two velcros to close the liner. Did you had the same experience? Im worried because I have skinny legs and although I dont mind to have some wiggle room in the toe box and the lower area of the foot, I like to have a snug fit at the top always.
Thanks for the help mate!
Hi José, hope you’re doing well too!
Yeah, the Infuse are heavy, that’s for sure. Vans boots in general tend to be heavier. The plus side of that is that they feel like they’ll last an eternity, but the downside is carrying that extra weight.
I found the Rift were fine in terms of fitting them snug at the top of the boot, but I can see how that could be an issue with the velcros overlapping and making it harder to get a snug fit. Not an issue I had, but that’s not to say it wouldn’t be an issue for you. I do have fairly skinny legs though. I wouldn’t say super skinny, but just on the skinnier side of average I would say.
Hope this helps
Hi,
I’m looking at replacing my Burton Ruler boots. I was looking at either the Rift or the Nitro Team TLS. What would you recommend? My riding level is probably somewhere between intermediate 6 and Advanced 7. I prefer trees and freeride instead of freestyle, but I don’t want a purely freeride oriented boot. There’s very little info on Nitro boots around and I think I’d be great if you could get your hands on some of the most popular ones. A reason why I am thinking about Nitro is because a friend of mine recently rented a pair and when I tried them on I found them very comfortable. Thanks!
Hi Vito, thanks for your message.
I would love to test more Nitro boots. Have had some trouble getting a hold of them for a reasonable price, so the only ones I’ve tested so far have been the Sentinel BOA. I found them comfortable for sure. But they are a different prospect from the Team TLS, which Nitro rate at an 8/10 flex. Not sure how stiff they are in reality, but if they are rated that stiff, then they are very likely to be a good bit stiffer than the Rift, which I felt at a 5.5/10 flex. The Nidecker Kita is likely to be a better comparison flex-wise.
Depending on the board you’re riding and your physical specs and strength would depend on which flex level would be best for you.
Hope this gives you more info and let me know if you have any follow up questions.
Hey Nate ,
I’ve been doing so much research on boots and have found your page helpful is a lot ways.
One thing that is confusing to me is sizing. I have a mondopoint of 27cm with a ~8.5cm width. This is a regular width size 9 boot according to mondo. I wear US Shoe size 10.5 -11 . A lot of boot companies say buy your shoe size and I see a lot of other places say buy mondopoint. I just don’t want to drop $300 on too tight uncomfortable boots. Which measurement should I consider ?
Your help is much appreciated!
Thanks
Hi Duane
Thanks for your message.
I find that typically I’m either my shoe size in snowboard boots or 1/2 a size down. However, it can be different for everyone and how we size our shoes can be different too. I have a 27.3cm left foot and 27cm right foot. And I’m typically a US10 in shoes and a US10 or US9.5 in boots depending on the brand. Vs mondo, I find typically that most people are around 1/2 size longer than the Mondo, but in some cases a whole size longer or in some cases right on the mondopoint. So, for your, I would say you’re likely a 9.5 or 10 in the Rift. Given your shoe size, the 10 is probably the safer bet. And I didn’t have any problem with the 10 feeling too big on my right foot, which is 27cm. So again, assuming that 27cm measurement is accurate, then I think the 10 would be your safest bet, but the 9.5 is likely to fit as well, and potentially be the better option in the long run, after breaking in. That said, I didn’t notice these boots pack out too much in the time I had them. But they will pack out a bit.
Hope this helps with your decision
Nate, thank you for your review! Are there any notable differences between the 2023 and the 2024 versions of the Rift?
Hi Greg
Thanks for your message. Apologies for the slow response, was travelling overseas and haven’t had the chance to get to your message until now.
As far as I know the 2023 and 2024 models of the Rift are the same.
Hope this helps and hasn’t come too late
Hey Nate!
Thanks for all the helpful information.
I’ve been borrowing a friend’s setup for the past two seasons as I learn but I’m feeling ready to get my own stuff.
I love aggressive all mountain carving and hitting some jumps and rails.
I’ve been looking for a setup that would let me bomb the mountain and carve while still letting me park ride.
I’ve been looking at the Yes Greats UnInc and saw you rode it with the Nidecker boots. Honestly, it seems like the perfect setup, but I’m worried the Greats might be too small for me.
I’m 6’1” and about 205 lbs. Usually I feel pretty unstable on smaller boards.
Do you think the Greats would fit? And if so, would the Nidecker and Greats combo give me good carving ability?
Thanks,
Bjorn
Hey Bjorn
Thanks for your message.
I own the Greats and have ridden it with several different boots. The Rift went well with it and is a good balance between carving and park. So I think they’d work. There are some other boot options that would be better suited, if you wanted to optimize your setup a little more for bombing/carving, but the Rift would work for sure, given you’re also wanting to ride the park.
In terms of sizing the Greats, you may be OK stability-wise, depending on your boot size. The Greats is a wider board (even wider than it looks based on its waist width), so while I would put your “typical all-mountain length” at around 163, it might be the case that the 159 would be fine for you, but if you could let me know your boot size I can confirm my opinion on that. If it’s going to be too small, I would be happy to suggest others that would suit your riding style.
Hope this helps
Hey Nate,
hope everything’s all right with you!
I have a quick question non related to the boots.
do you know which jacket you are using in the picture you took for this review?
the green one with black details on the sleeve?
im looking for something similar
thanks
have a nice day ahead
Hi José
The jacket is the Quiksilver Forever Gore-Tex (linked to my review of it). Great jacket and keeps me nice and dry. My one is the 2019 model, I believe, so I don’t think you’d find the same colorway. I don’t think they have a 2024 model for it. But they did have a 2023 model and some of those could still be floating around.
Hope this helps
Hey Nate, which size did you have in the tactical ADV boots?
I had a 44, so 28cm and i am curious if i should go for nidecker drift ibmn size 43 (=28cm) or 44 (=29cm).
Cheers
Björn
Hi Björn
I ride the Tactical ADV in US9.5s. I find for Adidas boots, I fit best a 1/2 size down. In Adidas sizing the 9.5 is a EU43.3 – the 44 is a US10. For the Rift, I would say it’s between the US10 (mondo 28cm, EU43) or the US10.5 (mondo 28.5cm, EU44).
It’s a close call but given you were a EU44/28 mondo in the Tactical ADV, I think the EU44 (mondo 28.5, US10.5) would be the best size for you for the Rift. But it’s possible you would fit in the EU43 (US10, 28cm mondo).
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision