Nidecker Rift W Review

Hello and welcome to my Nidecker Rift W snowboard boots review.

In this review I will take a look at the Rift W as all-mountain snowboard boots.

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

Overall Rating

Boots: Nidecker Rift W

Price: $349 (USD recommended retail)

Style: All-Mountain 

Flex Rating: Medium (6/10)

Flex Feel: Medium (6/10)

Rating Score: 88.3/100

Compared to other Women's All-Mountain Boots

Overview of the Rift W’s Specs

Who are the Rift W Most Suited to?

The Rift W are suited to a wide range of riders, largely due to the mid-flex. 

They match well to anything from a 4/10 to 7/10 flexing board - which covers a good portion of boards out there. Ideally suited to boards in that 5/10 to 6/10 flex range. 

They are a little stiff for beginners, but fine for most intermediate riders, unless you're really light, in which case they may still feel a little stiff. They also work well for advanced riders who have a mid-flex board and even expert riders who like a little more of a playful feel or are lighter riders. 

THE Rift W IN MORE DETAIL

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

Outersole Length:  27.7cm (mondo 25cm)

Difference between Mondo & Outersole: 2.7cm

Backstay Height: 11" (28cm)

Weight: 1lb 16oz ( 900grams)*

* 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: When first trying on they were quite snug in terms of sides of toes and around the widest part of the forefoot. But no pressure points or anything. That felt pretty much the same when riding, after heat molding. I would say medium bordering on mid-narrow. 

True to Size?: My toes weren't quite touching the ends but very close to. So, naturally no pressure on the front of my toes. Felt the same when riding, after heat molding. Not a lot of wiggle room for toes as the boots were very snug on the tops of my toes. But no pressure or discomfort from in, just very snug and no real wiggle room. Heat molding gained a little bit more wiggle room though.

I would say true to size. Whilst my toes weren't quite touching the ends, they were very close and I don't think I'd want them any snugger on the tops and sides. They were just right in the 8 for me. 

Top of foot (instep): Again, very snug but not pressure points.  

Around Ankles: Felt good around the ankles. No pressure points or areas of discomfort at all both when first trying on and when riding. 

Responsiveness

The Rift W strike a really good balance between being good for quick, easy turns at slow speeds but with enough stiffness and support for higher speed carves too. 

Heel Hold

They provided really good heel hold for me. Some lift, but not enough to be noticeable when riding. Very similar to my control boots (Ride Hera). 

Adjustability

The front boa operates the top 4 cables and the side boa operates the bottom 3 cables. No overlap, completely independent.

The liner is tightened with a typical lacing harness. 

Comfort

While riding toes were going a bit numb at first, which took away from them being as comfortable as they would have been with a little more room for the toes. Length-wise they were fine for the toes, but it was the sides and tops of toes that were a little too compressed. But that eased with time and would have only gotten better. Otherwise, they were super comfortable. 

Shock Absorption

They absorbed shock well. Certainly better than my control boots (Ride Hera). For both shock absorption and chatter absorption they performed really well. 

Traction/Sole Quality

The sole looks to be really good quality. They felt like they gripped well when walking in them, though it wasn't icy or anything when I was walking in them. There is a good pattern variety and medium tread depth. 

Entry/Exit

Relatively difficult to get foot in initially. Ankle area is still quite tight even when boot is loosened all the way. Though when getting the foot in, the ankle area feels good - snug but no pressure. 

The lacing system is easy and straight forward to use. A standard lacing harness, with velcro to help hold the top of the liner together - and then double BOA system for the outer boot. 

Score Breakdown and Final Verdict

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

The Rift W are really well made boots, in my experience and essentially have no weaknesses. They are the kind of boot that can work for a really wide range of riders and strike a really good balance between more casual playful, lower speed riding and higher speed bombing and carving.