Nitro Skylab TLS Snowboard Boots Review

O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Skylab TLS are capable of.

Demo Info

Boots: Nitro Skylab TLS 2025 

Size: 10 (US Men's Sizing)

Date: December 11, 2024

Foot to Boot Fit

Length Fit:

My toes were brushing the ends of the boots. Borderline pushed up against the ends. Not to a point of being crushed or having to curl up or going numb or anything, but a little more than just brushing. Does pull back away from the edge enough to be not touching when leaning forward into them – but then I found the tongue stabbing into my instep more! (see below for more on that).

For the tops of my toes there was a good amount of space to wiggle my toes. A little more than with the Nitro Team BOA, which I was also testing at the time. Similar to my control boots (Adidas Response). But again, as I wiggled my toes, I felt that the tongue pressing on my instep as I wiggled them. 

Width Fit:

I found I could move my forefoot just a touch side to side. But not that much. So I’d say medium, bordering on mid-wide. There was plenty of space for the sides of my toes.

In-Step:

When flexing the boots for the first time, the tongue really dug into my instep. It felt as though there was little to no articulation. But then looking at the boots, there’s definitely articulation and a good amount of it on the shell between upper and lower boot. But the tongue itself seems to not bend at all, so digs in. That would most likely improve over time.

When I first put them on, the instep wasn’t that noticeable but after flexing in them a few times, that tongue really leaves an imprint on my in step. It’s not super painful, but it is a little uncomfortable. It was a sharp pressure, not a spread out pressure.

Around Ankles:

There was a small amount on the very outsides of both inner and outer ankle bones, but it was subtle. Though it was hard to feel anything beyond that instep pressure.

True to Size?: 

I’d say true to size for sure. I wouldn’t go smaller for sure, but I think going bigger and it would pack out too much. The 10 is just right for my feet size-wise. Not sure about fit-wise though, with that instep pressure. But, again, there’s a good chance that would lessen over time.

On Snow: This was all very similar during the on-snow test, except that they felt like they had a bit more space length-wise. I'd still say 10 after riding in them, but a 9.5 would be more doable. So it's possible a 9.5 would work - though, if that made the in-step pressure worse, I'm not sure I'd want them. 

Boot to Binding Fit

To get a good fit in my bindings, I had to lengthen the ankle strap 1 hole longer and the toe strap 2 holes longer. 

In the heel cup it was a tight fit and I found I had to force the heel of the boot in a little to get it to sit in the back of the heel cup. 

Toes of the boot also just fit into my bindings. 

So all round, quite a bit more bulky than my control boots. And I would say bulkier than the average boot. 

Carving/Slow Speed Response

Carving was these boots best attribute, IMO. I felt like they made my overall carving experience better vs than with my control boots.I felt I could lean deeper into carves and they gave me more support. Still not quite up to the Team BOA, but those things feel sick for carving. 

For slow speed agility I wouldn't say they were terrible, but not great either. Noticeably not as good as my control boots. 

Heel Hold

There was some heel lift there. More than I'd prefer. It wasn't a huge amount of lift, but I'd still personally want a little more hold. I would say I have leaner than average ankles/heels, but not ultra lean or anything. So some might find the heel hold fine. 

Adjustability

Upper lower separation: There’s a strap that connects the lower to the upper sections, but that doesn’t actually effect it when you’re tightening, so they are actually completely independent. That little strap thing is just handy to loosen off both upper and lower at same time when you're taking them off. 

Ease of tightening the inner boot: Like with the Team BOA, you only have to loosen off the shell a little bit, and then can get the inner harness out and pull on it and ratchet it. So, it's not as easy as having an outer BOA for the liner and not having to loosen the shell at all, but it's easier/faster than with a lot of boots. 

It does have hook and loop things on the tops of the liner, which I like, to get that extra bit of snugness around the shins. 

Comfort

Apart from that in-step pressure point, there wasn't any other discomfort. But it was pretty hard to see past that pressure point. 

Shock Absorption

On snow they felt decent enough, without being anything special.

In the in-house stomp test, they didn't feel as shock absorbing as either my control boots or the Team BOA, but there was an ok amount of dampening going on.  

Board Feel

I didn't feel this as a strong point for the Skylab TLS. They felt too rigid, like they were lacking articulation, which was odd, given it looked like they should have good articulation. 

Traction/Sole Quality

Looks and feels really nice. It’s a Vibram sole. Feels/appears to be predominantly rubber, apart from in the raised arch area, where it may not be but may still be. The outsole is made with “Vibram® ECOSTEP™ Compound” which is 30% recycled rubber. Appears to be the same sole as is on the Team BOA.

Reduced Footprint

The outsole measured pretty long for a 10 at 31.3cm (or 3.3cm longer than its mondo). However, it did have a higher than average toe bevel and heel bevel, which redeemed it a little bit, but still not super low profile or anything - about average. 

Entry/Exit

Liner

Getting my feet in was no problem after opening the boots out. I'd say average or maybe a little easier than average.

I quite like Nitro's liner lacing system. This one, unlike the Team BOA did have hook and loop on both sides of the liner to lock the tongue more firmly into place, which I liked. I like how the tightening of the liner lacing works - where you can progressively kind of ratchet up the tightness.

Shell

I still find speed lace systems a bit awkward. I've never quite figured them out, even though I did ride with a pair for 2 seasons. The actual pulling on them and tightening them is nice and fast, but I find it can be a bit fiddly to get the right amount of tightness. It feels to me that you can’t really lock them in without tightening them a little bit again. So, it’s almost like you have to guess a little by leaving them a little looser than you ultimately won't them. 

Then rolling them up and putting them away is always a bit funny and they often come out. I'm guessing there must be a better way to do it than I do, that makes it more reliable, but I've never really figured it out, trying different things.  

Footbed Quality

The footbed is what I would call “medium quality”. There are some really bad ones, and ones that seem decent enough. The Skylabs is ok but not great (feels like it’s the same as the one in the Team BOA). If I didn’t use custom orthotics, I would get an aftermarket footbed if I bought these.