Past Season All-Mountain Boots Lists

Boot: Burton Imperial

Price: $339

Lacing System: Speed Lacing

Flex:  Medium (6/10)

Rating: 85.3/100

Starting the list at #10, we have Burton's Imperial boots. 

The Imperials have been a staple in Burton's line for a while now, and no surprise there, given the quality across the range of factors. Great option for those that are looking for something low profile to get on a narrower board too. 

Score Breakdown for the Imperial

Boot: Ride Deadbolt

Price: $369

Lacing System: Double Boa with power strap

Flex:  Medium-Stiff (7/10)

Rating: 85.9/100

At #9 we have the Ride Deadbolt. 

With great heel hold, the simplicity of Boa and basically great performance across every function, the Deadbolt are a great option for those looking for something just that little bit stiffer than medium. 

Score Breakdown for the Deadbolt

Boot: Thirty Two TM-Three

Price: $449

Lacing System: Traditional Lace

Flex: Medium (6/10)

Rating: 87.0/100

The TM-Three features 32s Elite Liner for great comfort and support. 

But that's not all that's going for the TM-3. They have really good response, great adjustability (including a heel hold kit to ensure great heel hold) and are overall a quality feeling boot. 

Score Breakdown for the TM-3

Boot: K2 Ender

Price: $339

Lacing System: Traditional Lacing with internal boa

Flex: Medium (6/10)

Rating: 87.0/100

At #7 we have the K2 Ender. 

Apart from being super comfortable (depending on fit of course) and having awesome heel hold, the Ender Feature an internal Boa which harnesses the liner. This has 2 great benefits - it really helps with that heel hold but is also super convenient to re-tighten your liner without having to open the outer boot. 

Score Breakdown for the Ender

Boot: Adidas Response 3MC ADV

Price: $320

Lacing System: Double Boa

Flex: Medium (6/10)

Rating: 87.0/100

In at #6 on this list are the Adidas Response 3MC ADVs.

The Response 3MC ADV, are Adidas' mid flexing BOA boots – perfect for doing a bit-of-everything with.

They have really good response (as you might expect from the name!), great heel hold and all-round have no weaknesses – and of course they have Adidas’ renowned reduced outer-sole – so they’re a great choice for anyone with longer feet, looking to get on a narrower waist width board. Adidas boots are also known to be good for those with wide feet.  

These are also the lowest priced boots on this list – and come in a good bit under the average price for this category of boot.

Score Breakdown for the Response

Boot: Salomon Dialogue Focus Boa

Price: $349

Lacing System: Double Boa

Flex:  Medium (6/10)

Rating: 87.0/100

The Salomon Dialogue Focus Boa comes in at #8.

The Dialogue are great for anyone who needs great heel hold and wants their boots to be super comfortable (obviously depending on fit), and want plenty of shock absorption.  

Especially good for those with narrower feet.

Score Breakdown for the Dialogue Focus Boa

Boot: Burton Ion Boa

Price: $559

Lacing System: Double Boa

Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)

Rating: 88.6/100

The speed lacing versions have been around a long time, but I was glad to see they put out a Boa version for these a few seasons back, as I prefer it over the speed lacing, even if it does add another $50 to an already pricey pair of boots.  

To be picky if there were anywhere that could use slight improvement it would be the shock absorption. If you’re also riding Burton bindings then this shouldn’t be an issue, as their bindings have some of the best shock absorption in the industry.

You pay for these, the most expensive on this list, but you get back performance – not for the small budget but for comfort and performance they’re an awesome boot, if you’ve got the means for them.

Score Breakdown for the Ion Boas

Boot: Vans Infuse

Price: $389

Lacing System: Traditional Lacing with Internal Boa

Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10) - but can be 6/10 or 8/10 depending on whether you have the tongue stiffeners in or out. 

Rating: 90.8/100

In at #3 we have the Vans Infuse.

One unique thing about these boots is that they have removable tongue stiffeners – so you can really vary the flex feel that you get. There are 2 removable stiffeners – so you can have both in, both out or one or the other in. So, even though I rate these as 7/10 flex, I would say they are more like a range of 6 to 8. So you can make them a bit stiffer or a bit softer with those tongue stiffeners.

Also, they have a mixed lacing system which is predominantly traditional lace but also has a Boa in there. The Boa works on a harness around the ankle section of the tongue (on the outside of the boot, rather than around the liner - there's a separate liner harness), that cranks down on your ankle to keep your heel in place. So, you get the great adjustability of traditional lace with the great heel hold of Boa.

On top of all that, these are very comfortable and responsive boots.

Score Breakdown for the Infuse

Boot: Thirty Two 3XD

Price: $549

Lacing System: Traditional Lacing

Flex: Medium-Stiff (6.5/10)

Rating: 92.4/100

The 32 3XD were new in Thirty Two's line for the 2019-20 season (under the name "Mullair" and continue on for the 2020-21 season. And they are a mean pair of boots. 

Responsive, comfortable and with all the adjustability you'll ever need (including a heel hold kit and arch support kit). If you're OK with heavier boots (these are the heaviest I've weighed) and traditional lacing, these are one of the best you can get in that mid to mid-stiff flex range. 

Score Breakdown for the 3XD

Boot: Adidas Tactical ADV

Price: $350

Lacing System: Traditional Lacing

Flex: Medium (6/10)

Rating: 93.5/100

And in at #1, we have the Tactical ADV.

For anyone looking for the ultimate in reduced footprint – great for anyone with bigger feet that want to fit on narrower boards – the Tactical ADVs are a great option. They're also great for those with wider feet. 

But that’s certainly not the only reason these boots are here. They are also responsive, comfortable and one of the the best you’ll find at absorbing shock – thanks in a large part to the "boost" tech that’s used in the boots.

There is also a Tactical Lexicon ADV version which has a more plush liner. 

Score Breakdown for the Tactical ADV

Boot: Burton Imperial

Price: $339

Lacing System: Speed Lacing

Flex:  Medium (6/10)

Rating: 85.3/100

Starting the list at #10, we have Burton's Imperial boots. 

The Imperials have been a staple in Burton's line for a while now, and no surprise there, given the quality across the range of factors. Great option for those that are looking for something low profile to get on a narrower board too. 

Score Breakdown for the Imperial

Boot: Ride Deadbolt

Price: $349

Lacing System: Double Boa with power strap

Flex:  Medium-Stiff (7/10)

Rating: 85.9/100

At #9 we have the Ride Deadbolt. 

With great heel hold, the simplicity of Boa and basically great performance across every function, the Deadbolt are a great option for those looking for something just that little bit stiffer than medium. 

Score Breakdown for the Deadbolt

Boot: Salomon Dialogue Focus Boa

Price: $349

Lacing System: Double Boa

Flex:  Medium (6/10)

Rating: 86.4/100

The Salomon Dialogue Focus Boa comes in at #8.

The Dialogue are great for anyone who needs great heel hold and wants their boots to be super comfortable (obviously depending on fit). 

Especially good for those with narrower feet.

Score Breakdown for the Dialogue Focus Boa

Boot: Thirty Two TM-Three

Price: $449

Lacing System: Traditional Lace

Flex: Medium (6/10)

Rating: 87.0/100

The TM-Three features 32s Elite Liner for great comfort and support. 

But that's not all that's going for the TM-3. They have really good response, great adjustability (including a heel hold kit to ensure great heel hold) and are overall a quality feeling boot. 

Score Breakdown for the TM-3

Boot: Adidas Response 3MC ADV

Price: $320

Lacing System: Double Boa

Flex: Medium (6/10)

Rating: 87.0/100

In at #6 on this list are the Adidas Response 3MC ADVs.

The Response 3MC ADV, are Adidas' mid flexing BOA boots – perfect for doing a bit-of-everything with.

They have really good response, great heel hold and all-round have no weaknesses – and of course they have Adidas’ renowned reduced outer-sole – so they’re a great choice for anyone with longer feet, looking to get on a narrower waist width board. Adidas boots are also known to be good for those with wide feet.  

These are also the lowest priced boots on this list – and come in a good bit under the average price for this category of boot.

Score Breakdown for the Response

Boot: K2 Ender

Price: $339

Lacing System: Traditional Lacing with internal boa

Flex: Medium (6/10)

Rating: 87.5/100

At #5 we have the K2 Ender. 

Apart from being super comfortable (depending on fit) and having awesome heel hold, the Ender Feature an internal Boa which harnesses the liner. This has 2 great benefits - it really helps with that heel hold but is also super convenient to re-tighten your liner without having to open the outer boot. 

Score Breakdown for the Ender

Boot: Burton Ion Boa

Price: $549

Lacing System: Double Boa

Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)

Rating: 88.6/100

The speed lacing versions have been around a long time, but I was glad to see they put out a Boa version for these a few seasons back, as I prefer it over the speed lacing, even if it does add another $50 to an already pricey pair of boots.  

To be picky if there were anywhere that could use slight improvement it would be the shock absorption. If you’re also riding Burton bindings then this shouldn’t be an issue, as their bindings have some of the best shock absorption in the industry but if you’re pairing them with a less shock absorbing bindings, then you might feel it.

You pay for these, the most expensive on this list, but you get back performance – not for the small budget but for comfort and performance they’re an awesome boot, if you’ve got the means for them.

Score Breakdown for the Ion Boas

Boot: Thirty Two Mullair

Price: $499

Lacing System: Traditional Lacing

Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)

Rating: 90.8/100

The 32 Mullair are new in Thirty Two's line for the 2019-20 season. And they are a mean pair of boots. 

Responsive, comfortable and with all the adjustability you'll ever need (including a heel hold kit and arch support kit). If you're OK with heavier boots (these are the heaviest I've weighed) and traditional lacing, these are one of the best you can get in that mid to mid-stiff flex range. 

Score Breakdown for the Mullair

Boot: Vans Infuse

Price: $369

Lacing System: Traditional Lacing with Internal Boa

Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10) - but can be 6/10 or 8/10 depending on whether you have the tongue stiffeners in or out. 

Rating: 90.8/100

In at #2 we have the Vans Infuse.

One unique thing about these boots is that they have removable tongue stiffeners – so you can really vary the flex feel that you get. There are 2 removable stiffeners – so you can have both in, both out or one or the other in. So, even though I rate these as 7/10 flex, I would say they are more like a range of 6 to 8. So you can make them a bit stiffer or a bit softer with those tongue stiffeners.

Also, they have a mixed lacing system which is predominantly traditional lace but also has a Boa in there. The Boa works on a harness around the liner that cranks down on your ankle to keep your heel in place. So, you get the great adjustability of traditional lace with the great heel hold of Boa.

Other than that, these are very comfortable and responsive boots.

Score Breakdown for the Infuse

Boot: Adidas Tactical ADV

Price: $350

Lacing System: Traditional Lacing

Flex: Medium (6/10)

Rating: 91.8/100

And in at #1, we have the Tactical ADV.

For anyone looking for the ultimate in reduced footprint – great with anyone with bigger feet that want to fit on narrower boards – the Tactical ADVs are a great option. They're also great for those with wider feet. 

But that’s certainly not the only reason these boots are here. They are also responsive, comfortable and one of the the best you’ll find at absorbing shock – thanks in a large part to the boost tech that’s used in the boots.

There is now also a Tactical Lexicon ADV version which has a more plush liner. 

Score Breakdown for the Tactical ADV

Boot: Adidas Response ADV

Price: $320

Lacing System: Double Boa

Flex: Medium (6/10)

Rating: 88.0/100

The first boots we take a look at on this list are the Adidas Response ADVs.

This is Adidas’ second year of producing BOA boots and the medium flexing Response ADV, are the mid-level BOAs they made – perfect for doing a bit-of-everything with.

They have really good response, great heel hold and all-round have no weaknesses – and of course they have Adidas’ renowned reduced outer-sole – so they’re a great choice for anyone with longer feet, looking to get on a narrower waist width board. Adidas boots are also known to be good for those with wide feet.  

These are also the lowest priced boots on this list – and come in a good bit under the average price for this category of boot.

Score Breakdown for the Response

Boot: K2 Maysis Heat

Price: $449

Lacing System: Double Boa

Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)

Rating: 88.0/100

If you’re worried about footprint reduction because you have big feet, then the Maysis won’t be the best choice on this list but otherwise these are awesome boots for those who want charge the whole mountain.

They are nice and responsive, really lock your heel down, are super comfortable and have a good grippy sole for when you have to do any hiking or in an icy car park.

The Heat are new for 2019 and offer a battery powered boot heating system, with 3 different heat settings. This is pretty unique and great for those who ride in seriously cold conditions or who tend to run cold. 

These boots also come in a standard version (without the heat liner) which are $150 cheaper. If you’re budget is tighter and/or you don't need the heat, then those might be the better options. 

Score Breakdown for the Maysis Heat

Boot: Burton Ion Boa

Price: $549

Lacing System: Double Boa

Flex: Medium-Stiff (7.5 out of 10)

Rating: 88.6/100

The Ion BOAs were new for 2018 (and continue for the 2019 model). The speed lacing versions have been around a long time, but I was glad to see they put out a Boa version for these as I prefer it over the speed lacing, even if it does add another $50 to an already pricey pair of boots.  

To be picky if there were anywhere that could use slight improvement it would be the shock absorption. Had they scored higher in shock absorption they would have made #1. If you’re also riding Burton bindings then this shouldn’t be an issue, as their bindings have some of the best shock absorption in the industry but if you’re pairing them with a less shock absorbing bindings, then you might feel it.

You pay for these, the most expensive on this list, but you get back performance – not for the small budget but for comfort and performance they’re an awesome boot, if you’ve got the means for them.

Score Breakdown for the Ion Boas

Boot: Vans Infuse

Price: $369

Lacing System: Hybrid Boa/Traditional Lacing

Flex: Medium-Stiff (7 out of 10) - but can be 6/10 or 8/10 depending on whether you have the tongue stiffeners in or out. 

Rating: 90.8/100

In at #3 we have the Vans Infuse.

One unique thing about these boots is that they have removable tongue stiffeners – so you can really vary the flex feel that you get. There are 2 removable stiffeners – so you can have both in, both out or one or the other in. So, even though I rate these as 7/10 flex, I would say they are more like a range of 6 to 8. So you can make them a bit stiffer or a bit softer with those tongue stiffeners.

Also, they have a mixed lacing system which is predominantly traditional lace but also has a Boa in there. The Boa works on a harness that cranks down on your ankle to keep your heel in place. So, you get the great adjustability of traditional lace with the great heel hold of Boa.

Other than that, these are very comfortable and responsive boots.

I liked them so much I bought them! Why didn't I buy #1 - well a. because Vans boots fit me very well (I have flat feet and a normal width foot) and b. my brother bought the Tactical ADV (and loves them!) but I couldn't copy him right!? 

Score Breakdown for the Infuse

Boot: Adidas Tactical ADV

Price: $350

Lacing System: Traditional Lacing

Flex: Medium (6/10)

Rating: 91.8/100

And in at #1, we have the Tactical ADV – the only boot on this season’s list to feature something other than a BOA system.

For anyone looking for the ultimate in reduced footprint – great with anyone with bigger feet that want to fit on narrower boards – the Tactical ADVs are a great option. They're also great for those with wider feet. 

But that’s certainly not the only reason these boots are here. They are also responsive, comfortable and one of the the best you’ll find at absorbing shock – thanks in a large part to the boost tech that’s used in the boots.

Score Breakdown for the Tactical ADV