When sizing snowboard boots, it can be a tricky thing to do, without trying them on first.
This is because every foot is different – and what feels good to one person, might be different for another.
But it’s not always the case that you will have the opportunity to try boots on – or your local shop might be very limited in terms of their options.
This post is going to outline how I find boots fit, from a few different brands, based on my experience with them and based on what others have said.
If you have no opportunity to try boots on, hopefully this can help you narrow down your options in terms of fit. Every foot is different so these thing won’t necessarily hold true for you, but if you can narrow it down, then you hopefully won’t have to send boots back and get different ones – or at least not too often.
Sizing
In my experience most, but not all brands that I cover, fit true-to-size. By that I mean that they fit in the same size as my normal shoes would fit me. This is different to what the mondo-print of the boot says though.
The Mondo-Print of a boot is supposed to determine the length of the foot that is best suited to that boot. E.g. a 28cm foot is best suite to a 28cm Mondo-Print (sometimes measured in millimeters – i.e. 280mm). However, in real life, I have seldom seen that to be the case for snowboard boots.
My left foot (which is longer than my right) is 27.3cm. My right foot is 27.1cm. Which would suggest that a 27.5cm Mondo-Print boot would be my best size. But I have never been able to fit into a 27.5cm (US Men’s 9.5 boot) boot, except with Adidas and Salomon boots (and can squeeze into a K2 9.5). For most brands I fit into a 10 (Mondo 28cm) or a 10.5 (Mondo 28.5cm).
And I have seen the same for most people that I have talked to. This is why I say that true-to-size, in my books, represents what your typical shoe size would be.
Again, like everything with boots and feet, this won’t be the same for everyone, but this is the case in my experience.
So, for the brands that I test, these are the sizes that fit me – fit according to these criteria.
- Adidas – US9.5 (27.5 Mondo)
- Burton – US10 (28 Mondo)
- DC – US10 (28.5 Mondo)
- K2 – US10 (28 Mondo) but I can squeeze a 9.5 (27.5 mondo) – I think 9.75 would be perfect!
- Nidecker – US10 (28 Mondo)
- Nitro – US10 (28 Mondo) – but feel I could possibly get into a 9.5
- Northwave – US10 (28 Mondo) – but feel I could possibly get into a 9.5
- Ride – US10 (28 Mondo)
- Salomon – US9.5 (27.5 Mondo)
- Thirty Two – US10 (28.5 Mondo) – at times bordering on a 10.5
- Vans – US10 (28 Mondo) – at times bordering on a 10.5
Said another way:
- Adidas – Run 1/2 Size Large
- Burton – True-to-Size
- DC – True-to-Size
- K2 – True-to-Size (but bordering on running 1/2 size large)
- Nidecker – True-to-Size
- Nitro – True-to-Size (but bordering on running 1/2 size large)
- Northwave – True-to-Size (but bordering on running 1/2 size large)
- Ride – True-to-Size
- Salomon – Run 1/2 Size Large
- Thirty Two – True-to-Size (but bordering on running 1/2 size small)
- Vans – True-to-Size (but bordering on running 1/2 size small)
Foot Width
Different brands tend to be better or worse fitting for different widths of feet. Some are better for narrow feet and some are better for wide feet.
I have completely averagely widthed feet – which is nice because most boots fit me fine. The width of the widest part of my foot is 4″, which is considered a “D“. Or medium. B or C are considered narrow and E and EE wide. Some of the information below is based on what others, with wide feet have said – see Snowboard Boots for Wide Feet for more.
- Adidas – Wide
- Burton – Mid-Wide
- DC – Mid-Wide
- K2 – Medium
- Nidecker – Medium but bordering on mid-wide
- Nitro – Mid-Wide
- Northwave – Narrow
- Ride – Medium
- Salomon – Narrow
- Thirty Two – Mid-Wide
- Vans – Medium
Summary
Hopefully this has helped you to find the right fitting boot, without having to try them on in store. Remember that fitting is only one part of choosing snowboard boots, and you should also consider other things like flex, the lacing system you prefer etc.
For more on how to choose snowboard boots, including getting the right fit if you have a chance to try on in person, check out the following:
>>Snowboard Boot Types (depending on skill level and style of riding)
>>Snowboard Boot Fit (if you get a chance to try on in store)
>>Snowboard Boot Lacing Systems
Hey I want to buy my first ever own snowboard boots. Looking at vans hi standard pros. My mondo is 27,5-28. I wear eu 45 nike sbs. What size should I choose?
Hi Tormi
Thanks for your message. If one of your feet is 28cm, then I would be looking at at least 10.5. My longest foot is 27.3cm and I get in a 10 but it’s a tight squeeze and would probably be fine in a 10.5 (US). So there’s a good chance you’ll actually be in an 11 (US). Not sure what that translates to in euro size for Vans (each brand is different for eu sizing conversions). But a US10.5 is a mondo 28.5 and the US 11 is a mondo 29. My instinct, if your biggest foot is 28, that it would be the 11 (mondo 29), but it’s hard to say for sure. Everyone’s feet are different and length doesn’t always determine the fit that will work best for you.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
I usually wear a size 10 in Vans (Hi-Standard) and it fits good, was thinking of using DC Phase, would you say those are true to fit or would 10.5 (in DC) fit as good as a 10 (Vans), or does DC size up or down?
Thanks,
Chris
Hi Chris
Thanks for your message.
The first DC boots I tried were a bit small for me in 10s (and I’m typically a 10) but since then they’ve fit me just right in the 10. So I would say true to size, now that I’ve had a bigger sample size. I would go with the 10. Some Vans boots I’ve tried recently have actually been pretty tight in the 10, though I wouldn’t go as far as to say, that I’d prefer 10.5 for them, but I would say now, that I’m closer to a 10.5 in Vans than I would be in the DC.
Hope this helps
Hey Nate! I just measured my foot it comes out to 287mm. I’m looking into the Burton Ions and the K2 Thraxis. What size should I be looking at? Thanks Jim
Hi James
My feet are 273mm (left) and 270mm (right) and I find that 10s are just right for me in Burton. Which makes me think the 11.5 is probably going to fit your foot the best. But the 11 is certainly a possibility. Everyone’s feet are different and length isn’t always an accurate predictor as to what will fit your feet best. But I think it would be unlikely you’d get in a 10.5 – and equally as unlikely that you’d have to go to a 12. So I think 11 or 11.5 is most likely.
K2 are boots that I’ve always felt would be just right in a 9.75! I can tolerate a 9.5 and eventually after a bit more breaking in time than normal, I think it would work well. But a 10 works well when I’m testing boots as I don’t get the same kind of break in time as I would if I owned them. So I think you’re more likely to fit an 11 in the Thraxis than the Ions. I still think the 10.5 is probably going to be too small – though if you were to get a chance to try on, I’d still try it on, but I think it will be too small. So again, I think it’s between 11 and 11.5 but think it’s more likely that the 11 will be the best fit, than with the Ion. But again, with feet, it’s hard to say for sure, and based purely on length it’s hard to predict.
Hope this helps a little bit
I think you are spot on! I have size 12 IONS now. I feel like they are too big after 15 days in them. Got them on sale in the summer. 11.5s were not in stock anywhere. Hoping to get to try them on first before I repurchase. But my local shops do not carry high end stuff. Ill be in Colorado though at the end of Feb. Hope to shop around out there. Thanks Nate!
Hey James
You’re very welcome. Hope you can find some to try on when you’re in Colorado.
Hi Nate, I fit into an 11.5 for Thirtytwo’s . But I’m getting a 11.5 Burton boot from you guys, would that be the move or should I change it to a size 11 Burton?
Hi Leland
Thanks for your message.
Hard to say without first trying them on. I have mostly found that 10.5s fit me best for 32 boots, but I have ridden 10s that were a better fit, in certain models. I’m typically a 10. So, I would guess probably an 11 in Burton (which usually fit me best in a 10) for you. But certainly no guarantee. Boot fitting is fairly hard to predict, but that would be best guess.
I wear a 9 street in adidas and cant decide on the adidas samba boot as some say half size up and some say half size down. Any suggestions?
Mondo size is approx 26.5
Thanks!
Hi Jakin
Thanks for your message.
In my experience with Adidas boots, I find that I fit 9.5s best – and I’m typically a 10 in street shoes. I had a pair of Adidas running shoes and they were a 10. So, I would suspect you’ll be an 8.5 in Adidas snowboard boots. No guarantees, but that would be my guess. Also, my mondo is 27.3 and the Mondo of a 9.5 is 27.5. And I fit in them well – not something that’s too tight to start with and then get more comfortable over time. But comfortable from day 1 in the 9.5. So with a 26.5 Mondo, I would again think 8.5 would be the best size. If that approx is more like 26.7 it might be a different story but if it’s 26.5 or slightly less than that, then 8.5 is most likely from my experience. All feet are different though and even the same length foot, weirdly, doesn’t always fit the same.
Hope this helps
It does thanks so much!
You’re very welcome Jakin. Happy riding!
Hi Nate!
My old pair is Adidas ADV US 8 2018. They are the perfect size for me.
I am looking at some K2s Thraxis 2022. I have to buy them online.
Which size would you suggest for the K2s?
Cheers
Asle
Hi Asle
Thanks for your message.
Tough call. I am US9.5 for Adidas boots and for K2 I’m borderline 9.5 or 10. I typically ride them in 10s. But I can get into a 9.5. It’s tight. Tighter than when I first get into an Adidas 9.5. But I think I would be fine in a K2 9.5, particularly after wearing them longer. I often test K2 in 10s, because I’m only riding them for a day, but if I bought K2, I’d probably try to squeeze into the 9.5. Can’t be more decisive than unfortunately. I think if you feel like you fit easily in the US8 Adidas, then the US8 is probably best for K2. If you felt really snug in your Adidas US8, then US8.5 might be the safer bet.
Hope this helps with your decision
Thanks! This is super helpfull. In my Adidas Tactical ADV US 8 my big toes just touches the front of the boot standing up but just not when I push for a toe carve. Going for an other size with Adidas I would not go bigger, and if I had to I would squeeze in to the next smaller ones. With older Burton Ions I’ve had both US 8, 8.5 and 7.5. I liked the 8s the best but the 7.5 where better than the 8.5s.
I will go for the 8s in Thraxis.
I will report back!
Thanks for making and working with this awesome site!
You’re very welcome Asle. I think that’s solid logic. Look forward to hearing how you get on.
Nate you legend! This is such a useful guide when buying boots online. My feet are pretty much the same size as yours except my right is the longer one.
I have been wearing Burton size 10.5 and I think they were slightly too big resulting in the occasional black toe. Will be getting Burton size 10 next time.
Hi James
Thanks for your message. Good idea, IMO. I find I can test 10.5 Burton’s but if I wear them longer than just for a testing session, they start to feel like they’re packing out too big. The 10.5 feel good to try on, but once they pack out feel too big for me.
Hi Nate,
Should you be trying out snowboard boot with regular socks or snowboard socks? I read somewhere that its better to do with thin socks because it’ll mimic how it’ll be once it gets packed out.
Hi Dan
Thanks for your message.
Depends on you snowboard socks. I try to ride with relatively thin snowboard socks typically anyway. Have different thickness socks, in case I can use that fit a boot a little better for when I’m testing boots, but otherwise prefer thinner socks. But yeah, if you have thicker snowboard socks, then I think that logic is pretty sound (trying on with thinner socks), so that you don’t end up going too big in the boots and get a size that will pack out to your thicker snowboard socks better. If you’re experienced in trying on boots and have an idea of how they’ll feel when they pack out, it’s not entirely necessary, but can be a good tactic, I think. Being consistent (i.e. if you end up trying on in a couple of different stores or over multiple days, kind of thing, then making sure you try on with the same socks for a true comparison is important.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
Thanks for this great article with plenty of good information. One piece of info that I have been struggling to find when it comes to boot fit is the depth of the boot. By this I mean the depth from the back of the heel to the top of the ankle. My feet are relatively deep in this sense, and combined with high arches, I tend to get a lot of pressure right on the flex point of my ankle, which leads to numbness and pain. I generally need to size up in order to get a bit more volume inside the boot (my feet are size 10, but I usually have to wear 11 boots), but would like to avoid this if possible.
I’ve had to do a fair bit of hunting around to find which brands of shoes and skates fit me properly in that regard (I know different brands use different lasts to make their footwear), and I’m wondering if some brands of snowboard boots might fit the bill better than others, at least as a starting point.
Thanks!
Hi Kurt
Thanks for your message.
This is a great question and something I’ve actually never thought about when testing boots. I would say I have average to “narrow” depth in this regard, so it’s not something that’s been on my radar. I will definitely think about this in the future when testing boots, but unfortunately at this point, not sure I can give you any insight. I would say to probably not try Vans, just because they’re not great for people with high arches from the feedback I get. I have relatively flat feet, so they’re not an issue for me, but even I notice them tight on the tops of my feet – to a good point for me, but with high arches, I can imagine they wouldn’t be ideal.
Sorry I couldn’t be more help with this one. If you do figure out some brands that are better in this respect for “deep ankles” for lack of a better term, I’d definitely be interested to know.
Just reviewing sizing as I’m ordering some boots online and saw this article and chuckled – my left foot is 27.2 and my right foot is 27.4 and I always end up in a size 10 boot but I was wondering if I should order a 9.5 because people say Burton are true fit. My current boots are Ion in 10 and my new Photons will be a 10 too! Thanks!
Hi Pen
Thanks for your message.
Yeah Burton definitely a 10 for me – and we have very similar foot size. I can ride Burton in a 10.5 even. Prefer the 10 and certainly 10 for long term wear. But for a one-off testing day, the 10.5 is even fine in Burton. So yeah, from my experience, the 10 in the Photons should be just right. Feet are weird though and length is everything, but given your experience with the Ions, I think the 10 should be spot on.
Hi Nate
Your site has the best info anywhere. Great work.
My feet measure Left – 263mm and Right – 265mm. Normal D width. This puts me at 265 Mondopoint, with 265mm being the very upper limit of this size.
However I have ordered Burton Photon SO boots in a Mens 9 US as I have Burton Ion Leathers in a Mens size 9 US and they fit perfectly even after 40 days riding in them. My toes were firmly touching the end of the boot when I first got them and even slightly curled to be comfortable. Now they are touching straight legged, and brushing every so slightly in riding stance.
I know you dont have experience with Step On yet, but Im wondering if I should order Mens 8.5 US to compare them to? Even if the size 9 fit perfectly, Im wondering if even a little packing out will affect riding in Step On as I am half a size below Mondopoint?
Hi Paul
I actually got on some Burton Step Ons this season – and they fit the same as other Burton boots, IMO. My longest foot is 273mm and I find Burton size 10 (mondo 280) fit me best. 9.5 is too small. So, my best guess is that Burton 9s are the best fit for your foot length. And based on what I felt with the Step Ons, I would say it’s the same for Step On boots.
Hope this helps
Thanks Nate!
I have been breaking in the Burton Photon SO size 9 around the house. I think they fit perfectly.
I was experiencing some numbness in my middle toe of my larger foot at first, but now I seem to be OK for several hours in them. I experienced the same thing with my Ion Leathers too.
My toes (big toe mainly) is very firmly pressed into the liner when I stand straight legged, in riding position still touching but quite softly.
The Photons seem to offer a wide range of flex options, which I like with the Boa ankle strap really adding a lot of extra support. Still wish it was a true double Boa system plus the ankle strap.. that would be perfect.
No heel lift at all.
Overall the Photon seems a very well made and designed boot.
Thanks for your help.
Cheers
Hi Paul
You’re very welcome – and thanks for the update. Always good to get insight from other riders experiences. Hope they treat you well when you get a chance to get them out on snow!
Hi,Nate!
My foot is 8,5us (26,5 cm)
but when I tried on shoes 32, 9.5 (27.5cm) ideally sat on me, at first I thought that I had chosen the wrong size, but after reading the article I realized that this is normal)
Hi Danil
Yeah 32 definitely runs a bit small, in my experience, so typically most people have to go for a longer size to fit.
Hey Nate,
I am looking to buy a Solomon wide boot online since Ihave no Ski shops close to where i live.
My foot is 27.5 cm lenght and 11,5 cm wide.
Do you have some experience with the wide versions from Salamon, what do you think would the wide version be comfortable for my width?
Also I know that I should go with 27,5 mondo but i found a pretty much cheaper price for the same boots with 28 mondo, would the difference be noticeable?
I wold realy appreciate your help.
Hi Vedran
Thanks for your message.
Firstly in terms of length. I find that I can ride a 10 in Salomon boots, but probably fit best in a 9.5 (with my longest foot being 27.3cm). So you’re probably fine in the 10, but no guarantees as all feet fit differently, even if at a similar length.
I don’t have any experience with Salomon wide boots, so I’m not sure how wide they feel compared to other boots. It sounds like your feet are quite wide. Regular Salomon boots are narrower than normal I’ve found. I’ve never had any issues with the width of them, and I have regular width feet, so they’re not like too narrow for me or anything. But it’s hard to say whether the wide versions will be wide enough or not, having not experienced them and not having wide feet myself.
You could check out following and read the comments there and see if there’s anything more on Salomon Wide’s in there:
Wide Snowboard Boots for Wide Feet
Hope this helps
I would agree with 32 and DC running half a size too small. I’m normally a 12 and I had both 32 and DC boots.. Loved them, but the were size 12 and just slightly too small. Unfortunately they don’t make half sizes above 12, really wish they did. Also, my friend who is also a 12, found that Adidas fit best at 11.5, so I agree with your assessment on that as well. Thank you for taking the time to tabulate this!
Hi Ivan.
Thanks for your insight. Much apprecitated
This article was spot on for the DC boots I ordered. I just want to say thanks, as I found it very helpful.
You’re very welcome Kye and thanks for your message. Happy riding!