Hello and welcome to my list of the best beginner snowboard Boots for men.
Below are what I consider to be the top 10 for the 2023-2024 season.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com each board is rated and receives a score out of 100. This is definitely not an exact science care has been taken to give points to various areas depending on their importance for beginner riders.
Comparison Stats
Just quickly, to give you a reference for the scores below;
Out of 22 beginner boots that I rated:
O.k. let’s get into the top 10!
BEGINNER BOOT #10
Boot: Ride Anthem
-
CA
-
UK/EU
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Single Boa
Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)
Fit: Average width feet
Rating: 88.4/100
Starting off the list at #10, we have Ride's Anthem boots.
The Anthem hit what I think is a really nice flex for beginners, at around 4/10 - just a little softer than medium, but not too soft. Easy to ride, but still providing some stability and boots that will last you longer, progression-wise, than super soft boots.
They're also overall a decent quality boot for the price.
More on the Anthem in the video below
Score Breakdown for the Anthem
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
---|---|---|
FLEX | 5.0 | 20/20 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.0 | 6/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 2.0 | 4/10 |
PRICE | 3.5 | 7/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88.4/100 |
BEGINNER BOOT #9
Boot: Salomon Launch Lace Boa SJ
-
CA
-
UK/EU
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Traditional Lace with Liner Boa
Flex: Medium (5/10)
Fit: Normal to narrow width feet
Rating: 89.0/100
Next up at #9, we have the Launch Lace Boa SJ.
Whilst not a boot I would typically call a beginner boot - both because of flex and price. But for those who are higher end beginner riders - or heavier/stronger riders, they can work really well as a beginner boot. If you're a lighter rider, I'd go something softer, but for some this a great option.
Salomon's Launch comes in 2 different lacing options - SJ BOA and the Traditional Lace/SJ BOA that we feature here. IMO, the Hybird Lace/BOA is a great option that gives you the adjustability of traditional lacing with the heel hold advantage of boa - and not only that, gives you a really easy way to crank down that heel on the fly, without having to open up the outer boot.
Score Breakdown for the Launch Lace Boa
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
---|---|---|
FLEX | 3.5 | 14/20 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.5 | 9/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.0 | 6/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 5.0 | 10/10 |
PRICE | 2.5 | 5/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 89.0/100 |
BEGINNER BOOT #8
Boot: DC Phase Lace
-
CA
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Traditional Lacing
Flex: Medium-Soft (3/10)
Width-Fit: Normal width to Mid-wide feet
Rating: 86.6/100
In at #8, we have DC's Phase Lace snowboard boots.
The Phase Lace have the maneuverability, flex and price that should make these really appealing to beginners and help build technique and confidence.
Score Breakdown for the Phase Lace
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
---|---|---|
FLEX | 5.0 | 20/20 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 3.0 | 9/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 3.0 | 6/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.0 | 6/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 9/10 |
PRICE | 5.0 | 10/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 2.0 | 2/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 89.0/100 |
BEGINNER BOOT #7
Boot: Thirty Two Shifty Lace
-
CA
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Traditional Lace
Flex: Soft (2/10)
Fit: Mid to Mid-wide feet
Rating: 89.0/100
Next up we have ThirtyTwo's Shifty Lace.
The Shifty Lace have the softest flex of all boots in this list - and the lowest equal price (along with #8 above & #1 below).
These are ideal for those lighter riders - for those who even a 4/10 flex might feel on the stiffer side.
The Shifty come in both a Lace and Boa version, so if you think the Boa is more your style, that's an option too - with the Boa version you gain easier Entry/Exit, but sacrifice adjustability. The Boa version costs a little more too, but still really reasonably priced.
Learn more about the Shifty Lace in the video below
Score Breakdown for the Shifty Lace
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
---|---|---|
FLEX | 4.5 | 18/20 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 3.0 | 6/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.0 | 6/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 9/10 |
PRICE | 5.0 | 10/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 3.0 | 3/5 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 2.0 | 2/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 89.0/100 |
Score Breakdown for the Shifty BOA
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
---|---|---|
FLEX | 4.5 | 18/20 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.0 | 6/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 2.0 | 4/10 |
PRICE | 4.0 | 8/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 3.0 | 3/5 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 86.0/100 |
BEGINNER BOOT #6
Boot: Ride Rook
-
CA
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Single Boa
Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)
Fit: Normal width feet
Rating: 89.5/100
Coming in at #6 are the Ride Rook.
The Rook are a nice simple single boa snowboard boot that's super easy to get in and out of and provides a nice forgiving, but not ultra-soft flex.
Not great in terms of adjustability, but they come in at a really reasonable price tag and with decent overall quality.
More on the Rook in the video below
Score Breakdown for the Rook
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
---|---|---|
FLEX | 5.0 | 20/20 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 3.5 | 7/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 2.0 | 4/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 2.0 | 4/10 |
PRICE | 4.0 | 8/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 89.5/100 |
BEGINNER BOOT #5
Boot: Thirty Two STW Double Boa
-
CA
-
UK/EU
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Double Boa
Flex: Medium-Soft (3.5/10)
Fit: Normal width to mid-wide feet
Rating: 90.1/100
At #5, we have the STW Double Boa.
The STW Double Boa may be the 2nd most pricey on this list but you do get more adjustability and better heel hold than you would with a single BOA, which helps you to get that fit just right. And still a really decent price for a double boa boot.
More on the STW Double Boa in the video below
Score Breakdown for the STW Double Boa
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
---|---|---|
FLEX | 5.0 | 20/20 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.0 | 6/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
PRICE | 3.0 | 6/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 3.0 | 3/5 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 90.1/100 |
BEGINNER BOOT #4
Boot: K2 Raider
-
CA
-
UK/EU
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Single Boa
Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)
Fit: Normal width feet
Rating: 90.7/100
Next up we have the K2 Raider.
The Raider are a no nonsense single Boa boot that's comfortable and are easy and quick to get in and out of.
They lack adjustability, just the downside of being single Boa, but do provide good overall quality for the price-point.
Overall a nice boot for a beginner and something that isn't so soft that you would grow out of it too quickly.
Score Breakdown for the Raiders
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
---|---|---|
FLEX | 5.0 | 20/20 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 3.5 | 7/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 2.0 | 4/10 |
PRICE | 3.5 | 7/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 90.7/100 |
BEGINNER BOOT #3
Boot: Vans Aura OG
-
CA
-
UK/EU
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Single Boa
Flex: Medium-Soft (3.5/10)
Fit: Average width feet
Rating: 92.4/100
At #3, we have the Vans Aura OG.
The Aura OG provide that nice flex level that's forgiving enough for beginners getting started and are of a decent enough quality that they're the kind of boots that can move with you while you progress.
They're also nice and comfortable (taking into account that comfort can be subjective) and super easy to get in and out of.
Score Breakdown for the Aura OG
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
---|---|---|
FLEX | 5.0 | 20/20 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 3.5 | 7/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 2.0 | 4/10 |
PRICE | 4.0 | 8/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 5.0 | 5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 92.4/100 |
BEGINNER BOOT #2
Boot: Burton Moto
-
CA
-
UK/EU
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Speed Lacing
Flex: Medium-Soft (3/10)
Fit: Normal width to Mid-wide feet
Rating: 93.0/100
In the #2 position, we have the Burton Moto.
The Moto’s are very popular beginner snowboard boots and it’s easy to see why. They have the right flex and the right price-tag.
They also have really good reduced footprint (which essentially means that the outside of the boot is smaller than what the inside of the boot is – so a boot that will fit a size 10 foot on the inside would have a size 9-9.5 footprint on the outside), so if you’ve got larger feet and are looking to get on a narrower width board than you otherwise could, these are also a great choice for that reason.
These also come in a Boa version version (and used to come in a traditional lace version but don't anymore) - which also make good beginner boots. Note that the Boa version scores slightly differently and the price goes up a little.
More on the Moto in the video below
Score Breakdown for the Moto (speed lace)
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
---|---|---|
FLEX | 5.0 | 20/20 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 3.0 | 6/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 3.5 | 7/10 |
PRICE | 4.0 | 8/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 94.8/100 |
Score Breakdown for the Moto BOA
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
---|---|---|
FLEX | 5.0 | 20/20 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 2.0 | 4/10 |
PRICE | 3.5 | 7/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 93.0/100 |
BEGINNER BOOT #1
Boot: Vans Hi Standard OG
-
CA
-
UK/EU
IS THIS GEAR RIGHT FOR YOU?
Lacing System: Traditional Lacing
Flex: Medium-Soft (3.5/10)
Fit: Normal width feet (note also that those with high arches may not fit well)
Rating: 96.5/100
And finally, in the #1 spot, we have the Vans Hi Standard OG.
The Hi-Standard OG are a good low profile option, if you're needing to get into boots that will help you get on a narrower board. And they're quality belies their price-tag.
And most importantly they are great boots for beginners to progress and build confidence in.
They're similar to #3 above (Aura OG). Get these if you want Traditional Lacing and get the Aura OG if you'd prefer Boa.
Score Breakdown for the Hi-Standard OG
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
---|---|---|
FLEX | 5.0 | 20/20 |
SLOW SPEED RESPONSE | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 3.5 | 7/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 7/10 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
PRICE | 5.0 | 10/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 4.0 | 4/5 |
ENTRY/EXIT | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 96.5/100 |
Thanks for Reading
Thanks for reading and I hope this list has helped give you some options for beginner snowboard boots.
Check out the links for each boot above for more info and for current prices and availability.
Recent Comments