If you're on a tight budget, but still want snowboard boots of decent quality, then check out our selection of what we consider to the best cheap snowboard boots for 2022-2023.
Everyone has a different style, physique and ability level - so this list has been broken up into 4 different boot categories and the best value-for-money boot from each category has been selected (plus several alternatives from each category):
- Best cheap freestyle (mid-soft to mid flexing) boots
- Best cheap all-mountain (medium to mid-stiff flexing) boots
- Best cheap freeride (mid-stiff to stiff flexing) boots
- Best cheap beginner boots
How Each Boot was Chosen
The boots chosen for each category aren’t necessarily the cheapest, but instead offer the best value-for-money. But to make the list, they have to be at least cheaper than the average price of boots from that particular category.
Under each category I will show:
- the average cost of boots in that category
- the cheapest boot I found in that category;
- the reasons why I chose the boot I chose; and
- Some alternatives that are also good value for money
All prices shown in USD.
BEST CHEAP FREESTYLE BOOTS
FREESTYLE BOOTS CATEGORY STATS |
# of freestyle boots rated: | 27 | |
Cheapest boots rated: | $179 | |
Average price of freestyle boots: | $263 | |
Average Rating Score: | 80.8/100 | |
Why These Boots Were Chosen
The Mutiny come in at $14 cheaper than the average boot in this category and score way above the average score. There are cheaper options (some you'll see in the alternatives below) but when it comes to value for money, the Mutiny are top of the pile.
Part of that is because they use traditional lace. Traditional lace boots tend to be cheaper than speed lace or BOA boots. Personally I actually prefer traditional lace boots, as I find they offer the best adjustability. If you're the same, then you luck out when it comes to snowboard boots as they tend to be cheaper.
If not, I will list the cheaper BOA options in the alternatives - but often cheap BOA means single BOA, which aren't very adjustable.
Some other notable numbers:
- The average price for this category went up by $14 compared to last year
- The average price for the top half (top 14) was $281, making the Mutiny $32 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list and the Mutiny was #5 in the category.
- Of those costing $249 or less, not named the Mutiny, the average score was 76.3
Alternatives
Vans Hi-Standard OG (Traditional Lace) ($199 | 83.7 points)
Vans Aura Pro (Double BOA) ($289 | 91.3 points)
K2 Darko (BOA/Trad Lace Hybrid) ($259 | 83.1 points)
Burton Ruler (Speed Lace) ($289 | 82.6 points)
BEST CHEAP ALL-MOUNTAIN BOOTS
Boot: Salomon Dialogue Lace SJ BOA
Price: $329
Snowboarding Profiles' All-Mountain Rating Score : 89.7/100
ALL-MOUNTAIN BOOTS CATEGORY STATS |
# of all-mountain boots rated: | 30 | |
Cheapest boots rated: | $269 | |
Average price of all-mountain boots: | $386 | |
Average Rating Score: | 84.0/100 | |
Why These Boots Were Chosen
The Dialogue Lace SJ BOA come in at $57 cheaper than the average price for this category and score well above the average score. They score well enough to take the #3 spot in our Top 10 All-Mountain boots list - which doesn't take price into account.
Some other notable numbers:
- The average price for this category went up by $21 compared to last year
- The average price for this category is $123 higher than the freestyle category (see above)
- The average price for the top half (top 15) was $422, making the Dialogue Lace SJ BOA $93 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list!
- The Dialogue Lace SJ BOA was the lowest priced binding in the Top 15
- Of the 9 boots costing $329 or less, not named the Dialogue Lace SJ BOA, the average score was 79.9
Alternatives
Salomon Dialogue Dual BOA (Double BOA) ($349 | 87.0 points)
Ride Deadbolt Zonal (Double BOA) ($379 | 85.9 points)
Salomon Dialogue (Speed Lace) ($299 | 84.2 points)
Burton Photon (Speed Lace) ($379 | 84.8 points)
Thirty Two TM-2 (Traditional Lace) ($379 | 85.3 points)
Vans Invado Pro (Lace/BOA Hybrid) ($269 | 83.7 points)
BEST CHEAP FREERIDE BOOTS
FREERIDE BOOTS CATEGORY STATS |
# of freeride boots rated: | 19 | |
Cheapest boots rated: | $349 | |
Average price of freeride boots: | $447 | |
Average Rating Score: | 87.0/100 | |
Why These Boots Were Chosen
Whilst $399 may not sound like a low price for snowboard boots, for this category it is.
Stiffer flexing boots (same applies for bindings and boards) tend to cost more than softer flexing boots - and with this category only containing boots in the 8/10 and up flex range, it's not surprise why the average price is so much higher.
The TM-2 XLT though offer great value-for-money, if you're looking for stiff boots. They are $48 cheaper than the average price and still make our Top 5 freeride boots list, which doesn't take price into account.
Some other notable numbers:
- The average price for this category went up by $13 compared to last year
- The average price for this category is the highest of all the categories - $60 higher than the next highest category (all-mountain), and $184 higher than the freestyle category (see above)
- The average price for the top half (top 9) was $475, making the TM-TWO XLT $76 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list.
- Of the 8 bindings not named the XV and that were $399 or under, the average score was 84.6
Alternatives
Vans Verse (Double BOA) ($429 | 91.1 points)
Ride Insano (Double BOA) ($429 | 90.5 points)
BEST CHEAP BEGINNER BOOTS
BEGINNER BOOTS CATEGORY STATS |
# of beginner boots rated: | 24 | |
Cheapest boots rated: | $179 | |
Average price of beginner boots: | $234 | |
Average Rating Score: | 86.9/100 | |
Why These Boots Were Chosen
Note that the outcome here is somewhat skewed because price is taken into account for beginner boots scores - which it isn't in any of the other categories.
But that doesn't take away from the value-for-money of the Moto Lace, if you're looking for a nice comfortable, easy going beginner board to start out your snowboarding journey.
The Moto Lace are $35 cheaper than the average price in this list and got the #1 position in our top 10 boots list. Part of what makes them cheaper is being traditional lace. If you're not big on the idea of traditional lace, check out some others in the alternatives below.
Note that the Moto also comes in a speed lace and a BOA version.
Some other notable numbers:
- The average price for this category went up by $14 compared to last year
- Price is taken into account for the scores for beginner boots – so this is somewhat skewed for this category.
- The average price for the top half (top 12) was $234, making the Moto Lace $35 cheaper than those that scored in the top half of this list. The bottom half of the list had a an average price of $235 - so basically the same as the top half - because price in this case influenced the scores.
- The Moto Lace were the equal 2nd cheapest in the whole category - and only $20 more than the cheapest in the category
- The average price for this category is the lowest of all the categories, naturally being a beginner list - and with those that are suited to this category being softer flexing boots. They are $29 cheaper on average than the next closest (freestyle category) and a whopping $213 cheaper on average vs the highest priced category (freeride).
Alternatives
Vans Hi-Standard OG (Traditional Lace) ($199 | 95.9 points)
Burton Moto (Speed Lace) ($219 | 95.3 points)
Ride Rook (Single BOA) ($219 | 91.3 points)
Thirty Two STW Double BOA (Double BOA) ($279 | 90.7 points) - OK actually one of the more pricey options in this list, but the only double BOA option - and for a double BOA is reasonably priced - and Double BOAs also often don't come in this soft a flexing boot)
Also check out our top 10 beginner boots list for some great alternatives as they're all reasonably priced.
Over to You
Thanks for reading and I hope this has helped you to find the right snowboard boots for you and your budget.
Check out the links under each category for more info.
Leave a Reply