Top 10 Beginner Snowboard Boots 2020-21 (Past Season)

Boot: Ride Rook

Price: $199

Lacing System: Single Boa

Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)

Fit: Normal width feet

Rating: 88.4/100

Starting off the list at #10 are the Ride Rook.

The Rook are a nice simple single boa boot that's super easy to get in and out of and provides a nice forgiving, but not ultra-soft flex. 

They come in at a really reasonable price tag too, but still have decent quality. 

Score Breakdown for the Rook

Boot: Salomon Launch Lace Boa

Price: $269

Lacing System: Traditional Lace with Liner Boa

Flex: Medium-Soft (4.5/10)

Fit: Normal to narrow width feet

Rating: 88.4/100

Next up we have the Launch Lace Boa. 

Salomon's Launch range comes in 3 different lacing options - traditional lace, boa and lace boa. IMO, the 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. 

The Launch Lace is also the stiffest boot in this list. Stiff boots aren't good for beginners, IMO, but they aren't too stiff, but just a bit stiffer than others in this list. So they are a great option, IMO, for heavier riders, looking for a good beginner boot, but need something a little firmer than other beginner boots. 

Score Breakdown for the Launch Lace Boa

Boot: Thirty Two Zephyr Santa Cruz

Price: $299

Lacing System: Traditional Lace

Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)

Fit: Normal width to Mid-wide feet

Rating: 89.5/100

In at #8, we have the 32 Zephyr Santa Cruz. 

If you want something that's beginner friendly but that will still give enough performance if you progress quickly, then these are a great option.  

They are the kind of boot that you won't have to upgrade from for a good while. 

They have surprisingly good heel hold for traditional lace boots and also come with a heel hold kit to get an even more tailored heel hold. 

The Zephyr were higher in this list last year, but the price tag went up and that reduced the score.  And the Zephyr Santa Cruz is a slightly different boot, with an different/upgraded sole and more articulation in the cuff. 

Score Breakdown for the Zephyr

Boot: K2 Raider

Price: $229

Lacing System: Single Boa

Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)

Fit: Normal width feet

Rating: 89.5/100

In at #7 are the K2 Raider.

The Raider are a no nonsense single Boa boot that's comfortable, has good shock absorption and are easy and quick to get in and out of. 

They lack adjustability, just the downside of being single Boa, but do provide decent heel hold for those that find it hard to keep their heel down in their boots. 

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

Boot: Adidas The Super Star

Price: $300

Lacing System: Traditional Lace with power strap

Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)

Fit: Mid-wide to wide feet

Rating: 89.5/100

At #6 we have the Adidas Superstar boots. 

Whilst not for the budget conscious beginner, they are one of those boots that are great for riding freestyle/park, if that's something you see yourself getting into. 

They're a great option for those with wide feet and whilst they're not as low profile as other Adidas boots that I've measured, they're decently low profile. 

They can also take you well past the beginner stage and with that power strap, you can crank that down as you get more advanced for a little bit more hold and response for when you start riding faster and harder. 

If that sounds like you and you have a good budget to work with, then these are a great option. 

Score Breakdown for the Superstar

Boot: Vans Aura OG

Price: $229

Lacing System: Single Boa

Flex: Medium-Soft (3.5/10)

Fit: Average width feet 

Rating: 90.7/100

At #5, we have the Vans Aura OG.

The Aura OG provide that nice flex level that's forgiving enough for beginners getting start 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 and super easy to get in and out of. 

Score Breakdown for the Aura OG

Boot: Thirty Two STW Double Boa

Price: $239

Lacing System: Double Boa

Flex: Medium-Soft (3.5/10)

Fit: Normal width to mid-wide feet

Rating: 90.7/100

At #4, we have the STW Double Boa. 

The STW Double Boa are new for 2021 and add a double boa option to the existing STW Boa. The STW Boa is also a good option (and comes in cheaper than the Double Boa version) for beginners, but the Double Boa just helps to give you more adjustability and better heel hold. 

Score Breakdown for the STW Double Boa

Boot: K2 Rosko Lace

Price: $179

Lacing System: Traditional Lace

Flex: Medium-Soft (3/10)

Fit: Average width feet

Rating: 90.7/100

Next up we have K2's Rosko.

The Rosko is new for 2021 and offers a very low cost option (the lowest priced on this list), whilst still being of an OK quality. 

If you like the idea of the adjustability of traditional lacing and don't mind things taking a little longer getting into your boots, and have a small budget, the Rosko are worth a look. 

Score Breakdown for the Rosko

Boot: Vans Hi Standard OG

Price: $219

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: 93.6/100

Coming in at #2 we have the Vans Hi Standard OG.

For 2019 (and continuing for the 2020 and 2021 models), Vans made a Hi-Standard OG and a Hi-Standard Pro (and did the same with the Aura). The Pro version is a little stiff to make this list, but the OG is just the right mix of a softer flexing boot, still with plenty of comfort. 

The Hi-Standard OG are also a good low profile option. Get these if you want Traditional Lacing and get the Aura OG if you'd prefer Boa. 

Score Breakdown for the Hi-Standard OG

Boot: Burton Moto

Price: $199

Lacing System: Speed Lacing

Flex: Medium-Soft (3/10)

Fit: Normal width to Mid-wide feet

Rating: 95.3/100

And finally at #1, we have the Burton Moto. 

The Moto’s are very popular beginner boots and it’s easy to see why. They have the right flex, the right price-tag and are super easy to get in and out of (once you learn the speed lacing system).

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 9.5 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, which also make good beginner boots - if you think you would prefer a Boa boot. Note that the Boa version scores slightly differently. And for 2021 there is also a Lace version of the Moto, which is also a great beginner option, if you would prefer Traditional Lacing. The Boa version is the priciest, with the Lace version the cheapest and the Speed Lace in between. 

Score Breakdown for the Moto Speed Zone