Top 7 Beginner Snowboard Boots 2019-20 (Past Season)

Boot: K2 Raider

Price: $209

Lacing System: Single Boa

Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)

Fit: Normal width feet

Rating: 89.5/100

Starting off the list 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 really good 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: $299

Lacing System: Traditional Lace with power strap

Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)

Fit: Mid-wide to wide feet

Rating: 89.5/100

In 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: Burton Invader

Price: $159

Lacing System: Traditional Lacing

Flex: Soft (2/10)

Fit: Average to mid-wide feet 

Rating: 90.1/100

At #5, we have the softest and lowest priced bindings on this list, the Burton Invaders.

These boots will help to make riding easier from the get go whilst still being of a decent quality – and they won’t break the bank!

They’re strictly beginner boots and once you become more advanced you’ll want to upgrade – but they will help you to advance super-quickly.

If you’re fine with traditional lacing and have a modest budget, the Invaders are a great choice.

Score Breakdown for the Invader

Boot: Thirty Two 86 FT

Price: $179

Lacing System: Speed Lace

Flex: Medium-Soft (3/10)

Fit: Normal width to mid-wide feet

Rating: 91.3/100

In at #4, we have the second lowest priced boots on this list , the Thirty Two 86FT.

The 86FTs are really comfortable and have (like most on this list) a nice forgiving medium-soft flex.

This flex is ideal for beginners because it offers a good amount of forgiveness and helps with control at lower speeds – but isn’t too soft – so you can progress to a more advanced level without having to buy new boots straight away.

Score Breakdown for the 86FT

Boot: Vans Hi Standard OG

Price: $199

Lacing System: Traditional Lacing

Flex: Medium-Soft (3/10)

Fit: Normal width feet (note also that those with high arches may not fit well)

Rating: 93.0/100

Coming in at #3 we have the Vans Hi Standard OG.

For 2019 (and continuing for the 2020 models), Vans made a Hi-Standard OG and a Hi-Standard Pro (and done 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 binding, still with plenty of comfort. 

And if your looking to get something at a great price, then the Hi Standard are a great option and are $17 lower than the average beginner boot price (of those that I rated) and the 3rd lowest on this list.

Vans boots are also one of the more low profile in the industry nowadays - second only to Adidas of the boots that I've measured. 

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: 94.2/100

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. 

Score Breakdown for the Moto Speed Zone

Boot: Thirty Two Zephyr

Price: $219

Lacing System: Traditional Lace

Flex: Medium-Soft (4/10)

Fit: Normal width to Mid-wide feet

Rating: 94.8/100

And finally at #1, we have the 32 Zephyr. 

Where the ThirtyTwo 86 FT (see #6) is a lot more freestyle/park focused, the Zephyr is more of an all-rounder. And it's a little more performance oriented, so 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 also come in a single boa version. The boa version scores slightly differently, but is still a very good beginner option, if you prefer the sound of boa. 

Score Breakdown for the Zephyr