Hello and welcome to my list of what I think are the best freeride women’s snowboarding boots for 2020-21.
As is tradition here at Snowboarding Profiles the boots will each be given a score out of 100.
These boots are best suited for those that are advanced freeride or aggressive all mountain riders that like to charge hard and need all the response and performance they can get.
How These Boots Compare to Others
Of the 12 women’s freeride/all-mountain-freeride boots I rated:
O.K. let’s take a look at the top 5!
WOMEN'S FREERIDE BOOT #5
Boot: Ride Cadence Focus Boa
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Lacing System: Double Boa
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Rating: 89.4/100
Starting off this year's list at #5, we have Ride’s Cadence boots.
When it comes to women’s boots the Cadence Boa’s are almost as stiff as they come. Usually women’s boots aren’t stiffer than around a 7/10 or 8/10).
So if you want your boots to have that awesome response for carving up the slopes, shooting through the trees and dominating the backcountry then the Cadence will be a great choice for that.
They're a good all-round boot with good traction and adjustability through the Double Boa lacing system.
Check out the Video for more on the Cadence
Score Breakdown for the Cadence
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 4.5 | 31.5/35 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
TRACTION | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 7/10 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 89.4/100 |
WOMEN'S FREERIDE BOOT #4
Boot: Burton Supreme
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Lacing System: Speed Lacing
Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Rating: 89.4/100
The Burton’s Supreme’s in at #4, have great response – and they manage to achieve that elusive responsive-yet-comfortable combination.
They also manage to achieve the elusive combination of great shock absorption and great traction (often you have to sacrifice one for the other).
They are a bit more costly than your average boots but if you have the budget and everything about the boot works for you, they are a great choice.
Check out the Video for more on the Supremes
This video is getting pretty old now, but I couldn't find a more updated one.
Score Breakdown for the Supreme
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 4.5 | 31.5/35 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.0 | 12/15 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
TRACTION | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 7/10 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 89.4/100 |
WOMEN'S FREERIDE BOOT #3
Boot: Thirty Two TM-Two XLT Women's
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Lacing System: Traditional Lacing with velcro cuff
Flex: Stiff (8/10)
Rating: 91.5/100
The Thirty Two TM-Two XLT are the stiffest boots on this list (along with the K2 Contour & Vans Viaje - see #1 & #2). They are a hold no prisoners type of boot only for advanced riders who like to charge hard.
Not to be mistaken for the TM-Two (non XLT). The XLT version is stiffer, tougher and have an upgraded Vibram sole for awesome traction for those hiking missions.
Check out the Video for more on the TM-Two XLT Women's
Score Breakdown for the TM-TWO XLT Women's
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 5.0 | 35/35 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
COMFORT | 3.0 | 9/15 |
TRACTION | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 3.5 | 7/10 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 91.5/100 |
WOMEN'S FREERIDE BOOT #2
Boot: K2 Contour
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Lacing System: Double Boa
Flex: Stiff (8/10)
Rating: 93.1/100
In at #2, we have the K2 Contours.
K2’s Contour boots are a great choice if you’re an advanced rider looking to charge the groomers and/or hit the backcountry.
They don't get stiffer than this when it comes to women's boots, so if you're looking for an aggressive, responsive boot and you're an advanced rider, you might have met your match.
The Contour’s are really comfortable and supply great heel hold for extra response, are highly shock absorbent (but at the same time also manage to provide plenty of traction for any hiking adventures) and all of that comes at a really reasonable price, a good bit below the average price for boots in this category.
Check out the Video for more on the Contours
Score Breakdown for the Contours
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 5.0 | 35/35 |
HEEL HOLD | 5.0 | 15/15 |
COMFORT | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
TRACTION | 4.0 | 12/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 2.0 | 4/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.0 | 8/10 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 93.1/100 |
WOMEN'S FREERIDE BOOT #1
Boot: Vans Viaje
Price: View More Info and Current Price Here
Lacing System: Double Boa
Flex: Stiff (8/10)
Rating: 93.6/100
And finally at #1, we have the Vans Viaje.
The Viaje is really stiff and responsive, but also comfortable - perfect for aggressive riders who need all the support and drive they can get from their boots.
They also feature tongue stiffeners that allow you to have the boot stiffer or softer depending on whether you have the stiffeners in or out of the tongue.
Check out the Video for more on the Viaje
Score Breakdown for the Viaje
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
RESPONSE | 5.0 | 35/35 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
TRACTION | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 9/10 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 93.6/100 |
Thanks for Reading
I hope this list has helped you to find the best women’s freeride boots for you or at least has given you some great options to check out.
Check out the links above for each boot for more info plus current prices and availability.
If you're looking for something softer and more forgiving - but still at least mid-flexing, check out the following.
Hi there,
I recently realized that I desperately need new boots. I cannot ride one more day on my 5 year old Salomon Ivy’s. My feet are KILLING me. I thought it was just my messed up feet, until I realized it’s not normal to have to re-tighten boa laces 5 times down each run, (not actually the main issue), so I started reading about foot pain and snowboard boots. Thankfully, I came across your website, which is super helpful! However, I have a burning question that I’m hoping you can clear up for me.
I switched from skiing to boarding a few years ago, and as my skills have progressed, it has become obvious that my beginner equipment was holding me back. So, I’ve replaced my board and bindings, and that helped a lot, but my feet are still killing me. I’ve come to the conclusion that the pain is due to two problems: 1) high arches that cause my single-boa boots to cut off circulation to my feet if I tighten them enough to have any control, and 2) lots of heel slip in my current boots, which causes tons of pressure on the balls of my feet in order to hold a toe edge.
So, I think I need a boot with separate lacing for foot and ankle and one with less heel slip, as well as probably a special insert for arch support. I also think I need a stiffer boot that will provide better control, hopefully without cutting off circulation to my feet! All the shops in my city are very low on inventory, with very few options currently available in my size. So, after extensive online research, I decided to order a pair of Burton Supremes. They were the last pair I could find in my size in the world, so I figured best to order them, try them, and return if necessary. Trying them on at home, they feel pretty awesome! Minimal heel slip, and absolutely no pressure on the balls of my feet on the toe edge. My instinct is to keep them and take them to a custom fitter for heat molding and inserts. BUT, here’s my hesitation….
All the reviews I read about the Burton Supreme say that they are great / the best money can buy, but expensive, and “for experts only.” I’m an intermediate snowboarder. (I hope the right boots will help me progress more toward expert!) Do people say this because of the price? Or am I going to hate these once I’m on the mountain for some reason I can’t feel at home? I don’t care about the price tag, I just desperately want to be able to enjoy snowboarding without excruciating pain! And I want better edge control so I can go faster and steeper.
Before I take these expensive boots to get customized, can you tell me if I’ll be making a stupid mistake?
Thank you!
Meegan
Hi Meegan
Thanks for your message.
I would say that part of why people say expert only is because of price. There’s often a bias to thinking that. But another part is that they are quite stiff flexing, which is typically reserved for more advanced riders (as stiffer means less forgiving of errors and typically makes things harder to maneuver when riding at slower speeds). But I wouldn’t say they are necessarily out of the question for an intermediate rider. I would say you’d want to be at least a solid intermediate rider (as opposed to someone who is just feeling like they are becoming intermediate – there’s quite a difference – for more see Snowboard Skill Levels. Often people think of themselves as intermediate when they’re more in that beginner level 4 stage. It sounds like you’re well past that from what you’re describing.
If you’re closer to level 6 then I think the Supreme will be just fine, particularly if you’re more into riding fast and steep than you are into freestyle stuff. If you are more into freestyle or want to get into freestyle, then the Supreme are probably too stiff, but if you’re at or close to a level 6 in things other than freestyle riding, then I think you’ll be fine with them. I would say expert if you were wanting to ride them for freestyle, but level 6 intermediate for other types of riding, so long as your not like a super casual rider (or a super light rider – the lighter your weight the more stiff they will feel).
It’s also important to match to your gear. If you can let me know the board and boots you’re riding, that’s something else to consider, to make sure they’re a good flex match for your setup.
But assuming they are a good match for your setup and your at or close to that level 6 intermediate and given you’re coming from skiing, where I’m guessing you had stiffer boots, I think you’ll likely be fine.
Hope this helps
Hi,
I’m just wondering your opinion about the Viaje vs the Ferra Pro (also Vans)? I have a super narrow heel and I can pretty much never find a boot that will hold it in place. I also have rough knees at this point and collapsed arches.. so I’m looking for good shock absorption and decent arch support. I’d like a medium to medium-stiff flex. Looking for some input. If you even get this message I really appreciate your response! 🙂
Hi Hannah
Thanks for your message.
Ferra Pro are softer flexing than the Viaje but still a really good quality boot. They’re more like a 6/10 versus the 8/10 on the Viaje. So if you want more of that medium flex, the Ferra Pro gives you that option. Also Ferra Pro is traditional lace, but with a boa that works to crank around the ankle to help with heel hold. In my experience with Vans boots, they tend to be good for flat feet. My left foot is pretty flat. Alternatively for more customized arch support you could get custom footbeds made. Not sure where/how as I haven’t done it myself, but worth looking into if you need good arch support. Heel hold usually good in Vans boots particularly with the ankle harness boa. But there’s no substitution for trying on in person, if at all possible.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
I’ve ride 32 Lashed for several years. Love them but now considering a little more advanced boots.
Really hesitate between the Ride Cadence and K2 Contour! Adjustability 2/5 for the Contour???
Similar for the 19-20 and 20-21 models?
I was also considering the Burton Ritual… What you think?
Thank you!
Hi Cynthia
Thanks for your message.
Yeah the issue with the Contour’s adjustability is that it has just one Boa for the whole outer shell of the boot. So you can’t independently tighten the upper and lower sections of the outer boot. The second boa works on the ankle harness around the liner. Which is a really nice feature, as it means you can re-tighten that harness on the fly, without having to open the outer boot, if you find your heel starting to lift after a while riding. I really like boots with that feature, but in this case the outer boot adjustability is poor. If you’re OK with not having separate tightening for the upper and lower sections of the outer boot, then it’s a great choice.
2020 and 2021 Contour models are similar. The 2021 model has a new sole, but in terms of everything else, they are very similar.
The Burton Ritual are nice boots, but are quite a bit softer flexing than the boots here. I’d say even softer flexing than the Lashed. They are a nicer boots than the Lashed (IMO), but I wouldn’t say they’re more advanced. They are great if you were looking for something medium flex and particularly good for riding freestyle. But if you’re looking for a stiffer, more freeride oriented boot, then something from this list is the way to go.
Hope this helps
Why don’t you have women testing out women’s products?
Hi Alanna
Thanks for your message. And a very good point/question.
I have had some gear tested by women and plan to do more so in the future. I got too busy to organize it last winter, but this season looking to up that side of things for sure.
This was such an awesome and helpful site! Thank you for publishing this. I was having the hardest time narrowing down stiff women’s boots. This website was exactly what I was looking for to compare styles and flex ratings across brands.
Hi Kristy
Thanks for your comments and for visiting the site. Hope you have a great season!
Hello the above review was helpful as I just purchased the Ride Cadence. I’m curious why it was only give me 3.5 for comfort. ? Should I be concerned. .
Hi Ashly
I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Comfort is highly subjective. That rating is taking to account my experience with the closest male version – in addition to reviews from others who have ridden in them. But boot comfort is one of those things that is highly influenced by how well they fit your feet (there are other factors too but that’s the main one) and feet are weird – everyone’s feet fit differently. So, if they fit you well, that’s the main thing that’s going to determine how comfortable they are for you.
Hello Nate, I’m a beginner in snowboarding yet I really like the comfortableness of K2 contour 2019. Can I ride on it as a beginner? Will it be too much for a beginner? Thanks.
Hi Olivia
Thanks for your message.
Yeah, unfortunately, the Contour is too stiff to be a good beginner option, IMO.
Have you tried other K2 boots? It might be that you like the fit of their boots in general – and going with a softer flexing K2 option might be the way to go. K2 Haven is a great beginner option. Also check out:
>>My Top Women’s Beginner Boots
Hope this helps