Snowboard Boot Fit Guide

Your boots matter more than any other piece of gear. A board that is a little off still rides fine. A boot that does not fit ruins the day. Here is how we fit boots at the shop on Main Street, and how to check the fit yourself if you are buying online.

The quick version

• Snug, not painful. In a new boot, your toes should lightly touch the front when you stand up straight, and pull back slightly when you bend your knees.
• No heel lift. When you flex forward, your heel should stay planted. Heel lift means the boot is too big or not tight enough.
• Expect pack out. Liners compress over the first several days of riding, so a boot that feels just right in the shop will feel roomier on the hill.
• Do not size up for comfort. A boot that feels roomy on day one will be sloppy by day five.

How to try boots on

1. Wear one thin snowboard sock. Thick or doubled socks bunch up, cause pressure points and make a boot fit bigger than it really is.
2. Pull the liner tongue up and kick your heel back. Tap your heel on the floor so it seats in the heel pocket before you lace.
3. Tighten the liner first, then the outer shell. Snug the liner lace, then the lower zone, then the upper zone.
4. Stand and flex. Bend your knees like you are in a riding stance. Your toes should come off the front of the liner a bit and your heel should stay down.
5. Wear them for 10 to 15 minutes. Hot spots that show up in that time usually get worse on the hill, not better.

Lacing systems

• BOA: Dial based laces that tighten fast and evenly, and many boots use two dials so you can set the foot and the ankle separately. Easy with gloves on.
• Speed lace: Pull handles that tighten the lower and upper zones on their own. Quick and simple to adjust between runs.
• Traditional laces: The most fine tuning, especially across the instep, and the easiest to fix in the field.

None is better for everyone. Pick the one that fits your foot and that you will actually tighten properly.

Flex

• Soft: Forgiving and easy to ride. Good for newer riders, park and playful riding.
• Medium: The all mountain sweet spot for most riders.
• Stiff: More support and response for speed, big terrain, freeride and splitboarding.

Common fit problems

• Heel lift: Try a smaller size or a boot with a narrower heel pocket. Heel hold inserts can help a boot that is close.
• Toes jammed when flexed: The boot is too short. Go up a half size.
• Pressure on the top of the foot: Loosen the lower zone or try a boot with more volume over the instep.
• Arch or foot fatigue: An aftermarket footbed often helps more than a new boot.

Heat molding

Many liners can be heat molded so the foam shapes to your foot. It speeds up break in and can take care of small pressure points. Ask us in the shop whether your liner can be molded.

Women's boots

Women's boots are built on a narrower last with a lower cuff to fit the calf. Women's sizes run about 1.5 sizes larger than men's, so check the conversion chart on our size guide.

Buying online

Use the brand's size chart on the product page, and measure your foot in centimeters (Mondopoint) if you can. If you are between sizes, call or email us before you order and we will help you choose. See our size guide for the full chart, and our Shipping & Returns page for exchanges.

Questions? Call 970.453.7400, email info@undergroundsnowboards.com, or stop by 320 S Main St in Breckenridge.