Owning the right set of snowboard gear, and especially the right snowboard boots, is imperative to optimizing your ability and maximizing your fun on the mountain. This buying guide of the top men’s snowboard boots breaks down what each boot does well and what type of rider it will benefit.
But before we dive into the products, we’re going to outline some important factors to consider before shopping for snowboard boots. For more in-depth information, check out our How to Choose the Right Snowboard Boots article. You’ll find other gear articles, including our guides to the best ski boots, here.
How to pick the right snowboard boots
Fit
The most important factor of snowboard boot shopping is having the perfect fit. You want something that is snug for maximum responsiveness and control, but not so tight it’s uncomfortable. Most riders want a comfortable boot, yet one that will perform and match their style of riding. We highly recommend going to a brick-and-mortar shop to try on snowboard boots before you buy.
An experienced boot fitter will help get dialed and decide what boots are right for the shape of your foot and riding style. It’s important to keep in mind that the boots will take several days of riding before they are fully broken in.
Flex
Another important aspect to consider when buying snowboard boots is boot flex. Snowboard boots are built with a certain amount of flex rated on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being the softest and 10 being the stiffest. Your flex will all depend on your riding style. Softer boots are better for beginners, as they are more forgiving, more comfortable and easier to control.
Freestyle and park riders will also prefer a softer boot since they are playful when whipping around your board, and forgiving when landing tricks.
Park/freestyle snowboard boots are often recommended for younger riders, in part because of the increased range of motion. Higher-level all-mountain and backcountry riders will lean toward a stiffer boot as they perform better at high speed.
Lacing Systems
Snowboard boots have three main types of lacing systems: Traditional, Zone and Boa. Traditional laces take the longest to tie up and are the most difficult to adjust, but they generally provide the highest level of customization. Zone systems are quick and easy to lace, but tend to loosen up throughout the day.
BOA system boots are the fastest to get on and are the easiest to adjust with a ratcheting dial that tightens cables throughout the boots but can at times be difficult to get the perfect fit. Lacing systems each have their pros and cons and ultimately come down to the rider’s preference.
For more information, check out our guide to buying snowboard boots here, and check out our round-up of the best women’s boots if you’re looking for women’s specific boots. Now, let’s get into some of the best snowboard boots for men.
The Best Snowboard Boots for Men
Burton Ion BOA (All-Mountain Advanced)
MSRP: $650
Historically, Burton has been one of the best snowboard boot makers, and the Burton Ion BOA is no exception. “Season after season, the Ion sets the bar for responsive feel and out-of-the-box fit,” writes Burton. The Ion BOA uses a Dual Zone High Power Focus BOA system for maximum micro-adjustability. This offers a more precise fit on the mid-foot due to the BOA placement. This all-mountain boot has a firm, supportive flex making them ideal for the all-terrain rider. They respond well at speed but are soft enough for playing on every side hit in sight. The Men’s Life Liner is heat moldable and utilizes DRYRIDE Heat Cycle™ technology to capture heat and reflect it inward for increased moisture management. These are among our favorite boots. Dry, warm feet are the happiest on the mountain and the Burton Ion BOA boot delivers.
Burton Photon Step On (All-Mountain Intermediate)
MSRP: $480
A few years back Burton introduced their Step On series—an innovation in snowboard boot and binding technology. That meant no more pesky binding adjustments at the top of the trail; you just step on and go. Many of their boots now come in a Step On model, including the Ion listed above. The Photon Step On boots feature a medium-stiff flex that’s equal parts responsive and precise. The Sequence BOA adjustment has two cable lace paths optimized for the most uniform fit. The inner Focus Cuff helps lock in your heel, while the heat-moldable liner helps create a tailored fit. Another BOA placed across the top of the foot and ankle dials it all in and elevates the fit for a stiffer forward flex while riding and a looser fit on the lift between laps. Note that these boots are designed to be used specifically with the Burton Step On bindings.
Vans Infuse (All-Mountain Advanced)
MSRP: $420
The Vans Infuse is a high-performance snowboard boot with customizability that makes it one of the most versatile snowboard boots on the mountain. The Vans Infuse features a hybrid traditional and BOA lacing system in which the traditional laces offer a snug fit exactly where you need it, while the easily adjustable BOA cinches down the instep.
This boot also has removable high-rebound Hytrel tongue stiffeners that allow you to adjust the level of flex from medium to stiff, depending on what you’re riding that day. If you’re a hard rider thirsty for everything from groomer turns to powder boosts and park laps, the Vans Infuse is the snowboard boot for you.
ThirtyTwo TM-2 Double BOA X Stevens (All-Mountain Intermediate)
MSRP: $430
Snowboard innovator Scotty Stevens helped create the ThirtyTwo TM-2 X Stevens snowboard boots for those looking for versatility and freestyle riding. The Performance Liners fit comfortably snug, giving you high performance without pain. The heat moldable liner helps keep your heel snug while the updated Double BOA system allows for optimal customization.
The medium 7/10 flex is perfect for a range of riding styles and will help drive your board through groomers, glades, into the park, and everything in between. The ThirtyTwo TM-2 Double BOA X Stevens are great snowboard boots for intermediate to advanced riders who prefer a traditional lace-up style. Splitboarders will love the TM-2 Jones boot that has a similar fit but added tech features like a Power Strap Walk Mode collar.
K2 Orton (All-Mountain Advanced)
MSRP: $450
New for the 2025 season is the K2 Orton. The Snowboarding Team at K2 describes it as “a first-of-its-kind construction that comes from a one-piece rubber lower with integrated mesh.” That outer rubber helps keep things warm, dry, and comfortable all day long. Combined with a dual-zone BOA lacing system for a precise and versatile fit, this boot is suitable for a range of advanced riders. The flex is an 8/10, putting it on the stiffer side with the ability to handle hard-chargers. Increased damping comes from the Harshmallow™ midsole and insoles. The K2 Orton also has a fully heat moldable liner to help optimize fit for high-quality comfort and performance.
RIDE Lasso Pro (All-Mountain Advanced)
MSRP: $420
The RIDE Lasso Pro is a great snowboard boot for high-level, all-mountain riders who relish charging down the mountain. The 8/10 flex is on the stiff side of things, making this a responsive, supportive, and sturdy piece of footwear at high speeds. The Lasso Pro is also a durable boot, constructed with HDR Premium Synthetics and a Rebound Heel Counter—it will certainly take you several seasons of hard riding to wear out this boot. “The Lasso Pro is a stiffer flexing boot that offers a responsive ride with a hassle-free fit system that also comes in a wide option, and it’s catered to riders looking for all-mountain hold, response, and durability in any and all conditions,” write the pros at RIDE.
Rome Libertine Hybrid BOA (All-Mountain Advanced)
MSRP: $380
“The Libertine is designed for rugged, dependable, all-mountain performance and season after season of all-day comfort,” write the experts at Rome. A burly and supportive flex profile combined with the slip-free performance GripLight Outsole makes this men’s snowboard boot perfect for durability and all-day comfort. This is a stiff snowboard boot for hard-charging over all sorts of terrain, with a hybrid Traditional/BOA lace system for that perfect fit. The Rome Libertine Hybrid BOA boots are designed to withstand abuse, making them ideal for the all-day, everyday rider. “Perfect for riders who want a supportive, powerful boot for deep landings, high speeds, and must make situations.” Rome writes. The new Libertine Pro is the supercharged version of the original for a more powerful ride.
Salomon X Approach Lace SJ BOA (All-Mountain Intermediate)
MSRP: $330
The Salomon X Approach Lace SJ BOA, with a unisex fit and design made for both park and freestyle riders, is a medium stiff boot great for intermediate and progressing riders. The BOA tech allows you to lock in your foot and get a smooth sense of power transmission and the lace tightening keeps everything supported. The experts at Salomon say it boasts “superior comfort in a lightweight design.” The BOA activated STR8JKT technology eliminates heel lift to lock your feet in and help you feel supported from first chair to last call. The liner is also fully heat moldable so you can speed up that break-in process and get an ideal snug fit. Bonus: If you’re looking for budget snowboard boots, these won’t break your budget.
Header image: ©Breckenridge / Vail Resorts
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