With opening day on the mountain mere days away, you still have plenty of time to gear up for this season. It’s still a good idea to go over your gear and see if you need anything repaired or if you need to get something new. With our ski and snowboard/ snow packing list, you’ll be able to go down the list and check everything off so nothing is missed. The last thing you want to happen is to be on the mountain only to realize you forgot to pack some of your gear! During our last look at the list, we went over ski boots. Since not everyone is a skier, we’ll go over snowboard boots and bindings.
Part 1- Apparel
Part 2- Gloves and Mitts
Part 3- Ski Boots
The Best Snowboard Boots
Another often overlooked piece of gear is the snowboard boots. Much like the ski boots, many people consider this either nonessential or something that comes with their snowboard rental. However, by having the right fitting boots, you can definitely make your experience while on the mountain that much more enjoyable. With that in mind, there’s not really a single boot out there that can be considered the best. Your best bet is to go to an experienced boot fitter and let them do their thing. By having a custom boot fit, an experienced boot fitter, like the one’s Sun & Ski Sports has, can help you choose the best boots for your style of riding.
Lace or BOA?
Snowboard boots typically come in either one of two ways. One is the traditional lace system you would normally find in boots. Much like regular boots, the lace system is designed to keep your feet snug and contained within the boots. However, many snowboard boots actually focus on two areas instead of one when cinching everything down. This includes the front area near the ankle flowing down to the top of the foot and the back of the foot towards the ankle and the ball of the foot. These two areas are vital to a snowboarder which allows them to stay secure and easily transfer power to the board as needed.
The other lacing system is the BOA system. Unlike your traditional lace system, the BOA system is centered around a nifty gadget mounted onto the boot itself. By turning the dial on the system, you can loosen or tighten the boot as needed. The BOA system allows for one-handed operation, making it easy to tighten or loosen as you need to, but still keeping you secure. Many snowboard boots are moving to the BOA system.
Bindings
Bindings are just as important as the boot! The bindings are what keeps your boots locked into place while you ride down the mountain. Most bindings use a ratchet type system to keep your boots in place. Along with the ratchet system, bindings also have some sort of high back, which provides support to the back of your foot, ankle, and leg. When choosing your bindings, make sure it is comfortable, and that your boot is compatible.
Strapless Binding Systems
One option to consider is a strapless binding option. These options are brand specific and typically only work with a specific model and brand of boot. The good thing about these is that they are easy to step in and out while sometimes even avoiding a ratchet system altogether. Much like a traditional binding, make sure that your boots are compatible with a strapless binding system.
Now that you have the low down on snowboard boots and bindings, it’s time to make sure you have the right gear! Go through the snow packing list and check everything off your list. For everything else you need, come see us at your local Sun & Ski Sports. Here, our local experts are ready to help you choose the right gear, for the best adventure. Whether you are an avid skier, snowboarder, cyclist, runner, or adventurer, we have you covered. Or, for more tips and tricks, check out our blog!