Snowboard Boots

Not bike related, but there are a fair few boarders on here as far as I know so figured I'd get some advice.

Anyway, bought a board and bindings earlier this year so planning on buying boots before I head away this year, so going to head up to the CRC showrooms to pick up a pair in the next few weeks, they just got all their snow gear in.

So, what to look for. What brands do people recommend? Regular lacing or boa? I've read some reports that the boa system is a bit of a waste of time unless you have the dual boa system. Or is it a wste of time anyway if I'm only doing a few weeks a year? Opinions?
Are CRC about as good as it gets in Ireland in terms of value or should I be looking elsewhere?

This will be my third trip so I'd say I'm beginner/intermediate, not really planning on doing any park stuff anyway if that makes any difference.

Any pointers appreciated, thanks

Marc

Try on as many different brands as you can and try on different models from each manufacturer. wear your snowboard socks when doing this.

Depending on what type of feet you have will determine the brand you can wear, e.g. DC and Thirty Two tend to suit wide feet whereas VANS and Burton suit a slimmer foot, be careful if you are getting DC boots as they can be chunky and will not suit all bindings.

I would look at all places that do them in Ireland e.g. CRC, snow and Rock and Great outdoors, boots are not something you can buy mail order and Irish shops seem to be more competitive.

If you do know a size and model that suits you there is always good deals to be found on last years models.

Don't bother buying different insoles like some places try to sell you or the heat moulding, the boot will naturally adjust to your feet as you wear them.

I personally wear Burton and Vans also suit my feet, had the Burton ones four years, they have done one full season in Canada and every year since for a couple of weeks they are still going strong.

Burtons are a great make and have a really good after sales if needed, I got the older version of these http://global.burton.com/mens-boots-...gid=mens-boots and they are great. I'd highly recommend some sort of quick lace system but I really hate doing up snowboard boots. The burton quick lace system works really well too. These ones can be thermo formed as well which makes them that bit more comfortable.

I'm actually in a similar situation, I've flexed out my current pair of boots (my knees are almost touching the snow on a toeside turn it's so bad :/ ) and I'm looking to get a new pair for this season. I had planned to buy on the slopes (and pay the resort tax) as there's not much of a selection in dublin but now that you mention it going up to crc sounds like a decent option, make sure you check out snow + rock in dundrum before you head up north though, they have a small collection but you might get lucky.

I'd stay away from regular lacing. I find that during the day my laces stretch out and I either have to tie them far too tight in the morning or have to relace every hour or two which can be a pain in the hole when everyone is waiting on you.

There's quite a few boa type systems about all of which are pretty reasonable, just make sure you have separate adjustment for the inner boot, the lower outer and upper outer. If you only have one dial for the outer (ala single boa) then unless you have an absolutely perfect foot it'll be hard to get a comfortable fit. My sister went for single boa and after a while she realised she'd made a mistake as she couldn't get the top of the boot tight enough without crushing her arch.

A fair amount of boots being made atm are designed for park riding so if thats not your thing then make sure you go for a stiff boot. Grab the boot and try and crush the toe into the shin area. If your looking for a non park boot you should really have to work to compress it.

As for brands etc burton are considered pretty good but in the end it all comes down to the best fit. Make sure you wear your board socks and that you have absolutely no heel lift inside the boot. If your heel is lifting even a small bit when your just standing around in the shop it'll come lose on the slopes way to easy.

I often rent them abroad and then offer to buy at the end of the week,
almost always works and if they are not comfy keep changing as it's only
after a few hours of wearing that u can usually tell how comfy.
plus the babes in the shop are usually sooo helpfull that it's an added bonus.

Good pointers lads, cheers. Planning on having a look around Dublin shops first to get an idea anyway, was meant to be heading up to CRC tomorrow but their showrooms are closed at weekends, poxy.
Not sure about your plan Terry, rental boots tend to be a bit funky smelling, I can handle my own smell, but not others, I'm sure you'd get them at the right price though

i'm a size 11 and usually get nice newish hardly worn ones.
a shure when i'm skiing i just go barefoot

you're a living legend Terence..for an ugly Tranny !!

Big feet for a Tranny....very hard to get womens shoes in that size Terry....lol

....Only buzzin Terry...and tell your wife I've put my kids names down for the sea scouts, and nice one for letting us know there's a mad waiting list....I ran into her in Knockree there a while ago....Jay

Aaa it was u I was wondering who that was
She is very fond of my size 11 too,u know what they say about big feet!!!
Big shoes!!

Yeah....there some big feet alright.....yeah had a good night down there that night, it's a great little place, always seems to get miserable weather though.