Thoughts: The importance of proper boot fit (especially for the bigger rider)
Often times, and rightfully so, people are drawn to various boots due to design, color, graphics, or something else aesthetically please. It's pretty much human nature to admire pretty, shiny, hip things. So do you then choose the boot that fits properly and perhaps isn't what you want, or go for the boot that looks insanely great, but is a tighter fit? The answer really should be the better fit. No matter how good you look in a pair of boots, if your feet are cramping, or perhaps you're having nasty heel lift, your riding day is probably not going to be fun. In fact you'll probably stop early, and go sit down for beers or something.
This year, I've ridden different boots from Burton, Flow, Sims, and Thirty-Two. Each boot company has their own cuts, and honestly own fit definitions, especially when it comes to the width of the boot. Being a bigger rider for example, I always look for an articulating cuff on my boots. The articulation factor allows the boot to flex without causing any pressure loss in the middle of the boot around my ankle area. If I have a non articulating cuff, I can feel the pressure loss when I turn toe side due to the whole mid section of the boot flexing into the turn with me. Your mileage may vary in this area, it's really a personal choice, and one I find you learn from riding different boots. This season I'm going to be putting up reviews on several pairs of boots that I have in my arsenal, and why I like each pair or dislike each pair. I generally ride a size 12 or 13 boot, and have a slightly wider foot, which can make some boots completely uncomfortable.
In talking about proper fit, Thirty-Two, has an awesome fit kit at the shops, so when you purchase your boots, you can have the toe box widened out, and the inner liners heat molded on the spot. The heat molding isn't anything new, a lot of companies incorporate it, but I have yet to see many companies invest into the prosthetic toe covers which help widen the toe box out during molding. Perhaps I've missed them from other companies, but it's a great thing for people with bigger, half-size, or wider feet, as the heat molding packs out the toe box enough to make it comfortable for you without you having to size up generally. More info on the ThirtyTwo fit program is available at ==> http://thirtytwo.com/tech/molding/
Sizing up, can generally alleviate issues, but in the long run you will find when the boots pack-out, you're left with a less than supportive, and comfortable boot. I always recommend riders get their proper size, and as long as your toes are only touching the front of the boot, but are NOT crammed into the boot, the fit should be fine. The boot will start to break-in during riding, and generally fit more comfortably. Keep in mind, as you're riding through the season, your inner liners especially will tend to loose the snug fit they once had, and the over-all boot fit will start to feel loose. This happens, and quite honestly just means you're riding and having fun. Boots don't last forever, nor are they meant to, so when you start to feel them get overly loose, and you can't get a tight fit, it's probably time for a new pair.
For those of us who happen to have a slightly wider, or in some cases very wide feet, finding the right snowboard boot can be frustrating. There is currently only one company who advertises a wide fit boot, that being Salamon Boots, with the Synapse Wide, and the Dialogue Wide. The Salamon boots, offer a wider fit, without truly making the shell of the boot much bigger, making it easier for you to keep your binding fit.
Salamon Synapse
- Salamon Dialogue
Salamon is generally regarded as a good if not great boot for riding, but they can be a bit pricey. There's a huge selection of snowboard boots to choose from, and you can end up saving some mad cash, if you go with a previous years model, which are pretty much available all over the place right now.
Keep in mind, the snugness, and overall fit of the boot when purchasing. Also if possible try to strap the boot while you're wearing it into a binding at the store, to ensure the fit feels proper. It may be possible that the boot appears to fit properly, until you tighten bindings down over the boots, where you may find pressure points you didnt' realize, causing foot fatigue, foot cramps or other types of pain. As the season progresses I'll have various boot reviews with in depth photos of the boots I've ridden this year, and my thoughts on all of this I've written. Hopefully this provides some insight into figuring out what works, and what doesn't.