No matter what level of snowboarder you are, good equipment will help you improve and enjoy your time in the snow. Boots are essential for every rider, and beginners might not know where to start looking.
I’ve been a snowboarding instructor for the last ten years. I’ve helped many beginners get better at the sport and have also helped them make good buying decisions on their first equipment setup.
The best beginner snowboard boots are the thirtytwo STW Boa. These boots will give you all-mountain versatility and come with a more forgiving flex that is great for riders who want to learn the basics and get better every day.
I’ll show you a few other top choices in the post so you can easily find an option that matches your needs and preferences.
Time to head downhill and get going.
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Who Should Get This
The following snowboard boots are specially made for new boarders. The low flex and soft cushion are perfect for those just getting started on the slopes, as they give newbies a lot of flexibility and comfort that more advanced shoes don’t have.
If you’re someone who’s giving snowboarding a try for the first time or have only been doing it for a short while, all of the boots you’ll find below will help you develop the basic skills needed while pushing you to improve your abilities.
You don’t need to get a beginner’s boot if you are just starting, but an option with a soft/medium flex is highly recommended. If you get a boot that’s too stiff, you will struggle when you don’t have higher-level skills.
Top Beginner Snowboard Boots
Here are my picks for the best beginner snowboard boots.
1. Best Overall: thirtytwo STW Boa
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: Comfortable, affordable, forgiving flex, 3D molded tongue, heat-moldable liner, STI evolution foam sole
- Flex: Soft
- Lacing Style: Boa
- Cost: $$
The thirtytwo STW Boa (review) is one of the best beginner boots in the game. These are a quality option for any new rider to choose because they give you solid performance in a comfortable package.
The soft flex is forgiving enough to let you stay out on the slopes all day long without tiring out your feet and wearing you down. It’s also not too soft, so you can take on more challenging runs and get good response when you are ready to up your game.
Comfort is provided by a 3D molded tongue and heat-moldable liner. This gives you a customized fit you can use to your advantage as you pick up new skills every day you ride.
Boa lacing also helps with fit and comfort. With a twist of the dial, you can get the perfect tightness for your foot size and won’t have to worry about it coming loose as you ride.
The STW can be a little too soft for beginners who are approaching intermediate riding ability.
==> You can also get it on ThirtyTwo or Evo or Backcountry.
2. Best Women’s: Vans Women’s Hi-Standard OG
- Best for: Women’s
- Key features: UltraCush Liner, 3D molded footbed, affordable, classic style
- Flex: Medium
- Lacing Style: Traditional
- Cost: $$
The best women’s beginner boot is the Vans Women’s Hi-Standard OG. I like these boots a lot and often recommend them to my students who want to buy their first pair of snowboard boots.
They have a medium flex that is good for pushing your limits and helping you become a better rider. These will be good in various on-snow conditions, and you can explore different riding styles.
An UltraCush Liner provides you with tons of comfort that is easy to break in. It’s forgiving by design, which is a nod to the beginner-friendly nature of the Hi-Standard.
The footbed is made from a single density foam with airflow perforations that help keep moisture away and add extra comfort.
These boots are also very affordable and feature a classic and timeless Vans style.
They might be a little too stiff for first-time riders, and the traditional laces can loosen up a bit.
==> You can also get it on Vans or Evo or Buckman’s.
3. Best Freestyle: K2 Renin
- Best for: Freestyle
- Key features: Support liner, Boa mobility Conda liner system, Harshmellow dampening, RollSole outsole
- Flex: Soft/Medium
- Lacing Style: Boa
- Cost: $$$$
If you want to learn how to become a freestyle rider, the K2 Renin is an excellent set of boots to help you along the way.
They have a high-quality Intuition foam liner that keeps your foot and ankle fully supported as you learn how to approach the features in the park.
A Boa mobility Conda liner system lets you dial in the perfect fit with the twist of the nob and works well as an internal harness.
Harshmellow dampening is an awesome feature that provides you with extra cushioning that pays off when you catch airs and come back down to earth. It works to absorb impacts and makes for a very comfortable boot.
The RollSole outsole lets you have a flexible full range of motion, another great feature for freestyle riding.
The Renin is a solid boot, but it does have an expensive price tag that is not very beginner-friendly.
4. Best Wide Feet: Salomon Synapse
- Best for: Wide Feet
- Key features: Wider fit, versatile performance, Platinum liner, QuickDry panels, Ortholite footbeds, lightweight
- Flex: Medium
- Lacing Style: PowerLock
- Cost: $$$
Beginner riders with wider feet should check out the Salomon Synapse. These boots have versatile performance, a medium flex, and a wider design that comes in handy for big feet.
They have a cat-tongue-like material in the heel that works to keep your foot in place if your feet don’t entirely fill up the wide, roomy inner area.
A Platinum liner has removable ankle inserts that let you get a customized fit and comes with an asymmetrical design that increases lateral support. The liner is also heat-moldable.
QuickDry panels help wick sweat away from the boots, keeping your feet warm so you can stay out longer.
Ortholite footbeds are seriously comfortable and keep your feet fully cushioned and supported no matter where you are riding.
These boots are relatively expensive, and the wider foot box is not ideal for people who don’t have wide feet.
5. Best Budget Pick: DC Phase
- Best for: Budget Pick
- Key features: Affordable, comfortable, versatile and effective performance, forgiving flex, durable insole
- Flex: Medium/Soft
- Lacing Style: Traditional
- Cost: $$
For a simple but effective boot that is very affordable and a good beginner pick, take a look at the DC Phase. They aren’t fancy, but they have everything the beginner needs to get cruising.
A performance liner keeps your feet fully supported and includes a multi-layer construction with EVA memory foam and thermal-regulating fleece. This gives you a lot of comfort and warmth.
A durable insole prevents foot fatigue and is covered with a moisture-wicking cloth to help your feet stay dry and comfortable.
The Foundation Unilite Outsole is very lightweight but also adds durability and extra cushion and impact absorption.
With traditional lacing, you might experience some loosening if you ride hard.
==> You can also get it on Evo or Backcountry or SidelineSwap.
6. Best for Comfort: Burton Moto
- Best for: Comfort
- Key features: Total Comfort Construction, 1:1 lasting, Imprint 1 liner, quick-lock inner lacing, DynoLITE outsole
- Flex: Soft
- Lacing Style: Boa
- Cost: $$$
The Burton Moto (review) is a beginner friendly boot that’s also super comfortable. If you want to make sure your feet stay happy while you ride, these are the way to go.
Total Comfort Construction is designed to nearly get rid of the break-in period of the Moto. This means you can wear them right out of the box and get a comfortable feel.
The Imprint 1 liner has integrated lacing that keeps your feet firmly in place. This liner is also gear towards comfort and is firm but gives you plenty of cushioning.
Lightweight Power Panels help maintain a consistent flex as the boots wear. Some soft boots will get weaker as they age, but the power panels help the Moto stay close to new throughout their working life.
These boots are a little bulky, and the soft flex may not be ideal for riders who eventually want to start to explore any freeriding styles.
==> You can also get it on Burton or Evo or Backcountry.
How to Choose Snowboard Boots for Beginners
When you are looking for snowboard boots as a beginner, keep these factors in mind to help you get a pair to help you learn and improve.
Flex
A boot’s flex, which measures a shoe’s support as well as how much energy it transfers to the board, is a significant consideration.
Beginner boarders typically want a softer flex. Boots with a softer flex will allow you to learn easier because they are more forgiving, and you don’t need to work as hard when you are riding.
They also give you more flexibility and tend to be much more comfortable than boots with a high flex. This means your feet won’t get as tired, and you can stay out riding longer.
Fit
Comfort is critical for all snowboard boots, but it’s especially important for beginners. You’re going to take your time when you first start going down runs. A proper fit is essential with comfort in mind. If you get boots that are too small, you can experience pain and discomfort.
Boots with a nice liner and insole will help you find a good fit that will let you ride well and provide plenty of comfort. Heat-moldable liners can create a customized fit.
Appearance
Appearance should be the last thing you look at when getting snow apparel, but it does matter. Always know what kind of style you want on the mountain, and don’t be afraid to pick an item over a similar one because you like its design.
As a beginner, don’t get too caught up in the appearance of your boots. While you can always choose to express yourself, it’s more important to have boots that fit correctly and have a soft/medium flex if you want to become a better rider.
FAQs
Here are some quick answers to some common questions about beginner boots.
Is it better to rent snowboard boots or buy new ones?
I always suggest renting boots before you buy them. If you can find the boot you are interested in available to rent, this lets you try them out on the mountain to see if they meet your needs before you commit to purchasing them.
Should snowboard boots be tight or loose?
You want your boots to be more snug than loose. But you don’t want them to be uncomfortably tight, either. Your toes should just barely touch the front of your boots when you are standing, and your ankle shouldn’t wiggle around much.
Why do my feet go numb in snowboard boots?
This could be caused by boots that are too small, too tight, or because you have issues with the lacing system. Everyone has different feet, and yours might be numb because of the boots you choose.
How many days do snowboard boots last?
In my experience, most high-quality boots will easily last for several hundred days of riding. I’ve had high-end boots that have easily lasted 300+ days but have seen less-quality options struggle to reach 100.
Also Read: How to Fit Snowboard Boots
Useful Tips
When getting boots, no matter how experienced you are, you need to pay attention to how they fit. Though we covered that a bit above, there are a few more rules to cover when finding the perfect size. If you want a more detailed explanation, check out the advice here.
After you buy your first boots, you want to take care of them. Not only will they look better each season, but they will last longer as well. The tips laid out in this video will help you get the most from your snowboard gears.
My Verdict
The thirtytwo STW Boa are the best beginner snowboard boots out there. These boots will provide you with versatile performance all over the mountain, come with a forgiving flex, and offer plenty of comfort.
While every part of your snowboarding ensemble matters, boots are one of the most vital. There are many options on the market, and that can get overwhelming for beginners who aren’t quite sure what they’re looking for.
The above options help narrow down that search and make it easier to get something that will work for your first days on the slopes. Any of the boots on this list are recommended for the beginner rider.
About Lorraine