This is my review of the Burton Moto snowboard boots.
I’m a certified snowboarding instructor who has been working for the last decade. I’ve seen many of my students wear the Moto, and I have first-hand experience with how they perform in the snow.
The Burton Moto is a decent beginner freestyle snowboard boot. They have a simple but effective design backed by Burton’s storied reputation and commitment to quality. These aren’t high-end boots but make for a good value for newcomers to the sport.
In this post, I’ll provide you with an honest review of these boots to give you a sense of how they perform on the mountain and what type of riders they might be suitable for.
Here we go.
Contents
Burton Moto Overview
The Burton Moto is one of those boot models that I commonly see on the feet of my beginner snowboarding students. Many rental shops seem to use these because they are comfortable and provide decent performance for beginners and intermediate-level riders.
They are designed to be a playful and enjoyable freestyle boot that will give you a quality experience in the terrain park. Soft flex allows for this and makes them an ideal option for beginners learning the basics.
The boots are simple in design and appearance. They don’t come with many additional features or high-end innovation that makes them stand above the competition. They can get the job done; they just aren’t going to give you top-of-the-line performance.
As a freestyle boot, they provide you with average performance. They will allow you to explore all areas of the terrain park and help you learn how to approach new lines and features. The soft flex also helps them excel if you like to jib and butter.
Beginners will appreciate how comfortable and approachable the boots are. These are a good option to make for your first pair of boots because they are well constructed and will provide enough support and control to let your abilities continue to grow.
Outside of freestyle pursuits, the Moto leaves quite a bit to be desired. If you are a higher-level intermediate or advanced-level rider, these simply will not give you the performance attributes you want or need.
They are a capable boot in some milder all-mountain situations – so long as you like a soft flex. This limits them in ability and versatility, but I tend to like a stiffer boot that allows for more power transfer and precision.
The upside is that they are affordable. They make for a solid value with that in mind and are a recommended boot for beginners to either rent or purchase. You can expect quality construction and many other offerings from Burton here.
Detailed Review
The Burton Moto is an approachable and forgiving freestyle-focused boot. It excels in the terrain park with a soft flex and makes for an excellent first option for beginners. It’s well constructed and has a nice price point.
Performance
The Moto is a fairly average option in terms of performance. It offers decent control for a softer boot and can work well for riders who are just getting the hang of riding a snowboard. It’s not a high-end option that advanced riders will appreciate.
Let’s start things off here by looking at what the Moto does best – freestyle performance. These boots work well in the terrain park and can give you a fun and forgiving experience on rails, boxes, jumps, and in the halfpipe.
They are also a good option for beginners because the softer flex makes them more approachable. This limits their performance capabilities in all-mountain situations, but they can still hold up as long as they aren’t pushed too hard.
The boots lack support, and that tends to limit versatility. While I wouldn’t hesitate to take these into the terrain park or to recommend them to a beginner, riders with any real experience will most likely be disappointed with what they have to offer.
They can allow you to explore the mountain on a basic level – that’s why I commonly see them on my student’s feet. You’ll just probably outgrow them pretty quickly if you ride often.
Comfort
The same features that make the Moto a good freestyle and beginner boot also lend well toward providing a solid amount of comfort. These boots are easy to wear and offer superior comfort for an entry-level option.
A vital part of this is Burton’s Total Comfort Construction that is included in the Moto. This feature is intended to eliminate the break-in period that can be a real pain for new riders. I don’t know how it works, but the boots are comfortable and ready to ride straight out of the box.
The soft flex makes them forgiving and soft, which is also ideal with comfort in mind. They will allow your feet to flex and bend naturally and you won’t have restricted movement. They also tend to run true to size, so you shouldn’t struggle with an awkward fit.
An Imprint 1+ liner also provides additional comfort. This liner is heat-moldable for a customized fit, and it gives you plenty of support that is also soft and shock absorbing. The liner has integrated lacing, which helps with the fit as well.
Style
The Moto is a relatively straightforward-looking book. They aren’t going to win any style awards, but that doesn’t mean they look bad. They look like a Burton snowboard boot without any glitz or glamour. It’s simple but effective.
The most popular colorway is the all-black model. This gives the boots a generic appearance, and they will look like a rental boot, even if you buy them brand new. This doesn’t affect performance at all, but if you want attention, look elsewhere.
The laces are simple as well. They blend in nicely with the overall design of the boots and do an adequate job. If you want a sleek and simple look, the Moto will hit that mark.
Additional Features
As with most Burton boots, there are quite a few additional features included with the Moto. The brand always seems to throw in at least a couple of extras that increase performance and value.
The DynoLITE outsole gives you extra shock absorption and comes into play with comfort in mind as well. It’s a durable but sensitive material that gives you a good grip on your board while also being relatively lightweight.
A snow-proof internal gusset is built into the tongue of the boot to help keep your feet warm and dry. This simple but effective feature is excellent for any beginner who is worried about getting cold toes when they ride.
Sleeping Bag Reflective Foil is another feature that helps keep the boots warm and toasty. This layer of material placed underneath the foot helps reflect heat upwards to add an extra layer of natural insolation. Plus, sleeping bags around your feet just sounds nice.
Value
One of the best aspects of the Moto, in my eyes, is its affordable price. This makes the boots an outstanding value, even if they don’t give you the best performance. Especially for beginners, this low price for a decent boot is alluring.
The boots are definitely on the cheaper end for any model from Burton. They are a recommended first purchase if you are looking to get your first set of boots. You might want something stiffer after a season or two, but they are still well worth it.
When you tack on all the additional features and high-quality reputation that Burton is known for, it’s easy to see the value of the Moto continue to grow. They are an affordable freestyle boot as well, and that’s easy to appreciate.
The Alternatives
There are plenty of snowboard boots out there. If the Moto doesn’t seem to be what you are looking for, or you just want to explore other options, take a look at these recommended alternatives.
The Vans Hi-Standard has a similar price to the Burton Moto and compares in many other ways. It’s a good beginner boot but can also work for intermediate-level riders who want to get out and push their limits.
These boots have a stiffer flex, so they don’t have strictly freestyle focus. That makes them better suited for all-mountain riding, and they will give you pretty good power transfer and control. They are also very comfortable with an Ultra cush liner and footbed.
==> Read our detailed review of Vans Hi-Standard to learn more.
2. DC Phase
If you want an even better value snowboard boot, check out the DC Phase. These are probably my favorite budget boots out there. They have a medium flex that is good for all-mountain riding and gives your versatile performance in various conditions.
They have a simple design and don’t come with many extra bells and whistles, but they get the job done. Even intermediate and advanced riders can appreciate what the Phase has to offer – and their price is tough to beat.
The Burton Driver X sits on the opposite side of the spectrum as the Moto – but they look almost exactly the same. Appearances can be deceiving, and the Driver is a powerful and aggressive boot designed for experienced riders.
They come with many of the additional features you’d expect including Total Comfort Construction, Imprint 3 Liner, and Speed Zone lacing. They are stiff and in your face and will give you the support you need in technical terrain.
My Verdict
The Burton Moto is a decent entry-level boot that is good for beginners or anyone who wants a solid freestyle option. It’s not a high-end option but provides you with enough flex and play to have fun in the terrain park or let your work on developing your snowboarding skills.
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