No matter what type of snowboard boots you have, you need to ensure they are nice and secure on your feet. If they have standard laces, you’ll want to make sure they are correctly tied to give you the best performance.
I’m an avid snowboarder who has been on the snow for decades. I’m also a certified snowboarding instructor. I’ve taught many riders how to tie their boots.
This post will show you how to tie snowboard boots. I’ll provide you with some directions to make this happen and also tell you why you need your boots to stay tight and properly secured.
Let’s jump in.
Contents
Initial Thoughts
Not all snowboard boots have laces, which means not all of them need to be tied up. If you get a pair of boots with BOA laces, like the Burton Ruler BOA, then you’ll have dials instead of laces. There is no tying necessary with a BOA-style boot.
But if you get a more standard boot, it will have traditional laces. Some of my favorite brands, like ThirtyTwo, still make a bunch of traditional laced boots. BOA systems and other styles of laces are becoming more popular, but some people still like the old-school ways.
Some people like that BOA and Speed Laces are quicker to get tightened up, and they stay tighter longer. Those are definite advantages. But you can still get quality performance out of traditional laces. You just might need to tie them tight a few times during the day.
The Importance of Tight Laces
Snowboard boots need to be tight to give you the best performance on the mountain. You need your boots to transfer the power from your legs into your bindings and then into your board. If your boots are not tight, this chain of power isn’t as effective.
Traditional laces need to be cinched down pretty tight to ensure they stay in place and give you the proper power transfer. While it’s not that much different from tying shoes or other boots, keeping them tight is very important.
How to Tie Snowboard Boots
Here are all the steps to tying traditional laces on your snowboard boots. You will get a good fit that stays tight as you ride if you follow all these steps.
Step 1: Put Foot in Boot and Tighten Liner
The first step is to get your boots ready to be tied in the first place. Put your feet into your boot and get them properly in place. Then make sure that the liner is tightened if needed. Some liners have a pull string or other tightening system.
Step 2: Tighten from the Bottom Up
The trick to getting a good, snug fit is to tighten your laces from the bottom up. This is very similar to lacing up a set of regular boots. Start with the laces near your toes and make sure they are tight and secure.
You can pull on the laces, working out the slack as you work your way up the boots. Make sure the boots stay tight as you go all the way across the top of your feet.
Step 3: Lace and Tighten the Ankles
Once you have the top foot area tightened, you can start working your way up the ankles. Rather than holes, most boots will have eyelets that you need to wrap the laces around. Do this in a crisscrossing pattern to keep things tight.
Make sure that you keep the tension on the laces as you work around the eyelets. Things can slip during this step and cause you to get a less tight fit. Do your best to prevent that from happening.
Step 4: Tie Them Up
Once you have the boots fully laced and snug, it’s time to tie them up. You can tie your boots just like you tie your shoes. Make a single half knot and pull both ends of the strings down tight. Then make the rabbit ear loops and tie those in a knot as well.
I recommend that you go with a double knot here because that will stay in place better than a single knot. There is always a good chance you’ll need to tighten the boots up again during the day, but this helps keep everything more secure.
Step 5: Repeat on the Other Side
Once you have the first boot tied up tight, it’s time to work on the other side. Follow all of the steps mentioned above to secure your other foot properly.
With both of your boots tied tight and double-knotted, you are ready to ride!
When to Get New Laces
If you ride often, you might need to get new laces after a few seasons. If you notice any wear or tear on your laces, such as frayed ends or rips, those are good indicators that it’s time for a new pair.
Most boot brands, like DC, Burton, Ride, and K2, offer spare laces that you can get pretty easily. Reach out to the manufacturer of your boots to see if they offer replacement laces. If not, you can get a universal lace that will work just fine.
Final Thoughts
If you are just getting started with snowboarding, tying up your snowboard boots isn’t that different from lacing up regular boots or shoes. Just remember that you need to keep them tight to get the best performance.
Not all styles of snowboard boots need to be tied. BOA boots and speed laces are becoming much more common, and these don’t require you to tie up the boots like with traditional laces. But it’s always a good skill to have, regardless of what boots you use.
About Lorraine