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Best Women’s Snowboard Boots of 2024

JUMP TO: BURTON MINT BOA | VANS ENCORE OG | THIRTYTWO STW BOA | VANS HI STANDARD OG | BURTON LIMELIGHT STEP ON | K2 CONTOUR | THIRTYTWO HIGHT MTB | BUYING ADVICE  | COMMON QUESTIONS

Author: Holly Price, Rob Thijssen | Updated: Mar 26, 2024
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The Short Version

The Long Version

Choosing the right snowboard boot is arguably the most important part of your setup – since the right boot will be more comfortable and improve your riding.

If you're picking just one place to start investing a little extra, boots are a great place to start.

Snowboarding boots have seen a huge evolution over the past decades. If we were to tell you that, back in the early days, snowboarding pioneers rode Sorel’s customized with pieces of heated-up plastic buckets and other homemade hacks for added stability, you’d probably not believe us. And we don’t blame you! But it’s true.

Luckily, the days of cutting up your snowboarding boots in the garage to get the support and fit you want, belong to the past. There are plenty of boots to choose from on today’s market and many provide both performance and a comfortable ride.

But no need to stress about the avalanche of different models to choose from. We’ve got you covered! Drop in with us, and we’ll break down everything that you need to know in order to buy the best women’s snowboard boot for this season.

 

Need To Know What To Look Out For?

How should a snowboard boot fit? What lacing system should you choose? What about the flex rating?

If it feels like the choices are endless and the terminology confusing, then be sure to check out our buying advice at the bottom of the article.

 

Best for Beginners: BURTON MINT BOA

FLEX: 3 (1 Soft - 10 Stiff)

LACING SYSTEM: Boa® Colier™

ABILITY LEVEL: Beginner - Intermediate

PRICE: $$

PROS: A soft boot, ideal for beginners or riders that prefer to jib  

CONS: The liner lacing system is not accessible from the outside

If you’re looking for an affordable, forgiving boot that will last you many seasons to come, the Burton Mint Boa is your best bet. The soft flex rating is ideal for beginners, riders that like to tweak their tricks in the park or for jibbing your way down the slopes.

With the Women's Specific True Fit™ Design you’ll know this boot will fit your riding style perfectly and the Total Comfort Construction eliminates the need for braking in these kickers. The liner with integrated lacing has L-shaped foam support panels on the outside, holding your heel in a firm grip and preventing heel lift. These, and the EVA footbed are heat-moldable, ensuring a perfect fit.

The high-quality Boa® Coiler™ Closure System allows for easy entry and exit, can be adjusted in the blink of an eye and creates even tension in the right places. Just press down and twist the disc on the tongue, and you’re ready to drop in! The liner can’t be adjusted quickly from the outside though, which might be a deal-breaker for some people.

The Burton Mint Boa is an excellent snowboard boot for the beginner to intermediate rider which has a comfortable fit and price tag. Bottom line; these boots crush, big time.d price tag. Bottom line; these boots crush, big time.

Best for Freestyle: VANS ENCORE OG

FLEX: 4 - 5 (1 Soft - 10 Stiff)

LACING SYSTEM: Vans Boa Coiler

ABILITY LEVEL: Beginner - Intermediate

PRICE: $$

PROS: It provides a good amount of support

CONS: Quite heavy due to all the rubber

Drawing its design from the classic Old Skool skate shoe, the Vans Encore OG is a medium-flex, all-mountain snowboard boot without too many over-the-top details.

The flexible V1 UltraCush Liner is surprisingly simple, while at the same time giving plenty of comfort and heel support. This, together with the lightweight V1 Boot Harness outer shell, creates a snowboarding boot that’s forgiving without losing too much support. Perfect for tweaking your grabs while hitting that big-air or when you’re new to the sport.

A single, spring-loaded Boa Coiler on the top of the tongue makes tightening quick and efficient, and can even be handled with gloved hands. The cable guides make sure the tension is divided equally to avoid pressure points. If you prefer the traditional laces, then the Vans Hi Standard OG is your next option.

The original waffle outsole is a classic in Vans skate shoes and is beautifully integrated in many Vans snowboarding boots. The Encore OG is the perfect freestyle boot and has an accessible price tag. And with that iconic sidestripe, these never go out of style.

Additionally, if it’s insulation you’re after, you’ll want to make these your first choice. Not only is the liner crafted from Smartwool, which regulates your temperature and resists odors, there’s also the improved thermal retention layer which provides a 360° wrap of the toe box and between the outsole and the liner. These bad boys are guaranteed to keep heat in and the cold out.

Best Value: THIRTYTWO STW BOA

FLEX: 3 (1 Soft - 10 Stiff)

LACING SYSTEM: Boa®

ABILITY LEVEL: Beginner - Intermediate

PRICE: $$

PROS: Outstanding boot with Boa® lacing system for a very good price  

CONS: Soft flex makes this boot not very suitable for aggressive riders

The ThirtyTwo STW BOA scores a 3 out of 10 on the Flex Index, making this a snowboarding boot that’s ideal for first-timers or those who are looking for a soft jibby feel.

The 100% heat-moldable dual density liners allow for a fully customizable fit, ensuring maximum comfort, so you can spend longer on the mountain. The good folks at ThirtyTwo also decided to throw in a micro fleece lining to take this level of comfort one step higher.

The Grip ‘n Rip heel-hold Velcro overlay prevents heel slippage for when you really want to dig deep in to those front side turns. Whilst the Evolution Foam Outsoles provide ample grip when you’re walking to the bar to get a celebratory drink after having carved your line on every slope on the hill.

The easy-to-use Boa® Fit System allows you to easily exit your boots after a long day out, so you can lay back, relax and kick your feet up, without hassle.

The ThirtyTwo STW BOA is a great choice for first-time riders or when you’re going out shredding just a few days a year, and you don’t want to break the bank.

Best for Comfort: VANS HI STANDARD OG

FLEX: 4.5 (1 Soft - 10 Stiff)

LACING SYSTEM: Laces

ABILITY LEVEL: All Abilities

PRICE: $

PROS: A solid all-rounder

CONS: Softer flex might be too soft for some

There’s a reason the Hi Standard OG remains the bestselling Vans snowboard boot. 

This versatile, comfortable all-rounder is kitted out with Vans' V1 Ultracush liner, which has a dual-density, heat-moldable core with an Ultracush interior cushioning layer and a brushed fleece cuff for ultimate comfort. Toasty, breathable and designed to feel good even after hours of riding. 

The V1 is also Vans’ most flexible liner, which means this is a versatile boot perfect for all-mountain and all abilities.  The POPCUSH Footbed provides complete support and effective dampening, which is why you’re also likely to find that this is the boot for those pulling off heavy landings. All this tech is also enhanced by airflow perforations and a Nylex Moisture-wicking topsheet to keep your feet cool and dry.

Finished off with a Reverse Waffle Outsole for grip, traditional laces with Instep Lace Lockouts, and a comfy Pleasure Cuff, the Hi-Standard OG is a truly awesome snowboard boot – a good choice for riders looking to have maximum fun across the whole mountain.

Best for All-Round Shredding: BURTON LIMELIGHT STEP ON

FLEX: 5 (1 Soft - 10 Stiff)

LACING SYSTEM:Sequence BOA® system

ABILITY LEVEL: Intermediate - Advanced

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Step On™ system offers unprecedented ease and speed.

CONS: You’ll need the entire Step-On set-up to use these boots

If you’re a rider who champions ease, speed and versatile shredding, the Limelight Step On from Burton should be on your list. 

Designed with comfort and convenience in mind, these popular women’s snowboard boots feature all of the high spec technology such as a BOA® lacing system with inner lace lock, 3M™ Thinsulate™ insulation, Sleeping Bag reflective foil underfoot, and Burton’s own FullBED cushioning.

If you’re concerned about the safety of these boots – fear not, the genius product engineers at Burton incorporated three connection points for absolute safety.  There’s two by the toe and one by the heel, locking you in and offering you total control when you're riding. You’ll enjoy lightning-fast entry and exit that will be the envy of your crew. 

Simple, quick, comfortable, and versatile, the only downside of these boots is that you’ll also require the Step On™ bindings, too.

Best for Charging Hard: K2 CONTOUR

FLEX: 8 (1 Soft - 10 Stiff)

LACING SYSTEM: H4 Boa® Coiler

ABILITY LEVEL: Advanced-Expert

PRICE: $$$

PROS: H4 Boa® Coiler creates even tension while tightening

CONS: Boa® system is hard to replace/repair in the field

The Contour is K2’s stiffest female model and is designed for the hard-charging female rider. With a flex index of 8 it’ll bring you an insane amount of precision and performance – just what you need for those challenging runs.

If you think wearing a stiff snowboard boot will surely make your feet uncomfortable, think again! A 3D liner with a blend of high and medium-density Intuition™ Control Foam gives plenty of support and the 3D Formed Dual Density EVA foot bed reduces fatigue, so your feet stay comfy throughout the day. 

The Boa® Mobility Conda™ Liner Lacing lets you tweak your fit on the go from the outside, even while wearing gloves. The H4 Boa® Coiler lacing system creates even tension over the whole foot, making those uncomfortable pressure points a thing of the past. Top this off with a premium rubber outsole with Harshmellow™ Dampening to absorb vibration and impact, and you have yourself a boot that will make you shred all day long!

The K2 Contour is a snowboarding boot for the aggressive rider who likes to charge on the steepest lines or carve the deepest turns and demands precision and performance.

Best for Backcountry: THIRTYTWO TM 2 HIGHT MTB

FLEX: 7 (1 Soft - 10 Stiff)

LACING SYSTEM: Laces

ABILITY LEVEL: Advanced - Expert

PRICE: $$$$

PROS: Has all the bells and whistles you need for your backcountry adventure

CONS: By far the most expensive boots in this review

ThirtyTwo have teamed up with countless riders to create the ultimate backcountry boot over the years, ranging from Jeremy Jones to Elena Hight. The latter put her name to these impressively engineered babies in a statement black-lime colourway. 

The TM-2 Hight offers the perfect blend of support, flex and comfort for any rider looking to explore pristine lines in the backcountry and who wants to enjoy the same comfort underfoot for their ascents as they do for their descents. The boot has improved durability thanks to its Overmold construction and, with the Hybrid Walk Mode, offers you the possibility of longer strides while ascending with your splitboard. The Vibram® outsole has been paired with STI Evolution Foam. This results in absolute grip, with low weight.

Kicking things off is the Vibram® outsole for maximum grip, which has been paired with STI Evolution Foam. This construction provides masses of grip without bulking up the weight too much. The 3D shaped tongue is designed to relieve pressure points and ensure a comfortable ride. A free-moving shank allows the upper and lower zones of the boot to flex independently, minimising shell deformation and maximising heel hold and response. 

The Performance Fit liner is lined with Intuition foam and, as always, is heat-adjustable to your foot. The rest of the footbed also features the intuition foam, absorbing those hard impacts for those who like to send it in the backcountry. It also won’t move around in any annoying directions or allow any heel lift - the liner is held in place by a lace-up cuff integrated into the outer boot for secure heel hold. The traditional lacing system also allows you to crank things up or down depending on your preferences, and easily swap them out if they snap.

BUYING ADVICE FOR SNOWBOARDING BOOTS

When shopping for a new pair of boots you may find yourself confused with all the fancy terms and jargon. To save you the precious time (which you can better spend on riding) and effort of scrolling through endless posts to find out what they mean, we’ve come up with a list that explains the most important ones. Also, we’re going to give you some tips on what to look out for when fitting snowboard boots.

Riding Style

An important aspect to consider when buying a pair of snowboard boots is your riding style. Generally, snowboard boots are divided into three categories: all-mountain, freeride and freestyle.

ALL-MOUNTAIN: All-mountain, as the name implies, refers to terrain all over the mountain. Groomed slopes, untracked powder and also the snow park. The majority of riders falls under this category. An all-mountain boarder likely prefers a slightly stiffer boot since it’s more responsive.

FREERIDING: Freeriding boots are designed for riding on- and off-piste but less so in the park. They are generally stiffer and are a good choice if you prefer speed and precision.

FREESTYLE: Freestyle focuses mainly on park and doing tricks. These boots are generally softer and ideal for tweaking your tricks. This feature also makes them a good option for beginners, since they’re more forgiving.

Flex

The flex of a boot is a key factor in its performance. The stiffer the boot, the more responsive it will be, meaning the quicker your board will react to your input.

The amount a snowboard boot flexes varies significantly between boots. Many manufacturers will give a number rating ranging from 1-10, with 1 being softest and 10 being stiffest.

Generally, you will find flex ratings of 1-2 as soft, 3-5 as medium, 6-8 as stiff, and 9-10 as very stiff.

SOFT BOOTS: Soft boots are more playful and forgiving making them a favorite among beginners and park riders.

STIFF BOOTS: Stiffer boots are generally favored by aggressive riders for all mountain or freeride.

Lacing System

The most common lacing systems used for snowboarding boots are: traditional, quick pull / speed lacing, and BOA. Every system has its pros and cons (as outlined below), but ultimately it comes down to personal preference.

TRADITIONAL LACING: The tried-and-true option for tying boots.

  • PROS: customizable fit, easy to use and replace 

  • CONS: difficult to handle with gloves, takes longer to tie, often loosens during the day

QUICK PULL / SPEED LACING: A single-pull lacing system, often one for the forefoot and one for the ankle/lower leg (zonal lacing).

  • PROS: fast and easy to adjust with gloves

  • CONS: difficult to repair on the fly. Tighten uniformly, so you can't make certain zones looser or tighter than others.

BOA: Uses a cable with a locking coil mechanism.

  • PROS: easiest to adjust 

  • CONS: like Quick Pull, they tighten uniformly and are even more of a hassle to fix if they break. Note however that “multiple BOA” (for adjusting zones independently of one another) are getting more common.

Fit

A well-fitting boot should be snug all around for best performance, without being overly tight or painful. Keep in mind boots loosen over time so try to get as snug as possible without getting uncomfortable when new. You want noticeable contact with the toes when standing straight and little to no contact when flexing forward, along with a locked-in heel. 

Trying on snowboard boots is best done in the afternoon, since your feet swell up a little during the day.

Liners

Many snowboard boot liners are made from moldable foam. This allows you to fully customize your fit. There is a difference between moldable and heat-moldable though.

Moldable liners will adapt over time to the shape of your foot through body heat, whereas heat-moldable liners need an external heat source. This is best performed by trained personnel in your local ski or board shop.

Socks

Wearing a good pair of socks is heavily underrated. When trying on a new pair of snowboard boots, make sure you try them with a good pair of ski or snowboard socks. These are made from synthetic materials or merino wool and wick away moisture to keep your feet dry and warm, as opposed to cotton socks which retain humidity and will cause your feet to become damp, and therefore cold.

COMMON QUESTIONS

What is the significance of riding style when choosing snowboard boots? Your riding style is a big factor in determining the type of boots you need. For all-mountain riders who tackle various terrains, a slightly stiffer boot is preferred for responsiveness. Freeride boots are ideal for speed and precision, while freestyle boots, being softer and more forgiving, are perfect for park enthusiasts and beginners.

How does the flex rating impact snowboard boot performance? The flex rating, ranging from 1-10 (softest to stiffest), determines a boot's responsiveness. Soft boots ( 1-3) are playful and forgiving, making them ideal for beginners and park riders. Stiffer boots (6-10) are favored for aggressive all-mountain or freeriding.

What are the pros and cons of different lacing systems for snowboard boots? Traditional lacing offers customization but can be challenging with gloves. Quick pull/speed lacing is fast but hard to repair on the fly. BOA systems are easy to adjust but are a headache to fix if they break.

How should snowboard boots fit for optimal performance? A well-fitting boot should be snug all around without being overly tight or painful. Ensure noticeable toe contact when standing straight, little to no contact when flexing forward, and a locked-in heel. Try boots in the afternoon when your feet may swell slightly.

What is the difference between moldable and heat-moldable boot liners? Moldable liners adapt over time to your foot's shape through body heat. Heat-moldable liners require an external heat source and are best done by trained bootfitters at your local ski or board shop.

Why is wearing the right pair of socks essential when trying on snowboard boots? Proper socks made from synthetic materials or merino wool wick away moisture, keeping your feet dry and warm. Avoid cotton socks, as they retain humidity and make your feet damp, leading to cold discomfort.

MORE INFORMATION

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