If your toes feel crammed or your feet ache by lunch, your boots are probably too narrow. Sizing up doesn't fix it: a longer boot gives you heel lift and sloppy control. You need a boot that is actually made in a wide size. Here are the best ones, then how to get the fit right.
Best Snowboard Boots for Wide Feet
- Burton Photon Step On Wide: A stiffer, responsive boot in a true wide size, built for Burton Step On bindings. Check price
- Burton Photon BOA Wide: The same Photon fit for standard strap bindings. Good for intermediate to advanced riders. Check price
- Burton Ruler BOA Wide: A medium-flex all-mountain boot. Its Dual-Zone BOA tightens the upper and lower boot separately, which helps if your forefoot is wide but your heel is not. Check price
- ThirtyTwo TM-Two Wide: A favorite of wide-footed riders, with a comfortable liner and a medium flex. Check price
- Ride Fuse: A stiffer boot sold in wide sizes, for riders who want response and comfort. Check price
- K2 Maysis Double BOA: A medium-flex (6/10) all-mountain boot in wide sizes, with a heat-moldable liner and two BOA dials. Check price
How Boot Widths Work
Brands don't label widths the same way, but most boots fall into one of these:
- Narrow: For slim feet.
- Standard (medium): Fits most riders.
- Wide: For wider feet. Usually marked "Wide" or "W" in the model name.
- Extra wide: Rare, but a few brands make them.
Your street shoe size doesn't always match your boot size. Check each brand's size chart.
What to Look For
- Heat-moldable liners: The liner shapes to your foot when heated, which removes pressure points. Burton, Salomon and ThirtyTwo use them in many boots.
- Roomy toe box: You should be able to wiggle your toes.
- Adjustable instep: Laces or a separate zone that you can loosen over the top of your foot. This helps with high arches and wide insteps.
- Flex: Softer boots are more forgiving for beginners. Stiffer boots give advanced riders more response, but they have less give for wide feet.
- Lacing: Traditional laces let you fine-tune the fit most. BOA is fast and works well, but only if the boot is already wide enough. BOA won't stretch a narrow boot.
How to Get the Right Fit
- Try boots on in a shop if you can. Wear your snowboard socks and spend 15 to 20 minutes in each pair. Flex into your riding stance and note any pressure points.
- Use a boot fitter. A boot fitter can heat-mold liners, stretch the shell and fit custom footbeds. It costs extra, but it can save your season.
- Wear thin socks. Thin merino or synthetic socks leave more room and keep your feet drier than thick socks. Avoid cotton.
- Add a footbed if you need more support. Superfeet makes footbeds for snowboard boots, which help with high arches and foot fatigue. Check price
The Bottom Line
Buy a boot made in a wide size, not a bigger standard boot. For most riders, the Burton Ruler BOA Wide or ThirtyTwo TM-Two Wide is the place to start. Then get the liner heat-molded so it fits your foot.