Snowboarding is always the first thing that comes to the mind of an average snowboarder. Whenever they shop for snowboard gear, they always consider the snowboard first. Few people put emphasis and importance on buying a good-quality pair of snowboard boots. Nobody puts consideration into buying the proper snowboard boots for themselves.
Snowboard experts focus on snowboard boots first on your item list when you are going out to shop for gear, as it is the most important snowboard gear in your setup.
Snowboards can be as sophisticated as they can be with the latest technological features on them. But if your snowboard boots do not fit properly, then you are likely spending your day out on the mountain with injuries, discomfort, and frustration. With this in mind, you need to understand the importance of buying the right snowboard boots.
One of the most ignored aspects of buying snowboard boots is the lacing system. There are three distinct lacing systems you need to remember when you buy a pair of snowboard boots.
The lacing system is very important for comfort, the movability of your feet and the chances of getting blisters. The three lacing systems are Boa, quick-pull, and traditional. There are newly introduced boots with hybrid design features combining any of the two systems.
Each lacing system has its advantages and downsides. Here is a detailed view of each of them to give you more idea on how to choose between the three lacing systems.
Traditional Lacing System
The traditional laces are the trusted and proven lacing system most snowboarders still wear today. The laces are replaceable with performance enhanced laces offering more flexibility, comfort, and security.
- Pros: The traditional lacing system offers the right tightness, which can easily be adjusted by hand. It is also very affordable and easily replaceable with different types of laces.
- Cons: The traditional lacing system is very difficult to tie while you are wearing snowboard gloves or mittens. You need to take off your gloves to tie them whenever they loosen up, which is very inconvenient, especially if the temperature is freezing.
Quick-pull Lacing System
It is named quick-pull because you can conveniently pull a single lace to tighten up the entire lacing system. It has a corset-like design and system, which can easily and quickly tighten the zones in just a single pull. It means you can adjust the lacing system properly as well as its tightness even if you wear gloves or mittens.
- Pros: The quick-pull lacing system is very convenient and very quick to use. You can easily tighten the laces without the need to take off your gloves or mittens. You can tuck away the lace pulls easily and neatly underneath the boots. You have the freedom of choosing various sizes and fits, such as ankle-foot laces.
- Cons: Many snowboarders find it complex to adjust and use. Also, few snowboarders have difficulties tightening up the lacing system when they pull it up. They need to pull the lace pull further to get a snuggly tight fit. It has tight pressure points, which causes discomfort and can loosen up easily.
Boa Lacing System
This type of lacing system for Snowboard boots has a small-diameter cable, most commonly made from stainless steel strands. They are attached to either single or double knurled dials or wheels as the adjustable mechanism to provide the user with a snuggly fit. Some use two dials on the boot’s top portion and the ankle portion. The Boa lacing system provides a precise fit around your lower leg down to your foot.
- Pros: The Boa lacing system offers a convenient, fast, and easy way to tighten and loosen up the boot. It only needs one hand to tighten up the boot. You can modify the tightness of the boot while you take a break.
- Cons: It creates pressure points causing discomfort at some points of the strands. The single dial system may offer a snuggly fit, but it cannot reach the upper and lower regions of your foot. If one of the strands breaks, you can end your day of riding unexpectedly.
So, which one do you find best to fit your snowboarding needs? Always remember that each of these snowboarding boot’s lacing systems has its advantages and downsides. It means you must fit each one of them personally to determine which one suits you best. This post only serves as an overview of what these lacing systems can offer you.
