Snowboarders advice please - I want a new board and I need new boots.

Hard to be specific but……

If Salomon boots for your feet. Go with a. Stiffer version of their bout? The malamute?

Stiffer bindings?

I often think some of the foot pain thing is just that we holiday makers don’t ride enough! Also maybe don’t crank your bindings as tight?

If everything is too tight it makes your feet hurt. Especially on just a weeks holiday

Board wise. Korua look ace for base on the snow ripping.

I have a Salomon super 8 that’s a good all round turning based resort ripper.

YMMV!

The 8mm total of packing is a lot! What issue are you trying to solve with that? Is the boot too big? That could also be a cause of your pain as your foot tries to tense up to hold in place. Maybe a lower volume boot? Have you sized correctly to your mondo point size? I think I've read somewhere that Salomon are quite high volume but narrow. Never tried them myself.

Some brands use Intuition liners as stock. Thirtytwo are the first that spring to mind, but I think they're quite high volume too.

The other possibility is that the issue lies with your board/binding setup rather than the boots themselves. The fact that you get more pain when riding harder/bumpier snow might suggest this. What board/binding do you use currently? Generally, lighter, more freestyle orientated boards will have less inherent damping properties than heavier, freeride boards. You can think of it like riding a short-travel bike on a DH track. Similarly, bindings vary a lot in stiffness and padding. Personally, I'm not a big fan of metal-based bindings because they offer little natural flex.

Get a Korua you'll fall in love with the piste again.

I have ridden Synapses for years had similar foot pain you describe when on hardpack or bumpy snow. Stiffer bindings fixed 80% of the problem for me, I went from Burton Missions to Rome Cleavers for me but I also finally found a stiffer boot (Deeluxe Empire) that agreed with me.

I would say thought its mostly in the binding/boot combo rather than board as I have multiple boards and with soft bindings I have same problem no matter the board.

If Salomon boots for your feet. Go with a. Stiffer version of their bout? The malamute?

They kind of do, but as the 8mm packing suggests they don't really. Although it didn't start off as 8mm, it's grown each trip. I was considering ordering a Malamute to try.

Stiffer bindings?

Burton Genesis to not the worst bindings and I would've thought they should be stiff enough?

I often think some of the foot pain thing is just that we holiday makers don’t ride enough! Also maybe don’t crank your bindings as tight?

If everything is too tight it makes your feet hurt. Especially on just a weeks holiday

Probably the lack of riding is an issue to a point. I try not to crank everything down too tight, I can definitely feel it when I've overdone the top of the boot.

Board wise. Korua look ace for base on the snow ripping.

I have a Salomon super 8 that’s a good all round turning based resort ripper.

Get a Korua you’ll fall in love with the piste again.

As always the issue is trying to get a demo on anything and having not heard of Korua I'm a bit wary, will check them out though as that's 2 recommendations in 3 replies 🙂

The 8mm total of packing is a lot! What issue are you trying to solve with that? Is the boot too big? That could also be a cause of your pain as your foot tries to tense up to hold in place. Maybe a lower volume boot? Have you sized correctly to your mondo point size? I think I’ve read somewhere that Salomon are quite high volume but narrow. Never tried them myself.

Some brands use Intuition liners as stock. Thirtytwo are the first that spring to mind, but I think they’re quite high volume too.

I think too much volume and not wide enough it probably a good description. The length is spot on or just a touch too short so they are the "right" size. I think tensing my feet does contribute to the pain which is probably why it only causes an issue in tougher conditions.

I bought some Thirtytwos with intuition liners, they felt great in the shop but I just couldn't ride in them, I think they were too narrow. I persevered for a few days but sold them on last year.

I have ridden Synapses for years had similar foot pain you describe when on hardpack or bumpy snow. Stiffer bindings fixed 80% of the problem for me, I went from Burton Missions to Rome Cleavers for me but I also finally found a stiffer boot (Deeluxe Empire) that agreed with me.

Sounds like we have the same feet... I'm about to order some Deeluxes to try on, fingers crossed.

I would say thought its mostly in the binding/boot combo rather than board as I have multiple boards and with soft bindings I have same problem no matter the board.

Yeah I don't think board is the issue, I ride a fairly stiff directional camber board. I might look at some stiffer bindings too, I thought my Genesis are on the stiffer side but having just looked at them again they aren't the stiffer X version so are pretty middle of the road I think.

I tried on every boot in the shop before settling on mine.
As for a board, if i had to pick one too use everywhere it would be my Yes, Pick your line. Directional, stiff, amazing in powder and carves great.
Only thing i have ridden that compares is the jones flagship (but that was a bit too much for me).

What board/binding do you use currently?

One of these with Burton Genesis bindings.

https://hightidemfg.com/products/snowboard-3

I've never found a boot I could wear for any prolonged period without foot pain. I've tried 32 something, Salomon Malamute, Burton Ion and a couple of others over the years. The longest have been my current Ions but I've somehow grown out of them in the last couple of years and they're now incredibly painful because my toes are permanently against the front. I'll be buying new boots this season so I'm watching this thread with interest.

As for boards - I saw some lovely things in TSA yesterday. My favourites being Lib Techs - not only are the graphics great but they ride bloody brilliantly - hence my last 2 boards both being Libs. Would happily recommend

jones also look amazing but no experience of them. Are there any bad boards any more? Surely everything is pretty good and it's just a matter of finding a brand/graphics/style combo and going for it?

Boots - I use a Salomon Malamute. Stiff as stiff when new, which means that after 5 weeks, they're still stiff unlike every other boots I've had which medium stiff then turn to noodles after 3 weeks. If you're not in the park, then I'd recommend them for everything it sounds like you do. I believe they do a wide version too if you're getting cramp width wise. I've got really low volume feet and a skinny heal so always ended up with 'dead' space above my foot and heal lift. The Malamutes seem to get around this and the internal strap that locks your heal down means I don't have to do them up so tight. I'm on my second pair after an ill advised stint with 32. The Northwave Domains were excellent and fitted well, but went soft pretty quick. Based on your pain, it also sounds like it could be your bindings aren't stiff enough either which means you've got them cranked down to compensate.

Boards - I do the same sort of riding as you (Piste and then off piste if get good snow), bought a Salomon Dancehaul last year - 153 whereas before I was on a 161. It's superb in powder, rips around on piste, stiff enough to carve, no so stiff that it's not playful. Competent and capable through chop too. Used to ride a Ride Bezerka 161, also worth checking out now they've made it a touch more forgiving. If you like going fast, then that'd work for you. Likewise Burton Custom X. The Amplid Creamer/Miligram is good - I've got the split version for touring, but they're beautifully made and ride really well. Ride Warpig is fun. Demoed the Jones boards and other than the hovercraft I found them wildly underwhelming. Unfortunately a lot of Jones stuff carries a name premium that isn't always warranted. Libtech - hated them, I like camber with a rocker nose.

So yeah - check out the Malamutes and try and demo a Dancehaul!

If you can’t find a Lib Tech, get a GNU - same tech/company.

I managed to get a GWO cosmetic second for about £260 at the start of the season. I have an older Travis Rice pro but it’s 12 years old now and I fancied something new. The magnetraction is brilliant.

I ride step-ons these days, and they are very stiff -so much so the first 1-3 days of a trip are pretty sore, but feet soon get used to it.

@bjhedley

Interesting comment on the Dancehaul, I have had 1/2 eye on one of those. Graphics are a bit 'meh' though.

Years ago I had some custom footbeds made in the UK for skiing.  It helped, but not much.

I then had a boot fit in Whistler - he took a look at my custom footbeds and laughed.  He then proceeded to flatten the beds quite a bit (he also then cut my boots about).  Went from having to undo the boots on EACH chairlift, to just doing them up at 9 and undoing at 5!!

I too along with other "fitters" had inserted wedges, etc to bodge rather than solve issues.

So I would suggest getting a fit somewhere where they really know what they are doing and have enough people through the door to prove it.

(I know skiing and boarding are different, but the principles above hold true for both)

I'm also following with interest. Had really bad pain this Christmas on the right hand side of my left ankle bone in boots that have been fine before. Hurt to the point I couldn't ride full days any more. Salomon boots of some kind, maybe the Synapses mentioned above.

I had similar footbed issues some years ago and after much trial and error concluded that a poor binding / boot combination was the source (inc. Flow bindings and any boots other than Burtons). I've had some Salomon kit in the past which I really disliked. For<span style="font-size: 0.8rem;"> about the last fifteen years I've ridden a Burton combination, currently Cartel bindings and Driver-x boots which suits my riding (fast, hard carving). Burton stuff lasts, and I've always had brilliant customer service.</span>

As for boards, I've currently got two Jones, a Flagship (in oak veneer which just looks so classy) and a Lone Wolf swallowtail. The Flagship is the best all-round board I've ridden while the Lone Wolf is just immense in pow and on fresh corduroy. Plenty of locals working here (Southern Alps) also ride Jones.

Get new boots. You know you want to and it will feel like a reset for your problem.

For some cost free options:

Binding angles and stance width can make a difference. Even 3deg. Too much forward lean is great for carving but hard on the feet. Find your balance.

Get strong feet. Modern shoes and modern life do is no favours.  6 weeks before holiday, one legged skip and jump rope everyday- even just for 10 min.  Stand on a golf ball.

So many new boards I want to own but can't justify. You are lucky to be in the market for one. Go for it.  I grew up with camber but find rocker dominant much more everyday fun.

Another vote for a Flagship, I use mine mainly for powder days with my stance set back.

For all mountain duties I have a Lib Tech Attack Banana.

Well after going to a shop to buy some new boots yesterday the Salomon's I tried were cavernous in terms of volume. Good length ways, but they had so much vertical space my foot was still slopping around. Didn't fit me at all. And I've actually got quite high arches.

I ended up buying a set of K2 Maysis which seemed to suit my narrow heel and wide forefoot quite well. Would have preferred standard laces over boa. But they were by far the comfiest of the lot.

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Would have preferred standard laces over boa.

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Out of interest why? I can't stand laces as I can never get them tight enough or easily adjust the lower foot only like you can with zonal speed laces or Boa.  My next new boots will be Boa for sure.

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So my lounge looked like a boot shop for a few days and it looks like I'm keeping a pair of Deeluxe Deemons.

I see the problem with Salomons now, the new ones I tried have a lot of space above my foot so no chance of them holding my foot in without all the packing.

I've got a pair of Burton Ions on the way, but they've been held up and I'm pretty sure I've tried Burton in the past and had no luck.

And now my attention turns to some stiffer bindings and (maybe) a board...

I've just done a week on my new Jones Stratos and loved it. It's softer than the Flagship with a narrower waist and shorter side cut so carves tight turns which I really like. Feels like an old school euro carver but still floats in powder.

I’ve just done a week on my new Jones Stratos and loved it.

This is interesting....I've terminally damaged my 6 year old Flagship, and was looking at the Stratos as a possible replacement..not least cos it's about £150 cheaper than a new Flagship!

From what I read the Frontier is closer to being an economy Flagship, same kind of side cut etc. but softer flex. The Stratos likes to turn rather than straight line.

From what I read the Frontier is closer to being an economy Flagship, same kind of side cut etc. but softer flex. The Stratos likes to turn rather than straight

Yeah, that's my understanding too. My old Flagship was a fantastic board for me, and I got it my cheap in Canada after a demo. Not sure I can justify the price of a like for like replacement

As you seem to have fixed the boot issue I'll just post another vote for the Jones Flagship. I had one stolen in Zermatt a few seasons ago and didn't look at anything else, I just got another one (on a Black Friday deal). It's incredible in powder but also really good fun on the piste, on the right snow you can really crank it over and carve.

Binding wise, people generally love union but I’m a real fan of the Now “skate tech” bindings. Jones are using the system in their bindings as well.

You get great dampening and it gives you noticeably good edge pressure /hold without needing to be cranked down super tight ( which leads to foot pain )

Board wise, if you are looking for something that covers the average uk punter week away, can I suggest the Salomon super eight? Rails carves ( see josh Dirksens heelside turns ) and pops off side hits really well. It’s the board Ed Leigh of ski Sunday chose as his middle aged shred board for a few years too. Probably a bit cheaper than the flagship too.

Binding wise, people generally love union but I’m a real fan of the Now “skate tech” bindings

I think I’m going to go for something a bit more “mainstream”, like the Union. Would be interested to give them a try though.

Need to make a decision and get something ordered tonight really or I’ll run out of time.

Nearly bought a Nidecker Alpha APX because I watched a review and they made it look fun 😁 But think I’ll try and get demos on something while we’re away instead.

Ever tried Flow bindings?

I’ve been using Flows for 10 years, piste, park, back country.
Mine are NX2s, bit old now but still work great.

No I haven’t tried Flows. Apart from ease of stepping in do they offer any benefit over other equivalent bindings?

^ comfort - by spreading the load a bit wider

Although to be fair, the current flow strap design is not that different to most other bindings out there now. They do have their rear entry hybrid step in thing which some people love.

The Now skate tech thing sounds gimmicky but it’s genuinely one of the most innovative things that’s happened in binding design in the last 15 years. Designed by JF Pelchat who is a French Canuck legend and like i said, Jeremy Jones licences the tech and uses it in his Jones bindings so they are backed up by some high level and he only makes stuff that works. It’s a tuneable thing so you can set them up as completely regular bindings if you want and the movement is quite a subtle thing anyway. You don’t notice it when you ride, you just notice a little more edge hold and dampening in “rough” snow….