What are the best snowboard boots for high arches? After looking at the available options, I’ve found that the K2 Ender is the best snowboard boot for high arches. It’s an adaptable boot with high volume and plenty of comfort. Its heat molding technology is a welcome relief for anyone with a high instep, and its double BOA lacing is ideal for arch problems.
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
High arches are a problem in everyday life, not just snowboarding. When you put pressure on your toes (usually for a toe side turn), your arch flattens out, pressing against the boot.
This will eventually lead to excruciating foot pain and leaving the slopes way too early in the day. If this sounds like your snowboarding experience, don’t worry — you’re not the first, and you won’t be the last.
Plenty of manufacturers make boots that cater to high arches specifically. In combination with insoles, you can easily find snowboard boots that don’t compromise performance for comfort.
But, your needs as a snowboarder go beyond just your arches. You also need to consider factors like flex, durability, and pricing. If you’d like to see my full list of recommendations for high arch snowboard boots, keep reading!
Reviews of the Best Snowboard Boots for High Arches
1. K2 Ender Snowboarding Boot
The K2 Ender has a high volume, excellent build quality, and a heat molding liner, which I find makes it ideal for people with high arches.
As a mid-flex boot, it’s good for piste-riding, going through the park, freeriding, and, well, just about anything. Weekend warriors will probably get a lot of mileage out of the K2 Ender.
The double BOAs are great for people with arch problems. Compared to boots with traditional or single BOA laces, this feature is just plain better.
Pros:
- Its high volume provides great comfort for arches.
- It’s a multi-purpose boot that performs well for most riding styles
- The double BOA lacing is excellent for riders with high arches
- A heat molding liner gives the boot a high degree of customization
Cons:
- Its mid-flex rating means riders with a more specific riding style in mind will find it lacking.
2. ThirtyTwo Lashed Snowboard Boots
ThirtyTwo has a reputation for making boots that are comfortable and easy to ride in, and this Lashed boot is no exception. Its EVA foam provides great comfort — at the price that it can get packed in pretty quickly. Heat molding will make the boot much more bearable for people with high arch issues.
It has a soft-middle flex rating. This makes it ideal for the park and most pistes, as well as for riders new to the sport.
However, the traditional laces can become frustrating to deal with, even if they’re good for high arches. Some have also complained that the laces that come with the boot aren’t very sturdy — you might want to take another pack of laces along with you.
Pros:
- High volume makes it more comfortable for high arches
- Its heat molding liner makes it customizable towards high arches
Cons:
- Its traditional lacing can get annoying
- EVA foam can get packed quickly
3. Burton Moto BOA Snowboard Boots
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This BOA version of the Burton Moto is a solid beginner boot that provides plenty of comfort for high arches. It’s also wider, so snowboarders with larger feet are going to appreciate the Moto. The BOA lacing is quick and convenient.
Being a softer boot, it’s certainly more suited to the pistes and the park. Advanced off-piste riders should probably look elsewhere.
A small but noticeable problem becomes apparent after a lot of use. The sole is very wearable, and after a few seasons, will lack the traction needed to walk on icy surfaces. Other boots are a bit more durable.
Pros:
- Its price is very competitive
- Its wide fit is great for larger feet
- A “softish” flex rating makes it great for beginners and freestyle riders
Cons:
- It can show wear quickly
- It’s not a great option for more advanced riders
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How to Choose the Best Snowboard Boots for High Insteps – Buyer’s Guide
Sizing
The most important thing when choosing a snowboard boot is the sizing. You can usually tell immediately if a boot is too roomy or too tight. Boot size does not necessarily line up with your everyday shoe size. Often, you can get a much more accurate measurement by measuring your foot in centimeters — this will line up with the “mondo” boot size.
Some boot brands can run bigger or smaller for a specific size, so it’s important to try on boots at home before you take them out on the slopes. Manufacturers have return policies suited to this, so you can usually return your boot and order a new one.
Comfort
If you suffer from arch problems, comfort will be a big factor. A decent insole will also go a long way in making high arches more bearable, but some boots tend to be more comfortable than others.
The most comfortable boots are the ones that are fitted closely to your foot shape. Heat molding liners are the best at this — using plastics with high melting points, the liner can be heated and molded exactly to your foot.
High volume boots will also tend to be more comfortable for high arches. People with high arches can get blisters on the top of their feet from friction with the roof of the boot. Boots with higher volumes will give arches more space and reduce discomfort.
If you’re still having problems with your arches, you should consider getting insoles.
Related Article: Best Insoles for Ski Boots
Flexibility
Depending on what kind of snowboarder you are, the flex rating of your boot will be a huge factor when it comes to picking a brand.
Freestyle boarders prefer more flexible boots because it makes tweaking and styling easier. They also absorb landings far better, which will reduce strain on your knees and feet. If you’re hitting the park a lot, you should consider a high flex boot.
Big mountain or off-piste riders typically want less flexible boots because it gives riders much more precision when making turns, and it’s more suitable for riding at high speeds. Less flexible boots also require less effort from your legs to make turns — which reduces muscle fatigue.
What kind of rider you are will come with time and experience. As a rule, new snowboarders should go for a medium-soft boot if it’s their first time buying.
Fastening
How you fasten your boot has a direct impact on how it performs with your high arches. Different lacing systems will put pressure in different places — and if you already have foot pain flaring up, these points are going to be agonizing. A good lacing system should be comfortable to wear and easy to fasten.
Traditional laces are good for high arches because they let you adjust the specific places in the boot that pressure points form. However, over the course of the day, they will become loose and need to be re-tied (everyone knows how annoying it is when your shoelace randomly flies off in the middle of a run). This has led to alternative lacing systems being developed.
BOA lacing systems are popular because they’re much faster than traditional laces and don’t need to be readjusted as the day goes on. However, they can also create uncomfortable pressure points around the foot. For high arches, this is a problem.
Double BOAs use two separate BOA laces. It gives you the best of both worlds — a quick way to lace the boot and control over where pressure points form. I’d strongly recommend that you look at boots with Double BOAs if you deal with instep problems.
Other systems like Speed Lacing do exist, which are designed to put the boot on as fast as possible. They’re popular for their convenience, but they’re not as precisely fit as the BOAs. While this is important to a lot of people, a few seconds more when putting your boot on isn’t that important compared to comfort or performance.
My Choice for the Best Snowboard Boots for High Arches
With all things considered, the K2 Ender is my top pick for the best snowboard boot for riders with high arches. Its heat molding liner is its most attractive feature, giving high instep feet respite from ill-fitting boot shells. The double BOAs are a lifesaver — it’s both extremely convenient for those fed up with laces, as well as adjustable enough to prevent too many pressure points forming.
While the ThirtyTwo offering is a fantastic boot, the K2 Ender just edges it out with build quality and overall comfort.
Boarders on a budget and only going up a few times a season should also give the Burton Moto some serious thought. Nonetheless, those with high arches should also invest in decent insoles—a good boot on its own is not a substitute for proper arch support.
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Last update on 2024-11-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
