Snowboard Boot Fit Q & A
Snowboard Boot is Too Big – What Can I Do?
Q. Hi Lauren,
I was reading your article on SnowboardSecrets.com about snowboard boot size, of course after the fact wish I would have saw it beforehand. Anyways my boot is not too small but a little large. is there an insert product or any way to may the boot a little tighter? thank you, Vivian
A. Steve Cohen answers:
Vivian—I am Steve Cohen, CEO of Masterfit Enterprises, a company that specializes in boot fitting. We actually teach bootfitting to snowboard retailers at our Masterfit University Training Centers. Unfortunately, your problem is fairly common among snowboarders since many shops aren’t well trained in boot techniques. Snowboard shops with experience fitters know that boots should initially feel tight since the liner materials inevitably pack out over time; a size or so smaller than your street shoe size is a good rule of thumb for try-on.
The key to snowboarding to the best of your abilities is to make sure your foot and lower leg are secure in your boot and not moving around inside. When you go toe or heel side, you want the board to respond immediately and a secure fit is crucial.
We sell two products that can help snug the fit in oversized boots. The Eliminator is an add-on tongue that fits between your existing tongue and your shin,. It reduces instep and cuff volume and secures the foot firmly in the boot’s heel pocket to minimize unwanted fore-aft and side-to-side movement. Eliminators attach easily with Velcro tabs that are furnished with the product.
Snowboarders who want a super-secure link around the shin often add a Booster Strap. The Booster is an elasticized power strap that helps cinch the boot liner and outer closely to the shin which improves power transmission and precision when moving toe and heel side.
You should also consider adding an aftermarket insole if you don’t already have one in your boot. A quality insole is the foundation of a good boot fit. Most snowboard boots, like most ski boots and shoes, come with insoles that are pretty flimsy and don’t provide adequate arch support and heel stabilization.
A quality aftermarket insole provides a solid platform and improves comfort and power transmission. If you aren’t ready to invest in a full custom insole like the Instaprint brand Masterfit sells, we also have two different do-it-yourself insole products that work great in snowboard boots: Zapz, a microwavable custom insole you can heat and mold yourself at home; and EZ·Fit, an auto-molding insole specifically designed for snowboard boots that requires just scissors to fit. I would recommend starting with an Eliminator and an insole and see if that does the trick. And next time you go boot shopping, make sure to visit as shop with a good bootfitter who can guide you to a proper fit boot. Have fun sliding!
Ed says: Thanks to Kevin M. Ryan, author of The Illustrated Guide to Snowboarding for the original article that appeared on SnowboardSecrets.com called Fitting Snowboard Boots to your Feet.
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EZ•Fit Snow+ auto adaptable shoe insoles are also great in bike shoes, snowmobile boots and fishing waders.