Boots: Then and Now
Boots are the most important piece of equipment you’ll ever own. Nothing matters more than having happy feet when you’re on the hill, because if your feet aren’t happy then you’re not happy. If you don’t believe this is the key piece of equipment, then you need to crawl out from under the rock you’re living under. To see the level of advancement we’re at you have to look at where we’ve been.
This is the grandfather of all snowboard boots. Hard to believe that these were actually sold in the back of snowboard magazines as “proper” snowboard boots.
With the resurgence of vulcanized soles I guess we could say it was part of what Sorel was doing back in the day. Look at the grip those treads provide for optimal golf resort climbing. The lack of ankle support allows for getting bent for some deep tweaks. Can’t forget the lack of liner to give better foot to boot interaction. On a plus side these were waterproof and great for going out and shoveling the driveway in.
Airwalk was one of the first to step up to the plate with a “real” snowboard boot. I loosely stress the real part when it came to them. They might have had the Airwalk name on them, but they were far from anything spectacular. They also weren’t terribly waterproof as I remember.
While they did have a little bit more support than Sorels, these still left more to be desired. Once again a lack of a removable liner was present and these things didn’t do much to keep you warm. The tread was like a pair of old Vans with the waffle tread, you’d slip and slide on everything. Still they were a step up in the right direction.
Trying to fix problems with heel lift, someone invented this medieval contraption. Boot customization has come a long way since having an external harness that locks you down. Can anyone tell me if these things ever actually worked,please?
The next generation of boots got a bit better by having removable liners, unfortunately most if not all didn’t have an internal harness to lock you down. Got to love being in a boot that your heel slips in. Burton had those hard rubbery foam like burrito wrapped liners that didn’t seem to really pack out.
The support started to get better with boots like this. Anyone remember how low the cuffs were on boots back then, really let you bone the hell out of grabs. I just remember that the boots were so bulky back then that you lost so much boot to binding interaction.
I also think the guy snowboarding in this picture was a skier that got photo shopped to look like a snowboarder, and who the hell can’t spell shred?
Step-ins, anyone rock these or remember them? Possibly the biggest pile of crap the snowboard industry ever created. The day they stopped taking rider feedback was the end. But it’s OK everything is sicker with clicker. Strangely there’s people that will roam into shops and argue about how great they were and how only real people could handle riding them.
Around the same time as step-ins was when Salomon entered the playing field. They were one of the first if not the first to do locking lace loops and internal harnesses. That just changed how boots fit exponentially. I know there were other companies that were on this, Burton had some stuff in the works as well, in and around this time. DC was still making overly huge boots that were so large you had to dremel the heels of them down so they’d fit your bindings. Shit was crazy around then.
It’s funny to think that people believe decks have been the biggest area of technological advancement. Sure everything has fully evolved since anyone that’s started five plus years ago, but props should go to the guys designing our footwear. There’s more options than ever, boots that fit various widths, every kind of lacing option you could ever imagine. Strangely enough when we held the poll for biggest area of advancement only 15% were for boots.
I’d love to see pics of primitive footwear if anyone has them.
Popularity: 12% [?]
5 year old board: still holds up well, especially the high end boards
5 year old bindings: not terribly different from today’s bindings
5 year old boots: HOLYFUCK
Boots would be my choice for best technological advance. Worn some of the types you mention. The DC’s were light and real comfortable but wouldn’t fit in my bindings either.
^^priceless
boots are crazy now with tech.. i love it when i go "shreading".. and yeah that guy is deff a skiier cause no one i know can bend there knees like that
The evolution of snowboard boots is insane, and you chronicled it really nicely here.
I remember the day I got those Airwalks in that picture, I thought they were so awesome, god they would get wet so fast and weigh you down like mad, but I could tweak like nobodies business.
I’m proud to say I voted for the boots in the technology poll you had up
Shoot man I remember my first pair of boots… Airwalks from the-house oh yeah.
That was right around the time step-ins were at their peak so when I grew out of the Airwalks I had to have Switch step-ins. My bro grabbed the K2 clickers.
Thanks for the stroll down memory lane.
HAHA i remember airwalks, the first snowboard boots i ever used, so flexible!!!
Ah memories.
When I started snowboarding I was a student and broke.
So I bought a pair of boots for 80dollars because it was somewhat affordable.
(The remaining change from the 100 dollar bill I used for groceries.)
I used them and on my first God Damn turn my foot slipped out! What a damn joke and how friggin embarassing. Especially since my friends just laughed and left me on my own the rest of the day. I still remember it.
But because of that specific moment, I learned my lesson well.
Man I was so dumb!
later.
My very first time snowboarding I had the step in clickers. I rented the stuff from the shop, you know, first time and all.
i remember jamming the boot into the binding part and getting it stuck. i had to walk/hop my way towards the shop.
oh yeah, i got laughed at. This was in 03.
by the way. I’ve got very narrow heels, so would heat molding work for me? i love my boots, but after reading, i worry that i haven’t paid attention to the heel slip.
Heat molding doesn’t fix heel slip. You need either jbars or a butterfly wrap.
I rocked “Step-ins”!!!! I still would if they were available. People love to bag on them and people who use them. They kill at resort riding, no sitting on your ass with that “clickity-clack” ratchet shit. Dumbest thing the industry did was get rid of Step-in technology, instead of improving on it!
This is you typical snowboarder stick though. I don’t have them or understand them so they must be crap. The Switch “Step-ins” were/are the absolute bomb. Unbelievable design and performance. Warm, comfy and indestructible.
Every few years the technology and tastes change and all you knuckleheads jump on board. “I love my new reverse camber board… to bad i cant ride it for shit.” This is the same shit the ski industry has been doing for years. Why else would we need to buy new gear all the time. They adopt new stupid trendy technology and everyone eats it up. Unfortunately they throw away good technology too.
If you never rode switch X-type bindings (with highbacks) you really missed out. I did not ride any “Clickers” or others so horror stories with those may still apply.
Are you really defending Step Ins? The worst idea to ever grace snowboardings presence since the Ghetto Gown? Dude Step ins took away from boot to binding to board interaction it changed the flex points even with your precious Switch X-type bindings. I should know I used to throw hundreds of them away a season cause the soles would blow out right from where the X’s are.
Do us all a favor put down the old ass 1990′s technology, go to a demo, and see what’s out there. There is no reason to be walking around in clunky ass 20lb boots that are hindering your riding.
Did you ever ride them?
I am currently riding a traditional softboot setup and it sucks! There is slop all over the place, and the solution is to ratchet them till your eye’s bug out.
I remember when i could get off the lift and snap in to my board and i was rockin!
Now i remember all the draw-backs to strap bindings. I sit at the top of a lift and listen to all the people huffing and puffing and the stupid clickity-clack of ratchet straps.
Sure there was room for improvement, but the manufacturers gave up… probably because Burton gave up, and they are the snowboard industrie’s “kool-aid” supplier.
As for “contact points” i dont think you ever rode them so its your theory. I (and crew) were riding base-less and semi-base binding for years and killin’ it! Next i think you will say that highbacks and forward lean are good for your snowboarding.
Please dont comment on my riding unless you have riden with me, and dont think that because we dont have the same setup as you that we aren’t snowboarders. This is a huge problem, it is an individual sport, with individuals using the gear. It is not about what you aor your buddy wears, it is about the user’s preference. I think that comfort trumps all off it, if you feel good you ride good, and ride longer.
Are you really that fucking dense? The reason you have slop in your boot is because it doesn’t fit properly at all and your trying to make your bindings compensate. Also I’ll continue to mock stupid people that are throw backs to the paleolithic age of snowboarding that feel that step ins offered anything. Your whole thought process on crap equipment is priceless. Keep on pissing and moaning using shitty examples about a failed piece of equipment, I’ll continue riding more days a year than you and still not sitting down to ratchet in cause I can actually bend at the waist.
You are such a stud….
I thought the point of have a “blog” was to attract readers?
I guess you are too cool for that though, well then i will give you my last post.
You are a typical snowboarding jackass, you think you know it all dont you?
I have been riding longer than you and ride better days than you, so go back to the park and sit on your ass and gape at real snowboarders. You probably like Brekenridge too.
Personally i will be at the pass, or storm-chasing and riding chest deep.
As for your blog i think we all know the true of you knowledge level…none!
Keep writing and stop snowboarding you soo much better at the former.
See yah jackass…
oh yeh and please post some comeback BS to show the world you are a tough guy.
HAHAHA!!!! I was waiting for this post to blow up. The first time I ever went snowboarding, I rented gear and took a lesson. It was probably the worst day I’ve ever had on snow. After riding with strap-in bindings, there’s no way in hell I’d EVER ride step-ins again. It was a good idea in theory but like a lot of things, it just wasn’t meant to be.
And Pedro, you’re probably a 50+ year old who think you were one of the few that started snowboarding in the first place. You’re stuck on your high horse and have no respect for someone that actually takes their time to do some research and write about THEIR opinion on a topic.
Obviously his blog did what it was supposed to do, otherwise you wouldn’t be here, would you?
You know what, I take back what I said about you. For all we know, you’re some middle-aged man who hates his life and wanted to post about something to make yourself feel better.
Get over yourself!!! If you don’t like what was said, keep moving! No one told you you had to respond!
Well someone just pointed out that they have a failed comprehension of the English language with their latest response. Proof read bucko, proof read! I know it’s a hard concept to understand like getting a boot to fit properly. It’s OK I know you’re pissed you’re missing opening day at Breck tomorrow I’ll make some turns for you too!
If he’s the “typical snowboarding jackass” then you Pedro, are completely oblivious to anything that has happened within this sport within the past 15 years!
Also while trying to defend step-ins you showed us that you obviously know nothing about the sport either. Step-ins were not only frustrating, but they were extremely dangerous as well. Ask any instructor who had to teach people using them. They were terrible, and yes we used your beloved switch x-types and backless pin step-ins as well. People hated learning with them because they would often get full of ice and freeze or jam, and then we spent half a lesson trying to get them to work! It was brutal, and everytime I hear someone say that step-ins are the greatest it shows me that you know nothing about the actual technical side of the equipment that you’re riding. Do you have any idea how the contact points of your bindings work with your board? Probably not if you’re promoting those heavy pieces of junk. Plus, do you really want to be dropping into to a crazy line with step ins? Think about it… and oh please tell me how awesome you are because you are chasing chest deep pow! You don’t think every other snowboarder on this site isn’t chasing the same thing? Oh right, that can’t be…the rest of the snowboarding community isn’t as cool as you and your step ins. Like come on, get over yourself already!
But anyways I’m going to stop…but hey it was sweet to see those Airwalks! I had a pair similar to those when I started riding, I felt pretty awesome rocking them alongside all the hard booted skiers! It’s nice to see how far boots have come since the sport started… keep it up AV!
Haha I love this. This is pure comedy, now only if Pedro was miss pugy (sp?) so some bleach could be drank. But the place I teach at all but like 5 of their boards are step ins and they SUCK!!! They will freeze up all the time and you gotta make sure the lever works, I have had students get stuck in their binding before it blows, and also I have broken levers trying to get them out. I hate step ins for those reason and wont even begin on the feel and turning ability being limited by them.
Steps ins and them annoying ass leashes go hand in hand. When I started in 98′ I was lucky to have strap in bindings, but I still saw rentals with step in boots. When those guys bailed, that board would go flying down the hill!
Storm chasing with step-ins sounds like the bees knees
I’ve bought new boot the last two years and still go back to my old Ride Matrix boots. They are still the most comfortable boot I’ve owned that offer good support.
Wow it’s amazing people are still flaming over straps and step-ins.
When I first started riding back in the late eighties on an old Kemper with 4 strap bindings and pair of Sorels sort of like the ones at the top of the page (mine were done in some lovely electric colours) we would have killed for the equipment we have today (to say nothing about the terrain parks).
I used step-ins when they first came out because of the convenience factor compared to the three strap tech at the time. However the step-ins had their time but faded because of many factors. Some of the early bindings didn’t work very well, filled up with ice/snow, had way too much play. The boots in some of the early years were terrible, I went through three pairs in one season because they broke.
At the time I finally settled on the Switch X type with the external highback. It was light, didn’t fill with snow and had little flex. However even with a good binding trying to find good boots was always a challenge. The tales above of boots almost exploding are correct. I had a new pair of Vans almost literally burst open at the heel when I doing a toe side carve. I didn’t feel quite so bad though when I watched another boarder in the half pipe blow the straps on his bindings when his landing was off “just a bit”. Mind you I have never had the binding interface fail.
ASBG, thanks for posting a walk down memory lane. If you want some picks of my old Kemper for the site to go with the old boots it’s still around, strangely I have an old pair of Switch N types mounted on it just for fun in the spring.
Happy Ski Patrol Guy