How to Buy the Best Pair of Snowboarding Boots--Part Two
Special options are also available for those lucky few that have unlimited funds and higher standards. Certain brands of boots have customizable foot beds and heat-molded liners to give the wearer an individual and exact fit. Other ways of tailoring the fit of your boots are to purchase shims to decrease the amount of space inside a bigger boot or get some heel lifts to give your toes more room in a crowded boot. Some boots come with external straps made of fabric and Velcro to help keep the heel snug. In addition to having standard laces, you can buy special lace covers to protect the laces from the sharp snowboard edge. Completely waterproof and breathable fabrics are sometimes available.
Despite what snowboard shops might tell you, male and female feet have completely different needs, something snowboard apparel manufacturers have only recently come to understand. Women's feet are smaller and have a lower volume, and their calves are set fairly low on the legs. The latter is important because you want to get a boot that is cut low enough in the back to allow the calf to flex. Men's feet are typically larger in size and volume, with the calves set higher on the legs. Putting a woman's foot in men's boots will only result in a poor fit and dark mood.
The average snowboard boot should feel like an oversized hiking boot. When trying on a boot, lace and/or strap the boot completely closed and stand up. If the boot fits properly, your toes will slightly touch the end; this is especially true if the boot has a lot of forward lean to it. Also, your heel will not lift out any more than an inch if you raise yourself onto your toes or walk around. If your toes are either crushed or swimming around in a huge void at the end of your boot, or if your heel is about to lift entirely out of the boot, try another size. Remember, you will be spending hours at a time wearing these, and you want them to fit as comfortably as possible. Don't worry if the boot is a little on the snug (but not constricting) side; most boots have insulation inside that "packs out" after repeated wear. Give your boots some time to conform to your feet. It is a good idea to wear them a little each day to
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