This article is part of our series: Intro to Snowboarding You’ve seen the professionals ripping powder and you’re excited to get on your snowboard and give it a try. Before you can start carving turns, you’ll need to learn the basics: how to put on your boots and how to strap into your bindings. Nailing these steps will pay off in more enjoyable days on the mountain.

Video: How to Put on Your Snowboard

How to Put On Snowboard Boots

Getting into your snowboard boots

1. Pull the tongue of the liner and shell forward and loosen all the laces on both the liner and outer lacing systems to open up your boot.
2. Slide your foot all the way into the boot.
3. Tap the heel of the boot on the ground to set your heel in the pocket.
4. Make sure the liner is tucked in and against your shin before you start lacing up.
5. Tighten the inner laces so the liner is snug and hugging your shin. How you fasten your laces will depend on the lacing system you have. (See below)
6. Lace up your outer shell. Your boot should fit snug but not so tight that it cuts off the circulation to your feet.
7. Stand up and flex your ankles (as if you’re getting into a squat) and tighten the laces some more.

How to tighten your laces. How to tighten your boot depends on your boot’s lacing system—traditional, quick-pull or Boa^®.

• Traditional. Tie the laces together as you would a typical sneaker. Start at the bottom and work your way to the top, making sure the laces are snug as you move up.
• Quick-pull, also called speed lacing. This system has a single tab or handle that holds the laces together. Disengage the locking system to release tension on the laces to loosen them up. Pull the tab up to tighten the laces. Lock it in place and roll up the extra lace and tuck the tab to the side. Many boots come with built-in pockets to clip or tuck away the tab.
• Boa system. This system allows you to tighten your boots using one or more dials. Push the dial in to engage the lacing system and turn the wheel clockwise to tighten the laces and adjust your fit. Some boots may have separate dials to cinch the upper and lower parts of your boot. To get out of the boot, pull the dial out to release the tension on the laces.

How to make sure you have a good fit

• Snowboard boots should be laced tightly yet still feel comfortable. You shouldn’t feel any pressure points on your feet. Ankles and heels should remain securely in place.
• When standing up, your toes should slightly touch the front liner — you shouldn’t be able to wiggle or curl your toes much at all.
• When you flex your knees, your heels should remain locked down. Too much heel lift (when your heel rises inside your boot) could lead to ankle or foot pain.

How to Strap Into Your Snowboard Bindings

Strap bindings are the most common type of snowboard bindings; rear-entry and step-in bindings are two others. Strap bindings have straps that ratchet down to secure your feet. To get into this traditional setup:

1. Place your board on relatively flat ground perpendicular to the fall line so the board doesn’t slide away from you.
2. Make sure the highback (the binding piece that folds up and down) and straps are out of the way and the base is cleared of snow.
3. Step into the front binding. Which foot (left or right) leads downhill depends on the way your binding was set up (regular or goofy). Don’t worry about the free foot for now; you’ll strap into the front binding first and use your free foot to skate across snow.
4. Once you step into your binding, make sure your heel is snug against the highback, which supports your calf.
5. Ratchet down the ankle strap first to set your heel into the binding and then fasten the toe strap. Your foot should feel snug and secure without pinching.
6. You’ll strap the second foot into the board when you’re ready to ride.

Getting Out of Your Bindings

1. When using the chairlift or getting around on flats, take your back foot out of the binding to skate around.
2. Most bindings release if you pull up on the ratchet so the straps loosen.

What to Do Before Putting On Snowboard Boots

Find the right snowboard boots. Snowboard boots that fit well can make a huge difference in whether or not you enjoy a blister-free day on the mountain. Proper-fitting boots can also help you make turns easier and control your snowboard better. Take the time to find the right snowboard boots for the shape of your feet and your riding style. Beginners may opt for a softer-flexing boot for comfort while more advanced riders may want stiffer boots that offer greater edging power and control.

• Check out our video on How to Size Snowboard Boots
• If you can’t make it into a store, call us at 800-426-4840 and consult with one of our experts.

Wear one pair of socks. To keep your feet warm and dry, avoid socks that are too thick and that are made of cotton. Socks made of wool or synthetic materials wick moisture away from the skin and retain warmth better than cotton, which absorbs moisture when you sweat and takes a long time to dry. Snowboard-specific socks go up to the knees and provide your shins added cushion and protection. Start with socks that are completely dry and pull them up all the way. Avoid wrinkles that can bunch up in your boots and lead to blisters. Avoid tucking in your base layers if possible and leave your snow pants outside the boots as well. Remember: Safety is your responsibility. No internet article or video can replace proper instruction and experience—this article is intended solely as supplemental information. Be sure you’re practiced in proper techniques and safety requirements before you engage in any outdoors activity.

Related Articles

• How to Choose Snowboard Boots
• How to Choose a Snowboard
• Snowboard Boot Sizing and Fit Guide
• How to Choose Snowboard Bindings

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Sports medicine boots, sometimes called support boots, protect a horse’s legs against impact from its other legs or objects like jumps. They are also used to help prevent the over-stretching of the tendon on the back of the horse’s leg. Sports medicine boots, usually made of neoprene lined with soft padding, wrap around the horse’s lower leg and are equipped with a support strap under the fetlock. Some boots are even available with an attached bell boot for complete leg protection. The purpose of sports medicine boots is to absorb the impact as the horse’s hoof hits the ground. This minimizes the risk of injury to the tendon and ligament. Support boots, however, do not provide the same type of impact protection as splint boots or open-front boots; these particular boots are made with extra layers that cover the more vulnerable areas of the legs. More and more veterinarians are prescribing sports medicine boots for horses that have experienced a bowed tendon or ligament injury as well as for horses with arthritis. According to a recent study by the Equine Sports Medicine Laboratory at Oklahoma State University, sports medicine boots absorb an average of 26% of energy and up to as much as 45% of energy from hoof impact, while also preventing hyperextension of the fetlock. Another reason why riders and horse owners love sports medicine boots is because they are relatively easy to apply, provided you know how to do so. The experts at Professional’s Choice® put together this step-by-step guide on the correct method for applying a sports medicine boot to a horse.

How To Apply Your Sports Medicine Boots

• • 
    
    

    Step 1

    Once you have your new pair of Sports Medicine Boots place the open boot around the horse’s leg with the logo on the front of the leg and the hook and loop fasteners facing the outside of the horse’s leg as shown. For the easiest application make sure the fasteners are doubled backward and sticking to the fabric.

• • 
    
    

    Step 2

    Holding the bottom suspensory strap, attach the first hook fastener just above the suspensory strap. This helps hold the boot in place while you tighten the other straps.

• • 
    
    

    Step 3

    Working up to the top, tighten each strap. Make sure the top of the boot is even and the straps are parallel to each other. Re-tighten each strap working back down the boot.

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  Step 4

  Unhook the bottom suspensory strap and pull it firmly to secure the middle hook closure under the sesamoid (point of the fetlock). Apply the remainder of the suspensory strap at a 45 degree angle from the leg and fasten it to the front of the boot. Finally smooth down all straps.

• Published:12/18/2017:
  12:54:34 PM ET
• Updated:6/10/2019:
  8:43:15 PM ET

So you’ve searched the internet and found over 50 ways on how to break in new boots. You read that some guy’s friend, had a cousin, who once broke in her boots by, (gasp) filling them full of water and freezing them. Now you’re considering doing the same to your new $900 Alligator cowboy boots. Wait! Please! Let’s put our heads together and think about this, OK? Take a deep breath and lets examine how to break in new boots in a better way. Breaking in new boots is doing one thing, making them feel good on your feet. That’s it. So the next step is to determine where they hurt your feet and fix that problem. It may be a simple solution or several more complex answers. Let’s look at some boot problem areas and discuss some possible solutions. Oh, and while we are at it, let me mention why I hate the frozen boot stretch answer. No Control! You can’t make the boot stretch where you want it to stretch. It will give in the area of least resistance. Which isn’t the spot your foots hurts, Martha. Put the bag of water down and walk away. Take a deep breath, and let’s begin with some real answers. I’ve written most of these so you can DIY break-in your boots. Problem: Boots are New -Answer: First thing I do, with any boot I sell, is a flex-break-in. I recommend the following steps for every new pair of boots.Grab the boot and flex the sole repeatedly simulating the bending motion of your foot. I go one step further and flex the sole in a reverse action, too. -Next, take your thumb and push in at the top of the heel counter in the back of the boot. This help soften and flexing the boot in this area also helps prevent heel slipping. -Next, flex the shaft of the boot at the ankles. Do this a number of times just like you did with the sole. -Push on the side seams from the inside of the boot and get them to flex outward. The boot has been laying in the box, and the seams have been growing teeth that will bite your ankles. Take the bite out your new boots by flexing the ankles out and away from your ankles. Problem: Boots are tight -Answer: Stretch the area that are tight. Boots can be stretched in any area that is tight, that includes width, length, boot tops, raise toes, bump out for a bunion, really anywhere on the boot. See my blog post on Stretching boots for more information on stretching. >>CLICK HERE TO READ STRETCHING POST<< -Stretching fluid is also an option, it can be found here >> CLICK HERE Problem: Boots are Stiff -Answer: Condition and work the leather. Use a good leather conditioner to make the leather more pliable and soft. We recommend Chamberlain’s Leather Milk. It is safe for the majority of shoes. It soaks deeply into the leather which loosens and softens the leather fibers. -The next step is to work the leather. By that I mean to flex and bend it repeatedly. Do the Flex breakin- shown above. -If you don’t mind darkening the leather a shade, then another great product is Bee Natural Rain and Snow. Problem: Side Seams rub your Ankles -Answer: Breaking in your boots with a Ball Bat (see video below) -So this is a technique I made up so that you can DIY fix it yourself. In my store, we have a machine that was made to do this. But, people keep asking how they can do it themselves. So, I thought about it, and this is what you can do. -Whoa, Hang on, Breaking in your boots with a Ball Bat does not mean beating up your boots with a Ball Bat. I’m sure if your boots hurt you, you may want to hurt them back. But your boots just need some lovin’. Here is a little video on how to soften those side seams. The video also shows how to soften a heel. Problem: Tight to get on -Answer: Your boots are hard to get on because the instep or throat of a boot is too narrow. You have a couple of choices to help this problem. Stretching is the best answer. We have professional equipment that can open your boots up and make them easy to get on. Sometimes we add zippers to boots to make them easier to get on. But I have a DIY solution you can try. Stretching your boots with a ball bat. Watch the video to see how you can DIY stretch the instep of your boots. Problem: Boot Tops are too tight -Answer: Ok, this is one I haven’t got a DIY fix for, or not yet. I’m working on it. So for now use a pro, we can stretch boot tops for you or even add some elastic in some extreme cases — >>see this post << Of course sometimes its better to leave it to the professionals here at Boyer’s bootnshoe. So remember, when looking for your next pair of new boots- if you buy from bootnshoe.com you can get your boots professionally broken in for free by our expert cobblers. >> Shop Boyers BootNShoe NOW! << Slim The Boot Guy Whether you have just received your brand new boots in the mail or are heading to your local shop to check out boots, you will need to try them on to make sure they fit properly.

How to Try on Your New Snowboard Boots

1. 1. Socks — Wear the socks that you will wear riding, which should always be a single pair of merino wool or synthetic socks.

1. 1. Open the Boot — Completely loosen the laces, quick-pull locks, or any BOA® dials. There may be multiple lacing systems between the shell and liner to undo. Make sure to loosen any laces all the way down to the lower part of the boot. Reach inside the boot and check for any paper stuffed in the toe.

1. 1. Slide Your Foot into the Boot — Grab the tongue, point your toe straight into the boot, and in one deliberate motion pull the tongue up and out as you stand and step into the boot. When your foot is in, make sure the liner tongue is positioned under the sides of the liner and the shell tongue is overlapped by the sides of the shell.

1. 1. WAIT! Don’t Panic! — The right size boot will feel very tight right now. Your foot is not in the riding position yet, and it may feel too short in the toe. Keep reading, we can get through this together.

1. 1. Position Your Foot — After you have both tongues aligned over your shin, sit down and bang your heel back against the floor several times. This will pull your toes away from the front of the boot and push your heel deep into the heel pocket.

1. 1. Tighten the Liner Lacing — Stand back up and tighten any lacing system on the liner. This may be a quick-pull or Boa®, sometimes located on the outside of the shell. Be careful not to over tighten, which may result in pressure points on the instep and poor circulation.

1. 1. Tighten the Shell Lacing — Working your way from the bottom up, pull the laces tight as you lace the boot up all the way to the top. For zonal quick-pull or Boa® systems, tighten the lower zone first, then the upper.

1. 1. Simulate the Feel of Snowboarding – With both boots on, stand in a riding position with your feet shoulder width apart. Flex the boots forward and back and move your weight from side to side. You want the boot to feel snug, and your heels should only lift up a little bit while flexing the boot forward. You may want to strap on your snowboard, standing on the carpet. This will also let you know if your boots fit in your bindings.

1. The Fit — Spend some time standing in your boots to feel if there are any pressure points. You want your toes to brush the end of the boot when you wiggle them, but they shouldn’t curl. Any extra room you feel now will be especially noticeable when riding and after the foam padding packs out. Keep in mind that your brand new boots are the tightest they will ever be, and liners will pack out up to a half size.

This is evo. We are a ski, snowboard, wake, skate, bike, surf, camp and clothing online retailer with physical stores in Seattle, Portland, Denver, Salt Lake City, Whistler, Snoqualmie Pass, and Hood River. Our goal is to provide you with great information to make both your purchase and up-keep easy. evo also likes to travel to remote places across the globe in search of world-class powder turns, epic waves, or legendary mountain biking locations through evoTrip Adventure Travel Trips. Or, if you prefer to travel on your own, check out our ski & snowboard resort travel guides, and mountain bike trail guides. Still have questions? Please give our customer care team a call at 866-386-1590, Customer Care Hours. They can help you find the right setup to fit your needs. When thinking about tack and the importance of keeping a horse safe, boots are not the first thing to come to mind. However, boots offer protection to a horse’s legs and hooves from injury, damage, and trauma. The type of boots needed depends greatly on the activity. For example, boots needed for travelling would not be suitable show jumping. It is important to consider the needs and requirements of a horse and the activity. Other factors such as a horse’s conformation and breed will also influence whether they need boots. Horse boots can be broken down into the following categories: Brushing Boots, Tendon/Fetlock Boots, Overreach/Bell Boots, Travel Boots, Bandages, Therapy/Medical Boots, Stable/Turnout Boots, Hoof Boots. To help you make the right decision about what boots you need for your horse and when to use them, read our helpful guide on the most common types of horse boots: Brushing Boots Brushing boots are one of the most popular choices when it comes to horse boots. They are versatile boots designed to be used for training, flatwork, lunging, hacking, or turnout. They protect the lower part of the horse’s leg from the opposite hoof knocking into it, which is referred to as brushing. Brushing boots also protect the splint bone which is a common area of injury for horses. Typically, these boots are made from soft fabric to allow them to contour to the shape of the horse’s leg. Neoprene is a great choice of material as it is soft, durable, and breathable which prevents the horse becoming sweaty and uncomfortable. Good quality brushing boots will also have some reinforcement, such as PVC, on the inner leg to further protect from impact. Brushing boots can be used on fore or hind legs depending on the horse’s requirements. Tendon and Fetlock Boots Tendon and fetlock boots are similar in appearance to brushing boots as they protect the tendons and fetlocks on the lower part of the leg from impact. These boots are designed to be used for jumping and cross country so are made from a tougher material to protect from more serious impacts and strikes. Tendon boots protect the horse’s front legs from strikes from the hind hooves which can occur when landing a jump. In comparison, fetlock boots are used on the horse’s hind legs and just protect the fetlock from brushing injuries. There are many different styles available. Open front tendon boots are more popular with show jumpers as they provide protection from strikes but allow the horse to feel if they have knocked a pole. Closed front styles, sometimes referred to cross country boots, are more popular in eventing and hunting as they also protect from impact with solid natural fences. Cross country boots are available for front and hind legs. Overreach Boots Also known as bell boots because of their shape, overreach boots surround the entire hoof offering protection from overreaching and other strikes. Overreaching is referred to as when a hind hoof strikes the soft heel of the front hoof. Due to the delicate nature of the heel, overreach boots are a popular choice for many activities including training, flatwork, lunging, hacking, show jumping, cross country and more. Many horse owners will use them for turnout too. These boots can help prevent a horse standing on the heel of a front shoe and pulling it off. They are also very popular with horses who have back shoes on, as they can cause more damage when overreaching. Some horses will naturally overreach more than others so may need to wear them for all activities. Other horses may only wear them when jumping due to the increased risk of impact. Overreach boots can also be worn on the hind hooves to protect from brushing strikes. Traditional overreach boots were made from rubber, however developments in fabric technology have led to a rise in neoprene being used. Neoprene is a softer, more durable fabric which lasts longer and is more comfortable for the horse. Look out for styles with a ‘non twist design’, this prevents the boot from spinning round in use so the horse cannot catch on the touch tape fastening. Overreach boots may also feature a fleece trim for added comfort. Travel Boots Travel boots are designed to be used when travelling a horse. Travel boots are much taller by design as they offer full protection from the hock all the way down to the fetlock. More expensive styles may include PVC strike pads to also protect the hooves from impact. Travelling a horse is a high-risk activity so these boots offer the most protection of any available. They protect the legs from strikes, impacts, and trauma that can occur when on the lorry or trailer. Travel boots are restricting in movement as they compress the legs to reduce any swelling that can occur when a horse stands still for prolonged periods of time. Typically travel boots are a wraparound style which secure with touch tape fastenings at the front for easy use. Good quality travel boots will be made of a tough outer shell for durability and a soft fleece lining for comfort. As with all boots, it is important to make sure you horse is happy wearing them before travelling. Many horses will need to be exposed gradually to travel boots before they are ready to go out. Bandages Bandages are truly versatile and can be used for almost any activity. Typically used before developments in boot technology, they can be used to protect from injury when riding or to offer support/compression when in the stable. Many horse owners now prefer boots over bandages as they are much easier to take on and off. Therapy and Medical Boots Therapy and medical boots are used to help a horse heal from injuries or recover from strenuous activity. Common types include magnetic boots which increase blood flow in the horse’s leg, and ice boots designed to be used after exercise cooling the horse’s legs faster to prevent injury. WeatherBeeta have an exclusive range of Therapy-Tec boots. These are made from ceramic technology which reflects the horse’s body heat back into the body. This increases blood circulation and expands blood vessels to ease soreness and reduce swelling for a faster recovery after exercise. Other types of boots on the market include stable boots, turnout boots, and hoof boots. WeatherBeeta offer a comprehensive range of boots to suit your horse’s needs. WeatherBeeta boots are loved and trusted by horse owners across the globe. One of these owners is Jodie Amos, a young, talented and ambitous rider with a passion for eventing. Jodie has ridden at both Badminton and Burghley CCI-L 5* and has successfully competed on a number of winning Nations Cup Teams throughout Europe and the United States. Watch Jodie talk about the WeatherBeeta Pro Open Air Boots: If you need any help choosing the right boots, please contact our customer service team who will be more than happy to help. Shop All Horse Boots Here

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