Why Do Snowboard Boots Hurt?

‍Why Do Snowboard Boots Hurt?

Snowboard boots are one of the most crucial pieces of equipment for snowboarding. However, if they do not fit properly they can cause pain and discomfort while riding your snowboard. This can ruin a beautiful day on the mountain.

Snowboard boots need to be designed with ankle support as well as cushioning that protects the foot from hard landings. The way they fit you also determines exactly how they will feel on your feet and ankles.

The lack of ankle support can often lead to spraining or breaking a ligament in the foot or ankle, while insufficient cushioning leaves you susceptible to bruises, blisters, and other damage from hard landings on rough surfaces.

Snowboard boots are designed with certain features to keep your feet warm and safe during winter sports. However, they have been designed without taking into consideration comfort or safety for your feet.

While they are made from waterproof materials, their soles are thin and hard so as not to cause blisters or injuries. This combination can result in painful pressure points between your toes and heels.

What Causes Snowboard Boots to Hurt?

Snowboard boots can be a real pain in the butt when they're not broken in properly. They're often uncomfortable and if you're not careful, your ankles can get injured or easily get chafed. It also causes lots of discomfort on your feet.

There are a few different reasons you should consider when trying to determine why your snowboard boots are hurting.

1. Boots Aren't Broken In Yet

When you first start using your new snowboard boots, they might feel uncomfortable or even painful. This is because the new boot has not been broken in yet and has not broken into your feet over time.

Some things that can help with breaking in your new boots include taking them out for a few runs, wearing them around the house on carpet, wearing them for short periods on rough surfaces like wood or concrete, and putting socks or foot-wraps inside of them.

2. Boots Are Too Small

One of the common issues for snowboarding is to have your boots too small. This can cause added pressure on your toes, which can lead to injuries like blisters and calluses and cause incredible discomfort during the day.

If you wear snowboard boots and they feel too tight or uncomfortable on you - it's best to replace them with a new pair of snowboard boots that fits you properly. If your feet are bigger than the snowboard boots you have, it may also be difficult to balance on your board.

3. The Boot Shape Is a Bad Fit

You should take into account that each snowboarder has a different shaped foot. To ensure you find the best fitting snowboard boots for your foot shape, there are some things you should keep in mind before purchasing one.

The shape of the boot is made to fit the foot comfortably with its high arch. However, sometimes they can cause pain because they are not a perfect fit for some people's feet. Other shapes include wide feet and flat feet, so there are plenty of reasons why your boot may hurt.  

4. Boots Are Too Big

One thing that you have to be careful of when buying snowboarding boots is that they fit properly. If they are too big, you might tighten up your straps too much and get an unnatural lean in your stance.

This leads to issues with heel pressure, lower leg pressure, toe pressure, ankle pain, or knee pain. The added pressure is bad for your feet and it can also lead to over-striding on turns which leads to improper technique or loss of speed during a run down the mountain.

How To Break In Snowboard Boots

Breaking in snowboard boots can be difficult since they are made with stiff materials. There are a few tricks you can try so they are more comfortable when you start using them to snowboard regularly.

Heat molding liners are included in many snowboard boots that are sold today, but cheaper options may not have them. This is the liner on the boot that allows the boot to get more comfortable over time, so boots without them may be more uncomfortable.

You can use a heat molder on these boots that make them wear down before you even begin to use them. This will make them fit better on your foot and increase the comfort right away for the mountains.

However, many riders simply prefer to start riding with their boots and let them break themselves in. It usually takes only a few days for them to start feeling comfortable, but if this is too long for you we recommend the heating option at home.

How To Avoid Pain From Snowboard Boots

Snowboarding is a sport that requires some serious athleticism. When you're on the slopes, you also need to have the right gear to ensure that you stay safe. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to help avoid pain from your snowboard boots.

Snowboard boot pain can cause you to end your day snowboarding early and lead to long-term injuries if not treated properly. Here, we will tell you how to avoid pain from snowboard boots.

Loosen The Straps On Your Boots & Bindings

The common mistake is to tighten your snowboard binding straps so much that you can't take off your boots. What happens then is that snowboarders end up with snowboard bindings or boots that are too tight and it leads to pain, swelling, and even injuries.

We recommend loosening the straps and laces on your snowboard bindings and boots to avoid this pain. This will keep them from getting too tight over time and will ensure you can stay in control of your board when things get more difficult.

Use Athletic Tape On The Bottom Of Your Feet

If you are feeling foot pain, but your boots fit fine you can try using athletic tape on the bottom of your feet to help. Tape should be used in small increments and only on the heel and ball of the foot.

When taping is done properly it also helps to reduce inflammation in these areas which can help reduce swelling and prevent further injury. However, you should consider consulting a doctor if you are feeling this type of pain consistently to see if there is another underlying issue that needs to be addressed.

Consult An Expert About Your Boot & Binding Sizes

The best way for people to get help is by consulting an expert about what size fits them best. This will ensure that everything is fitting right and they aren't having any problems with the snowboard boots or bindings.

You can have your feet properly measured in the store and get personalized recommendations about both snowboarding bindings and boots to ensure the perfect fit.