• Price: £240 / €360
• Flex: 4
• Sizes: UK 3-9
• Lacing System: Speed Lace
• Buy Direct From Burton

Much as it is with boards and bindings, stiffer doesn’t necessarily mean better when it comes to boots. It’s all about your style, and while lots of pro-level boots are pretty rigid, that doesn’t mean that those looking for a flexier, more tweakable option are confined to entry-level fare.

“There’s some serious tech going on here, but it’s wrapped up in a fairly easy-going package”

Case in point; the Burton Ritual women’s snowboard boot. There’s some serious tech going on (more on which later), but it’s wrapped up in a fairly easy-going package. So if you want to really poke your indy nosebones in the park or get surfy in the powder and slush, this would be a fine choice.

The liner is perhaps the most advanced aspect of the Burton Ritual. It’s got plenty of fancy features, including a female-specific cuff and moisture-wicking properties. It also comes in at the ankle to prevent heel lift, and is heat-mouldable too.

The speed-lace gets you riding quicker, and lets you control the upper and lower zones independently. The outer shell is designed to let you flex down through the ankle without any awkward bunching or warping, so the end result is always an even, fun-focused flex.

Newcomers to snowboarding that are looking for something they won’t soon outgrow will get on well with the Burton Ritual, but experienced riders with a freestyle focus will adore it.