Share

Boots

Burton Step On Kendo 2021-2022 Snowboard Boots Review

Tested and selected for our top 100 snowboard products of the year: the Burton Step On Kendo

  • Price: €340
  • Sizes: US 7 to 13
  • Flex: 5-8/10
  • Lacing System: Classic

Why we chose the Burton Step On Kendo Snowboard Boots: The latest addition to the B’s click ‘n’ go range of boots is a welcome one, bringing a truly fresh look and feel to a collection that, at first glance at least, seems a bit samey.

When Step On first appeared, your boot closure system options were Boa or bust. A speed-lace version wasn’t far behind, but it’s taken until now for an honest-to-goodness classic lace model to hit the range.

Doing the honours is the Burton Kendo, which we’ve been a big fan of since its debut in 2019. It’s a great choice, and Step On fans are now truly spoiled for choice.

“It’s a great choice, and Step On fans are now truly spoiled for choice”

MORE INFO:
BURTON.COM

Who Is The Burton Step On Kendo For?

Sitting in the sweetspot of appreciation for the Kendo Step On will be those who like their cutting edge tech wrapped up in an endearingly old-school package. If that combo is good enough for the Millenium Falcon, then it’s good enough for you.

Shell & Outsole

The first thing you notice about the Kendo is the arresting visuals; it really does look like something from a different age, boasting the none-more-muted colour scheme that so many models did in snowboarding’s earliest days. However, you don’t even need to look beneath the surface to see that this is a far cry from those clunky proto-boots.

While reassuringly stiff, the shell has upper and lower zones that can flex independently, preventing any uncomfortable pinching and giving you more control to fine-tune the ride using the lace. The tongue is pretty solid, though, so when you’re cranking a toe-edge turn it’s got your back (or should that be your front?)

The Kendo has the classic Step On sole found in most of the other models, featuring the metal cleats that allow the Kendo to click in to the Step On system. It doesn’t have the pseudo-ankle strap built in to some of the higher-spec models – but given that those aren’t for everyone, the Kendo doesn’t lose points for that.

“The tongue is pretty solid, though, so when you’re cranking a toe-edge turn it’s got your back”

Liner

No compromise has been made in the liner department; the Kendo boasts the ‘Imprint 3’ model also found on the Photon [link to that review] as well as other high-end Burton boots. As should always be the case with liners, comfort is the priority here. The top section features a highly effective moisture-wicking material that’ll keep your feet dry whatever the conditions, and minimise the change of a boot-stink build-up.

The locking system is intuitive and effective, preventing the need to fiddle with it over the course of your day, and the cuff sits snugly against your leg whilst leaving you the option to tweak grabs for your life. Then when you want to redline it down a groomer and need all the response you can get, the firm ‘power panel’ sections on either side of the ankle stand ready to do their thing.

“This one is high-quality and versatile, with aesthetics that will serve as a siren call to a certain vintage of shredder”

Roundup

Perhaps this is a tricky sell – will any boot be able to convince riders who still yammer on about Ingemar’s backside air at Riksgransen over to the easy-entry path?

Well, if any can, it’s definitely the Burton Kendo. This one is high-quality and versatile, with aesthetics that will serve as a siren call to a certain vintage of shredder. We hope for their sake that they succumb to the Kendo’s winning combo.

Share

Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

production