Share

Boots

Nidecker Helios APX 2021-2022 Snowboard Boots Review

Tested and selected for our top 100 snowboard products of the year: the Nidecker Helios APX

  • Price: £315 / €340 / $330
  • Sizes: US 7 – 14 / UK 6 – 13 / EU 39.5 – 48.5
  • Flex: 8-9/10
  • Lacing System: Boa

Why we chose the Nidecker Helios APX Snowboard Boots: Upgraded lacing, a tech insole and a sick graphic take this already brilliant boot to the next level.

Let’s be honest: Nidecker are more famous for their Swiss-designed snowboards than their boots, but with the (ahem) strides they’ve been making over the past few seasons all that could change. Since taking over the Flow brand, they’ve re-designed the range from the ground up – starting with the lasts – with the lofty aim of producing a seamless boot/binding interface. Their latest footwear is 100% vegan and packed with premium features at a super competitive price, as epitomised by the Helios APX. It’s a mid-stiff model aimed at intermediate riders and up who want a comfortable, well specced platform for tackling any terrain.

“Their latest footwear is 100% vegan and packed with premium features at a super competitive price, as epitomised by the Helios APX”

MORE INFO:
NIDECKER.COM

Who Is The Nidecker Helios APX For?

In a nutshell: discerning shreds who know value when they see it. Premium dual Boa lacing, Gel cushioning, heat moldable liners… the list of features goes on, and alongside a versatile flex it makes for a powerful boot well suited to freestyle-oriented riders that like to tear up the whole mountain.

Shell & Outsole

The durable PU upper is essentially the same as the regular Helios but stands out thanks to a bling white colourway and a couple of graphic touches on the tongue and toe box that nod to Nidecker’s new ‘Instinct’ board range.

It’s an asymmetrical design, with a 3D-molded tongue and a wedge-like shape across the top of the foot that promises a better fit with your bindings – especially if you choose a pair from the Nidecker or Flow range. The shell also features an articulated joint at the ankle that ensures the flex is smooth and consistent

Tightening the Helios APX is super easy via a dual zone Boa lacing system. You can adjust the upper and lower sections separately; crank em both up for maximum support and response, or ease back on the top dial to keep your turns feeling more relaxed and add a little tweakability.

The ‘H4’ coiler is chunky enough to be operated even in gloves, and is more durable than older models. It’s designed to ‘eject’ rather than break, so if it snags on something (stairs are the usual suspects) and gets pulled off, you can just pop it right back on. The APX version of the Helios also features Boa’s ‘TX’ laces, which stands for ‘textile wrapped’. They look and feel a bit more premium than standard steel cables, and slide just as smoothly over the surface of the boot.

There’s plenty of grip on offer from the all-rubber ‘BFT Gravity’ outsole. The tread pattern is effective whether you’re hiking a slushy park or icy ridgeline, and gel cushioning at the heel and toe helps soak up bumpy pistes and heavy landings.

“In a nutshell: discerning shreds who know value when they see it”

Liner

The ‘Bronze Level’ liner predictably lacks some of the bells and whistles of the ‘Gold’ and ‘Silver’ versions, but it’s a comfortable place to put your feet all the same. Heat moldable foam is used in targeted areas (basically the lower foot) so you can customise the fit either instore using an oven or just by riding in your new boots for a few days and letting the heat from your feet (feet heat? feat?) do the work.

The inner speed-lace passes through a minimalist harness that’s focused on your ankle, reducing the chances of heel lift. Nidecker’s top-end models feature a chunkier harness that surrounds the whole liner, but we found this one worked very effectively and gives you a lot of bang for your buck. A velcro closure keeps everything nicely in place.

One of the key differences between the APX and the regular Helios is its Remind footbed. Remind are a specialist orthotic company who have hired a bunch of the world’s best snowboarders, including Travis Rice, to develop a range of next level insoles for shredding. They’re definitely more substantial than your average footbed, and promise to better align your joints, so if you’ve got dodgy knees this little upgrade could be a deal breaker.

“One of the key differences between the APX and the regular Helios is its Remind footbed”

Roundup

We’ve always advised riders to try on as many pairs of boots as possible before purchasing. The Helios APX are a great example of why. There are more ‘obvious’ boot brands out there than Nidecker, but ultimately comfort is what counts – and these have been designed with that fabled ‘perfect fit’ firmly in mind. The feature list is on point (right down to the premium insole), the flex is ideal for doing a bit of everything, and they look as sick as a fresh pair of trainers. Do yourself a favour and put them on your shortlist.

Trade Secrets

Julien LeFrancois – Engineer / Product Developer, Nidecker

“For this one we used the same last as the Helios. Jean Michel Rodot (who has been the Nidecker designer for over half a decade) did the graphics which match the Alpha and Beta boards in our Instinct capsule. The Remind insole is an aftermarket addition we threw in…it sells by itself for over forty euros – so lots of added value, better shock absorption and a slightly higher riding position. And if you pull it out, you can wear it in your skate shoes too.”

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