The Best Women’s Snowboard Boots
As an avid snowboarder constantly seeking the best gear, I’ve tried and tested my fair share of snowboarding boots. Over 25 years of riding, I’ve researched, bought, sold, and scoured snowboard shops to find the perfect pair of women’s snowboarding boots.
After years of riding different styles and brands of boots that caused sore feet, shin pain, and blisters, I had enough.
My breaking point came after a long day riding Mammoth Mountain. After taking off my boots, I could hardly walk and realized that my shins were rubbed raw. So, I walked into Wave Rave Snowboard Shop in Mammoth Lakes, and the options were plentiful.
Wave Rave is a massive store with the region’s best selection of snowboarding equipment. I knew I would find precisely the snowboard boots I was looking for. The knowledgeable staff took some time to understand my needs and riding style.
After speaking with a female staff member at the shop, she insisted that the Burton Supreme snowboard boots were the best boots for the hard-charging female shredder.
So I tried them on, and walla, wow, the comfort. They were so different from the lower-end Burton Boots I was currently riding. I pulled the trigger and reluctantly spent the most money I had ever spent on snowboard boots.
Was it a game-changer? Heck yes!! The Burton Supreme proved to be just that: Supreme. So, what makes these boots so awesome?
In this in-depth review, I’ll cover every aspect of the Burton Supreme. We’ll dive into their performance capabilities, key technologies, fit and comfort, and overall value to help you decide if these premium snowboard boots are worth the investment for your riding style. Let’s get started!
The Burton Supreme
Before we get into the details, it’s essential to understand who the Burton Supreme snowboard boot is designed for. These are stiff, responsive freeride snowboard boots built for advanced to expert-level riders who spend most of their time charging all over the mountain.
Whether you’re an aggressive all-mountain rider who loves laying down carves or a powder junkie constantly seeking fresh lines, the Burton Supreme excels. Their stiff flex, supportive construction, and precise response make them ideal for high speeds, big airs, and demanding terrain.
Burton snowboard boots are well suited for those with regular width or narrow feet. The heel hold and toe box are snug, giving the ultimate feel and performance. However, those with wide feet may find Burton snowboard boots are not the best fit.
If you’re a freestyle-focused rider who spends more time hitting rails and features in the park, you may find the Burton Supreme too stiff and unforgiving.
The same goes for beginners—the Burton Supreme is not a beginner snowboard boot. Its aggressive nature makes snowboarding difficult while you’re still learning the fundamentals.
However, the Burton Supreme’s powerful freeride performance is unmatched by any other boot on the market. For the right female rider, these boots are fantastic!
Premium Performance
Known as Burton’s top-of-the-line snowboard boot offering for women, the Burton Supreme promises uncompromising performance for those who charge hard all over the mountain.
After extensively testing them over multiple seasons and multiple-year models, I can confidently say these snowboard boots live up to their legendary reputation.
Most of my female shred crew also ride and love the Burton Supreme.
The Supreme’s performance is highly responsive due to their stiffness and articulating cuff, which splits the boot into upper and lower sections.
These stiff boots are great for charging in all mountain conditions and descending big lines. They fit very snug and should take a few days to break in. The sheer stiffness of the boot will cause discomfort while breaking them in. I recommend getting them heat molded at a boot shop to minimize the break-in period.
Burton claims they are comfortable out of the box, which differs from my and my shred crew’s experience. That said, they are comfortable out of the box until you actually ride them.
However, they will feel much more comfortable once you get through the break-in period. The boots take about four or five solid days to break in.
Sizing
These snowboard boots are meant to fit snugly. It is best to have your foot measured at a boot shop to determine the best size. They will pack out and become looser as you ride them. Sizing a half size down from your regular shoe size is a good standard. You can’t exchange them after they are worn, so make sure they are the right fit.
Speed Zone Lacing System
The speed zone lacing system is the most reliable around. It creates a low profile and locks into place with zero slippage. Once you are locked in, the boot does not loosen.
Tightening or loosening these boots is so easy. I can adjust the tension while standing in the lift line without unstrapping my boot from the binding, and I have even adjusted the tension on the chairlift. The lacing system is one of my favorite features of this boot.
The Burton Supreme are super durable snowboard boots. However, if you charge hard enough, all laces will eventually fail. I have put hundreds of days on my boots, and unlike the Boa system, if your speed lace breaks, you can easily replace it!!!
I carry a pack of backup speed laces on big trips. I have only had issues with the laces failing on Burton Supreme boots that I have ridden for 100+ days. Very few people have this issue, but I ride my boots extremely tight, putting a lot of tension on the laces over time. Replacement laces are inexpensive, and most Burton shops will re-lace them for you.
Life Liner
The Life Liner is Burton’s top-of-the-line women’s snowboard liner. It is extremely warm, comfortable, and heat-moldable. The heel cup is designed to hold your heel in place to avoid heel lift. The upper calf piece is adjustable for the perfect calf support. The Velcro on the upper shin secures the liner, eliminating movement or shin rubbing.
The standard footbeds are excellent for most riders’ feet and perform well. However, I add an aftermarket footbed to my snowboard boots to maximize comfort. I have an extremely high arch, so footbeds help support it, eliminating arch pain. I highly recommend Sole Footbeds if you are searching for a great insole.
The PodBed dual-density outsole is really where the performance comes from. The gel under the heel and the rubber cushioning on the base are well-made and provide great shock absorption. With the Supreme Snowboard Boots, my feet feel supported, landings are more comfortable, and my feet never seem to take the brunt of force.
The Burton Supreme Snowboard Boots offer DryRide Heat Cycle Lining, Sleeping Bag Reflective Foil, and a Snow-Proof Internal Gusset to keep your feet warm and dry.
I have never experienced moisture or wetness seeping into the boots, even on deep powder days and backcountry hikes. The internal gusset does an excellent job preventing snow from entering the boot.
I have only experienced cold feet in low, single-digit temperatures in these boots. My feet usually stay warm, dry and happy in the Burton Supremes.
Power Up Tongue
The dual-density tongue offers unrivaled support and stiffness with enhanced rebound and edge power transfer. With these boots, leaning into your toe edge feels aggressive and responsive. The tongue is highly durable and has never buckled at the ankle.
Durability and Longevity
At a premium price point, you expect the Burton Supreme to be a long-lasting investment – and it delivers. These snowboard boots are built to withstand season after season of hard riding without breaking down.
I wore my last pair of Burton Supreme boots for over 150 days, and the only issue I had was with the laces. The friendly employee at the Burton store in Vail replaced and re-laced them for me. Otherwise, they held up incredibly well to the elements, with only minor cosmetic scuffing.
With proper care, I expect to get at least 150 days of hard use out of the Supremes before replacing them. For the performance they deliver, that’s excellent long-term value.
The Best of the Best
After extensively testing the Burton Supreme over multiple seasons, I can confidently say they live up to their Queen of the Mountain reputation as the premier women’s freeride boot today.
Of course, such a premium, high-performance boot doesn’t come cheap. The Burton Supreme carries a premium price tag around $550 at retail.
For the average rider or those on a tight budget, that’s a tough pill to swallow when so many good snowboard boots are available for $300 or less. The Supreme is an investment piece for dedicated free-riders willing to pay for the absolute best.
Burton’s warranty is good for one year and is one of the best warranties in the business. If anything goes wrong with your snowboard boots, Burton will fix (but usually replace) defective, broken, or damaged products.
Over the years I have owned 4 pairs of Burton Supreme’s and have been extremely pleased with them all.
Conclusion
These snowboard boots deliver the pinnacle of freeride performance for women who rip.
Their stiff, ultra-responsive flex and supportive construction provide the edge power, board control, and cushioning that hard-charging riders need when going big all over the mountain. At the same time, they manage to strike an exceptional balance of comfort and adjustability for all-day wearability.
The warmth and comfort of the Burton Supremes outshine other boots on the market. The performance is second to none; these boots are a blessing for female riders with narrow feet. The heel hold is phenomenal, and the gel cushioning makes landings more comfortable.
The Supreme’s stiff, aggressive nature also has some inherent drawbacks. As mentioned, they are not well-suited for jibbing or freestyle riding, which require more mobility. The stiff flex can feel unforgiving and harsh when riding the terrain park or for beginners just learning.
Premium materials come with a premium price tag. However, with proper care, the durability should last you 150+ days on the mountain. Investing in quality gear is expensive but well worth the price tag for the premium performance offered.
Just be sure to buy them from a reputable retailer like the one listed below. With such a premium product, you’ll want to ensure a perfect fit and take advantage of generous return policies if needed.
For more snowboard gear recommendations, please refer to our Snowboarder’s Gear Guide – Products We Love!
