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We say it to every customer who walks in: boots first. Before the board, before the bindings, before the outerwear — boots. Everything you feel on the mountain travels through your boots. A board that doesn't quite suit you is annoying. Boots that don't fit make every run a battle.
Flex Rating — The First Decision
Soft flex (1–4): Forgiving, easy to initiate turns, less energy transfer. Good for beginners, lighter riders, park skaters, riders who prioritise comfort over precision.
Medium flex (5–7): The most versatile range. Suits most intermediate to advanced all-mountain riders. Most riders end up somewhere in this range.
Stiff flex (8–10): Maximum energy transfer, precise edge control. Suits advanced and expert riders on firm snow, steeps and demanding terrain. Requires more technique — too stiff for most recreational riders.
If you're still developing technique, go softer than you think you need. A boot that's too stiff is harder to ride well than a boot that's slightly soft.
Lacing Systems
Traditional laces: Maximum zone control, fully repairable. Takes longer to do up with gloves on. Still preferred by many experienced riders and nearly all park skaters.
BOA (single or double dial): Fast, consistent, easy to micro-adjust on the lift. Double BOA gives zone control similar to laces. If the mechanism breaks on mountain, you need a shop to fix it — we carry BOA replacement kits in the workshop.
Speed lace / quick-pull: Faster than laces, repairable yourself unlike BOA, less zone control. A solid middle-ground option.
Our workshop handles BOA repairs in-store for every brand we sell.
Sizing — This Is Where Most People Get It Wrong
When you first put boots on, toes should be touching or lightly grazing the end of the boot. When you flex your knees, toes should come off the end slightly. That is the correct fit.
If there's space between toes and the toe cap when standing upright, the boot is too big. A boot that's too large allows heel lift, which kills response and causes blisters. Sizing varies between brands — call us before ordering online if you are unsure how a specific boot fits.
Heat Moulding
Heat moulding heats the boot liner so it moulds to the specific shape of your foot. It compresses foam around your individual pressure points and hollows, creating a custom fit that reduces break-in time and eliminates most pressure points before you get to the mountain.
We heat mould every boot purchase at Twelve Board Store at no extra charge. Walk in with your regular snowboard socks and we'll have it done in 20 minutes. If you've bought boots online and are experiencing pressure points or blisters, bring them in — heat moulding resolves most fit issues that develop in the first few days of riding.
Brand Fit Profiles
- Burton: Slightly wider last, runs a half size large. Suits average to wider feet.
- Salomon: Narrow through the heel, medium width forefoot. Suits narrow to medium feet.
- K2: Medium width, true to size across most models. Versatile fit.
- Ride: Slightly lower volume, suits medium to narrow feet.
- DC: Wider fit, generous toe box. Suits wider feet well.
- ThirtyTwo: Skate-influenced fit, slightly lower profile, suits medium width feet.
What to Bring When You Come In
Snowboard socks — the same ones you'll wear on the mountain. Thick socks change the fit significantly. If you're buying online, measure your foot length in centimetres and check it against the brand's mondo point sizing chart. Mondo point (the number in cm) is the most reliable sizing reference across all boot brands.
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