Your lacing system affects how your boot fits, how easy it is to adjust on the mountain, and what happens if something breaks mid-trip. It's one of those decisions that seems minor until you're on a chairlift with a boot that won't tighten properly.

There are three main systems: traditional laces, BOA, and speed lace (also called quick-pull or Boa Speed Dial depending on the brand). Each has a genuine case for it. Here's the honest breakdown.

Traditional Laces

Laces have been on snowboard boots since the beginning and they haven't gone anywhere. The basic mechanism is the same as a sneaker — but most snowboard boots with traditional laces also have an inner liner lacing system, usually a pull-cord or zip that tightens the inner boot independently before you do up the outer lace.

How it works

Inner liner tightens first with a pull-cord or internal lace. Then the outer boot laces up exactly like a shoe. You can zone the tightness — looser over the toes, tighter through the ankle, whatever works for your foot.

Who it suits

Riders who want maximum control over fit. People with unusual foot shapes or pressure points who need to fine-tune each zone independently. Riders who prioritise repairability — if a lace breaks on the mountain, you replace it in two minutes with any bootlace. Freestylers and park riders often prefer laces because the fit can be customised precisely and there's no hard BOA mechanism sitting on top of the boot.

Brands using traditional laces

Burton (Ruler, Moto), DC, ThirtyTwo, Vans, K2 (on select models). Most major brands carry at least one laced boot per season.

The real trade-offs

Getting laces very tight takes effort and takes longer than BOA
You can't micro-adjust on the chair without taking your gloves off
Inner liners can loosen over a long day if not retightened at lunch
Laces can freeze if they get wet and you leave them — keep them tucked

BOA

BOA is a wire-based closure system licensed to boot brands. You turn a dial to tighten a stainless steel wire that runs through the boot. Release it with a push or pull of the same dial. It's genuinely faster than laces and easier to operate with gloves on.

Single BOA vs Double BOA

Single BOA — one dial controls the whole outer boot. Faster and simpler, but less zone control. Good for riders who just want quick, consistent tightness without overthinking it.

Double BOA — two dials, one for the lower boot (foot and arch) and one for the upper boot (ankle and shin). Gives you the zone control of traditional laces with the speed of BOA. Most mid-to-high-end BOA boots use a double system. This is the setup we'd recommend if you're going BOA — the extra dial is worth it.

Most boots with BOA also have an inner liner system — either a pull-cord or a third BOA dial — so the liner fits tight before the outer boot is tightened.

Who it suits

Riders who want to make quick adjustments — tighten on the chair between runs without stopping. Beginners who find laces fiddly. All-mountain riders who want reliable, repeatable tightness every session. Riders with cold hands who struggle with laces in gloves.

Brands using BOA

Burton (Ion, Photon, Mint), Salomon (Dialogue, Launch), Ride (Deadbolt, Anthem), K2 (Maysis, Boundary), Nidecker, Rome. BOA is the most common system across mid-to-high-end boots from most major brands.

The real trade-offs

If the BOA dial or wire breaks, you need a snowboard shop to repair it — you can't fix it yourself on the hill. Most shops carry BOA replacement kits and it's a warranty repair, but it can cost you a day
A single dial tightening the whole boot equally can create pressure points if the boot isn't already well-fitted to your foot shape
Some riders find the wire system feels less intuitive than laces for fine-tuning individual zones

Speed Lace (Quick-Pull / Hybrid Lace)

Speed lace is a hybrid — it looks like traditional lacing on the outside but uses a pull-handle at the top of the boot instead of a knot. You pull the handle to tighten, then tuck it away. To release, you pull a different tab or use a quick-release buckle depending on the brand.

Burton calls their version Speed Zone. K2 uses the term Speed Lace. Salomon uses Spikefit on some models. The mechanism varies slightly but the concept is the same: faster than traditional laces, repairable yourself, and no moving mechanical parts to break.

Who it suits

Riders who want something faster than traditional laces but don't want the maintenance risk of BOA. Good middle ground. Also suits riders who've had BOA breakages and want something they can fix themselves if needed.

The real trade-offs

Not as fast as BOA for on-the-chair adjustments
Less zone control than double BOA or traditional laces with inner liner
The pull-handles can freeze if the boot gets very wet — less common but worth knowing

Which Should You Choose?

The short answer: it comes down to how you ride and how much you care about on-hill adjustability vs repairability.

You want maximum fit control and don't mind taking time to lace up — traditional laces
You want fast adjustments, ride all-mountain and have a well-fitted boot — double BOA
You want something faster than laces without the BOA breakage risk — speed lace
You're a beginner — BOA. Less to think about, consistent tightness every session
You ride park and freestyle — laces or speed lace. Better feel and more precise zone control

The most important thing is that any system works well if the boot fits correctly first. A BOA boot that doesn't fit your foot shape will still cause pressure points no matter how precisely you dial it. A well-fitted laced boot will be comfortable all day.

If you're unsure, come in store. We'll put you in a few different boots and lacing systems and you'll know within five minutes which one feels right. We heat mould every boot purchase in store at no extra cost.

Shop snowboard boots: Men's Boots · Women's Boots

← Back to full Boot Buying Guide ← All Snowboard Guides