Burton Swath Step On Boa Snowboard Boot Mens

Step-On bindings are a game changer for folks old enough to remember not having a cell phone, or for that matter, they are a handy tool for anybody who doesn’t enjoy nearly passing out every time they have to bend over and strap in at 12,000 ft. The more I use these Step-On bindings, the more I really like them, and I don’t see myself going ever back to straps. This review is about the boots, though, so what is it that you need to know about the Swath SO boots and how they compare to other options…*RESPONSIVENESS…First thing to know about Step-Ons in general is the increased importance of the boot. The design of SO bindings means that responsiveness is even more a function of the boot than it is with traditional bindings. Keep this concept in mind when selecting your boot. The Swaths are a pretty middle of the road flex, and they provide good response as long as I keep them cranked down tight. I wouldn’t want to go any softer than Swath for use with stiffer or wide volume-shifted snowboards.*FIT…First, thing to know about fit is that the Swaths will “pack out” CONSIDERABLY. Seriously, even if you are an experienced snowboarder and know to expect this, the first time you try these on, you will think they are too small. The thick ankle padding will push your foot forward and cram them into the toe box until the padding packs out. After 3 or 4 days on the mountain, they will feel 2 sizes larger, but those first few days are uncomfortable (unless you heat mold them). These are my first Burton boots, so maybe it’s a Burton thing, or maybe it’s just this particular model. I actually started out with a size larger (than my normal snowboard boots) because of how tight these things fit out of the box, had to take them back, and ultimately ended up going a size smaller than I had been riding. I have skinny ankles compared to the size of my feet and leg, which typically causes me to have some issues with heel slip, but not with the Swaths. These have so much ankle padding, I don’t ever get any heel slip unless a BOA pops loose. Width-wise, Burton boots tend to be right in the middle of the width scale, maybe just a twinge on the narrow side of average. With the toe-cleat connection-points, Step-On boots necessarily have to be more rigid on either side of the toe box than traditional boots. If you have slightly wider than normal feet (and non-wide sizes tend to be slightly tight fitting for you), the rigid toe box will further aggravate width issues. Even with normal width feet, that rigid toe box tends to exacerbate how tight these will feel during the break-in period until they pack out.*COMFORT…I discussed the break-in period above, so I won’t get back into that old chestnut. Once they do break in, the Swaths are very comfortable. I love the double BOA system because I can ratchet down the top of the boot when I want super responsiveness, but I don’t have to make it uncomfortable across the top of my foot.*COMPARISONS…Probably the biggest disadvantage of Step-Ons is the typical downside of any proprietary technology – you’re stuck with Burton compatible stuff (in this case boots), with a fairly limited selection, so if Burton boots don’t fit you…well, you just can’t do the Step-On thing. At the time of this review (2020-21 season), there are four Burton models in the Step-On line, and the only non-Burton boot (that is compatible with Burton’s SO system) is the DC Control SO. The softest flexing SO boot is the Ruler, which only has a single BOA adjustment. If you ride a board that is 6 out of 10 or stiffer, I would probably avoid the Ruler. The next level up in terms of stiffness would be the Swath and the afforementioned DC Control. I haven’t tried the DC boots, but on paper they are extremely similar to the Swath – same flex rating and they also have dual BOA adjustment. I think this choice would be a matter of fit, and if you have a slightly wider foot, then DC is likely to fit better. After Swath and DC, the next up the flex ladder is the Burton Photon. Normally I don’t like overly stiff boots, but part of me does like the slight edge up in stiffness offered by the Photon (again back to the nature of how Step-Ons work and the importance of the boot for response). Even though the Photon is stiffer, though, the Swath has a more adjustable fit with the dual BOA, and ultimately that is why I went with the Swath over the Photon. (The Photons have a single BOA adjustment, with a strap that can be tightened over the laces, which is meant to mimic the feel of a traditional binding strap.) The top of the line Step-On model is the Ion, which is the boot for guys who ride massive cliff drops and don’t need to read Amazon reviews from skidders like me.*NOTE TO BEGINNERS…If you can afford the price, Burton Step-Ons are a great binding for newer snowboarders. You will spend less time fiddling with straps, i.e. pulling gloves off to get the strap in the ratchet slot, and putting the gloves on again; and instead spend a lot more time getting better at snowboarding. If you can’t get fitted in a shop (which you probably should, but is tough to do for those of us who have to travel for snow), take note that most riders typically wear ½ to a full size smaller snowboard boot as compared to their shoe size. I had to find this out the hard way. For my first snowboard rental, the kindly gentleman at the rental counter asked me what size shoes I was wearing – I told him 11, and he handed me size 11 snowboard boots. I took for granted the dude knew what he was doing, so I rode size 11 boots for a couple of years before figuring out they were too large. In fact, I went down to a size 10 when I went over to Step-Ons. So to save you some time and potential buyer’s remorse, a good tip to make sure to get the correct size is to figure out your Mondo size (which is just your exact foot size in centimeters). To get your Mondo size, simply stand bare foot on a piece of notebook paper with your heel against the wall and place a pencil mark at your longest toe (or go to shoe store that has one of those slidy things). Measure from the edge of the paper to your mark in centimeters and you have your mondo size. Longest foot wins. All snowboard boot size charts have a Mondo size conversion. In my case, my longest foot happens to be exactly in between a size 10 and 10 ½ on the Burton Mondo chart at 28.25 cm. Contrary to what you might think, Burton actually recommended rounding down in this case and going with the smaller size. If you happen to be in a similar situation on the max edge of a size, I recommend getting the boots heat-molded, because otherwise that first week of breaking the boots in is rough.See my review of the Step-On Bindings for more specifics and concerns regarding Step-On technology. Cheers & hope this helps…

I was super nervous as they felt to small at first but Burton staff assured me they would pack down with use. After a good walk in them they do pack down almost a full half size its actually very weird. You have to adjust the BOA several times throughout the day as the liner continues to pack down. They are medium stiff flex overall but provide great feedback to the rider as the articulation is pretty limited to just the ankle forward. Side to side movement is near zero and they hold your heel down which is imperative for strapless bindings.

I had to order multiple pairs to find ones that fit. They were comfy and looked really cool. Amazon and the company who sponsors them were very helpful. Honestly good boots just took me a bit to find the right sizes.

While more on the softer side of the Burton Step-On line, the Swath boots were much more comfortable to me than the much stiffer Ion boots. It’s all personal preference, but I personally love a little freedom of movement.

Love the boots and step in bindings. Boots run 0.5 to 1 size small, I purchase a size 8 and normally wear a size 7-7.5. 8 is a little in the dug side but is the largest I can fit in the small binding.

Love these boots better fit than expected.Clip right in easy to use. Can't wait to get on snow

Burton just makes a great product.

Great boots. Fit true to size. I love them they are not super stiff but have a great feel on. Highly recommend