Expert Review: DC Control Snowboard Boots · 2022

Published on 10/07/2022 · 6 min readThis review is my honest opinion of the snowboard boots, which I purchased with my own money in November of 2021.
Cason Anderson, Snowboarding Expert
By Snowboarding Expert Cason Anderson

Pulling off butters in the pow! All photos courtesy of Cason Anderson

About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the snowboard boots, which I purchased with my own money in November of 2021.

My take

The DC Control is a snowboard boot designed for the intermediate to advanced rider who is looking for something that can take on any aspect of the mountain with a bit more response and support than the typical entry-level all-mountain boot.

First day of season at my local resort

About this gear

  • Model: 2022 DC Control Snowboard Boot
  • Size: Men’s Regular size 11
  • Lacing type: BOA Fit System

About me

  • Height: 6’0”
  • Weight: 165 lbs
  • Street shoe size: 11
  • Foot shape: Regular
  • Experience: Riding at a serious level for 13 years

Test conditions

How they perform

Ease of Use
5/5
Grip
5/5
Responsiveness
5/5
Shock Absorption
5/5
Comfort
4/5
Durability
4/5
Heel Hold
4/5
Versatility
4/5
Lightweight
3/5
Warmth
3/5

What I was looking for

I was looking for a do-it-all, all-mountain boot that could perform well under any circumstances when riding. I needed something with a high response and that was able to take the impact of larger jumps.

After a long day of terrain park sessions!

Why I chose this gear

I went with the Control boots because of their durability and stiff flex, as well as for their reasonable price point. I needed something that wasn’t going to break the bank, yet would offer top tier performance. The decision was between the Control and the K2 Maysis boot. Both boots are stiff flexing with dual BOA, which is important to

Buttering on one of my favorite boxes in the park!

What I love about them

  • Size: The boots run true to size for the most part. They are possibly a tad bit on the narrow side, but that works out for me because I have a narrow foot.
  • Comfort: The Control’s are easily some of the comfiest boots I have ever ridden. I don’t remember a time where I was experiencing any sort of cramps or foot pain. The insole has molded arch support which really helps with stability and keeping my feet in the correct positions.
  • Heel hold: The Dual Zone BOA closure, along with the 360° Power Lock ankle strap make it practically impossible for any sort of heel slippage. This technology made it possible for me to get a customized fit without cutting off circulation.
  • Shock absorption: One of the main reasons I bought this boot was to reduce the shock of impact with the larger features I was hitting in the terrain park. These did not disappoint in the slightest. I am able to send it off the biggest features in the park without the fear of taking too much impact at landing.
  • Responsiveness: The stiff flex makes these boots very responsive, especially at higher speeds. I am able to quickly initiate turns in an extremely efficient manner without using too much force or energy.
  • Grip: The Control boots practically feel like a hiking boot with how much grip they offer. Due to the patented Contact Unilite outsole, which has deep patterned grooves, grip is not one of my concerns.
  • Ease of use: I don’t think ease of use could be any simpler when a boot has a dual BOA tightening system. Especially with the ankle lock, throwing these boots on and quickly tightening allows me to save time on my transition from the parking lot to the mountain. This means more riding time for me.
  • Durability: I definitely put these boots through the ringer, but there is barely any visible wear and tear whatsoever. Typically, boots last me two to three seasons, but I can imagine these will last more around four to five seasons. They have withstood constant park laps, bombing runs at full speed, quick turns in trees, and large jumps with hard landings. I couldn’t ask for a more durable boot to stand the test of time.
  • Versatility: There wasn’t a situation on the mountain I couldn’t handle while wearing the Control boots. I had many aggressive days where I would hit endless laps in the park, send it off jumps from dusk until dawn, to more laid back days just cruising with the family. It performed exactly how I would want an all-mountain boot to perform.

Issues I’ve encountered

  • Warmth: Although my feet stayed warm in the early season and spring conditions, there were some times in the middle of the season when winter was at its peak that I noticed some numbness. At times I was having to double up on the socks. This made the fit a bit tighter and that’s something I’m not a huge fan of.
  • Weight: The DC Control boots seem to be a bit on the heavier end in comparison to other boots I’ve ridden. Although it hasn’t altered my performance to a super high degree, I could feel the weight more than I would have liked in the terrain park. Coming in at almost two and a half pounds, that’s a little heavier than I’m used to. Previous boots I’ve ridden, such as the Burton Moto, were much lighter but did not offer as much response or durability so I had to pick and choose my pros and cons. I’m the type of rider who wants as much air as I can get off jumps, so the weight is not something I am impressed with.

Visibly almost no wear and tear after more than 50+ days of riding!

Favorite moment with this gear

I’ve had plenty of amazing moments with these boots, but one that stood out in particular was during the peak of winter season when my local resort put out one of the largest jump features the park had to offer. My goal was to stick a backflip off the jump and, after several failed attempts, I finally landed it. The landing felt very subtle which can be accounted for by DC’s patented Impact Insole Technology. This helped absorb the impact, while remaining super comfortable throughout the day. This was not something I could have done in a softer pair of boots with less support.

Value for the money vs. other options

I believe for its price point, the DC Control boot is well worth it in terms of value. Most boots offering dual BOA with a high response are much more expensive, some exponentially so. For example, at the time, the K2 Maysis boots that I was considering were quite a bit more expensive, yet had almost identical features and potentially less to offer than the DC Control. Another close alternative would be the Burton Photon BOA boots. This is another stiff and responsive boot with dual BOA, but is almost twice more expensive while having very similar features and technology. Considering this, the DC Control’s value was a no-brainer for me.

Final verdict

The DC Control boots helped me to turn more efficiently and hit bigger features in the park. It is a high-quality boot that I can rely on for years to come, and was available at a killer price point that wouldn’t break the bank. The Control is by far one of the most versatile boots out there and, with its ease of use, it saves riders time when preparing in the parking lot for a long day of snowboarding.

I was looking for something that excelled in almost every category, and that I could use as a daily boot without switching between any other pairs—with the DC Control, I get exactly that and more.

Curated experts can help

Have a question about the article you just read or want personal recommendations? Connect with a Curated expert and get personalized recommendations for whatever you’re looking for!

Shop Snowboard Boots on Curated

DC Control BOA Snowboard Boots · 2022
$269.95
Union Force Snowboard Bindings · 2023
$167.97$279.95
Bataleon Evil Twin Snowboard · 2022
$299.97$339.97

Browse more DC Snowboard Boots

K2 Maysis Snowboard Boots · 2022
$180.05$329.95
Burton Moto Snowboard Boots · 2023
$153.97$219.95
Burton Photon BOA Snowboard Boots · 2022
$239.97$399.95
DC Control BOA Snowboard Boots · 2022
$215.96$269.95
Vans Aura Pro Snowboard Boots · 2025
$280.46$329.95
ThirtyTwo Shifty BOA Snowboard Boots · 2025
$167.96$239.95
Vans Hi-Standard OG Snowboard Boots · 2025
$189.95$199.95

Browse more DC Snowboard Boots

Read next

New and Noteworthy