Expert Review: Burton Moto BOA Snowboard Boots · 2021

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

My take

The Burton Moto BOA Snowboard Boots are a lightweight and flexible piece of equipment for beginner to intermediate snowboarders.

About the boots I own

• Model: 2021 Burton Moto BOA Boots
• Size: 8 Regular
• Lacing type: BOA

About me

• Height: 5’6”
• Weight: 130lbs
• Street shoe size: 8 men’s
• Foot shape: Regular
• Experience: 6 years of snowboarding

Test conditions

• When I bought these: March 2021
• Days tested: 100+
• Board: Arbor Westmark Rocker
• Bindings: Union Flite Pros
• Where I’ve used it: East Coast, Colorado, Utah
• Terrain: Groomers, park, trees, powder, green-blacks

How they perform

What I was looking for

I was looking for a comfortable, warm pair of good-quality boots that would last for a few seasons at a lower price. I wanted a pair that would mold nicely to my feet and stay warm on the coldest days.

Why I chose this gear

It was the end of the season, and I was in need of an upgrade from my hand-me-down boots, which were a bit too big and old. These were on sale, and they fit me perfectly, so I went for them. They had a sweet camo graphic and were extremely comfortable when I tried them on. They were the first new pair I tried on, and I haven’t looked back.

What I love about them

• Size: These fit snugly like a glove for me. Very cozy and responsive.
• Comfort: They are extremely comfortable and easy to break in. They remain just as comfy walking to the car at the end of the day as on the first lap in them.
• Warmth: They have a nice plush inner lining which helps them stay warm, especially on colder days with deep powder.
• Shock absorption: They absorb my 5-10ft cliff drops superbly and cushiony.
• Grip: They have a great grip on groomed runs but only a decent grip on icy pathways, as do most shoes. They slip a bit.
• Ease of use: They were practically broken in on the day I got them, and they’re easy to lace up with the BOA system.
• Durability: They still look and perform brand new after two years and over 100 days of hard use.
• Weight: These are moderately lightweight, which makes it less taxing to climb up mountains to get to the fresh powder.
• Versatility: I ride everything from park to trees to powder in these, and they perform exceptionally well.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Heel hold: They have a bit of a heel lift on some tight toeside turns if the boots aren’t tightened enough.
• Responsiveness: Since these are super flexible, they are slightly less responsive than others.

Favorite moment with this gear

On January 1st last year, I found myself with some great friends on a powder adventure through a part of Park City that had just opened for the year. That meant tons of fresh powder lines were in our near future, and I was stoked. It was one of my favorite days of the season because we were all pushing each other, and I remember hitting one of my first cliff drops in these boots and landing on some fluffy powder. They absolutely absorbed the shock, and I rode away free and clear.

Value for the money vs. other options

These are a great functional yet comfortable and warm pair of beginner/advanced snowboard boots for the money. The BOA lacing system makes putting them on and taking them off a breeze when compared to the cheaper version of the Motos offered with the speed zone lacing. If stiffness is a priority, I would look at the Burton Ions, which are a bit more costly but will provide additional stiffness and improve movement responsiveness.

Final verdict

These Burton Moto BOAs bring a whole new aspect of comfort and warmth to the riding experience with built-to-last quality while maintaining a fresh look to spice up the mountain.