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

My take

The Burton Swath BOA is an all-around terrain killer. These boots provide warmth, comfort, fantastic response, tremendous heel hold, and confidence to take everything on. There are no differences between the 21/22 and 22/23 models.

About the boots I own

• Model: 2021/2022 Burton Swath BOA
• Size: 9
• Lacing type: BOA

About me

• Height: 5’11”
• Weight: 155lbs
• Street shoe size: 9/9.5
• Foot shape: Regular width (flat feet)
• Experience: 23+ years of snowboarding

Test conditions

• When I bought these: December 2021
• Days tested: 30+
• Board: 2019 Lib Tech Attack Banana (aka the new Skate Banana)
• Bindings: Union Force, sometimes Bent Metal Binding Works Logic
• Where I’ve used it: Michigan: Mt. Bohemia, Marquette Mountain, Boyne Mountain, Boyne Highlands, Nubs Nob, Pine Knob, Porcupine Mountains, Alpine, Mt. Holly, and more.
• Terrain: Off-piste, backcountry, park, groomed trails, powder. Pipe, jumps, rails, boxes, etc. These boots have seen it all.

How they perform

What I was looking for

I was hunting for new boots because my Burton Fiends were so overused that they were beyond packed out and no longer safe for riding. I wanted something similar and was interested in giving dual BOAs a shot. I wanted something that had ease of use while also not compromising comfort or performance.

Why I chose this gear

I decided to pick the Swaths for their comfort, warmth, heel hold, perfect zone tightness, and more. In addition, they’re lightweight and feel comfortable, like a slipper. I was looking into some ThirtyTwos and some vans and DCs, but I have always ridden Burton boots, so I ended up going with what I knew and was comfortable with most.

What I love about them

I love these boots because they are not hindering. They aren’t overly stiff. They are built to last and, quite frankly, feel like an extension of my body rather than a clunky nuisance that holds me back. I feel this boot allows me to put them on and forget they are even on until I am surprised by their performance over my prior boots.

• Size: These boots run true to size.
• Comfort: The Swaths are some of the most comfortable boots I have ridden in 23+ years. After long use, my feet do not experience any fatigue.
• Warmth: My feet only get cold in the Swaths if they are over-tightened. Otherwise, they are very warm. I noticed a significant increase in responsiveness due to the amount of heel hold in the backcountry, park, and carving.
• Heel hold: The best heel hold I have ever experienced in a boot. The Swaths go above and beyond any boot I have ever owned.
• Shock absorption: What cliff? The shock absorption in these boots is stellar due to their hybrid sole. I dropped a 40ft cliff, and it felt like landing on a cloud.
• Responsiveness: The Swaths have a tremendous amount of response. They are extremely dependable in sticky situations where I need them most, like the backcountry, park, and at high speeds. They are extremely responsive, which is helpful for complex backcountry trails, and they have precise ability when needed in the park, backcountry, and more.
• Grip: The Swaths grip very well. There is no doubt that these boots will ever slip in binding or when hiking around. I have never experienced any issues when hiking in the backcountry or unstrapping and running up the park to hit a feature a second time. This is due to the DynoBITE outsole that features strategically placed rubber patches for extra traction and durability at the forefoot and heel while also providing lightweight cushioning.
• Ease of use: These boots go on or off in under two minutes due to the double BOA system. It especially helps when wanting to relax and let them loose or when in a rush to keep up with the squad.
• Durability: The Swaths are built to last. The Ultraweave shell material provides lasting and powerful support with a rugged, water-resistant, and flexible structure. It makes these boots feel indestructible while also incredibly lightweight.
• Weight: These boots are as light as a feather. I do not feel hindered by the weight of the boots whatsoever. I need to remember they are even on sometimes.
• Versatility: The Swaths take on everything I throw at them. I have been blown away by their ability to take my backcountry ability and confidence to higher heights than I ever thought imaginable. They provide precision and dependability while carving and while in the park. There is not a thing these boots aren’t good for.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Other: These aren’t the stiffest of boots, and stiff boot lovers may scoff at the Swaths, but even a stiff boot lover may have second thoughts if they are ever to try the Burton Swaths. The Swaths provide everything a rider would ever need in terms of stability at high speeds and riding off large drops, regarding what a stiff boot can offer. The Swaths have it covered while giving free range of motion, flexibility when needed, and forgiveness when the adrenaline gets the best of someone and a landing isn’t perfect.

Favorite moment with this gear

I could have and should have smoked a tree in the backcountry of Mt. Bohemia if I had worn any of my prior boots. Due to the amount of heel hold and responsiveness, these boots have saved me from some close calls. I would have washed out in my last boots, and they would have failed me due to a lack of responsiveness and less heel hold. They make me feel like the most masculine ballerina performing the most precise, complex moves with ease. These boots are dependable and have borderline saved me from meeting the grim reaper.

Value for the money vs. other options

I will never cut corners on boots ever again in my life. Boots can be crucial to advance in one's skill level. If I’m not comfortable with a boot and genuinely don’t know what makes it tick, it can ruin my entire snowboarding experience. Boots are one of the highest standards I hold in snowboard equipment other than the board and bindings. Goggles are pretty high on my list as well. These could give any double BOA boot of the same price tier a run for its money. Put it next to the ThirtyTwo Lashed Double BOA Snowboard Boots, and I believe that the Swaths will take the cake due to the durability and technology put into these boots that make their responsiveness, heel hold, and weightlessness hard to match.

Final verdict

The Burton Swath BOA unlocks the next level in skill embankment and can skyrocket one’s confidence. I feel beyond myself with my boot, like an extension of my body, and I completely forget I am even wearing them so I can focus my energy on shredding and maximizing the rad meter.