Expert Review: Burton Felix Step On Snowboard Boots · Women's · 2023

The Burton Felix Step On Snowboard Boots are geared towards an all-mountain rider who wants a warm, comfortable, high-performing boot. Unfortunately, I found these boots loosen up way too much on more difficult, steeper terrain for me to recommend.

Two black Burton Felix StepOn boots on a snowbank with snowy mountain in the background. — Burton Felix StepOn Boots

About the boots I own

Model: 2023 Burton Felix StepOn
Size: 7
Lacing type: Double BOA

About me

Height: 5’7’’
Weight: 150 lbs
Street shoe size: 7.5–8
Foot shape: Wide toe box
Experience: 20+ years of snowboarding

Test conditions

When I bought these: November 2022
Days tested: Around 30 days
Board: Arbor Swoon Camber
Bindings: Burton Escapade StepOn
Where I’ve used it: Big White, Canada; Powderhorn Mountain Resort, Colorado; Breckenrdige, Colorado
Terrain: Groomers, Trees, Bumps, Jumps, Banked Slalom

How they perform

Comfort

4/5

Durability

3/5

Ease of Use

3/5

Grip

4/5

Heel Hold

2/5

Responsiveness

2/5

Shock Absorption

4/5

Versatility

3/5

Warmth

5/5

Weight

3/5

What I was looking for

I am a women’s upper limb para snowboarder, and I race boarder cross and banked slalom against other riders who have disabilities in their upper limb(s). I’m also a snowboard instructor at Powderhorn Mountain Resort in Colorado. I was looking for a StepOn system that makes it easier to “strap in” with one arm, and I wanted the most aggressive boot/binding combination I could find in this category.

Why I chose this gear

I chose the Felix StepOn boots because they are the stiffest, most aggressive boots in Burton’s StepOn lineup. I looked at K2’s Clicker System, because I absolutely loved my previous K2 Contours, but they did not make the Contours in a Clicker boot. I also considered DC’s Mora—which are compatible with Burton’s StepOn

Caucasian woman with dark hair standing on a wooden 1st place podium with a medal around her neck and the Burton Felix StepOns boots. — Still wearing my Burton Felix Boots at the medal ceremony hours after winning my Banked Slalom race

Popped open Boa laces on a Felix boot while strapped into bindings. — Popped open ankle Boa

What I love about them

Size: The Felix's run true to size. My feet measure at a 7.5, and when I tried the 7.5s on in store, they felt perfect. However, knowing how boots pack out after a few days in them, I sized down to the size seven. After half a season, the size seven have packed out for a perfect fit. I have a pretty wide toe box as well, and there is just enough space in the front of the boot for me.
Comfort: Despite sizing down my Felixs, I still find them to be really comfortable. I haven’t had any issues with hot spots, arch issues, pressure points or anything else. I can wear them for hours at a time while hiking up the bunny hill while instructing, freeriding for hours, you name it. They always feel good on my feet.
Warmth: These are without a doubt the warmest boots I’ve owned. My toes have been toasty every day I’ve been on hill, with temps ranging from -14F to 35F.

Issues I’ve encountered

Heel hold: The biggest issue I have encountered with these boots is the BOAs loosening and even popping when I’m in the steeps, bumps, trees, or any more advanced terrain. As my boots loosen up, I can feel my heel lifting up the back of the boot just a little bit more with every run.
Responsiveness: I bought the Burton Felix StepOns because I wanted a stiff, responsive boot. Unfortunately, with the BOAs constantly loosening, these boots lose quite a bit of their promised responsiveness. This is especially true when riding off piste or pushing hard into carves, both of which seem to make the boots loosen even faster.
Ease of use: Initially, the ease of use of the Felix StepOns was great, even with one fully functioning arm. I can slide my foot in and tighten the liners and BOAs in just a few seconds. The heel clip can be a bit tricky to get my pants into with one hand, but it’s manageable. However, the constant fussing with and retightening of the BOAs make them, overall, fairly difficult to use.

Snowboarder in yellow jacket and pink race bib waving at the camera while strapped into her board on a powder day. — Powder day during race training at Breckenridge, CO

Favorite moment with this gear

As an instructor, especially one with an upper-limb disability, it really is convenient to be able to StepOn instead of strap in. I love being able to take my board on and off with ease, especially in beginner lessons when I’m needing to demo all kinds of movements on and off the board and hike up to students who need help.

Value for the money vs. other options

Compared to my previous boots (K2 Contours), these provide significantly less heel hold and response. I never once had an issue with my BOAs loosening or popping on my K2s, and I long for the days where I’m not fiddling with my boots every run. The StepOn feature is really nice, but when I’m out riding aggressively with my buddies or training with my team, the advantages of being able to speedily StepOn and go is negated by the constant boot tightening.

Personally, I would not buy these again if looking for an aggressive boot. I think they’re a great, cushy option for cruising on groomers, but at that point, it might be more cost effective to get a cheaper StepOn option like the Limelight. The DC Moras also have stainless steel laces, which might help with the loosening, so I’m excited to try these boots next season.

Final verdict

I’d recommend the boot to anyone looking for a comfortable and warm boot who may have difficulty strapping in while standing up and doesn’t mind constant retightening. But not necessarily for someone who wants to charge super hard in them.