About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the snowboard boots, which I purchased with my own money in November of 2022.

My take

The 2022 Burton Ruler Step On Snowboard Boots are great for stability and response. They are also durable and look sick, so I would recommend these for an intermediate rider or above.

About the boots I own

• Model: 2022 Burton Ruler
• Size: 11 regular
• Lacing type: BOA

About me

• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 200 lbs
• Street shoe size: 11
• Foot shape: Regular
• Experience: 20 years of snowboarding

Test conditions

• When I bought these: November 2022
• Days tested: 10
• Board: Gnu Billy Goat
• Bindings: Burton Step On X Re: Flex
• Where I’ve used it: MA, VT
• Terrain: Fresh snow (light), choppy conditions, fresh groomed, hard pack, ice, soft snow

How they perform

What I was looking for

I was specifically looking to try the Burton StepOn system. I wanted to see what it had to offer and if it could handle aggressive riding. I was curious if the ease of the StepOn system would provide the same comfort, responsiveness, and feel of a traditional boot and binding.

Why I chose this gear

I believe that the Burton name speaks for itself. I also have had my eye on Burton’s StepOn system since it was released. Burton boots also fit me better than DC StepOn options, and the Rulers looked great in all-black with just the Burton logo in white. I also could tell the boot was very durable and well built just by holding it. I looked at DC and K2 boots as well. (I’m a big fan of both companies and have owned products from them). The Burton Ruler boot fits me very well; it was a snug fit, but comfortably snug, providing really great support—which is key when using the StepOn system.

What I love about them

• Size: These boots definitely fit true to size. I wear an 11 and they fit just fine. There is a lot of room to adjust these boots too, with velcro liners and speedcord, plus the BOA system.
• Warmth: These are probably the warmest boots I have ever owned. They have a heat-reflective liner that has plenty of insulation to it. While it is a bulky liner, it has a soft inside, and my feet have never been cold as a result—even in single-digit temps.
• Responsiveness: The build on this boot is so solid and it shows off in the responsiveness category. When I want to turn, twist, or pull, this boot acts like it is glued to my foot. It does whatever is asked of it, when asked.
• Grip: It features a very nice outsole with lots of grip and comfort when walking. Sticky, flat, and multiple small treads all provide this boot with great grip.
• Durability: So far, so good. It will be interesting to see how these hold up over time because I’m pretty hard on my gear. That being said, I ride very, very hard and there have been no durability issues yet.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Comfort: The first several rides in this boot were stiff and had some pressure points. Then, seemingly overnight the boots broke in and were comfortable. I wouldn’t brag about them being crazy comfortable, but I don’t have anything bad to say either. They probably took about five or six really good riding days to start breaking in for me.
• Shock absorption: I would call this boot pretty basic when it comes to shock absorption. It lands pretty hard and jolts my body on landings. This is more of an entry-level boot when it comes to this kind of technology.
• Ease of use: There’s too much to it for my liking. Open the boot, put my foot in, pull the tongue up, velcro the liner in two places, pull the internal adjustment cord, lock it in place, set the outer tongue, tighten the BOA. I don’t need that many steps for my boots.
• Weight: The boots are average weight for their construction. I don’t find them to be overly heavy or super light, they are right in the middle. As a result, I do not find them to affect my riding one way or the other.
• Versatility: These boots perform everywhere I want them to and are a good all-mountain boot. Whereas I would not recommend them for hiking into the backcountry or specific park use, they are suited for exploring different parts of the resort.

Favorite moment with this gear

My favorite moment with this gear was when my friends were all sitting down strapping in and I glided off the lift and right by them while I stepped on to my binding and kept cruising. This action resulted in two of my buddies commenting on how they needed to get the same setup. The cool part of the StepOn boots (and bindings), is if one rides a lot with skiers or by themself, the speed of stepping in is definitely a benefit that keeps one on the trail more often!

Value for the money vs. other options

For those who are strictly resort riders who pretty much stick to the marked trails, these boots are great. However, for more advanced riders who tend to get into a lot of different types of riding, or want versatility, there are better-equipped more terrain and style-specific options out there.

In my opinion, the K2 Raider boot is less expensive and more of a “do-it-all” boot with extreme comfort, simple adjustability, and good shock absorption. Or for a similar price point, the K2 Thraxis has way more top-of-the-line technology and is a great set up for riders who like a stiff boot that holds up in extreme conditions.

Final verdict

These boots are great for those who hate wasting time sitting down and strapping in instead of cruising groomers and bombing around the resort.