Review: Burton Ion BOA Snowboard Boots · 2023
By Snowboarding Expert
Mike French
Burton Ion BOA Snowboard Boots · 2023
$433.97
$619.95
30% off
8 photos
The Curated Take
4.0/5
The Burton Ions are ideal for advanced riders seeking high-performance, all-terrain boots. These boots stand out for their superior responsiveness, provided by stiff construction and efficient power transfer. Notable features include a durable rubber outsole for grip, a comfortable heat moldable liner, robust heel hold, and excellent shock absorption. The boots come ready to ride, showcasing Burton's advanced construction techniques. They offer durability, waterproofing, and versatility for any mountain challenge. The higher price tag reflects the boots' high-quality materials and comprehensive feature set, proving a worthy investment for serious riders.
Ideal for
- Ideal for advanced-level riders looking for a stiff, performance-fit boot
- Charges hard in all terrain types
- Enables casual riders to up their game regarding speed and general riding ability
Not ideal for
- Stiff, heat-moldable boot that is not the most comfortable option out there
- Can be difficult to get in and out of
- Grey color on the Sharkskin/black color option can scuff easily
Responsiveness
The Burton Ion is often regarded as one of the top-of-the-line boots on the market. It's categorized as a stiff boot and a popular choice for riders who prioritize charging...Read more
Grip
The Burton Ion has a tough, durable rubber outsole that offers exceptional grip whether I'm trekking across the parking lot or hiking. The outer sole uses Burton’s proprietary EST technology,...Read more
Comfort
The Burton Ion boot is designed with rider comfort in mind. The stiffness and secure fit of the boot keep foot movement to a minimum, which reduces rider fatigue and...Read more
Heel Hold
The Burton Ion has a top-of-the-line heel hold. The specifically designed J-bars are built into the liner. When I slide my foot in the boot and pass the J-bars, I immediately...Read more
Durability
At first glance, one can see the special care put into this boot's construction. Burton uses high-quality materials and technologically advanced construction techniques to build a boot designed for durability...Read more
Ease of Use
Long gone are the days of breaking in boots. The Burton Ions are ready to rip right out of the box thanks to Burton's "Total Comfort Construction." It's a result...Read more
Shock Absorption
The Burton Ion is well-known for its shock absorption properties. Burton uses a combination of specifically placed padding and construction techniques that helps put the Ion at the top of...Read more
Weight
Burton has packed a lot of technology into the Burton Ions. Some of the top features also contribute to the boot's overall weight. The rugged, rubber outer sole, the heat...Read more
Waterproofing
The Burton Ion boots are designed to tackle any terrain and provide all-day comfort and warmth. Burton has included a snow-proof internal gusset that completely seals the lower zone of...Read more
Versatility
The Burton Ion is an all-mountain performance boot that excels in all terrain. It is well-suited for all-mountain riding within the resort boundaries, hitting the terrain park features, or exploring...Read more
Expert Reviews of the Burton Ion BOA Snowboard Boots
Mike French Burton is the #1 snowboarding company in the world. They know what they're doing regarding design, function, features, and comfort. The Burton Ion BOA is designed for high-level riders looking to maximize their day on the mountain. This is also a great boot for the rider looking to upgrade a single piece of equipment who doesn't want to splurge on a new setup. From the flashy color design down to the grip on the outer sole, Burton spared no expense when designing this boot. The dual-zone BOA allows a rider to dial in fit because the two knobs work independently, so the top portion of the boot can be tightened or loosened separately from the bottom portion of the boot. The inner liner also has a pull string that locks into place to keep the inner liner tight and a Velcro closure that helps with calf adjustment. It's lightweight and comfortable out of the box. It's on the higher side of the price. Still, the overall level of construction, the responsiveness of the boot, strong J-bars to keep heels down, and lightweight construction make this a boot money well spent for any intermediate rider looking to improve or the high-level rider looking for a high-level boot.
Product Specs
| Age Group | Adult |
| Gender | Men's |
| Model year | 2023 |
| Flex | Stiff |
| Lacing system | Dual-Zone High Power Focus BOA® Fit System with Coiler technology |
| Internal lacing system | None |
Review Ratings
Responsiveness
4/5
Mike French gave 4 of 5 stars. The Burton Ion is often regarded as one of the top-of-the-line boots on the market. It's categorized as a stiff boot and a popular choice for riders who prioritize charging hard. The stiffness adds to exceptional edge-to-edge transitions and precise control. The heavy-duty construction and stiffness allow power to be transferred efficiently to the board, giving riders a secure and responsive ride. The boot also has a lower profile than most boots, lowering a rider's center of gravity and increasing ride control and stability.
Grip
4/5
Mike French gave 4 of 5 stars. The Burton Ion has a tough, durable rubber outsole that offers exceptional grip whether I'm trekking across the parking lot or hiking. The outer sole uses Burton’s proprietary EST technology, lowering one's center of gravity and making for a stronger connection to the board. The secure fit adds to the overall confidence of walking in this boot on any surface type. The reinforced stitching and the sturdy fabric on the toe cap add additional protection while walking or hiking in the Burton Ion boot.
Comfort
4/5
Mike French gave 4 of 5 stars. The Burton Ion boot is designed with rider comfort in mind. The stiffness and secure fit of the boot keep foot movement to a minimum, which reduces rider fatigue and improves overall comfort. They come with a heat moldable liner but are also ready to ride right out of the box. Over time, the moldable liner will form to one's foot, but using heat to mold the liner will speed up the process. The excellent heel and ankle support combined with the internal harness system keeps my heel down and minimizes my ankle flex, enhancing all-day comfort. Lastly, the reflective foil in Burton's footbed is designed to reflect heat back to my feet, keeping my toes nice and cozy.
Heel Hold
5/5
Mike French gave 5 of 5 stars. The Burton Ion has a top-of-the-line heel hold. The specifically designed J-bars are built into the liner. When I slide my foot in the boot and pass the J-bars, I immediately feel the boot suck up my foot. The fit is secure, comfortable, and firm. Burton uses something they call "Tuff Cuff Lite" to increase heel hold. It wraps the ankle with medial and lateral support and also enables free flex from heel to toe. It also minimizes ankle flex and creates increased support. The internal harness system in the liner also keeps my heel locked in, regardless of the terrain.
Durability
4/5
Mike French gave 4 of 5 stars. At first glance, one can see the special care put into this boot's construction. Burton uses high-quality materials and technologically advanced construction techniques to build a boot designed for durability and longevity. From the heavy-duty and reinforced outer materials to the robust stitching and seems throughout, these boots are meant to be ridden hard all day—this season and for many seasons. Also, Burton offers a one-year warranty on their boots, and submitting a claim can be done easily through their website.
Ease of Use
4/5
Mike French gave 4 of 5 stars. Long gone are the days of breaking in boots. The Burton Ions are ready to rip right out of the box thanks to Burton's "Total Comfort Construction." It's a result of a highly sophisticated and technologically advanced construction process. The dual zone BOA allows a rider to easily dial in fit with precise control over the boot's lower and upper half. The liner has two Velcro straps for calf support and a pull string that easily tightens the inner liner and locks it in place for a snug, secure fit.
Shock Absorption
4/5
Mike French gave 4 of 5 stars. The Burton Ion is well-known for its shock absorption properties. Burton uses a combination of specifically placed padding and construction techniques that helps put the Ion at the top of the list for shock absorption. ReBounce is a Burton proprietary technique that brings the cushioning closer to one's foot by placing the material within the boot's shell, adding impact protection directly below one's foot. Burton also uses dual-density EVA foam that lessens the impact of hard landings and uneven terrain.
Weight
4/5
Mike French gave 4 of 5 stars. Burton has packed a lot of technology into the Burton Ions. Some of the top features also contribute to the boot's overall weight. The rugged, rubber outer sole, the heat moldable liner, the dual-zone BOA lacing system, and the high-quality outer construction all add to the boot's overall weight. They are not the lightest boots on the market, but they are well-balanced, and with the amount of technology Burton has included in the Ion, it's surprising that they are as light as they are.
Waterproofing
4/5
Mike French gave 4 of 5 stars. The Burton Ion boots are designed to tackle any terrain and provide all-day comfort and warmth. Burton has included a snow-proof internal gusset that completely seals the lower zone of the boot, keeping my feet warm and dry all day long. The heavy-duty construction on the outer layer easily repels water. Burton uses reflective foil under the foot that reflects heat to the foot, improving warmth and comfort in cold conditions. The boots keep water out and my feet warm and cozy even in the most challenging conditions and terrain.
Versatility
3/5
Mike French gave 3 of 5 stars. The Burton Ion is an all-mountain performance boot that excels in all terrain. It is well-suited for all-mountain riding within the resort boundaries, hitting the terrain park features, or exploring the backcountry. The boot is engineered to provide top-notch performance no matter where I take it. It's best suited for a high-level rider with advanced skills and is likely not the best choice for a newer rider still mastering the sport.
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Mike French My favorite moment in the Burton Ions is shredding some hard laps off the Sky Express at Heavenly after a storm. It was one of those true bluebird days at Tahoe with deep, fresh snow.
Why did you choose this product?
Mike French I chose the Burton Ion BOA because I was looking for a high-level performance boot. Burton is the #1 snowboarding company in the world. I spent a lot of time researching their boots before I decided on the Ion. I wanted a stiff, responsive, comfortable heat moldable boot with dual-zone BOA. The Burton Ion checks all the boxes.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Mike French The Burton Ion is one of the most expensive snowboard boots on the market. With a top-named brand like Burton, boarders will pay a premium but get what they pay for. It's high priced because of its heavy-duty construction, high-quality components (liner, J-bar construction, dual-zone BOA), and extra durable rubber outsole. Yes, boarders can spend less and still get a great boot. However, if someone wants an amazing boot that fits their foot right out of the box and is highly responsive and comfortable, they will need to spend some money. I've been snowboarding for over 25 years, and I've burned through my share of boots and gear. Burton is a brand that can be trusted when performing at a high level in every condition.
What do you love about this product?
Mike French I love that the Burton Ion BOA is a stiff and responsive boot. I've been snowboarding for over 25 years. I went with the least expensive boot that fit when I started riding. Over the years, I slowly upgraded my boots. I typically upgraded my board and bindings before I bought a new pair of boots. When I finally splurged and bought the Burton Ion boots and rode a day in fresh Tahoe powder, I realized how wrong I had been all those years: a good snowboard boot is the one single piece of equipment I can upgrade that will change my whole day/perspective/season. There's a lot of gear that goes into a day on the mountain and a lot of things to consider before someone heads out for the day. Still, after riding a season with the Burton Ions, I'm convinced footwear is the one piece of gear that can make or break a day. Right out of the box, the Burton Ions are ready to shred, and the instant someone puts them on, they will feel the power and difference a high-quality, performance boot can make.
