Snowboard Boots – Trend Report 2012/13

The boot market is in better shape than it has ever been. Vast leaps forward in comfort, warmth, waterproofing, flex and cushioning have made today”s boots way better than before and anyone lumbered with old-school style moonboots will soon be peer pressured into updating. 2012/13″s boots are sublime – attention to detail, skyrocketing technologies and some awesome aesthetics are on hand from all the major players. Although it looks like you might have to take a little time getting to know the new lacing systems. Tom Wilson-North ties the knot in our 12/13 Snowboard Boot Preview.

KEY NEW MODELS

There are nips and tucks to everyone”s line, making way for some seriously exciting new SKUs. The unpronounceable Zoom Ites barge in at the top of Nike Snowboarding”s range; they”re premium, feature-packed boots with the all-new Dynamic Adjustable Flex system which lets you adjust the flex of the boot on the fly. Burton launch the Chloe and Jet, two new models with the inner liner fused to the outer shell. The process is called Phantom and promises effortless entry & exit. Deeluxe build on the success of this year’s Spark freeride boot with a Xavier de la Rue-endorsed model called the Spark XV, which features – finally – crampon welts at the back for when they park gets really icey. They’re also bringing out a new signature model for Salt Lake jibber Dan Brisse- it’s a very customizable, high-end freestyle boot with a cool graphic treatment. DC launch the Terrain, a high-end backcountry boot developed with Travis Rice and Torstein Horgmo. There’s a new high-end freeride boot from Flow, and a lovely new model from the continuing 686/New Balance collaboration. The boot”s called the 1971 – it’s short, compact, very light (thanks to an all-new squidgy liner)…and so comfortable you’ll find their boot guy Michi Bretz rocking a pair round the office most days.

THEMES & COLOURS

Cows beware; there’s a lot of leather out there for 12/13. DC, Northwave, Flow, K2, Deeluxe, Burton, Nike; nearly everyone will be using this proven material, treated with coatings or funky distressed-look processes. But it”s not all bad news for Daisy; skate shoes remain another major influence on in the boot sector, and there’s plenty of classic denim knocking about. “Things are mellowing out and going the way of the clean, simplistic skate shoe. Overall prints and ‘80s mania is either coming to a close or trickling down to the lower price points,” sighs Forum’s Holger Blomeier with relief. Colour wise, look out for plenty of muted tones like navy, cognac, grey, dark green and wine. ThirtyTwo’s Brand Director Brian Cook agrees; “skate and athletic colour tones are hot right now, with pop colours. And of course those tonal colourways are always great sellers”. Finally, note we’re seeing women’s boots slim down significantly – perhaps a knock-on trend from the cute, skinny skate-shoe look which was so hot during the summer of 2011.

LACING SYSTEMS TIGHTEN UP

Whilst traditional laces remain popular in the US, the European boot closure preference is definitely quick-lace, with cords or cables. And more manufacturers are catering to our lazy, one-pull needs. “Regular lacing is just becoming less important. Even though lace-up boots offer great fit adjustments, they are just not comfortable to lace up,” says Head’s Peter Wirthenstaetter. There are some very-innovative (i.e. practise before the clients arrive) new lacing solutions for 12/13. Salomon’s intuitive new Sure Lock lacing system throws the rule boot out the window, which has got their boot product line Manager Nina Eriksson all fired up. “With just one pull and a flick of the switch you’re totally locked in,” she gushes. “It’s fluid, easy to use and very strong and secure.” Vans release their smart Hybrid lacing system, which puts the Boa cable in the in-step area to make sure heels stay put; find it on their new mountaineering-inspired Infuse boot. There’s going to be a new Speedlacing device from Head, which has a solid-looking metal locking unit at its heart. Ride are pushing their speed lacing system out to more and more models, and Burton adjust the proven SpeedZone with an innovation called Speed Dial, designed for riders who prefer to twist instead of pull tight.

MATERIAL MATTERS

With an average of over 150 separate pieces (per boot!), there are plenty of bits pieces to lighten, loosen, tighten and cushion. And we’re seeing big steps forward in the use of space-age materials for 12/13. Vibram has been a hit for Burton, Deeluxe & K2 – now the material”s proven grip-ability wins it a place under certain Northwave soles alongside the brand”s unique new carbon-reinforced nylon. Elsewhere, Deeluxe are using the wind-proof, waterproof and breathable Sympatex membrane on their high-end models and you’ll find a new bamboo-charcoal interior on their men’s liners. DC will be making their mesh fabrics more durable and integrating their breathable Aerotech stuff into the fibres. Finally, Burton are putting their brand new S4 Bombshell (Start Strong, Stay Strong) material into the uppers of the SLX to keep this premium favourite ‘reboundy’, responsive and durable.

CUSHIONING & SHOCK ABSORBTION

“Today, snowboarding is progressing at a phenomenal rate, and with this progression comes ever-increasing abuse and wear on the human body,” says 32’s Brian Cook. Lucky our boots are here to protect us then. Let”s face it; with people going bigger than ever, big changes have needed to happen in cushioning for a while. 32 will get the job done with their patented Sole Tech System G2 Gel which they”ll mix with EVA to provide dual-cushioning under-heel. Northwave have invested heavily in this area too; they’ve evolved their current Crossbow outsole to the point where it feels like “double suspension for the heel,” according to their chief designer Michele Piazza. Back for 12/13 at Forum is their Glory Sole (groan) with Simmer Down Technology, which has got a big glop of their FGel in the outsole of the heel and a naturally canting sole inside for added cushiness. And DC treat the top of their line to a generous helping of bouncy Impact G gel – the stuff that holds its properties regardless of the temperature – in footbeds and soles.

SUPER-FREAKOLOGICS

The eco scene has been quiet for a while – consumers only demand their principles when they can afford them, after all – but luckily for ‘ole Mother Nature things are moving greener. More and more brands are shunning PVC, which is a good thing because it is Bad For The Planet. Northwave are using more expensive but way greener recycled PU throughout their whole collection, Nike are employing more and more peroxide free rubber and Vans will be using water-based cement instead of petroleum-based glues. Which are all great, great things; but as Deeluxe”s Mathieu Perez puts it, “Overall we are not at the point that we can bury our boots, board and bindings in the garden. Eco awareness starts with your transportation to the mountains and your behaviour out there.” Hook up the Prius, lets’ head to the hills.

EASY-ON IS BIG

Companies have wised up to the fact that the easier it is to put a boot on, the more likely it is to walk itself to the cash register. You”ll find smooth linings at Nike & Northwave, inSlick entry points at Forum, extra-wide collar tops at Head and a entirely re-thought boot entry throughout the line from 32 plus intuitive tightening from Salomon & K2. It”s good to know these things are getting better at selling themselves.

CONCLUSION

We”re finally moving away from the Black Wall Of Doom over in the boot corner; looks like 12/13 will see more interesting tones and – shock, horror – pop colours that will encourage customers to grab product off the walls and shove their feet into them. The new lacing systems are going to be a blast and the boots are going to ride cushier than ever thanks to all the technical dampening systems sucking up the bumps underneath you.

Let”s not forget that the boot corner is the one place where we can really connect with our customer base. Any Joe can chat boards for ten minutes to a guy who will go out and buy it cheaper on the web, but once you”re in the trenches, surrounded by boxes, on your knees with a cheesy foot in one hand and an EMU heat moulder in the other, well…you”re building trust and scoring points. Only a total douche-bag would dare buy the boot you”ve lovingly fitted him into elsewhere, so do the right thing and talk your new convert into buying a binding and a snowboard to do that boot justice. Boots is where you build loyalty and win customers; it”s a key part of any snowboard shop, and deserves to be done right. Right brands, right buy, right people.

A final note; expect price-points to rise slightly for 12/13. That”s to do with China, which is where the majority of the world”s snowboard boots are manufactured. “Before, it was because it was cheap,” explains Nidecker”s David Fernandez. “Nowadays it”s not just that. They”ve got the knowledge for good boot production. We are currently fighting to keep price points at the same level, but due to the social & economic situation in Asia, it”s difficult.” Invariably prices are going to start creeping back up, with rising highs at the top-end. This isn”t bad news, but savvy consumers (read: all of them) want more for their money. This has driven a huge amount of intelligent design on new feature, which will finally be seeing daylight in 12/13. Who knows; with all these great boots coming out, those clients might trade up from those mustly old moonboots after all.

Tom Wilson-North is a freelance journalist and buyer at Zero G, Chamonix.