2024 : An introduction to hard boots

This post is a basic FYI. The best English language site for really learning more about hardboot snowboard carving is

https://forums.alpinesnowboarder.com/

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Hard snowboard boots look a lot like ski boots. Suitable ski boots can be used, and are by a very few riders. But there are two major differences and other more subtle ones.
1/ Hard snowboard boots have shorter soles and these curve upward at the toe and heel.
2/ Hard snowboard boots have much greater forward and backward flex of their boot cuff, and this is often controlled by an adjustable spring system in both directions.

There are three major manufacturers of snowboard hard boots supplying the Western world.

Deeluxe                            https://deeluxe.com/categorie/alpine/
UPZ                                  https://www.upz-boots.at/hardboots
Mountain Slope                 https://www.mountain-slope.com/

Boots from all three manufacturers will fit suitable bail bindings.
Boots from Deeluxe and UPZ have removable heel pieces that allow Intec compatible step-in heel units to be fitted.

Hard snowboard boots are generally sized using the Mondo system. Your Mondo size is the overall length in centimetres of your longer foot. Measure by placing your heel against a flat surface and measure the distance to the end of whichever toe protrudes furthest, usually the 1st or 2^nd toe.

This distance will guide your boot shell size choice, and the final fit will be made using the appropriately sized, and often heat moulded, boot liner (Intuition, ZipFit etc.). Many experienced riders invest in aftermarket heat mouldable liners made for skiers and may have a professional boot fitter tweak their shell and liner to adapt to the contours of their individual feet.

Buying the “correct” size for you can be difficult given how few places you can go to try these boots on. Boot shells can be stretched or ground but generally can’t be made smaller apart from using a higher volume liner.

Deeluxe shells are known for having a slightly wider heel fit for any given foot length compared to UPZ.
UPZ and Mountain Slope come equipped with spring flex control systems. Deeluxe boots come with a cuff position adjuster and use shell and cuff deformation to allow fore /aft flex.  After market spring systems and differing spring strengths are available for all three brands.
UPZ shells are known for having a relatively steep “zeppa” angle, the slope from heel to toe inside the shell.
Mountain Slope boots have shorter soles for any given shell size.
Probably more current World Cup level racers use Mountain Slope boots than either of the other brands, but all brands can be seen in use in race videos on YouTube.

Many more experienced riders swear by finding a shell size where with their bare foot in the shell without a liner, and their toes at the boot end, more than 1 but less than 2 fingers can be inserted behind their heel. They then use a low volume moldable liner to get a snug fit between foot and boot shell. Obviously, this can only be done if you can try boots before buying. This sizing method frequently leads to a “racer” fit where control is superb but comfort often demands the boots be unbuckled between runs.

None of the brands of boots are cheap, but you may be able to find second hand boots being sold by someone struggling to find their right size. Boots more than 10 years old are probably best avoided, or else bought knowing that their usable life may be very short. Old plastic loses its flexibility, and can crack and fail suddenly.

I personally ride UPZ RC10 boots I bought new in 2016. I have relatively slim heels and I had tried Deeluxe shells in the past and they had poor heel hold for me. I use a shell which will fit a liner the same mondo size as my feet.  The boots have been stretched to accommodate my big toes which need a bit more room to the side. I use Intuition Pro Wrap heat moldable liners after the UPZ originals  caused skin abrasion blisters on my shins after 2-3 days riding. But now I have boots that I set at the beginning of the day and unbuckle only when I stop for a food/drink break.
I use Intec heels, and compatible step-in bindings, both for the lateral stiffness, but also because I have lumbar spine disc problems and want to avoid lots of lower back bending.

There are many different ways or styles of riding a hard boot snowboard setup. Board, binding and boots have different optimal configurations that enthusiasts recommend for each style. You may prefer a compromise setup that suits you and allows you to ride in several different ways without stopping to faff about with your gear!