Nidecker Index boot

The 2025 model that is

I purchased a pair of Index boots. It is really a stiff boot. According to Nidecker the stiffest in their line up. I used to ride hard boots many moons ago and now back to snowboarding, this time in soft boots.

Since it is new to me I cannot give any comparison against other models. However they do compare well to the hardshell boots I used to ride. I actually ride them with high angles (48/36) and it gives me the same familiar feel. These angles help me keep my pelvis facing forward. As I get more comfortable with the position I will try and slowly reduce the angles and see where they end up.

One oddity about their design is they put the liner tongue on the outside. This supposedly helps prevent hot spots on the shins but does create a bit of a lag when transiting from heel side to toe side.

The boot itself it very snug and seems to keep that fit (15 to 20 days) so far. The outer shell is stiff and very grippy. You can crank you binding as much as you want never feeling a compression. There is rubber all around so it doesn't slip or slide in your bindings sometimes making it a bit difficult to slide the boot all the way in.

So far, very happy with my purchase.

Cheers!

Got only a few days on mine, can compare to the Ride Insanos.
The Insano is a really stiff boot as in it did not allow any bend in the back leg before they broke in after about 15 days (the tongue seperated from the boot so I guess they broke and broke in all at once lol). Basically rode like ski shoes. Boa loosed tension quick. 

The Index, not having that plastic tongue, allows for some movement in the upper, while holding the foot really snug, that combination I like. The boa on the side pulls the tounge into the ankle area so no need for overtightening the main boa to get decent ankle/heel hold. The velcro strap prevents the boa from loosening. Am very happy with the sole - it takes out a lot of vibrations, making the ride more damp than the Insano. I was missing some padding on my Flux XV's and with these boots I can ride comfortably. The storm cover keeps the snow from creeping inside. The liner is constructed in a way that the tongue goes on the outside not in, if you make sure you velcro it as snug as possible there will be no issues.

The down side is they are pretty bulky and heavier than the Insanos.

I have the 2024 version. I find it stiff but not stiff enough after it broke in. 

In the 2024 version, liner is a wrap around liner without any stiffener in the tongue. there is no power strap for the top of the cuff either. other than that, the heel lock works great, the sole grips ice and dampens vibration well. Lateral stiffness is there when you need it. Heel side stiffness is definitely stiff.

I have the tongue stiffener and power strap from @wild-cherry it works wonders. I get all the stiffness I needed plus I can crank the power strap more if I needed more stability.

I do notice the storm guard gets worn through by the binding straps over time. I had at least 20 days on them. each day is on average 4-6 hours of riding. I would love to try the 2025 version to have a good comparison if I had the chance.