Snowmobile boots and snowboard boots might seem pretty similar in terms of the fact that both of these boots provide protection and warmth in cold and snowy weather, but surprisingly, there are indeed some prominent differences that I’ll tell you about.
In case you’re wondering, in simple words, yes, snowmobile boots and snowboard boots are quite different! They have different features and importance to specifically fit the needs of snowmobiling and snowboarding respectively, let’s look into that!
Snowmobile Boots vs Snowboard Boots
Insulation
If you’re snowmobiling, you’re sitting still on a vehicle but when you’re snowboarding, you’re moving your body more actively as a part of the sport. So, snowmobile boots are designed to provide better insulation than snowboard boots because of the difference in the level of activity.
If you’re moving more, you’ll need less warmth while making sure that your footwear is breathable enough, snowboard boots are just about right for that. But when you’re still when snowmobiling, you’ll need way better insulation to keep your feet warm.
Traction and Grip
Snowmobiling and snowboarding are two completely different activities, so it is quite obvious that you’ll require different traction and grip for these two different activities. For instance, snowmobile boots might have deeper patterns or more rugged patterns on the sole to walk on icy surfaces and the traction and grip of snowmobile boots are fit for the snowmobile footrests.
Snowboard boots on the other hand will have patterns on the sole that are perfect for the snowboard bindings. If you’re a snowboarder, you’ll have to move through slopes and lodges, and you’ll need specific traction and grip for that which will be different from the need of a snowmobile rider. You wouldn’t want to use the wrong footwear for any of these activities, because that would literally invite a safety risk.
Comfort
Well, two different activities will obviously need two different levels of comfort. From fastening systems to cushioning, the need for comfort can be different for each one of these two sports.
In snowboarding, you’ll need a snug fit to have perfect control over your snowboard, and you’ll also need to have more breathability as you’ll be more active when snowboarding than snowmobiling. You’re sitting still in a vehicle while snowmobiling, however, you’ll need to have a specific pair of boots with a certain type of fit and comfort for that as well.
Durability and Support
If you’re a snowmobile rider, you’ll have to have a pair of boots that will allow you to be exposed to harsh surfaces, snowboarding boots might not give you the same durability for snowmobiling, but that is something to keep in mind.
Not just that, while snowmobiling, you’ll have to sit on a snowmobile and maneuver it, which means you’ll need adequate ankle and foot support. On the other hand, snowboarding will require you to move precisely and shift your weight, and that would surely make you need specific boots which are designed to provide the necessary responsiveness.
Flexibility
Snowmobile boots need to be stiffer and provide more support, but it wouldn’t really matter if they’re a little less flexible because when snowmobiling, you’ll require support and strength more than flexibility.
It’s a different case for snowboarding, as for snowboarding, flexibility is a must! While you snowboard through lodges and slopes, you’ll need your feet to be flexible to have proper control.
Brands
Brands like FXR Racing, Klim, 509, Castle X, Arctic Cat, TOBE, and so on have some of the best snowmobile boots ever. Keeping your choice of warmth, support, and durability in mind, choose your pair of snowmobile boots of choice.
For snowboarding, you’ll get some of the best pairs of snowboard boots from brands such as Burton, Salomon, Vans, DC Shoes, Thirty-Two, Ride, Adidas, and so on. Take care of flexibility and breathability while picking the pair of snowboard boots of your choice.
Who Should Buy Snowmobile Boots and Snowboard Boots?
If you’re into snowmobiling for work, maybe enjoy it as a hobby, or maybe you just do it for fun, make sure to invest in the right pair of snowmobile boots to provide you with proper durability, support, and warmth.
On the other hand, if you’re a snowboarder or are interested in trying out this activity, get yourself the right pair of snowboard boots that will provide you with adequate comfort, flexibility, and control.
Conclusion
As you can tell by now, you’ll need different pairs of boots for different purposes like snowmobiling and snowboarding, and to keep yourself safe and protected from any hazards, you must invest in the right and appropriate pair of footwear.
