K2  Orton Snowboard Boots - Men's - 2024/2025

I had some buyer’s remorse with these boots before I even got them on the slopes. I told myself at the end of last season I wasn’t going another year on my old boots – a set of double boa 32s (don’t know the model.) My biggest complaint is they were a pain to get on and off, and never quite felt right. So I paid full retail for these, and after putting them on in my living room, I had a nagging feeling like I’d just spent $450 to replace what I already had. Fast forward to the slopes. First run, I set the edge on a few turns and the board seem to hop from edge to edge in a good way. Much more responsive than my old boots. In fact, it felt like I lifted my board off the snow a couple times going edge to edge because I was exerting way more force than I needed to. People describe these as stiff, which is accurate, but I think responsive is a better word. They seem to be a little ahead of you, like when you engage to turn, they’re already midway through it. Great feeling. Let me back up a bit. I’m 6’-1”, 200 lbs fully dressed, an older-than-average boarder, but still charge hard. My current boards are a Jones Mind Expander 162 and a T. Rice Orca 158. I prefer to be in the trees on a powder day (don’t we all), but I’m comfortable in all conditions, except ice. I live the West, so I have the option to skip that. I’m happiest going off groomers and flowing down the mountain and hitting every little contour, sidehill, glade and meadow and occasionally popping off small jumps. I believe they call that “free riding,” so I guess I overlap between freeride and all mountain. When I am on groomers, I like to go fast and carve, not side slip. Not always successful, but I try to hold that edge as long as I can. I go into parks often enough to remind myself why I don’t go into parks. Wish I could, but I’m running on old knees that can’t take it. I’ve also done gear reviews professionally, so I am not a guy who has the attitude that since I bought it, it must be awesome. I read the specs and hype with a skeptical eye, and my first thought is always “ok, prove it.” So back to the boots. Any buyer’s remorse I had quickly evaporated for several reasons. As mentioned, they’re super responsive, and predictable. I feel like I know exactly what’s going on with my edges, and even under mixed conditions, they don’t get knocked off line, slip or hit me with other unwanted surprises. I can hold an edge subtly or aggressively, and what’s really nice is I don’t have to hold it aggressively when I am going fast, so I’m not burning out my legs. The boots also seem to dampen chatter. The day I rode, the snow was a mix of firm and soft, so that could change on a firmer day, but the boots never felt harsh or jarring in mixed conditions and with early season berms, ruts, and chop to contend with. I know my snowboards have something to do with that, too, but I know how my boards felt with my old boots, and there was a noticeable difference. Overall, these boots are stout, fit well and feel like they’re built for performance. They’re not uncomfortable walking around, but you definitely notice the stiffness. That doesn’t mean they’re perfect. For all the good above, there are tradeoffs. They’re a little on the heavy side, for obvious reasons. You rarely get stout, stiff and light. As mentioned, they’re also not cheap, but if you want performance, you’re going to pay for it. They’re a bit of a pain to put on. Each boot a cinch, a strap, and some velcro to hold the tongue in place, then two boa ratchets. Others have mentioned that they come loose. Mine did, but I chalk most of that to them settling in after the first day. You may be tightening them a couple times during a long day. They don’t get obnoxiously loose, but they seem to lose that vice-like grip after several runs. 
Finally, I am not sold on the cover with the zipper that’s intended to keep water out. I like the idea, but I am nervous it could be the first thing to wear out. I’d like to get a lot of years out of these boots, and those zippers look like weak links. The boots would still work even if a zipper broke, but it would be annoying and a little disappointing if it happened. That’s all I got. Good riding.

Pro tip. Cut the unnecessary velcro strap on the liner. Absolutely zero need for it. The liners fit snug as is, so why add a strap? Over engineered flaw in my opinion. Other than that this boot is great. Firm stiffness. Soft cushion. Perfect fit. I took these out on a 12 hour, 10 mile, 5k vert backcountry tour on their first day. Zero complaints. Already felt broken in. No cold toes. Cant wait to see how many miles I can put in these Ortons!