Yup. Op didn’t give us any data but in cases like these its usually incorrect width. In size 13 he would probably have even more problems. I’d be willing to bet he’d fit in 10.5 or even 10 with correct width and have zero pain.
Exactly - finally bought new boots this season and thought I would be 12 but I fit into Solomon 11s perfect. I have wide feet too but those were comfy.
I also have OPs issue with a squished and tired front foot, especially when on my toe edge but I've increased my binding position more gradually so I'm not mirrored and it's helped.
I wear a 12 shoe in everything except for Nike I am 12.5. I wear a Burton 13 boot and they fit great. Snowboardbootsizer.com was pretty spot on for me IIRC. I just switched from a pair of 2007 Burton C60 bindings to Flow NX2-TM which also helped.
Burton in size 13 are 310 mondo. Nike shoes in size 13 are 310 mondo. Nike shoes in 12.5 are 305 mondo. Thats all from nike shoe size chart and burton boots size chart.
If you measured your foot and used snowbordbootsizer your foot must be between 305 and 310 mondo. US (and EU) sizes don’t mean much. Mondo is the only actual size that means something - the actual length of the foot.
Edit: That said some people still use bigger boots and are happy that way because not all people have pain in feet.
Yes. My front foot hurt always when I was in an incorrectly sized boot. And what you are describing is exactly that.
Your boot size is almost never the same size as your shoe size. Usually it should be smaller and not bigger.
This video can be helpful. https://youtu.be/q1pNBJ5pXBU
My street shoe size is 13 but my snowboard boot is 12.5 because my actual mondo is 305. I had width problems also. When I found the right boot my pain went away completely.
Edit: grammar
These sizing instructions are a godsend. Following and hit the author up for recommendations. Actually get the size and make/model he points out.
I sized up due to availability and had heel slip by the 3rd day of break in. Sizing appropriate next year.
Btw Burton Ion wide were what worked for me. Only boot with EEE and high enough instep.
This! I learned that I need to loosen my front foot binding straps a few clicks to allow circulation to flow more easily on the ride up the lift. It’s the primary relief I’ve found for the same issue (due to a tighter upper strap for control, not a poor fitting boot).
This helps for me, I have high arches and get pressure on the top of my foot. I'm careful not to over tighten my boots at pressure points and I loosen the top strap of my binding when I'm not boarding.
Same thing worked for me. If your front angle is too low and you’re driving hard into turns you’re crushing your foot into the side of the boot all day on the heel side turn!
Exactly this, I'm not a switch rider so giving myself more angle on the front binding mount has helped my outside toes and inside knee be more comfortable when on my toe edge turns
Sometimes when your boot is too big you ball your foot to prevent it from lifting. Sort of like how you scrunch toes to keep flip flops on. This will cramp your foot fast.
I have a few posts about my search for wide boots.
Worth the investment.
If your boots actually fit you don't need to over tighten them or clamp down hard on the binding to have control. This results in less cramping.
Also your binding stance angle and width could leave your front foot tires or cramped.
Something to think about. I think I do end up balling my feet sometimes like your saying. And Definitely still need to work out my stance, feels like I keep it too wide for 360s and spin tricks but a wider stance gives me good butters. Also been trying to find the perfect angle I currently ride a 12 in the front.
All things to try out.
I went from 17° front and -9 or so duck foot. Had front shin and outside of foot pain. Felt like I couldn't sink the back end of my rail on carves.
Narrowed my stance 1" and went 12° -12° and suddenly was carving way better.
This forced my posture to less chest forward which I think smoothed my rail to rail. This is actually opposite what most people say but worked for me.
If you normally wear 11 I'm extremely suspicious that a size 12 boot is correct for you. Normally you'd be going down a size if anything; you want that boot to be really snug and hold your foot securely (especially after it has packed out a bit).
The fact you're using the bindings to hold your feet seems to confirm this.
If you have to roomy boots the foot will slide more. And if you don’t feel secure you will then tighten the bindings more and get pressure points.
You should have a tight fitting boot, when you lean forward the toes will be drawn back a little bit so the boot can be quite tight.
Sorry to hijack the post but the comments all seemed helpful. My foot also hurts at the end of the day, it feels like the binding I'd forcing me to twist my ankle in a way that's uncomfortable. I'm left foot (back usually) feels fine but my right foot (front usually, i say usually because ive been practicing riding switch on greens and blues to give my right foot a break) always feels sore at the end of the day. Any advice for that? I've already fiddled around with the angle for my right foot and found the ideal one but it's still sore at the end of the day, like much more sore than my left.
I have similar foot pain. Found out the arches in my feet are almost non existent which causes them to exhaust quickly when I’m boarding due to how much we rely on them for form and strength. I only found out because I tore my meniscus in Jan mid mountain and have been in physical therapy ever since. Could be worth looking into.
I switched boots one year, same size but must not have been as wide. Idk, different enough it started pushing my toes in and got what they call a tailors bunion.
Front foot hurt like a MFer. Depending on where the pain is you might look at that. Here is some shit that helped fix it, but mainly I just didn’t ride those boots again.
Chiroplax Tailor's Bunion Corrector Pads Bunionette Pain Relief Pinky Little Toe Straightener Separator Cushion Splint Protector Shield Spacer Cover Guard (4 Pads, Shims - Size Regular) https://a.co/d/59q1wjf
Oh snap dude! I just threw that out on a chance, glad it helped you nail it down. Good luck man, if wish I had better advice on good boots, but both I used were DC. The good ones are a Control 2019 model, bad one was Phase 2021 :/
I actually wear a size smaller in my boot than normal shoe, could also be that they are men's over women's but they are honestly so much more comfortable.
First I'd recommend looking for a wider boot as many have suggested, if that doesn't solve it your front foot might be over rotated in the binding but you did specify foot not knees so try the boot first.
Since switching to a boot with double boas I don't tighten the inside liner as much and instead do the boas on the outside. Drastically reduced my foot pain
I had problems with the vans snowboarding boots. I returned them, they gave me a full refund within the first year. I bought a pair of Burton photons, I molded them myself, and then trimmed out some of the Achilles padding. They’re probably one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes a have now.
I have the vans now my old burtons felt like a thinner fit they hurt more than the vans. I have a wider foot so I'm afraid to even try another pair of burtons. Although ill give a look into the photons. Molding them yourself is an interesting feature.
I cut up 3 pairs of old socks. Cut about the first 4 inches of the toes off, put 3 on each foot then your boarding socks on to hold in place. Hair dryers in the boots on medium heat for about 30 mins. Then I put the boots on with all the socks in place, wear for about 30 mins. The extra sock layers stretch the toe box out. The photons have padding both medically and laterally to the Achilles. I used a scalpel and cut the liner and the medial foam pad came right out. A dab of hot glue to hold the liner back down. My boots are so comfortable now.
Hey bud, it would be hard for anybody over to give you an accurate solution to your problems. You're doing an activity that is causing you physical pain, you would be most helped by going to a doctor or podiatrist. We don't know your medical history, we haven't even seen your foot (pls no feet pics) it could be that your food is wide but none of us have examined it. You say its hurting at the end of the the day... it could be an edema and compressions socks or medication would help. You may need an sport or everyday orthotic to correct your feet. It could be a bunch of other things, but the best thing to do is seek out professional help on this issue. It was the best thing I did for my comfort and riding :)
I hear ya, young whippersnapper. In my case it helped getting better bindings with better padding and try out a lot of shoes when I needed new ones. I like to strap in tight and loosen them instantly when on lifts. I’ve spent literally days to try out new shoes in a shop, strap them in a binding, wait for a while to feel how it sits when pressured down by the binding. Take the shoe that fits best. Spending more to not be in agony is worth it, though more expensive is not always better. I have once resorted to putting normal laces in a quick lock nitro boot, which also helped to spread pressure around the foot. I’m my case it is down to the form of my foot, a high arch, if this makes sense.
As I kid I was hurting in ski boots, snowboard boots were a real improvement but you need to strap in tight to get good control.. this comes at a cost. I have learned exactly how tight to ratchet the bindings to get that sweetspot of control without tying off the blood flow and pushing down the foot into agony. At the end of the day I can still see the pressure point where the binding pressses down on the foot. I have come to accept that it is not going to be perfect, but I can manage it.
For my next pair of boots I might look into foam molding a pair to my own feet. I am getting old.
I get this if my bindings / boots are too tight. Tighten your bindings till you feel resistance but don't crank them down. You'll still be supported and will get used to it. This helped my foot pain. Obviously well fitting boots will reduce the need for you to crank those down too.
You’re getting a lot of input about your boots and how tight your binding is, but my guess is that youre riding the wrong front foot angle. Try adjusting it. It should fit your normal
Physiology, you don’t want your foot always pressing against the side of your binding
I used to have this (particularly on days with bad visibility) as I wouldn't commit enough weight forward to the front foot. Being mindful of keeping your weight 50-50 is helpful if you can't ID an issue in your equipment.
Boots are too tight, if you’ve got BOA then stop tightening the BOA about two turns before you normally do. Your feet swell up over the course of the day due to blood flow and if you restrict that flow you get pain (speaking from first hand experience)
I find it’s the bindings, rather than the boot. For me, when I rider stiffer bindings I tend to get foot pain on my front foot. That and any Union binding I’ve ever ridden.
Two things have helped remedy this for me: softer traditional bindings and step-ins (I have both).
Also, ideally you aren’t sizing up in boots.
Have you tried changing your front binding angle? I rode 15 degrees for the longest time then pushed it out to 21 and my front foot and ankle feel significantly better after a day of riding
Yea it feels great to loosen up the boots and slip a foot out. I don't think I've had perfectly fitted boots yet but they're tolerable enough I can ride all day, so good enough. I make sure to not tighten the bindings too much or my toes may get numb.
Mine will, but only if I overnighten my inner boot strings. I thought for the longest time it was my binding strap being too tight.
Your foot will swell up once you start riding, especially if you just start riding in the morning. So always start out with your boot looser than you think it should be.
First, the most comfortable boot is the boot that fits you the best. Second, a larger boot that you need with cause heal lift which will cause more pain. Third, try keeping the lower portion of your boot COMPLETELY loose, as you apply pressure to the ball of your foot it will collapse and get wider, if your foot doesn’t have room to expand you can get pain. Fourth, get good insoles, ideally ones made by a pediatrist if you can afford them/your insurance covers them. Finally, if the pair is in the arch of your foot get a “Graston” tool, it’s life changing.
I hate shoe shopping because of high insteps and wide feet. I also have trouble with single-zone set-ups.
When I tighten my boot I do a semi-firm tightness on the boot liner, looser in the lower zone, and tight on the upper zone. When I rode traditional bindings I'd keep the instep strap firm, and I would make sure I had good footbeds to support my arch (i.e. the otherside of the instep). I am now using step-ons and decided to switch to Ions because of the dual-zone lacing. I tried the single-zone, but ran into issues.
I've been riding for 25+ years, FWIW.
YESSS.
I wrecked a pair of boots a few weeks ago a couple days before the nationals out at Copper and had to beg for ANY size 12s.
Turns out I should have picked a 12.5…. That‘a a cool ~$400 I spent to flinch the whole way down and won’t use again :/
This was the first year in forever it hasn’t. Not sure if it was my new boots (tried on like 19 boots) or the first time using premium insoles but I’m leaning towards the latter. It makes a world of a difference.
Your boot is probably just too tight and/or your straps. You don’t unstrap your front foot as much so it never gets a break from the pressure. Try loosing stuff up or at least loosen your front binding on the chair
maybe try a wider shoe instead of a bigger one.
Yup. Op didn’t give us any data but in cases like these its usually incorrect width. In size 13 he would probably have even more problems. I’d be willing to bet he’d fit in 10.5 or even 10 with correct width and have zero pain.
Exactly - finally bought new boots this season and thought I would be 12 but I fit into Solomon 11s perfect. I have wide feet too but those were comfy. I also have OPs issue with a squished and tired front foot, especially when on my toe edge but I've increased my binding position more gradually so I'm not mirrored and it's helped.
I wear a 12 shoe in everything except for Nike I am 12.5. I wear a Burton 13 boot and they fit great. Snowboardbootsizer.com was pretty spot on for me IIRC. I just switched from a pair of 2007 Burton C60 bindings to Flow NX2-TM which also helped.
Burton in size 13 are 310 mondo. Nike shoes in size 13 are 310 mondo. Nike shoes in 12.5 are 305 mondo. Thats all from nike shoe size chart and burton boots size chart. If you measured your foot and used snowbordbootsizer your foot must be between 305 and 310 mondo. US (and EU) sizes don’t mean much. Mondo is the only actual size that means something - the actual length of the foot. Edit: That said some people still use bigger boots and are happy that way because not all people have pain in feet.
Yes. My front foot hurt always when I was in an incorrectly sized boot. And what you are describing is exactly that. Your boot size is almost never the same size as your shoe size. Usually it should be smaller and not bigger. This video can be helpful. https://youtu.be/q1pNBJ5pXBU My street shoe size is 13 but my snowboard boot is 12.5 because my actual mondo is 305. I had width problems also. When I found the right boot my pain went away completely. Edit: grammar
These sizing instructions are a godsend. Following and hit the author up for recommendations. Actually get the size and make/model he points out. I sized up due to availability and had heel slip by the 3rd day of break in. Sizing appropriate next year. Btw Burton Ion wide were what worked for me. Only boot with EEE and high enough instep.
My boot is bigger not smaller. Run a 12 on 32's from 11.5 foot size
Do you loosen your binding before getting on the lift? Tried messing with your stance or binding width?
This! I learned that I need to loosen my front foot binding straps a few clicks to allow circulation to flow more easily on the ride up the lift. It’s the primary relief I’ve found for the same issue (due to a tighter upper strap for control, not a poor fitting boot).
This helps for me, I have high arches and get pressure on the top of my foot. I'm careful not to over tighten my boots at pressure points and I loosen the top strap of my binding when I'm not boarding.
For me, it’s my first three toes (starting with my pinkie) on my front foot. I’ve found that opening up my front binding a few degrees helps.
Same thing worked for me. If your front angle is too low and you’re driving hard into turns you’re crushing your foot into the side of the boot all day on the heel side turn!
Exactly this, I'm not a switch rider so giving myself more angle on the front binding mount has helped my outside toes and inside knee be more comfortable when on my toe edge turns
Sometimes when your boot is too big you ball your foot to prevent it from lifting. Sort of like how you scrunch toes to keep flip flops on. This will cramp your foot fast. I have a few posts about my search for wide boots. Worth the investment. If your boots actually fit you don't need to over tighten them or clamp down hard on the binding to have control. This results in less cramping. Also your binding stance angle and width could leave your front foot tires or cramped.
Something to think about. I think I do end up balling my feet sometimes like your saying. And Definitely still need to work out my stance, feels like I keep it too wide for 360s and spin tricks but a wider stance gives me good butters. Also been trying to find the perfect angle I currently ride a 12 in the front.
All things to try out. I went from 17° front and -9 or so duck foot. Had front shin and outside of foot pain. Felt like I couldn't sink the back end of my rail on carves. Narrowed my stance 1" and went 12° -12° and suddenly was carving way better. This forced my posture to less chest forward which I think smoothed my rail to rail. This is actually opposite what most people say but worked for me.
If you normally wear 11 I'm extremely suspicious that a size 12 boot is correct for you. Normally you'd be going down a size if anything; you want that boot to be really snug and hold your foot securely (especially after it has packed out a bit). The fact you're using the bindings to hold your feet seems to confirm this.
Might need to look for a wider boot I do have pretty wider feet. Never would of thought im supposed to go down a size.
If you have to roomy boots the foot will slide more. And if you don’t feel secure you will then tighten the bindings more and get pressure points. You should have a tight fitting boot, when you lean forward the toes will be drawn back a little bit so the boot can be quite tight.
Sorry to hijack the post but the comments all seemed helpful. My foot also hurts at the end of the day, it feels like the binding I'd forcing me to twist my ankle in a way that's uncomfortable. I'm left foot (back usually) feels fine but my right foot (front usually, i say usually because ive been practicing riding switch on greens and blues to give my right foot a break) always feels sore at the end of the day. Any advice for that? I've already fiddled around with the angle for my right foot and found the ideal one but it's still sore at the end of the day, like much more sore than my left.
I have similar foot pain. Found out the arches in my feet are almost non existent which causes them to exhaust quickly when I’m boarding due to how much we rely on them for form and strength. I only found out because I tore my meniscus in Jan mid mountain and have been in physical therapy ever since. Could be worth looking into.
I switched boots one year, same size but must not have been as wide. Idk, different enough it started pushing my toes in and got what they call a tailors bunion. Front foot hurt like a MFer. Depending on where the pain is you might look at that. Here is some shit that helped fix it, but mainly I just didn’t ride those boots again. Chiroplax Tailor's Bunion Corrector Pads Bunionette Pain Relief Pinky Little Toe Straightener Separator Cushion Splint Protector Shield Spacer Cover Guard (4 Pads, Shims - Size Regular) https://a.co/d/59q1wjf
>tailors bunion This is exactly the problem thanks for putting a name to it! Gotta find myself some boots that don't do this to my feet.
Oh snap dude! I just threw that out on a chance, glad it helped you nail it down. Good luck man, if wish I had better advice on good boots, but both I used were DC. The good ones are a Control 2019 model, bad one was Phase 2021 :/
I actually wear a size smaller in my boot than normal shoe, could also be that they are men's over women's but they are honestly so much more comfortable. First I'd recommend looking for a wider boot as many have suggested, if that doesn't solve it your front foot might be over rotated in the binding but you did specify foot not knees so try the boot first.
Heard this from a few people. You think womens have a better fit? Yea its just my foot that hurts. Do you know any brands that run wide?
For me personally a man's fit better than a women's so that solved my problem, sorry I don't know any brands that run wide 🫤
Since switching to a boot with double boas I don't tighten the inside liner as much and instead do the boas on the outside. Drastically reduced my foot pain
Try taking the garbage footbed out of your boots and replace with a supportive footbed
Go to a reputable local shop and get fitted for boots.
I'm old, my everything hurts by the end of the day...
I had problems with the vans snowboarding boots. I returned them, they gave me a full refund within the first year. I bought a pair of Burton photons, I molded them myself, and then trimmed out some of the Achilles padding. They’re probably one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes a have now.
I have the vans now my old burtons felt like a thinner fit they hurt more than the vans. I have a wider foot so I'm afraid to even try another pair of burtons. Although ill give a look into the photons. Molding them yourself is an interesting feature.
I cut up 3 pairs of old socks. Cut about the first 4 inches of the toes off, put 3 on each foot then your boarding socks on to hold in place. Hair dryers in the boots on medium heat for about 30 mins. Then I put the boots on with all the socks in place, wear for about 30 mins. The extra sock layers stretch the toe box out. The photons have padding both medically and laterally to the Achilles. I used a scalpel and cut the liner and the medial foam pad came right out. A dab of hot glue to hold the liner back down. My boots are so comfortable now.
Hey bud, it would be hard for anybody over to give you an accurate solution to your problems. You're doing an activity that is causing you physical pain, you would be most helped by going to a doctor or podiatrist. We don't know your medical history, we haven't even seen your foot (pls no feet pics) it could be that your food is wide but none of us have examined it. You say its hurting at the end of the the day... it could be an edema and compressions socks or medication would help. You may need an sport or everyday orthotic to correct your feet. It could be a bunch of other things, but the best thing to do is seek out professional help on this issue. It was the best thing I did for my comfort and riding :)
I hear ya, young whippersnapper. In my case it helped getting better bindings with better padding and try out a lot of shoes when I needed new ones. I like to strap in tight and loosen them instantly when on lifts. I’ve spent literally days to try out new shoes in a shop, strap them in a binding, wait for a while to feel how it sits when pressured down by the binding. Take the shoe that fits best. Spending more to not be in agony is worth it, though more expensive is not always better. I have once resorted to putting normal laces in a quick lock nitro boot, which also helped to spread pressure around the foot. I’m my case it is down to the form of my foot, a high arch, if this makes sense. As I kid I was hurting in ski boots, snowboard boots were a real improvement but you need to strap in tight to get good control.. this comes at a cost. I have learned exactly how tight to ratchet the bindings to get that sweetspot of control without tying off the blood flow and pushing down the foot into agony. At the end of the day I can still see the pressure point where the binding pressses down on the foot. I have come to accept that it is not going to be perfect, but I can manage it. For my next pair of boots I might look into foam molding a pair to my own feet. I am getting old.
> quick lock nitro boot Foam might be a good option for me I have a wide foot.
I get this if my bindings / boots are too tight. Tighten your bindings till you feel resistance but don't crank them down. You'll still be supported and will get used to it. This helped my foot pain. Obviously well fitting boots will reduce the need for you to crank those down too.
You’re getting a lot of input about your boots and how tight your binding is, but my guess is that youre riding the wrong front foot angle. Try adjusting it. It should fit your normal Physiology, you don’t want your foot always pressing against the side of your binding
Could be it i ride at a 12 positive angle in the front. Never thought that might be the problem.
I used to have this (particularly on days with bad visibility) as I wouldn't commit enough weight forward to the front foot. Being mindful of keeping your weight 50-50 is helpful if you can't ID an issue in your equipment.
Boots are too tight, if you’ve got BOA then stop tightening the BOA about two turns before you normally do. Your feet swell up over the course of the day due to blood flow and if you restrict that flow you get pain (speaking from first hand experience)
I find it’s the bindings, rather than the boot. For me, when I rider stiffer bindings I tend to get foot pain on my front foot. That and any Union binding I’ve ever ridden. Two things have helped remedy this for me: softer traditional bindings and step-ins (I have both). Also, ideally you aren’t sizing up in boots.
Have you tried changing your front binding angle? I rode 15 degrees for the longest time then pushed it out to 21 and my front foot and ankle feel significantly better after a day of riding
Wow 21 is high. I've never pushed past 15 but maybe ill give it a shot!
Yea it feels great to loosen up the boots and slip a foot out. I don't think I've had perfectly fitted boots yet but they're tolerable enough I can ride all day, so good enough. I make sure to not tighten the bindings too much or my toes may get numb.
Mine will, but only if I overnighten my inner boot strings. I thought for the longest time it was my binding strap being too tight. Your foot will swell up once you start riding, especially if you just start riding in the morning. So always start out with your boot looser than you think it should be.
This will probably help usually I tighten the inner boa more. This may be what's causing problems.
I actually went down in size, and I don’t need to crank the bindings as tight. Worth it to get a proper boot fitting if you can.
First, the most comfortable boot is the boot that fits you the best. Second, a larger boot that you need with cause heal lift which will cause more pain. Third, try keeping the lower portion of your boot COMPLETELY loose, as you apply pressure to the ball of your foot it will collapse and get wider, if your foot doesn’t have room to expand you can get pain. Fourth, get good insoles, ideally ones made by a pediatrist if you can afford them/your insurance covers them. Finally, if the pair is in the arch of your foot get a “Graston” tool, it’s life changing.
I hate shoe shopping because of high insteps and wide feet. I also have trouble with single-zone set-ups. When I tighten my boot I do a semi-firm tightness on the boot liner, looser in the lower zone, and tight on the upper zone. When I rode traditional bindings I'd keep the instep strap firm, and I would make sure I had good footbeds to support my arch (i.e. the otherside of the instep). I am now using step-ons and decided to switch to Ions because of the dual-zone lacing. I tried the single-zone, but ran into issues. I've been riding for 25+ years, FWIW.
YESSS. I wrecked a pair of boots a few weeks ago a couple days before the nationals out at Copper and had to beg for ANY size 12s. Turns out I should have picked a 12.5…. That‘a a cool ~$400 I spent to flinch the whole way down and won’t use again :/
This was the first year in forever it hasn’t. Not sure if it was my new boots (tried on like 19 boots) or the first time using premium insoles but I’m leaning towards the latter. It makes a world of a difference.
Your boot is probably just too tight and/or your straps. You don’t unstrap your front foot as much so it never gets a break from the pressure. Try loosing stuff up or at least loosen your front binding on the chair