Burton Sapphire Snowboard Boots

If you’re looking for a step up from the masses of entry-level boots available, the Burton Sapphire snowboard boot is definitely worth checking out. The Sapphire is just about in the middle of Burton’s flex range. It’s soft enough to tackle some light park work, but will give you plenty of response when the powder falls. The Sapphire is just above the middle of the Burton line’s price range as well. If you’re looking for a good mid-range boot with plenty of features, keep reading.

Comfort

Burton has a tendency to sacrifice function for comfort in their low-end boots, but they make no such mistake with the Sapphire. They use a molded tongue in the liner so that the seams on the liner don’t line up with the pressure points on the outer shell. This helps you avoid pressure on the top of your foot, which can alleviate toe numbness and cramping. The Sapphire also comes with Burton’s Aegis antimicrobial coating to keep your boots from smelling like rentals. Cutting into the calf has been a big complaint with some of Burton’s cheaper boots, but they put a special air pocket in the back of the Sapphire to prevent that problem. Some liners even come pre-wired for a 9-hour heat system. Actually, you could spend all day talking about the features in the Sapphire’s lining. Suffice to say that they are ridiculously comfortable and still perform well.

Function

That performance is in part due to an articulating cuff that allows the upper and lower zones of the boot to flex independently rather than just bending in the middle and putting pressure on one part of your foot. It helps to keep your heel in place and transfers your motion more effectively. The Flex Spine on these boots is designed to flex more easily when you land jumps or hit park features. While a typical boot shell is one solid material, these backstays allow the boot to flex where they are intended to, rather than stay rigid when you stomp the landing. The fit of the boot is directly related to how well it performs and the Sapphire tends to fit pretty true to form. While some Burton’s require you to buy large to make up for the pack out of the extra padding, the Sapphire tends to fit the size listed. Still, you’ll want to try a pair on before you commit the cash.

Conclusion

The Sapphire snowboard boot is a big step up from the usual entry-level boots. But don’t be caught up in all the names and the fancy features. The bottom line is that you need to make sure the boot fits you properly. In the end, it’s all about getting the right boot for you. Fortunately, the Sapphire also comes with heat-moldable liners to you can get that perfect custom fit. If you’ve got the extra bucks to spend, these boots are definitely worth the investment.