For park riding, many riders prefer a looser lower zone for increased ankle mobility (easier presses and butters) with moderate upper zone tension for adequate heel hold. For all-mountain riding, tighten both zones more firmly—snug lower zone for toe-side response and firm upper zone for maximum heel lock and edge control. The beauty of traditional laces is that you can adjust this ratio on the fly between laps.
Snowboard Boots · Traditional Lace Snowboard Boots
How should I lace my boots for park vs. all-mountain riding?
Related gear types
If this answer nudged you toward a different style, these guides compare specs and trade-offs.
BOA Snowboard Boots
$150 – $500
Snowboard boots featuring BOA dial-based closure systems for quick adjustment.
BOA dial closure systemsteel or nylon lace cablesmicro-adjustable fit
Speed Lacing Snowboard Boots
$130 – $400
Boots with quick-pull lacing systems for fast and easy tightening.
quick-pull handle systemzone-specific tighteningfewer mechanical parts than BOA
More questions
- Are traditional lace snowboard boots outdated compared to BOA systems?
- How do I keep my laces from coming undone while riding?
- Can I replace traditional laces with any shoelaces?
- Are traditional lace boots good for beginners?