What To Look For
Burton's Hail boot is a freestyle boot designed specifically for park and big air. As such, it features a cushioned upper, Burton's 270-degree Airbag midsole cushioning and the dual-zone Articulating Cuff that provides added mobility and flex. It also features Burton's, quick-and-sure 2:1 Power Lacing system. Burton's Shrinkage Footprint Reduction technology minimizes the external footprint and limits toe drag while keeping you comfortable inside. The boot is best for those that spend a lot of time in the park and on big, homemade kickers. Burton Hail boots come in 7 to 13 with half sizes available, and are offered in three patterns.
Common Pitfalls
Spend a little time comparing boots and don't fall in love with boots for the wrong reasons. Sure the black/orange/tree camo scheme offered in the Hail boot is original and you're probably not going to find it elsewhere. However, more important is that the combination of lateral and medial flex provided within the boot, along with its generous air cushioning, is right for your style of riding. Burton has put a lot of design technology into making a boot that performs well in park and big air riding, and components like the Articulating Cuff will hinder performance for other types of riding.
Where To Buy
The best option for Burton gear is to try it out at one of Burton's TestRide demo centers. These are concentrated in the northeast in states and provinces like Vermont and Quebec, and allow you to test out Burton boards, bindings and boots. You can find a full list of locations in the resource section. Burton is a worldwide snowboard company and many local snowboard shops carry their gear. Spend time finding a pair of boots that prevents heel lift and is comfortable but snug around the foot and ankle.
Cost
In 2010, Burton Hail boots had a retail price of $249.95, putting them toward the middle of Burton's boots line. A quick search reveals that older Hail boots can be found on sale for under $200. Shop toward the end of the snowboard season, and you can find deals on current boots as well.
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