How to Mold Snowboard Boots

Molding snowboarding boots is a way to customize your equipment to enhance your performance. Many of the current snowboarding goods manufacturers, such as Burton, Ride and Vans, market boots that come ready with heat moldable boot liners. These liners are commonly made of EVA, a moldable polymer common in running shoes, according to REI.com. Many shops have kits and special tools, but it is easy to do at home.

Remove the footbed in the inside of the heat-moldable boot liner.

Turn on a hair dryer to medium heat and insert it into the top of the snowboarding boot liner. Snug the laces to keep hot air in.

Keep a close watch on the liners so you do not overheat and damage them. Expect about seven minutes of heat per boot. You should be able to touch the liner without it being too hot.

Put on snowboard appropriate socks. Many riders make the mistake of a heavy sock. Snowboarding boots are well-designed for warmth and comfort, and a thinner sock will provide a better fit.

Step into the boot with your socked foot immediately when the liner is at its warmest and will react to the pressure of your foot.

Tightly lace or tighten the boot, making sure to stand still for the first 10 minutes, according to Thirtytwo.com

Repeat the same step with the other boot and commit to wearing the boots for an extended period of time. The more active you are in the boots, the more form-fitting they will become.

Tips

Several companies, such as Burton and 32, offer various liners and fit kits, and according to Thirtytwo.com, heat-molded liners can benefit riders with previous ankle injuries. Liners differ from footbeds in that they cover your entire foot, ankle and a portion of your shin. Footbeds are only in contact with the bottoms of your feet. Liners mold to your heel, toes, ankle and skeletal movement. Footbeds provide only an imprint of your foot.

Warnings

Do not leave the hair dryer unattended when it is on and in the boot liner.