• SIZES: UK 5-11
• FLEX: 4
• LACING SYSTEM: Double Boa
• PRICE: £409 / €449

A general rule of thumb states that the stiffer a boot, the techier it is. After all, hard-charging riders tend to me more in need of top features that can make a boot both more comfortable and durable. Usually, the opposite is true too; for less established snowboarders who ride less often and over less challenging terrain, a softer, cheaper, less tricked-out boot will do.

But what about the rider who knows their onions and is out on the hill every day, but embracing their inner surfer on the mellow pow fields rather than taking route one down an icy couloir? For them, there’s the K2 Taro Tamai Snowsurfer snowboard boots.

“Thanks to a flex that makes you feel more in tune with your deck as you turn, these are ideal for drool-inducing marshmallowy tree runs”

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Designed in conjunction with the legendary pow rider and Gentemstick head honcho, the K2 Taro Tamai Snowsurfer is as well-suited to the bountiful slopes of Nippon as any of his famous freeride boards. Thanks to a flex that makes you feel more in tune with your deck with each turn, these are ideal for drool-inducing marshmallowy tree runs.

The sole is the softest in K2’s range to allow for more boardfeel, and the outer shell offers a serious amount of flex too. At the same time, however, the Snowsurfer features the same high-quality liner as the stiff-as-hell K2 Thraxis. So while you’re able to get the most out of your ankle as you make those surf-style turns, your foot has support where it’s most needed – as well as comfort in spades.

Given that these boots’ natural habitat is deep pow in peak winter, there’s a smart heating system in the liner too, For the same reason, a neoprene cover over the instep; without any significant weight increase, the boot is more protected against long-term effects of snow build-up.