• SIZES: UK 6-12
• FLEX: 6
• LACING SYSTEM: Classic Lace
• PRICE: £259 / €299

It’s a case of evolution rather than revolution for the Rome Libertine snowboard boots; a few upgrades have been made, but they’re essentially the same classic-lace all-rounders that have been at the heart of Rome’s boot line for years.

The biggest development for the 2018/19 season is one you won’t notice until you take a closer look. The sole is a fresh design called ‘GripRight’, and as the name suggests the available traction is through the roof.

“The liner’s new velcro fastener resembles a surf leash, and spreads pressure evenly across the front of the liner”

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While hard-wearing, it’s also pretty light, and gives you a good connected feeling to the rest of your setup too. More flexible from side to side than from heel to toe, it lets you shift your weight along the length of the board more easily without any loss in edge-to-edge response.

Also new is the liner closure system, which keeps the inner boot locked up tight against your shin. The velcro fastener resembles a surf leash, and spreads pressure evenly across the front of the liner. The absence of a traditional inner lace means that there’s also less moving parts, and therefore less that can go wrong when you’re on the hill.

The foot section of the liner has been tweaked as well, making it better fitting and with a smaller mass overall. With the 3D-moulded cuff keeping your ankle locked down at the other end, the Rome Libertine’s liner gives it the ultimate foundation. It’s heat-mouldable, too.