- Price: £260
- Sizes: 5-12
- Flex: 7
- Gender:
They say: Classic but elegant.
We say: One of Deeluxe’s longest-running boot lines, the Empire boasts a convenient speed lace system and a ‘powerstrap’, for extra ankle support. The stiffish flex means it’s probably not for beginners or jibbers, but it’ll ride everything else easily.
Buy It Here:
About Academy
- Building boards since: 2004
- HQ: Auburn, CA, USA
- History lesson: Founded by a crew of riders who “believe in quality first”, Academy has grown slowly overseas, but it rapidly became a household name in the states, with a team that featured the likes of Chad Otterstrom. Right from the beginning the idea has been to support the growth of ordinary riders alongside team shredders. For that reason (and also, probably because it fits neatly with their name) Academy give out a series of scholarships to talented snow lovers each year to help them through college. Nice guys then!
- Ridden by: Frat-boys on company scholarships, and US-based park rats who know their Tyler Flanagans from their Scotty Jameses.
