BURTON RULER RESTRICTED SNOWBOARD BOOTS REVIEW
Price: £190
Flex: 6
Sizes: 5-14
Lacing system: Speed
Having launched their first snowboard boots in 1983, Burton has long been at the forefront of innovation both in terms of style and technology. While the Ruler hasn’t been around quite that long, it’s something of a classic in the Burton line proving popular with riders of all stripes season after season. This is actually the ‘restricted’ version of the Ruler, a special colourway that’s only sold in a handful of core snowboard stores. In terms of feel and performance however, it’s much the same as its stock counterpart and it retails for the same price.
The ‘Power Spine’ backstay and the tongue of this boot (which has been redesigned for 2013-14) give it a mid-stiff flex that’s supportive, but not so stiff that you need to be Superman to bend it. The lacing system is Burton’s ‘Speed-Zone’ which allows you to tighten the ankle and the shoe independently, and makes getting them on and off quick and easy. There’s Burton’s mid-range heat-mouldable liner, and gel in the sole to help with cushioning. Having ridden a pair of Rulers for years, Whitelines deputy editor Tristan reckons they’re “a perfect combination of responsiveness and comfort, pretty much ideal for anyone from intermediate freestylers upwards. You can ride decent-sized kickers without worrying about your ankles buckling, but you can also hike in them easily enough. They’re even just about soft enough to dance in. Mine were subjected to some truly awful moves during many a happy hour at après over the years.”
BUY THIS BOOT AT: boarderline.co.uk, boardriders.co.uk, thesnowboardshop.co.uk,
snowlab.co.uk, tribalriders.com, halfpipelondon.com