Burton Snowboard Boots F/W 2026/27 Preview

Retail Buyers Guide: Snowboard Boots F/W 2026/27 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: Burton
Interviewee: Jan Grimm, Senior Merchandiser Hardgoods - Europe

How would you describe the 2024/25 snowboard boot season in terms of market performance and consumer demand?
It was a tough snow season in Europe, paired with political and environmental uncertainty. Nevertheless, riders showed up and consumers demand is there. We are cautiously optimistic about the season ahead.

From changing consumer behavior to tariffs and supply chain stress, what’s been the biggest challenge for your brand recently?
Tariffs and the uncertainty they bring around production, pricing, and inventory have certainly been a challenge.

BRAND FOCUS

What is your brand’s core mission or philosophy, and how does it influence snowboard boot development?
We are leaders in snowboarding, with riders at our core. This guides everything we do including our product design and development. We are continuing to push the boundaries and set the standard in innovation and creative design.

How has your brand evolved in the snowboard boot category over the past few years?
For 50 years, everything we’ve done has started with one simple question: What’s best for the rider? And that won’t change in the next 50.

Who is your target rider for 26/27, and how has this profile shifted compared to recent seasons?
For the 26/27 season we are focusing on that next generation of riders. This is a shift towards a younger target rider while still valuing and catering to the needs of our Burton loyalists.

Which boot ranges or categories (freestyle, freeride, all-mountain, beginner) do you expect to drive the most growth in 26/27?
Step On® remains our main growth driver, and we’re not taking our foot off the gas when it comes to further evolving and innovating our Step On® line. That said, we are shifting our focus slightly to a ride first, platform second approach. Our commitment is to deliver the best snowboard boots, both Step On® and strap. For winter 26/27 you will see some exciting updates to our strap boots as well.

BOOTS SPECIFIC

Are you introducing any new or innovative materials (outer shell, reinforcement, cushioning, support, grip) in your 26/27 collection?
This winter we completely overhauled our Step On® boots line. For 26/27 we are continuing this work by updating our X Pro and X Tier models, as well as introducing these new boots to our strap boot line with 3 brand new Waverange models. We are updating the Highshot X Pro lacing for increased stiffness, and we’re updating our X Tier boots (Highshot X and Waverange X) to include the internal ankle hammock also featured on the X Pro boots. Both, X Tier and X Pro Tier will receive BOA®’s new H5 dial, offering dual-direction adjustment.

What updates or innovations are you making to liner technology or liner programs?
Since the 25/26 season, our high-end models, the Highshot Step On® X Pro and the Waverange Step On® X Pro are featuring our new Asym Life Liner + new internal ankle hammock. This new ankle harness is replacing our inner cuff, controlled via a BOA® dial on the outside of the shell for simple on the fly adjustment throughout a rider’s day. For 26/27, our updated X Tier boots (Waverange X and Highshot X) will receive this new ankle hammock in combination with our brand new Asym-Imprint 3 liner.

What lacing systems will you emphasize in the 26/27 boot line, and why?
Our main focus in lacing systems is BOA®. With our new high-end Step On® models we are exploring an all-new approach to lower zone closure, with lacing located on the inside of shell (closer to foot,) with a panel wrapping over the top of the foot.

What are the dominant design directions for 26/27 — patterns, colors, materials, artist collaborations, or partnerships?
With our new boots, we are creating a more cohesive & contemporary design language across the entire new Step On® boots line, a more progressive and modern approach to snowboard boots.

Are you focusing on any particular customer segments (freeride, freestyle, women’s-specific, youth, entry-level) for 26/27?
We are addressing riders of all levels and all ages, riding all types of terrain. We are evolving our boots line to a simplified, consumer-centric offering intended to simplify our customers’ path to purchase, landing them in the best boots for their wants and needs.

Key Products:

Waverange X Pro (M/W):
The Burton Waverange X Pro Snowboard Boots are built specifically for riders looking for maximum performance and the ultimate fit. The Burton BOA® Triple Dial PerformFit™ Wrap Fit System lets you independently adjust the upper plus internal lower and ankle zones. The three-zone system offers a new level of control for dialing in the fit to match the boot’s premium feel. The high-performance outsole balances weight and durability for outstanding response and traction. These boots are for elite-level riding anywhere on the mountain.

W27 Womens Waverange X Pro

Highshot X Step On® (men’s + women’s):
Made for those who like a responsive, powerful boot, the Burton Highshot X Step On® Snowboard Boots give you total control of boot fit and tensioning to match its powerful flex. A Dual-Zone BOA® Fit System lets you independently adjust the upper and lower boot tension, including an internal ankle hammock, for the ultimate in micro-adjustable fit and feel. Add out-of-the-box comfort, and we’re talking about a true step-on-and-go program for riders who like to rip.

W27 Mens Highshot X Step On – Colorway 2

Waverange X Step On® (men’s + women’s):
Dial in your fit and get after it. The Burton Waverange X Step On® Snowboard Boots promote a surfy ride and fluid range of motion. A Dual-Zone BOA® Fit System lets you independently adjust the upper and lower boot tension, including an internal ankle hammock, for the ultimate in micro-adjustable fit and feel. Out-of-the-box comfort means they feel great from day one. These boots are part of a true step-on-and-go system for high-performance riding anywhere on the mountain.

W27 Mens Waverange X Step On – Colorway 1