Designer: Jan Grimm on the new Burton X Pro Boots

Q&A with Jan Grimm about the new Burton X Pro Boots.

Jan Grimm is Burton’s Senior Merchandiser, Hardgoods in Europe, with nearly a decade at the brand, steering the hardgoods line regionally and partnering with global merch and product on strategy. In this Q&A, he breaks down the Step On reboot (Waverange vs. Highshot) and the new X Pro triple-BOA® – how to translate from legacy models, what the ankle dial does for heel hold, quick fit tips, durability/warranty, and where the line goes next.

“But the third dial is the one everyone’s talking about – it controls the new internal ankle hammock and pulls your heel back into the heel pocket, for a heel hold unmatched by any other boot out there.”

Hey Jan, thank you for taking the time to talk us through the new boot collection. Burton rebuilt the Step On boot range around two families – Waverange (softer/more maneuverable) and Highshot (firmer/more responsive) – Standard (single BOA®), X (dual), and X Pro (triple). What problem were you solving with this reset, and how should riders translate from legacy models like Photon/Ion to the new names?
Our boot line had grown organically over the years, resulting in a lot of different models with different identities, tech features, and price points. This made it difficult for many riders to easily understand the full line offerings and find the right boot model for their needs.

So, we decided to start over and build a clear line based on customer wants and needs with clear choice. An easy-to-navigate line based on two model families covers different flex, fit, performance traits, and closing options for both men and women. 

At the same time, we felt that the boot category was ripe for innovation. We used the opportunity of this line overhaul to redefine the look and aesthetics of our snowboard boots, and to improve the fit and performance through innovation. These are the first boots specifically designed for Step On from the ground up. 

This new line covers the key performance traits riders were looking for in our old Step On boot line (Photon and Felix Step On riders for example, will love the new Highshot X), but it takes it a step further, especially the X Pro boots, which are unlike anything we’ve made before. 

The X Pro adds a third BOA® dial. What does each dial control exactly, and how does that third ‘ankle’ zone change heel hold compared to dual-zone systems?
The X Pro is the pinnacle of the new Step On boot line, the one we’re most excited about. It is loaded with innovation, including the BOA® triple zone PerformFit Wrap closure.

One dial controls your upper shell closure. The second dial controls your lower zone closure, which we brought inside the shell, directly on the liner, something that hasn’t really been done before. But the third dial is the one everyone’s talking about – it controls the new internal ankle hammock and pulls your heel back into the heel pocket, for a heel hold unmatched by any other boot out there. 

You’ve routed a BOA® dial to an internal ankle harness that tightens the heel pocket. What did your testing show about mid-day adjustments (loosen for lift rides, re-lock for steeps) and reducing heel lift?
One of the key benefits of this new closure system is that all three zones can be controlled from the outside. In traditional boots, you need to open up the shell to access the inner cuff lacing.

Now you can micro-adjust upper, lower, and ankle zone from the outside mid-run, or easily open them in the chairlift.

For the same X Pro construction, how would a rider actually feel the difference: Waverange’s surfy flex vs Highshot’s stiffer, high-speed support? Any simple flex guidance for park/all-mountain/freeride?
Compared to the stiffer Highshot, the lower-injected backstay on the Waverange paired with an articulating cuff design on the shell offers a more maneuverable lateral/medial flex.

This new boot line is basically built around the choice of flex. No matter which terrain you ride or how good you are – some riders prefer stiff boots while others like them soft and surfy. The stiffer Highshot might be the better choice for going huge in the park, and the Waverange might be a better fit for riders with a more playful approach, but in the end, it’s really up to each rider’s personal preference.

Walk us through the Asym Life Liner. 
We developed the new Asym Life Liner specifically for the X Pro versions of Highshot and Waverange to work well with the new internal ankle hammock. It comes with an asymmetric closure, a single flap, and a large Velcro landing point to connect to, leading to a better, more inclusive fit for a variety of foot, ankle, and calf shapes.  

If someone is new to Triple-BOA®, what’s your ‘two-minute fit routine’ before first chair: order of tightening, target tension for the ankle zone vs lower/upper… so they get heel lock without numb toes?
My personal routine is I start with the ankle hammock, not too tight, just so it sits in place. Then I tighten the lower internal zone and the top, before I revisit each dial again to micro-adjust. Don’t go too tight on the ankle dial for the first run; start easy and adjust after a couple of runs if needed.

This is just the way I do it, but everyone has different feet. I recommend just playing around with it. Soon, you’ll have your own routine and heel hold you’ll never want to miss again. 

Triple-dial means more hardware. What did you do for cold-weather durability, icing resistance, and field fixes? Which parts are rider-replaceable, and what’s the warranty stance on the X Pro hardware?
Each boot is covered by the same warranty that all Burton snowboard boots receive, which is one year from the date of purchase, while all BOA® components have a lifetime warranty.

Not only the X Pros, but all of the new Highshot and Waverange boots come with H4 dials, BOA®’s newest and most durable dial platform with a breakaway design, which can be removed and reinserted into the boot without ending your day. If there is an issue the Burton guides or the BOA® crew are committed to helping get it repaired.

Which X Pro ideas will potentially trickle into other models in the following seasons, and what feedback would make you iterate the third dial further?
The simplicity of the new Step On boot line structure and the new design and tech features we developed for these boots are really something we want to bring to more of our boot models eventually, not just Step On. In addition, we are working with the BOA® team on improving the micro-adjustability of our BOA® dials. So stay tuned, more exciting things to come!

Men’s Burton Highshot X Pro Step On® Snowboard Boots