Burton Ion 2021 Snowboard Boot Review

[@stevenmorgan999]

I just got a pair of the ion step on’s I paired it with my 156 yes greats the turning and carving is impressive! Thanks for the great reviews.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for the good words and glad they work for you.

[@gboates]

I bought 2022 Ion and opted for the speed zone T-handle lace pulls. My first day was on a trip with a new board new bindings and new Ions - amazing products - the boots to die for (with?). Thanks Burton - worth every after tax dollar.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Glad it's working for you and thanks for your take!

[@erikentrada5386]

Burton won’t admit a major design flaw. The exposed toe cap stitching starts breaking sooner than later. The default response will try to blame the rider for resting your board on the toe cap. That cannot be because the stitching starts to break on the sides, not the top. Also it happens in both boots simultaneously so it verifies it is a design flaw. They have been selling these for about 4 years knowing about the design flaw. I’m curious to see if they fix the design for 2025 with all the warranty complaints. Expensive boot, poor design.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@edshao2572]

Thanks for the amazing review! How do these Ions compare to Photon? Are they significant better except for the stiffer flex?

[@filipcvetanoski]

Same question

[@thegoodridesnow]

Ion's are more durable, have a sole that roll's in easier to relieve stress on the joints in a snowboard stance and they are stiffer/more responsive. The Ion's work better with boards that are more demanding edge to edge. The Photon's are more comfortable day one for most, are lighter and have a softer/smoother flex that a lot of people appreciate if you want a more balanced boot.

[@himboslice_]

Just got some for $152. Burton put some "Samples" up. Bought two pairs the deal was so good lol. Coming from the Ion boas to speedzone.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for the heads up.

[@twilliams7736]

Hey thanks for all that you do! I was wondering if you had thoughts on leather ions vs regular ions...Seems like they should be stiffer, but might break down faster? I'm coming from Drivers (not very durable and end up not very stiff) Wondering also with these liners if I could sizes down from a Driver 12 to 11.5? I get some heel lift in my Drivers but then, my toe is pretty maxed out. I also have a fat ankle (fracture) so want to make sure that doesn't cause issues

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks! Yeah I felt the same about the Drivers too. Haven't put a lot of days on the Leather so can't say for sure. Only long term tested the regular Ion. It held it's flex better than the Driver but not as well as some like the SLX. That boot retains it's flex the longest of any Burton boot. I would go with your true size on the Brannock scale and not try to size down.

[@jhazzpher17]

Hey Good RIde Team! My riding style would be more of ground tricking- butters, 180s, nose presses etc. But I also like to carve and have fun at the mountain. (Maybe hit park here and there) Would you prefer The Burton Swaths or the Burton Ions? I appreciate any inputs!

[@thegoodridesnow]

Swaths for sure. I would only go Ion if you like stiff boots.

[@jhazzpher17]

@@thegoodridesnow Awesome, I appreciate your response!!

[@HooKerzNbLo]

Great video. I still have the first gen Burton Ion boot and I was trying to remember how old they are. Do remember what year they released the Ion?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Man...not sure. Maybe sometime in the mid 2000's. I owned my first pair of Ion's in 2007 and pretty sure there were a few years prior. Man those 2000's boots were special.

[@therealchickentender]

Just ponied up for a pair of these (Leathers) to replace my Imperials (2013). Been riding Hi-Country Hell-Bents this year and really love'm but in terms of board feel and weight I've been missing my Imperials. Been wearing around house past 2 days for chores and already I'm sending back the Ride Fuse and Lasso Pros I was about ready to keep (though couldn't decide between them). I think the Ions solved the problem for me. :D Really similar feel to the Imperials, just snugger/stiffer/warmer... which is everything I was after. (Still have the old Imperials - still going, but they're def tired and for casual spring days now.)

[@thegoodridesnow]

Like I think we talked about before those old Imperials were special and thanks for your take!

[@therealchickentender]

@@thegoodridesnow Yeh yeh - email a while back. 🤙 Super hoping these leather Ions will last a bit longer than report of regulars, even if not quite as stiff, and live up to those Imperials. Time shall tell.

[@jordanmead4649]

How would you compare the fit and flex retention between the SLX and Ion? I ride 80-100 days a year and have been on the SLX for the past two seasons. The fit is perfect and I am especially drawn to the articulating cuff. However, the SLX has also broken down to the point that Burton has warrantied both pairs at the end of each season. I am trying to decide between another pair of SLX and switching to Ion. Thoughts? Your wisdom and experience is appreciated.

[@jordanmead4649]

Set-ups: Nitro Mtn w/ Union Falcor and Yes. Greats Uninc. w/ Burton Genesis Riding Style: Off-piste, Extreme Terrain, Glades, Moguls, All-Mountain Freestyle

[@thegoodridesnow]

The SLX has much better flex retention than the Ion's. Unfortunately the SLX's aren't what they use to be when it comes to flex retention though. Since they switched to this design it was more comfortable for most day one but they just don't keep their flex like they used to. That being said they are still the best in Burton's line for flex retention so if they fit well go for them over the Ion's. The Ion's will be stiffer out of the box but will break down faster. After 30 days the SLX's will be stiffer. That is great that they are honoring the warranty.

[@jordanmead4649]

​​@@thegoodridesnow thank you! That is where I was leaning based on the info in your reviews, but I appreciate the confirmation of my thought process. The main design defect is tearing of the foam in the liner where the wrap around tongue piece is sewn on.

[@thegoodridesnow]

No problem and I'd like to see a pic if possible. You can send it through thegoodride.com. Cheers!

[@nathansutter6253]

The ion wides are the only boot I've found that fit my wide feet and also have a stiff enough flex for me. They're still in fairly good condition with over 100 days but I'm starting to think about replacing them. I couldn't find them on the burton site or sold anywhere else. Do you know if they're still making an ion wide for 2025?

[@thegoodridesnow]

What is your foot width? It looks like they aren't this year. Only Ion Step On Wide. That sucks. You should try to find last years on sale if you can.

[@callumcopley6780]

Hi I've rode a pair of 2013 ions until now lol live them but use a flagship or hovercraft alot now is there any other boots I should consider. Nearly new boot time

[@thegoodridesnow]

If you love the Ions I would stick with those. They havent changed much since back in the day. If you like the responsiveness and if theyre comfortable then go for those. Maybe consider the leatner Ions as well

[@callumcopley6780]

Hey thanks much appreciated 😊

[@devennagata1759]

How does the double boa ion compare to the speed zone ion, is there any difference in feel iv heard some say the double boa can cause pressure points in the Ankle. I ordered double boa but Im worried the speed zone might have been comfier

[@thegoodridesnow]

I think both are pretty good at preventing pressure points. The the plastic routing mechanism on the Speed Lace and routing version for the BOA are somewhat similar so if one doesn't cause problems the other shouldn't either. That being said every foot is different so you won't really know till you try it. Wish I could be of more help but it's tough as hell to know with any certainty when it comes to boots.

[@matthewcheung5136]

How do you heat mold the liners? Do you just wear them all day to ride?

[@thegoodridesnow]

You can mold them slowly over time if they are comfortable day one. If you have some hot spots you should take them to a shop and they can heat mold em for ya. Tip well though. Or you can try this if you can't get to a shop but it's not ideal. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHmUeppuiadqaKs I've tried it. The rice sticks to the inside of your socks and makes the boots smell a bit funky for a few days.

[@WampenkilleR]

Would you say the Burton Ion Wide is wider than the Burton Photon Wide? I tried the Burton Photon wide and it was still a bit too narrow on the outside edge for me.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Maybe a touch but haven't compared. What is your foot width and foot size?

[@WampenkilleR]

@@thegoodridesnow My foots are 267-269 mm long and ~105 mm wide. So far i have tested: Burton Photon Wide 8,5 and 9,0 (US). They were a bit too narrow. I have ordered the Salomon Dialogue BOA wide (9,0) Adidas tactical ADV (8,5) and the K2 Maysis Wide (8,5). What do you think about those? Any other recommendations? Thanks for the answer :)

[@thegoodridesnow]

I was hoping you would give me an exact size on the Brannock Scale in a shoe store like 8.5, D or E or EE or EEE etc. I measured it out on my Brannock scale and have you at an E if you are size 9 and in between E and EE if you are an 8.5 but that is far less accurate than you doing it in a shoe store. You should be good with that width and Burton Wide boots so it leads me to believe you might be wider than what you measured. I'm a 9E and my Burton Photon Wide fits me with room to spare on the sides so go to a local shoe store near you to get your true measurements on a Brannock Scale before buying more boots. Or go with the one that is the least tight and give it a heat mold with boot fitting foam on the sides so it blows out the foam where it's tight.

[@KevinJames1933]

Why do you say the driver x breaks down quicker when it’s stiffer?

[@thegoodridesnow]

It starts out stiffer out of the box but the flex breaks down faster vs. the Ion. So after 30 days or so it will probably end up being softer than the Ion will be. By 50-100 days the Driver X is noticeably softer.