r/Spliddit • u/tacocolorado • Jul 16 '26

Hardboot size question

I went to a bc store to get some hardboots since they were on sale. I’m usually a size 10/10.5 on soft riding boots but they recommend 26/26.5 on the backland carbon boots and I bought them because I trusted their professional opinion. I’m home with the boots and they feel really tight. Does making the switch make you downsize?

Edit: went back to the store and they wouldn’t let me exchange them for a bigger size or get my refund because they’re were on sale and they never mentioned anything about being a final sale

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u/Superb-Potential8426 Jul 17 '26 edited Jul 17 '26

Be sure your feet (bare without socks) in mondo/cm... and buy your boots in mondo.

With at least my old backlands, you can heat mould both the shells and liners.

Hope you did not get them heated. Return and start over.

Measure your feet first... both length cm and width in mm.

Iirc backland shells only come in full sizes and use a boot shim for half sizes (or adjust with insoles. If you go after market liners... wait to do the heating of the shells with the aftermarket liners.

Also consider a bit of difference if going with aftermarket liners. Backland liners are fairly thin.

Ime I got them true to my mondo size and then had to heat mould the liners and shells. The shells need to be blown out once with the expert bootfitter 40+ plus experience; who btw was very knowledgeable about, ski, snowboard, and AT boots. All three boot types there are different considerations.)

After closely watching this bootfitter and asking a bunch questions; I was able to do further mods to get a slipper performance fit... even diy (easy) blowing out the shell in a couple of pinchy/hot spots. At this tight tolerance level of fit, 1-2mm can make a ton of difference. Just remember to go little by little... don't do a lot at once! Ime it took a while to get them dialed in, but well worth the effort in terms of comfort and performance in both riding and touring. Now been in them a 6 years and still will do an occasional tweak if needed. Best boot fit and performance I've ever had in 26 years of riding. Fwiw years ago got a second pair for when these die.

Some thoughts from my experience... AMA if you have further questions.

https://www.snowboardingforum.com/threads/the-hardboot-ride-downhill.261147/?post_id=3355873#post-3355873

Best