How to clean and dry snowboard boots

Sweat and melted snow get trapped between the liner and the shell, and they dry far more slowly if everything stays together. So the first step in cleaning and drying snowboard boots is to remove the snowboard boot liners:

1. Open the boot fully. Release laces, speed-lace locks or BOA dials so the shell opens wide. Our page on loosening each type of closure helps if you’re unsure.
2. Loosen the liner lace, hold the shell and ease the liner up and out by the heel loop or tongue. Don’t yank it by the lace.
3. Take out the footbeds as well, so everything can dry.
4. Inspect as you go: worn fabric, flattened heel foam, loose stitching, shell cracks and frayed laces. If something is broken, see our guide to fixing boot closures, liners and soles.

Some liners aren’t designed to come out often. If yours are stiff to remove, check the manual before forcing them.

Your boot maker’s care instructions come first, because liners use different foams, fabrics and glues.

The outer boot

• Knock off snow and brush away dried mud or grit.
• Wipe the shell with a damp cloth; for stubborn dirt use a little mild soap and water, then wipe off the residue.
• Skip solvents and harsh cleaners, which can attack synthetic materials and glue.
• White boots show marks sooner; a soft brush and mild soap solution usually lift scuffs. Test any stronger cleaner on a hidden spot first.
• Rinse grit out of BOA dials and lace guides gently and let them dry naturally.

How to wash snowboard boot liners

Burton’s liner page says you can hand-wash liners with a wet cloth and room-temperature water, add some mild laundry detergent for stubborn stains or heavy soiling, air-dry them thoroughly, and never put them in the washing machine or dryer. That applies when cleaning Burton snowboard boots; other brands may differ, so check their care guidance.

To clean the inside of snowboard boots, wipe the inner shell with a damp cloth while the liner is out, and wipe footbeds separately.

Waterproofing the shell

If your boots let water in, check whether the maker recommends a waterproofing treatment for the shell material. Use only a product they approve and follow its directions; a leak at a seam or sole may need a repair instead.

Damp liners feel cold the next morning, smell faster and break down sooner, so drying out snowboard boots properly every day is the core of boot care.

• Separate and open everything. Liners out, footbeds out, shells opened wide or standing upside down.
• Use gentle warmth and airflow. A room at normal indoor temperature with some air movement works well.
• Consider a boot dryer. If you use one, choose a low-heat type made for snow boots and follow its instructions.
• Stuff with newspaper if you’re short on time. Swap it when it gets damp.

To dry snowboard boot liners overnight on a trip, stand them upright in the warmest airy spot in the room, not pressed against a heater. Strong heat can warp the foam and loosen glued seams, and it can undo a heat-molded fit; our guide to heat molding and breaking in liners explains why that fit is worth protecting.

Smelly snowboard boots nearly always come from liners that never fully dry between days. To keep snowboard boots from smelling:

• Dry liners completely after every day, not just at the end of a trip.
• Wear clean, dry socks each day and pack a spare pair if your feet sweat.
• When the smell sets in, hand-wash the liners as described above and dry them thoroughly.
• Air boots out between trips instead of zipping them into a bag damp.

If you want to deodorize snowboard boots with a spray or powder, check first that it’s suitable for your liner material, since some products can affect fabric or foam.

1. Make sure every part is completely dry, then put the footbeds and liners back in.
2. Fasten laces, speed-lace or BOA dials loosely so the boot holds its shape without leaving the lace under heavy tension. That’s the main difference when you store BOA snowboard boots.
3. Keep them somewhere cool and dry, out of direct sunlight: not a damp basement, a hot attic or a car.
4. Use a breathable bag or box rather than sealed plastic, which traps moisture.

Boots that are cleaned and stored this way keep their fit longer; if they start to feel loose next season, go back to our boot fit checks. For the rest of your kit, see off-season board storage and washing jackets and pants.