At the 2013 SIA On-Snow Demo, I had the pleasure of trying out several pairs of next year’s goggles along with four new snowboards, but I decided to test just one pair of boots, next year’s DC Judge.
After struggling with three pairs of boots over the last five seasons, I was surprised to find a pair of boots that I actually found comfortable. Right out of the box, they were the best boots I’ve worn since I was sixteen. The boots didn’t feel like blocks on my legs, waiting for days of riding to break in. They were snug around my feet and legs, as tight or loose as I wanted them to be with a Boa lacing system, kept my heels locked in, and featured a fleece liner that added the last little bit of comfort while keeping my feet warm and dry. I was drooling over those boots after just a few hours in them.
Last week, I caught up with Jonathan Fischbein, a Director of Development at DC Shoes. He is the head of DC’s snowboard boot design and development team. Jonathan explained why he thinks next year’s line has hit the sweet spot, and gave me a run down of the line’s tech features.
Three Questions with Jonathan Fischbein
What is the biggest change from this year’s line to 2013-14’s line?
Fit. Absolutely, without a question fit. We have improved our size grading, and also dramatically improved the off-the-shelf feel and long term performance of our liners. On the development side, the big push was to make our boots fit and feel better than our competitors. And I really do feel like we have achieved that.
What should a typical snowboarder be most excited about for the new line?
Aside from the fit, it’s definitely going to be the range. We cover everyone, from the so-called weekend warrior, to the pro level rider. We cover every critical price point. We cover every option for lacing. We have great colors. Our styling is great. We have a very full line of product.
What would you say to someone who has never rode in a pair of DC boots to convert him or her to the DC brand?
Try it on. Just try it on. The fit will sell the boots for me.
Brand New Fit and Feel
This is the crown jewel of DC’s 2013-14 boots. DC believes the fit and feel of a boot is driven by the last, which is the form the boot is built on (the sizing, the profile, the design). DC’s boots are created with a unique last for every Men’s and Women’s half size, for both the liner and the shell. This creates a liner that is ideal for the specific foot size, and a shell that fits perfectly with that liner.
Some companies use a manufacturing technique known as quarter grading, where they use a size 9 ¼ last for boot sizes 9 and 9 ½. As you can imagine, quarter grading is cheaper, and results in a lower quality fit.
Three Liner Technologies
DC’s liners are engineered to enhance the fit and feel of the overall boot. The 2013-14 line will feature a flagship black liner, a mid-priced white liner, and a price-point red liner.
The black liner, featured in DC’s Ceptor, Judge, Terrain, and Travis Rice boots, is loaded with DC’s new design technologies. The black liner features the Remind ™ insole, Aerotech ™ ventilation, four-density memory foam, and moisture and temperature management fleece. The Aerotech ™ ventilation and fleece work together to keep your feet dry and warm, while the Remind ™ insole and four density memory foam keep your feet comfortable and supported.
The white liner was designed with the features of the black liner in mind. It features the same four-density memory foam and moisture and temperature management fleece, but lacks the addition of Aerotech ™ ventilation and uses an EVA insole. The white liner gives a softer feel, and is designed for the rider who doesn’t need or want the support the black liner offers.
The red liner is DC’s price point liner. It fits the same as the black and white liners, but is made with three-density memory foam. The liner has less reinforcement around the foot, and is subsequently one step softer. This liner is designed for the beginner or occasional rider.
Five Closure Systems
Boa Focus:
Built with the Boa Coiler platform, the Focus closure system uses steel wire and two Coilers to lock in fit on the lower and upper zones of the boot. This will be featured on boot’s at all price points, from the high-end Judge (MSRP $299.95) to the Men’s Scout and Women’s Search models (MSRP $179.95).
DC Singe Line Closure System:
DC designed this system following demand from consumers and retailers who wanted a quicker lacing boot. The single line closure system was designed for ease of use.
Jonathan explained; ““It’s as simple as put on the boot, and pull on the lace. Quite simple and very effective, it locks the boot up nice and tight.”
The Winch ™:
The Winch ™ is a hybrid of traditional lacing and a Boa system. It offers a fully laced boot, with a specially routed Boa Coiler that focuses on the rider’s stepping area. This gives riders the option to tighten up the fit when needed, or loosen up the foot for more comfort, without having to untie and re-lace a pair of boots.
Hybrid Boa System:
DC offers one boot with a different hybrid Boa system. On the Gizmo, a Boa Coiler controls the lower zone, while the upper zone is laced by hand. This design has been well received over the past couple seasons and is an easy way to get the support and strength of a Boa system paired with the traditional feel of a pair of laces.
Direct Power Lacing System:
This is DC’s take on a traditional lace boot. This system has been designed to give the instep more closure, and to allow for tighter fitting laces. Utilizing DC’s Wrap Lock hardware, the laces can be locked down at any single eyehook. To lock a lace, one simply wraps it twice around the eyehook instead of once.
This idea started from a push from DC’s team riders. Many prefer a looser upper-cuff, but still want to be secure in the boot. This lets a rider secure the lace to provide support when needed, while maintaining comfort where desired.
Two Outsole Technologies
DC has developed a proprietary compound called Unilite ™ that replaces traditional rubber in outsole construction. Unilite ™ is lightweight, offers traction, cushioning, and durability. DC’s entry-level boots feature a 100% Unilite ™ outsole. Boots priced at $199.95 (MSRP) or greater will feature a combination of Unilite ™ and rubber.
Combining Unilite ™ with rubber on the toe and heel protect the boot from repeated contact with highly abrasive surfaces, like the track of a snowmobile. This gives the boot a boost in durability and feel, while maintaining the boot’s low weight by using Unilite ™.
After struggling with three pairs of boots over the last five seasons, I was surprised to find a pair of boots that I actually found comfortable. Right out of the box, they were the best boots I’ve worn since I was sixteen. The boots didn’t feel like blocks on my legs, waiting for days of riding to break in. They were snug around my feet and legs, as tight or loose as I wanted them to be with a Boa lacing system, kept my heels locked in, and featured a fleece liner that added the last little bit of comfort while keeping my feet warm and dry. I was drooling over those boots after just a few hours in them.
Last week, I caught up with Jonathan Fischbein, a Director of Development at DC Shoes. He is the head of DC’s snowboard boot design and development team. Jonathan explained why he thinks next year’s line has hit the sweet spot, and gave me a run down of the line’s tech features.
Three Questions with Jonathan Fischbein
What is the biggest change from this year’s line to 2013-14’s line?
Fit. Absolutely, without a question fit. We have improved our size grading, and also dramatically improved the off-the-shelf feel and long term performance of our liners. On the development side, the big push was to make our boots fit and feel better than our competitors. And I really do feel like we have achieved that.
What should a typical snowboarder be most excited about for the new line?
Aside from the fit, it’s definitely going to be the range. We cover everyone, from the so-called weekend warrior, to the pro level rider. We cover every critical price point. We cover every option for lacing. We have great colors. Our styling is great. We have a very full line of product.
What would you say to someone who has never rode in a pair of DC boots to convert him or her to the DC brand?
Try it on. Just try it on. The fit will sell the boots for me.
Brand New Fit and Feel
This is the crown jewel of DC’s 2013-14 boots. DC believes the fit and feel of a boot is driven by the last, which is the form the boot is built on (the sizing, the profile, the design). DC’s boots are created with a unique last for every Men’s and Women’s half size, for both the liner and the shell. This creates a liner that is ideal for the specific foot size, and a shell that fits perfectly with that liner.
Some companies use a manufacturing technique known as quarter grading, where they use a size 9 ¼ last for boot sizes 9 and 9 ½. As you can imagine, quarter grading is cheaper, and results in a lower quality fit.
Three Liner Technologies
DC’s liners are engineered to enhance the fit and feel of the overall boot. The 2013-14 line will feature a flagship black liner, a mid-priced white liner, and a price-point red liner.
The black liner, featured in DC’s Ceptor, Judge, Terrain, and Travis Rice boots, is loaded with DC’s new design technologies. The black liner features the Remind ™ insole, Aerotech ™ ventilation, four-density memory foam, and moisture and temperature management fleece. The Aerotech ™ ventilation and fleece work together to keep your feet dry and warm, while the Remind ™ insole and four density memory foam keep your feet comfortable and supported.
The white liner was designed with the features of the black liner in mind. It features the same four-density memory foam and moisture and temperature management fleece, but lacks the addition of Aerotech ™ ventilation and uses an EVA insole. The white liner gives a softer feel, and is designed for the rider who doesn’t need or want the support the black liner offers.
The red liner is DC’s price point liner. It fits the same as the black and white liners, but is made with three-density memory foam. The liner has less reinforcement around the foot, and is subsequently one step softer. This liner is designed for the beginner or occasional rider.
Five Closure Systems
Boa Focus:
Built with the Boa Coiler platform, the Focus closure system uses steel wire and two Coilers to lock in fit on the lower and upper zones of the boot. This will be featured on boot’s at all price points, from the high-end Judge (MSRP $299.95) to the Men’s Scout and Women’s Search models (MSRP $179.95).
DC Singe Line Closure System:
DC designed this system following demand from consumers and retailers who wanted a quicker lacing boot. The single line closure system was designed for ease of use.
Jonathan explained; ““It’s as simple as put on the boot, and pull on the lace. Quite simple and very effective, it locks the boot up nice and tight.”
The Winch ™:
The Winch ™ is a hybrid of traditional lacing and a Boa system. It offers a fully laced boot, with a specially routed Boa Coiler that focuses on the rider’s stepping area. This gives riders the option to tighten up the fit when needed, or loosen up the foot for more comfort, without having to untie and re-lace a pair of boots.
Hybrid Boa System:
DC offers one boot with a different hybrid Boa system. On the Gizmo, a Boa Coiler controls the lower zone, while the upper zone is laced by hand. This design has been well received over the past couple seasons and is an easy way to get the support and strength of a Boa system paired with the traditional feel of a pair of laces.
Direct Power Lacing System:
This is DC’s take on a traditional lace boot. This system has been designed to give the instep more closure, and to allow for tighter fitting laces. Utilizing DC’s Wrap Lock hardware, the laces can be locked down at any single eyehook. To lock a lace, one simply wraps it twice around the eyehook instead of once.
This idea started from a push from DC’s team riders. Many prefer a looser upper-cuff, but still want to be secure in the boot. This lets a rider secure the lace to provide support when needed, while maintaining comfort where desired.
Two Outsole Technologies
DC has developed a proprietary compound called Unilite ™ that replaces traditional rubber in outsole construction. Unilite ™ is lightweight, offers traction, cushioning, and durability. DC’s entry-level boots feature a 100% Unilite ™ outsole. Boots priced at $199.95 (MSRP) or greater will feature a combination of Unilite ™ and rubber.
Combining Unilite ™ with rubber on the toe and heel protect the boot from repeated contact with highly abrasive surfaces, like the track of a snowmobile. This gives the boot a boost in durability and feel, while maintaining the boot’s low weight by using Unilite ™.
