Burton Photon Step On Boots Reviewed in 2025

Step On and Go in a Photon

The Photon Snowboard boots have been a long-time classic, so it’s no surprise that Burton has upgraded them to be compatible with their Step On binding system.

The Step On system has allowed a long sought-after improvement to snowboard boots that will hopefully lead to more revisions in years to come.

Two toe cleats and one heel locker come together to provide three rock solid points of contact, making straps obsolete and eliminating fuss. Pop off the lift and step in, save time and enjoy more turns on the slopes.

The Vibram Traction Lug is Burton’s top-of-the-line outsole, providing robust traction and peace of mind that you won’t take a digger when walking through the parking lot. A cuff clip is located in the rear of the boot to keep the cuff of your pants free of the heel clip mechanism, allowing you to step in and go every time.

Precision Fit

What good is a boot if it doesn’t fit right? Burton has taken several steps to ensure the Photon Step On Snowboard boots are highly adjustable so that you can hone in on the perfect fit.

Imprint 3 Heat-Moldable Liners

Starting with the inner workings, the Photon Boot boasts an Imprint 3 liner heat-moldable liner. Heat-mold technology has long been used by skiers and snowboarders alike to provide a truly custom and comfortable fit for any boots. These liners use a heat-sensitive material that softens when heated, allowing the liner to mold around the contours of your feet while it cools, creating a snug fit that enhances overall performance on da slopes.

Schedule an appointment at your favorite ski or snowboard shop to get your boots heat-molded and get the most out of your new boots.

Adjustable Inner Cuff

Your boot liners and shell go a long way in regards to performance and comfort, but Burton’s Focus Cuff takes it to the next level, effectively joining the two together. The Focus Cuff is a lace system sewn into the boot’s shell, allowing you to truly customize the fit around your foot. By hugging your ankle, the Focus Cuff holds your heel in place boosting responsiveness and decreasing the likelihood of blisters when splitboarding.

BOA Lacing System and Snugger Strap

What comes to mind for most regarding fit is a boot’s lacing system, and with good reason. The Photon Boot utilizes a BOA adjuster with two distinct lace paths, allowing you to get a snug precision fit with half the bulk.

Further adjustability is achieved through the Photon’s Snugger Strap. Substituting for a binding’s ankle strap, the Snugger Strap is designed to boost comfort, and easily adjust the boots stiffness and forward flex thanks to the BOA H4 reel.

Thanks to the BOA lacing system, it is quick and easy to tighten down your boots before dropping into a line, and are even easier to loosen when riding lifts, kicking around the lodge, or switching into uphill mode when splitboarding.

Compared to a traditional lace up boot, the BOA system takes mere seconds to tighten or loosen, and in my experience, makes for a stiffer boot when cranked all the way down.

Warmth and Comfort

For someone like me who is blessed with warm feet, these boots are downright hot in all but the coldest of conditions, so for most people, these boots ought to be just right!

The heat-moldability of the Imprint 3 liners not only make for a more comfortable experience on the slopes, but they create just enough space to ensure circulation so that you can rest assured that your toesies won’t numb out.

Moisture management and wicking control help keep your feet dry, and a hook-and-loop closure system ensures that snow stays out, keeping your feet warm, dry and happy all day long.

While we’re on the topic of circulation, the BOA Adjusters are easily disengaged, making it all too easy to let your feet relax while skinning, walking around the lodge, or sitting on the lift for an extended period of time.

Bonus warmth points are achieved through a thin layer of Sleeping Bag Reflective Foil installed underfoot. This lightweight tech reflects heat back to your feet, and deflects the cold from the snow. This simple addition is non-invasive, adds little to no weight, and makes a big difference on the coldest of days out.

Thoughts, Comments, Coupons and Complaints

Warm, comfortable, easy to use, and top notch performance, what’s not to love about these boots? Burton’s Photon Step On Snowboard boots tick all the boxes, combining a classic boot with exciting new tech.

As a snowboarder who spends the majority of their time splitboarding, I am constantly on the lookout for comfortable boots, quick to put on, easy to adjust, and aggressive.

On the flip side of that, I am also constantly concerned about the weight of my kit, and these boots are not “UL.” If you’re predominantly riding in-bounds, well this is a non-issue, but for those who plan on doing a lot of walking, it’s worth considering.