Review: Head Quantos Snowboard Boots

When I got my hands on the new Quantos Snowboard Boots from Head, a few things stood out right away. First off, these things look aggressive. With a flex rating of 8/10, they’re up there among the stiffest boots on the market. They look tough and durable, and I anticipate them lasting through many days of hard charging. However, they’re very lightweight relative to their heavy-duty appearance, making them a great option for technical and demanding tours. They're equally useful for days at the in-bounds ski area when you’re laying down fast turns all over the mountain, or just bombing straight down as the crow flies.

After a more careful review, I decided that my favorite feature of the boot is its versatile, customizable fit. There are at least five different ways to dial them in perfectly to one's foot and comfort preferences. There’s a double BOA system, liner Velcro strap, adjustable ankle brace, and heat-moldable liners. All of this adds up to a fit that feels just right. Overall, these boots are chock-full of custom-fit features that seems unmatched by any other boot on the market—and once you get them on snow, you’ll see why.

One feature that came as a surprise was the heat-reflective lining. I was out on a long early-season tour, and while transitioning—when my feet usually get a bit chilly from standing in the snow—I realized my toes were still toasty. The list goes on with other features and specs, and I could easily keep going, but suffice it to say that the Quantos feels like the Ferrari of snowboard boots.

That said, they aren’t for everybody. The 8/10 flex index means they’re very stiff and designed for hard freeriding and big-mountain freestyle. They have a nine-degree forward lean, which naturally puts your lower body in an athletic, aggressive stance—perfect for making deep turns and absorbing high-speed chatter underfoot. If you’re looking for a soft, playful boot, you should probably look elsewhere in the Head lineup—maybe the Rev or Raker.

Overall, though, I’d say the Quantos is the company's most versatile, all-around, hard-charging boot, ready for any adventure on or off piste. Available at head.com; $409.