There’s a lot to look for in a splitboard deck—pop and playfulness, weight, carvability, switch-riding prowess. Then, there’s the question of what to pair it with. Soft- or hardboot? Our split testers range the gamut of riders from splitboard mountaineers to pleasureseeking pow lappers, hardboot fanatics to softboot adherents and everything in between. After Gear Test Week, almost every splitboard goes on to be tested for the rest of the winter, along with the boots and bindings that need further assessment. From California’s Sierra Nevada to the French Alps, testers put split gear through the skintrack wringer, compiling what they observe and experience into forms. Those findings are the core of our splitboard reviews. But in case you want to know what construction drives that performance, we go deep on that, too.
Key Equipment Key X Kopala
key-equipment.com | $799 | 2,530g | 23.5 – 30.5 (mondo)
An upgrade from the original Disruptive, this boot is a collaboration with hard-charging Norwegian hardbooter Krister Kopala. Kopala’s boot is 50 to 100 grams lighter per boot thanks to a lightweight polyamide lower shell. A Teton hardbooter co-signed the updates. “The small weight savings over the normal Disruptives are noticeable, so they might be more appealing to gram-counting skimo racers moonlighting as splitboarders,” he opined. Said tester also found the Vibram “super grippy on rocks and pumice.” Additional uphill kudos were earned by toe and heel welts that support automatic crampon usage and a “super smooth” walk mode, per our Teton rider. However, he did note the forward lean/walkmode lever on the calf of the boot can require elbow grease to lock in place. But, once secured, he gushed, “The crux of hardboots is lateral stiffness that still allows micro-movements and good turning, and Key Equipment has figured that out.” He noted the buckles can be hard to lock in place and recommended that splitters follow Key’s sizing recommendations to a tee.
Where to buy
Key Equipment Key X Kopala
ThirtyTwo Jones MTB Boa Snowboard Boot
thirtytwo.com | $800 | 1,236g CHECK!! | 6 – 13
An overhaul of the MTB, the new MTB Lite has a ski-boot-style, buckle-released walk mode that gives more rearward range of motion. A Wasatch vert crusher exclaimed, “It makes for fast, smooth, easy transitions,” adding it’s ideal for softbooters who want hardboot features without the plastic shell. “Huge lugs, a stiff shank and a solidly reinforced toe make these perfect for bootpacking,” commented a Teton tester of the MTB Lite’s crampon-compatible soles. “Kicking steps in these is a dream, and walking on icy, alpine garbage feels secure.” On the downhill, testers appreciated a slimmer overall profile than the MTB thanks to an engineered outsole. “They’re stiff but supple,” commented that Teton tester, judging the flex best for big mountain charging. He also loved the removable, stiffening inserts along the calf. One tester found the fit was roomier than other ThirtyTwo boots. “I could’ve sized down at least a half size, maybe a full one,” he reported. He also relayed that the liner lacing system loosens throughout big days.
Where to buy
ThirtyTwo Jones MTB Boa Snowboard Boot
Spark R&D Surge ST Binding
sparkrandd.com | $489 | 1,378g | XS – L
The stiffest, sturdiest horse in Spark R&D’s stable, the Surge ST handles “long tours like a pack mule and takes off downhill like a wild stallion,” according to a Tahoe tester. Friction-reducing thermoplastic encases attachment points and risers, keeping that mule plodding. “The brackets don’t squeak, and the risers are easier to flick,” he reported. The Surge ST is Spark’s heaviest binding, but testers didn’t find weight a burden. “Like Hermes’ shoes, they gave me wings,” claimed a Vermonter. She gushed over the stiff, asymmetric highbacks and forward lean mechanism: flip up to tour and down to shred. “The forward lean is so simple—Spark has it dialed,” agreed our Wasatch tester. A solid metal baseplate is “good in all conditions, and better than the Arc in ice,” he compared, although he felt the perforated heel cup wasn’t as durable. With lightweight toe and ankle straps, our Vermont tester summed up her love: “The bootbinding-board connection felt so aligned.”
Where to buy
Spark R&D Surge ST Binding
Spark R&D Dyno DH Binding
sparkrandd.com | $349 | 818g | One Size Fits Most
The Dyno DH fits Spark’s ubiquitous pucks. “I have an oversized quiver and primarily ride Spark softboot bindings, with one board set up for hardboot missions,” explained a Tahoe board hoarder. “Having the ability to ride hardboots on [any of my] splits mounted with Spark pucks opens up my quiver tremendously.” The Dyno DH was impressive on the descent, too. After a “time-consuming” customization process, per a Teton tester, stainless steel bails provide efficient power transfer. “It’s like you’re suction-cupped to the board. The most solid-feeling hardboot binding out there,” commented another hardbooter, although he voiced concern that ice or wayward branches could release the easy-to-disengage toe levers. A CNC’d skeletal baseplate saves weight and adds lateral flex. Paired with Spark’s canted pucks, the ride is smooth. “I felt comfortable on steep terrain with a thin layer of leftover pow over chunder,” commented the board hoarder, although he noted concerns regarding tech toe durability.
Where to buy
Spark R&D Dyno DH Binding
Get the 2026 Gear Guide
Published here are just some of the 144 best skis, splits, boots, bindings and outerwear from our 2026 Gear Guide. To check out the full range backcountry gear we reviewed, pick up a copy of the 2026 Gear Guide, available in print and PDF versions.
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At Backcountry Magazine, we are committed to providing you with honest and informative gear coverage. To support our work and continue delivering quality content, we are including affiliate links in our reviews. Partnerships with retailers are separate from coverage, ensuring that our reviews remain unbiased. These links help us earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them, at no additional cost to you.
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2026 Editors' Choice Splitboard Reviews
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