I am trying to decide which boots to go with and what size.  I have been boarding for a long time off/on, but I would consider myself an intermediate rider at best.  I dont really have a style as I live in iowa and have only made it one trip to keystone.  Here we have super short runs with a few hits and some small rails.  I do enjoy carving, but we dont really have runs that allow much.  I have been using a pair of old burton ruler step in boots in a 9.5.  They started out stiff and very tight with my toes hitting.  They since have loosened up considerably and I now have heel lift.  I have nowhere to try on these boots to compare.  I did try on some of the entry level salomon boots in a 9 and they seemed to fit well.  I normally wear a 10 or sometimes 9.5 in street shoes.  The boots I get will be used with flow nxt at bindings.  Any thoughts or suggestions would be great.
[Edited by tbcustomz on 3/1/2009 at 11:24 AM]

I don't reccommend salomon's entry level boots.  They have some nice features and feel good, but the lacing system on them is terrible - they don't really lock the lace and the boots loosen by themselves several times a day.  If you have to go salomon on the cheap, the very lowest level you should go is the maori. 

However, people have said anything lower end than the synapse, packs out relatively quick...idk, synapse seems like a lot of boot for your area

[Edited by snurfer on 3/1/2009 at 5:39 PM]

Thanks man for all the advice.  I ended up going with the ride boots in a 9.5.  Any of thes boots are probably over kill for me, but they were on sale.  If they dont fit hopefully i will be able to exchange them if there are any left in stock.  I probably wont get a good chance to use them until next season.  The local hill will probably close this week.  Hope your season last a little longer.   

that sucks dude. My closest resort is usually open till about mid april, but it's been really warm lately with a lot of rain accompanying the snow, so it's icy in the morning and slow slushy in the afternoon.  Ice is definitely not my thing.

make it happen, I guess...drive to what is open or book a trip