Wilentz attorneys are investigating reports of ankle fractures linked to Burton’s Step On snowboarding boot line.
A viral TikTok video has brought attention to a potentially serious product safety issue involving Burton snowboarding boots. The video, which has amassed over 453,000 views, features a Vancouver snowboarder who suffered broken bones in both ankles after wearing Burton’s Step On boots during a routine day on the slopes.
In the comments section of her video, other snowboarders reported similar experiences with the same boots, with one commenter noting that her husband suffered an ankle fracture while wearing the identical footwear despite having no prior boarding injuries. These accounts have raised questions about whether design deficiencies in Burton’s Step On boot line may be putting riders at risk of severe, potentially permanent injuries.
What Happened?
According to the snowboarder’s account, she was wearing Burton’s Step On boots when she fell during what she describes as a normal wipeout. Rather than the boots providing standard ankle support, her feet reportedly flexed sharply forward inside the boots, placing her feet in a “ballerina” position and resulting in fractures to the talus bone in both ankles.
A fractured talus is a serious and often debilitating injury. Recovery can take anywhere from several months to over a year, and severe cases can result in long-term complications including chronic pain, limited mobility, and difficulty returning to athletic activity. The fact that she sustained this injury in both ankles simultaneously strongly suggests that a boot failure may have been the driving cause.
After consulting with other snowboarders in her community, she discovered that others had raised similar concerns about the boots being too soft and lacking adequate lateral and forward support for safe use on the slopes.
The Boot Design at Issue
Burton introduced its Step On boot system in 2017, featuring a strap-free, clip-in design intended to make getting on and off a board faster and easier. With the release of its 2025/2026 season lineup, Burton reportedly made its Step On boots noticeably softer and looser than prior iterations.
In the snowboarding community, softer boots are associated with reduced ankle support and increased flex. The combination of the strap-free Step On design and the reported softening of the 2026 models may have created a product that does not provide adequate protection for riders.
Burton has not issued a recall or made any public statement addressing these injury reports as of the date of this post.
We Are Investigating Injuries Related to These Boots
Our attorneys are currently investigating reports of ankle fractures and other serious injuries potentially linked to Burton Step On snowboarding boots. While no lawsuit has been filed at this time, we are gathering information from individuals who may have been harmed by a defect in these boots. Depending on where the injuries occurred, the time to file a potential lawsuit may vary.
We want to hear from you if:
- You suffered an ankle fracture or other serious injury while wearing Burton Step On boots
- The injury occurred during the 2025 or 2026 season
- You or someone you know experienced unusual boot flex or lack of support in these boots prior to or during an injury
- You were told by a medical provider that your injury was consistent with a boot or equipment failure
If you or someone you know experienced an ankle fracture or other serious injury while wearing Burton Step On boots, contact us today regarding possible legal representation.
