The AREth Rin Snowboard Boot comes from a collaboration between DEELUXE and Japanese footwear label AREth, built around a soft, 4-out-of-10 flex that still holds its shape underfoot. Overlapping forefoot and shaft panels near the heel let the shell move without turning mushy, so the softer rating doesn't translate into a vague ride. Traditional laces handle the overall fit while a BOA Fit System heel harness locks the heel down fast, pairing a classic look with a quick, secure finish. What Our Gearhead(R) Experts Are Saying:"I pushed off a cat track expecting the soft flex to feel loose, and the heel harness proved me wrong. My heel stayed locked through fast traverses, so the give in the boot never turned into slop underfoot."