An Interview with Taro Tamai

Free Your Ankles, Free Your Mind. A Different Way of Riding.

Words & Interview by Evan Lefebvre

Taro Tamai is an open-source visionary—a master of his craft who sees the world differently. He thinks methodically while radiating a natural brilliance that transcends conventional thought. His approach is deeply in tune with the laws of nature, and he questions everything with a flexible but firm curiosity. Is this the best? Who is it the best for? What are we compromising? Can it be better? These questions guide him as he contributes to the community, culture, and experience of gliding on snow—together.

His process is as poetic as it is methodical, a perfect balance of artistry and precision. Like a swordsmith or Tosho in Japan, Taro intertwines form and function, ensuring every detail, whether operative or aesthetic, serves a purpose and a bigger picture. His philosophy emphasizes the interdependent relationships that are all around us. Cause and effect. Action reaction. The mountain, the snow, the board, the bindings, the boots, the body, the mind, the soul, and the inarguable connectivity of everything.

Taro’s journey is about more than product design and development. It’s more than surfing the endless white wave; it’s about a deeper connection with our environment and with ourselves. His simple, fluid movements down the mountain evoke the effortless grace of a bird gliding through the sky or a stream, finding its way to the ocean. In harmony with the natural world and its progression, Taro Tamai is snowboarding evolution in action.

"The concept was to make a supple and comfortable boot that does not interfere with the free movement of the lower body. There was simply a big gap between a high-end boot that supported the current mainstream style of riding and a high-end boot that supported the style of riding that I was aiming for." - Taro Tamai

How would you describe your riding style?

TT: I’m currently pursuing snowsurfing, a way of riding at the core of snowboarding. Of course, I also skate and surf. I have been snowboarding for many years in pursuit of all possibilities, and the state I have reached now is my current riding—enjoying the glide feeling on snow.

Where do you ride most often, and how has that shaped your riding?

TT: Location doesn't matter—Alaska, Jackson Hole, Niseko, or Mt. Bachelor. It also doesn’t matter whether it snows a lot. It's about taking advantage of the terrain and enjoying the glide feeling. All you need is good terrain with a smooth surface. Of course, as many snowboarders know, powder snow brings us great pleasure, but the chances of encountering the right conditions for riding real light and dry snow can be very rare. The conditions of Niseko, a place I’ve been calling home for many years now, with its abundant snowfall of relatively high humidity and large snowflakes, have highly influenced my riding. In the early days of Niseko, I kept riding the untracked slopes every day, and the feeling of the board gliding on the smooth surface became the best riding feeling for me. If a jump feature appears in the line, I will catch air without hesitation, but when choosing whether to air or turn, I would probably choose to make a critical turn. It's about choosing the terrain and snow quality to connect the turns.

What is your favorite type of terrain?

TT: If the main battlefield of the current mainstream is convex terrain, then I am more captivated by concave terrain. When talking about halfpipes today, young riders would imagine a perfectly shaped competition halfpipe. I think of natural terrain halfpipes. Most people probably don't think about it, but the halfpipes that everyone knows today are the ones that our generation dreamed of and thought of as perfect natural halfpipes. And now I keep thinking only about riding there. However, riding on this kind of terrain involves a high risk of avalanches and terrain traps.

What is your history with K2?

TT: One day, a K2 demo event was held in Niseko Moiwa. The CEO at the time came to my showroom. To make the concept of snow surfing widely known, my strategy was always to share this fun idea with as many people as possible. I’ve shared ideas and conversations on board design and riding with many board shapers and riders alike. When the CEO visited the showroom, I handed him a copy of the philosophy book that we publish, Gentembook. That's how my relationship with K2 began.

However, there was a problem. There was a thought gap between us and the engineers at the time when it came to boot design. At that time, there was no doubt that high-end, high-spec boots needed to be solid and stiff. This was a major premise for the entire industry. So, it was necessary to overturn this premise. We went riding together and showed them our riding, and they were finally convinced. That's how we started the development.

Around the same time, I was chatting with my friend at our café, and by chance, the founder of BOA was also there. So, I started asking him questions about BOA. This allowed me to prototype ideas in BOA's lab and gain a firm grasp of BOA's potential. With that story in the background, the decision was made to use BOA for the current K2TT boots.

What is the idea behind the Snowsurfer boot?

TT: The concept was to make a supple and comfortable boot that does not interfere with the free movement of the lower body. To make the most of the energy from gravity and the repulsion from the snow and to capture the terrain with the board, the ankle needs to be free. If the ankle is free, the burden on the knees and hips will also change. I understand the need for stiff boots that can handle big jumps and high speeds on steep slopes. I think it is effective for riders with a riding style that forms an isosceles triangle with the front and rear legs, which is the most efficient way to use the body—it is easy to balance and has a stable axis when rotating. But are these boots really the right fit for most snowboarders? Do stiff and strong boots really make snowboarding fun?

I was skeptical. I was not only reluctant, but I was also under a lot of stress, not only because I couldn't ride 100% the way I wanted but also because I was suffering from arthritis, fasciitis, etc., from forcibly modifying my stiff boots. There was simply a big gap between a high-end boot that supported the current mainstream style of riding and a high-end boot that supported the style of riding that I was aiming for. I have been pouring my heart and soul into making my ideal board, so I have been looking for an opportunity to create the perfect boot to pull the full potential out of my board and break the stereotype that all high-end boots must be stiff.

How is the design process different from boots to boards?

TT: Board design begins with observation. Since it cuts through the air and snow, it is necessary to have a hydrodynamic and glaciological perspective. Since we derive our speed and energy from gravity, the laws of physics come into play. Additionally, there is a relationship with the physical functions and abilities of the riders, so observations need to encompass all kinds of elements that already exist in nature. I also observe the movements of animals and the structure of their bodies and incorporate those observations into the board design. In fish, the pectoral fin, dorsal fin, and caudal fin enable free movement in their environment. These features exist in the right place and form to maximize their functions. In human terms, there's a reason why fingers are at the end of the arms. Just as humans need legs to walk or arms and hands to grasp and move objects, boards are the most important part of us as snowboarders and should be seen as an extension of our bodies. Each part of the board—the tail, nose, and rails—has its functional role.

What I seek in boots is a joint in terms of human body function. The boots must serve as new joints with necessary functions that allow us to evolve as snowboarders. If there is a board design that allows our snowboarding style to evolve, then the boot plays the most critical role in facilitating that evolution. It is not ideal for us to limit the possibilities of evolution for business reasons. Unlike a boot that a craftsman makes alone, snowboard boots are manufactured through teamwork. To create something unique, the entire team must understand the foundation of the design to lead it to perfection. We will use all means at our disposal to achieve this. The riding line readings, how we perceive the terrain, the technical aspects of riding, and how we use our bodies—all these differences spread across various genres. And by actually riding together, people begin to understand and deepen their acknowledgment step by step. In that sense, the design process remains the same, but the priority is board design, and the boots are part of the riding function that the board realizes. Even if you envision a new line and have an engine to support that riding, a chassis that supports that power, and tires that grip and transmit the energy, you won’t be able to take that line unless your suspension has the performance to match it.

So, are stiff boots wrong?

TT: There's nothing wrong with the notion that stiff and tough boots are high-end. My argument is that this perspective only views snowboarding from one direction. Why do all high-end boots need to be stiff? If you ask many good pro or am riders about their riding style, they will all have keywords in common, such as steep, big, fast, etc. It’s a style geared towards going faster and riding more aggressively. The opinions of such riders were aggregated and became the industry standard. I believe the influence of ski boot design was also significant. But is it the only answer? Is riding with stiff boots the evolutionary path that snowboarders desire?

At the same time, we all need to consider that boots for beginners are soft. Many people around me have long been seeking flexible and comfortable boots. We call ourselves "snowboard boot hobos." If you think about the history of boots, skiing has its roots in racing, which is the main battlefield of that industry, necessitating stronger ankles with the evolution of skis and improved skiing skills. So, it was thought that stiff boots were needed for high-end snowboarding. In the early days, snowboard boots were incredibly soft compared to ski boots, which operated under the concept that stiffer was better. But the real charm of snowboarding was to ride freely without constraints. The possibilities were endless, whether in the backcountry or freestyle.

Now that snowsurfing has gained popularity and a place in snowboarding, I’d like to see a wider range of riders choose these boots. These boots were created to allow you to glide more freely on natural terrain, and I believe freestylers would benefit the most from the increased freedom of ankle movement. Soft boots expand your riding possibilities.

"During the development process, the use of environmentally friendly materials was incorporated into the design philosophy just as much as the absolute functionality of the boots." - Taro Tamai

Snow surfers and hobos aside, you also feel that more freestyle, trick-oriented riders will benefit from a softer boot?

TT: Yes, style-conscious freestylers will also benefit greatly. But it's not just about being softer. From a snowboarding ergonomics perspective, it's necessary to design according to specific needs to maintain shape and ensure safety, not just softness. For example, flexing to the outside of the foot requires a certain amount of hold. In any case, everyone should be free to make their own choices.

I am a snowsurfer, but I want all riders to try these boots. Of course, some riders prefer stiffer boots, but if you’re not particular about that feature, please try these boots on and adjust your bindings accordingly. They may help you rediscover the joy of snowboarding.

What can you tell us about the H4 coiler dual-zone Boa lacing system and TX3 lacing?

TT: It improves comfort by enhancing the hold that wraps the whole foot more effectively, allowing for faster attachment and detachment rather than just tightening one part. I like the feeling of tying the shoelaces slowly, but I also think it's important to keep it simple and user-friendly. With the K2TT, our primary goal was comfort.

Do you have any special techniques or personal preferences when lacing up?

TT: I view it as a functional technique rather than a ritual. The approach is to first position the ankle correctly and tighten from there toward the tips. After tightening once, it’s good to release briefly and then tighten again. I believe many riders feel that tightening the shoelaces is like a ritual marking the start of the day or a prayer for safety. The act of tightening shoelaces is seen as tightening the mind. That's a wonderful mindset, especially since we deal with nature. When I started wearing these boots, I began to appreciate the entire process of freeing my feet after finishing a slide. The feeling of being released instantly is also another form of comfort.

You also mentioned a focus on ergonomics; can you expand on this?

TT: Yes, we were very particular about the ergonomics of the foot and ensuring they are positioned correctly. The degree of freedom for the foot has been meticulously calculated. I wanted to be able to move my toes at will during every turn. Attention to the placement of the foot's widest point was also critical. The best possible design was applied to the opposing issues of fit and freedom of movement. These factors also affect blood circulation, and the balance of everything creates warmth and comfort.

What can you tell us about the Flex Zone panel?

TT: The most important aspect of designing the boot shell was to consider a pattern that maximizes the range of motion of the ankle joint and the effective boot flex for actual riding. The K2TT design has a slit and material arrangement that isn’t found in other snowboard boots, even other K2 boots. One metaphor I shared with the engineer was to create the feeling that the entire foot is wrapped uniformly as if wearing high-quality socks. Even when bent, the feeling should remain consistent, and it was challenging to design it without any pressure points on the foot. The unique Flex Zone panel was the most crucial among the various measures taken.

How important is environmental sustainability, and how has it been considered throughout the design and development process?

TT: It's not so much that sustainability is essential; it's that we should consider it just as we breathe air. I've always felt uncomfortable in a world where terms like sustainability have to be actively discussed. The way people are greedy for immediate profits is no different from human behavior during wartime. However, there's a limit to what a single company, let alone an individual, can do. It's important to do your best within the given conditions. It's not just about words; it's about taking the best possible action. During the development process, the use of environmentally friendly materials was incorporated into the design philosophy just as much as the absolute functionality of the boots. For example, S'Cafe Coffee's mesh liner is made from 95% recycled coffee waste. It has a deodorizing effect without using chemicals.

Another unique feature of the boot is its removable 3-point harness liner. What was the idea behind this modular approach to the structural design of the boot's interior?

TT: This was an idea to improve the fit for riders with smaller ankle widths and to cope with conditions like hardpack and tough steep slopes. We didn’t want to compromise on flex, so we decided to make the fit denser. By making it removable, it can be used only when necessary. We also selected materials and shapes that allow it to be carried easily—for example, wearing it when hiking for more support and removing it when riding for more flexibility.

You mentioned earlier rediscovering the joy of snowboarding. What is it for you that sparks that joy?

TT: I believe that pursuing snowboarding and/or surfing fosters a very natural sense of being a living being. It also emphasizes the importance of living in harmony with the rhythm of nature rather than adhering strictly to the clock. In today's world, life revolves around laws created by humans, and our lives are shaped by human benefits. However, all events are governed by the universal laws of the universe. This disconnect inevitably leads to problems. In short, continuing to live as we are now is merely a matter of human convenience and ignoring sustainability. However, I also recognize that adopting a hunter/gatherer lifestyle overnight isn’t realistic. I strongly believe it’s important for as many people as possible to become aware of this balance. Snowboarding isn’t just an action sport; it’s about living in harmony with nature. It’s a balanced lifestyle, and that’s what makes it so special.

A world away but closely connected through a community and culture that knows no borders, Todd Richards is among the most impactful and influential riders to ever slide sideways down a snow-covered hill. He helped shape the evolution of snowboarding in the ‘90s by bringing his heavily skate-influenced style to the slopes. As one of freestyle snowboarding’s pioneers and most pivotal forefathers, Todd has had one of the most prolific and enduring careers the sport has ever seen. Alongside countless video parts, Todd holds multiple U.S. Open and X Games titles and went on to represent the U.S. at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, where snowboarding debuted as an Olympic sport. Todd’s contribution to the style and progression of snowboarding is arguably unmatched.

When did you first take note of Taro Tamai and his style of riding?

TR: [Josh] Dirksen was the first person that turned me on to Taro. Then I met those guys when they came out for Jerry’s [Lopez] Big Wave Challenge at Mt. Bachelor, and I saw their whole gig. We live in such a different world in the US, where it seems like snowboarding has been going in such a crazy direction of jump, jump, jump, rail, rail, rail, and then we have Taro and these guys who are way more surf-inspired than anyone else we had ever seen in the sport. More so than the riders we would consider the surfers in our sport. There was so much emphasis on doing surf turns and just flowing down the mountain; it was a fascination in the beginning, for sure.

How do you see Taro’s surf-inspired approach compared to the mainstream?

TR: Taro’s approach is a breath of fresh air. Everything comes back to being a solid carver. Whether it’s Taro’s surf-inspired style or what you see in the X Games, the common thread is being able to put your entire body weight on the rail of your snowboard and push through a turn efficiently. The Gentem guys, including Taro, have put a spotlight on carving—but it’s not alpine carving with hard boots. It’s about wearing softer boots, having softer bindings, and really using your ankles. Your ankles aren’t fixed; you’re using your entire lower body down to your feet to push and follow through on turns. It takes me back to how snowboarding was in the beginning for us. Our equipment was softer, and it wasn’t about having maximum support to land huge tricks. It was about the feel, the flow, and the ability to really lean into turns and flex into tricks.

When and how did Taro’s boot enter the picture for you?

TR: So, I ride my boots into the dirt. I probably haven't had more than ten pairs of boots since I started snowboarding. It's crazy how long I ride my boots [laughter]. I hold them together with Shoe-Goo. It's like a well-worn pair of jeans; they just work for me. But, eventually, I got to the point where I was just backed into a corner, and I needed to get new boots—the boots I was riding were just done. I put out an Instagram solicitation post asking people what boots I should ride, and I got a lot of feedback on Taro’s boot—‘If you want that 90s early 2000s feel, then you need to try the K2 Taro Tamai.’

So I’m asking all these different boot companies to send me their soft boots. I got all these boots and most of the softest boots; they were from the more low-budget side of the brand. They didn't have the bells and whistles of the higher-end boots. They didn't get the internal heel hold; they didn't get the premium dual-zone Boa; they didn't get any of that stuff. So when I got the Taro boot, the first thing I noticed was that it was a softer boot with a softer variable flex, but it also had all of the design details and features that you’d want from a high-end boot.

Based on the feedback that I got on my boot reviews on my Instagram, this is a massive hole in the market for a lot of people who either came up in the early 2000s or people who came up in my generation that can't stand the stiffness of the new boots. If you go try on some of the newer high-end boots out there, it's literally like a ski boot. If you crank that thing down so your heel doesn't move, it feels like a ski boot, and that's the opposite of what I was looking for. So I found the Taro boot, and it was everything I was looking for, and it’s one of the best freestyle boots I've ever ridden.

It's low profile; it doesn't have a huge footprint, and it tucks into a binding really well. Modern snowboard boots, especially in larger sizes, can have a huge footprint, which leads to issues like toe drag. But Taro’s boot is designed to fit well within the profile of your average snowboard width, which is crucial for those deep, powerful carves. It's flexible where you want it to be flexible. It's adjustable with an internal heel harness that you can pull out of there. It has a heat-moldable Intuition liner. It has everything that I was missing in a snowboard boot. It felt like I didn't have to sacrifice anymore, and I didn't know what that was like. So, I'm in heaven.

Do you think there’s potential to market these boots beyond the surf-style crowd?

TR: Absolutely. If Taro’s boot was presented as less of a “surfy” boot and more as a high-end, flexible option that brings back that late ‘90s, early 2000s feel, I think it would resonate with a much broader audience. I see a massive opportunity for this boot, not just for riders into carving and snow-surfing but also for freestyle riders who could benefit from more ankle movement. In today’s snowboarding scene, where you have kids doing technical tricks that mimic skateboarding, having that added flexibility could be a game-changer. For example, street riders and riders heavily influenced by skate would appreciate the boot’s ability to mimic the movements they’re used to on a skateboard.

That’s not everyone, and I get that—Sage [Kotsenburg], for instance, needs a stiff boot like the Orton for support when landing massive drops when he’s going big in something like Natural Selection. But for riders who aren’t hitting hardpack jumps that big or going that far into the backcountry—most riders—Taro’s boot offers a level of flexibility that could really enhance their riding experience. It offers an alternative to the super stiff boots that have become the norm in high-end snowboarding gear. There’s a whole segment of riders out there who don’t need or want that level of stiffness but still want all the premium features.

What sets the K2TT apart in terms of flexibility? Why is that important, and why is it about more than just being stiff or soft?

TR: Having a smart flex in a snowboard boot is crucial. You can tell the companies that do it right, and there are the companies that make the boots soft in like one quadrant of the boot, but it doesn't work like that. The tongue needs to be flexible, and the bottom of the boot needs to be rigid enough to hold your heel down while at the same time allowing the upper part where your calf is and the upper part of your ankle to flex and move. The best thing about these boots is that there's so much adjustability available, and having your foot anchored perfectly in the boot is really important because that's your connection point with your snowboard. Once you nail that, you can loosen it up top for lateral and front-to-back flexibility.

A lot of companies, the way that they mold their boots and the flex point in the tongue is really strange. It almost holds your whole leg rigid instead of allowing the top part of your tongue to flex independently from the lower part of the tongue. That's something that Taro's boot does well, too, is it has those flex points. Also, the Intuition liner wraps around and holds your foot right there, so you can actually have the front lateral movement of the tongue separate from having another bit of movement in the liner. So, the liner keeps you planted while you can loosen up your boot to have that flexibility and independent movement of the boot's shell.

What about flexibility across different types of terrain and different conditions?

TR: That’s one of my favorite things about the boot. It’s a versatile option that offers the best of both worlds—flexibility when you need it but also the ability to crank down for more support in variable conditions. For example, if I’m riding at Bear Mountain or finishing up a run at Hood, I might tighten the Boa for extra support when the snow gets sloppy. It’s great to have that option to fine-tune your setup as the conditions change throughout the day.

At the end of the day, or if you were in the lift line talking shop, who would you recommend these boots to?

TR: Taro’s boots are perfect for riders who want more flexibility and a closer connection to their board. They’re ideal for those who miss the tweakability of the early 2000s when boots were softer, and you had more freedom to move. If you’ve been holding onto an old pair of boots because you can’t find anything that feels the same, Taro’s boot could be the answer.

If you prefer super stiff boots for riding superpipe or boarder-cross, these might not be for you. But I think that’s a small segment of the market. Most riders, especially those who like to have some flexibility in their turns and tricks, will find that Taro’s boot offers something they didn’t even know they were missing. This generation of snowboarders has been conditioned to think that high-end means stiff, but these boots could open their eyes to a different way of riding.

Overall, this boot fills a huge gap in the market. There are a lot of riders out there who don’t want to feel like they’re wearing a ski boot, and this boot offers a comfortable, responsive alternative without sacrificing performance. It’s all about that connection—feeling like your feet are in the board, not on top of it. That’s what makes this boot so special.

Don’t just assume that the stiffest, most expensive boot is the best one for you. Try on a bunch of different boots, and then try on Taro’s. If you do that, I think the decision will be clear.