Collaboration Nation: Burton Snowboards gives ‘Tron’ the boot

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It appears that not even the snowy mountain slopes will be safe from ‘Tron: Legacy’ merchandise mania this winter. Burton Snowboards is selling a version of its Raptor snowboarding boot inspired by the upcoming film.

The boots are black with a holographic-style treatment on the upper part and pops of blue accent (including blue contrast stitching on the straps). Twin trails of orange zigzag across the upper cuff and side of the foot.

The result is sleek and retro sci-fi. I’m half tempted to pick up a pair for myself -- even though I’ve never snowboarded in my life (and I’ve only seen the original ‘Tron’ once).

Although it may seem like an incongrous combination, both have their roots planted firmly in 1982.

In addition to being the year the original ‘Tron’ movie hit theaters, 1982 was the year the fledgling sport -- and Jake Burton Carpenter’s young Vermont-based snowboard-making company with it -- really hit the public consciousness.

Vermont’s ski mountains began to allow snowboarders to hit their slopes that year, and it was in 1982 that the first U.S. Open Snowboarding Championships were held (also in Vermont), an event sponsored then -- as now -- by Burton Snowboards.

The ‘Tron: Legacy’ snowboard boots are available at select Burton retailers and online at Burton’s website for a suggested retail price of $269.95.

-- Adam Tschorn