Salomon Dialogue Lace BOA SJ Review

Hello and welcome to my Salomon Dialogue Lace BOA SJ review.

In this review I will take a look at the Dialogue Lace BOA as all-mountain snowboard boots.

As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Dialogue Lace BOA a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other all-mountain boots.

Overall Rating

Boots: Salomon Dialogue Lace BOA

Price: $399 (USD recommended retail)

Style: All-Mountain 

Flex Rating: Medium

Flex Feel: Medium (6/10)

Rating Score: 89.7/100

Compared to other All-Mountain Boots

Overview of the Dialogue Lace BOA’s Specs

Who are the Dialogue Lace BOA Most Suited to?

The Dialogue Lace BOA are best suited to someone looking for a mid-flexing boot for an eclectic riding style - or a boot that can be used across several boards in a quiver. But best suited to match boards in that 4/10 to 7/10 flex range. 

Particularly good for anyone looking for heaps of adjustability. 

I wouldn't recommend for those with wider feet - but good for narrow to regular width feet. 

The Dialogue Lace BOA in More Detail

Bindings angles: +15/-15

Board Demoed With: Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker 2021

Bindings Demoed With: Burton Malavita

Outersole Length:  30.6cm (mondo 27.5cm)

Difference between Mondo & Outersole: 3.1cm

Backstay Height: 11.5" (29.2cm)

Weight: 2lbs 5oz (1040 grams)*

* Average of a sample of boots I've weighed was 1018g (2lbs 4oz), so marginally heavier than the average, but essentially bang on average weight. Heaviest were 2lbs 15oz (1320g) and lightest were 1lb 10oz (740g). 

Fit

Width: Narrow. I didn't have an issue with them with normal width feet, but I could feel they were narrow. So best suited to someone with regular to narrow width feet. I think even slightly wider than average feet might find these too narrow. 

True to Size?: I'm typically a 10 and these are best in the 9.5 for me. They were too tight when I tried them on initially but after heat molding and riding, they came to feel like they were a good fit - still on the slightly snugger than comfortable side of things, but a little more riding in them and they would be just right I think. So run 1/2 size large. 

High or Low Arch: I felt some pressure on top of my right foot – which is normal for me, especially with new boots. It’s nothing more than I typically feel to start with and got better and better over time – so I don’t think these would be a problem for someone with a high arch.

Responsiveness

Very similar to my control boots (Adidas Tactical ADV) in terms of both quickness of turns at slow speeds and in terms of how hard you can carve in them. If anything ever so slightly better for carves and ever so slightly worse at slow speeds, but they were newer than my control boots. 

Heel Hold

A little bit of heel lift, but pretty subtle. Nothing than I noticed unless I really paid close attention. 

Adjustability

Best of both worlds here. It has an typical internal lacing harness that works on the liner, but in addition to that, it has a boa (accessed from the outside of the boot of course) that works on a harness around the ankle of the liner - so you can re-tighten that without having to open up the outer boot. 

And then for the outer boot, it has traditional lacing, which is great for getting a really customized fit. 

Comfort

Started off too tight and wondered if I should have gone for the 10. Particularly tight around the ankles. But that eased the more I rode them - and would only get better. And by the end of the day, they felt super comfortable - and would only get more comfortable. 

Shock Absorption

Really good shock absorption. In stomp test in office they weren't quite Tactical ADV (my control boots) but nothing I've tested is. On snow they absorbed shock and chatter really well. 

Traction

Some rubber in heel and toe areas. Feels pretty hard and grippy in those areas. The EVA areas have little to no grip, but shouldn’t matter with those rubber sections. Tred is mid depth and pattern is relatively varied.

Felt fine walking across car park, which was subtly icy in patches.

Reduced Footprint

Outer boot is a little longer than average (3.1cm longer than mondo) but nothing super bulky. 

Entry/Exit

A little bit of effort to slip foot in, but nothing major at all. Pretty easy. The lacing harness feels not that sturdy to tighten - with a fairly cheap feeling tag that you pull on.

Takes a little while to tighten the outer boot, just because it’s traditional lace – but worth it for that extra adjustability, IMO. 

Score Breakdown and Final Verdict

The Dialogue Lace BOA is a well made all-round boot for those looking for lots of adjustability in a mid-flexing boot. 

Not for those with a wide foot, but good for narrow to regular width feet.