Adidas Tactical ADV Review

Hello and welcome to my Adidas Tactical ADV review.

In this review I will take a look at the Tactical ADV as all-mountain snowboard boots.

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

NOTE: The 2022 model was the last model of this boot, so, naturally, this review has not been updated beyond the 2022 model. 

Overall Rating

Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV

Price: $350 (USD recommended retail)

Style: All-Mountain 

Flex Rating: Medium (6/10)

Flex Feel: Medium (6/10)

Rating Score: 93.5/100

Compared to other All-Mountain Boots

Out of the 35 all-mountain boots that I rated:

Who are the Tactical ADV Most Suited to?

The Tactical ADV is a great option for anyone looking for a mid-flexing boot for a varied riding style. Even more suitable for anyone looking for something low profile. The Tactical ADV is the most low profile boot I've measured - and I found it fits half a size smaller, so you get an even shorter outersole on your boot to fit on narrower boards. 

Not fully beginner friendly, but certainly anyone from low-intermediate and up. 

Board Demoed With: Rossignol One LF 2018

Bindings Demoed With: Burton Malavita 2017

Outersole Length:  29.3cm (mondo 27.5cm)

Difference between Mondo & Outersole: 1.8cm (the lowest I've measured of any other boot - except the Adidas Acerra, which I measured at a mere 1.5cm more on the outersole vs the mondo. 

Backstay Height: 28.5cm

Weight: 1080 grams*

* Average of a sample of boots I weighed was 1006 grams, so a just a little heavier than the average, but pretty close to average. Heaviest were 1320 grams and lightest were 740 grams. 

Fit

Width: Like most Adidas boots, the Tactical ADV have a wide toe box. I don't have wide feet but I've heard from a lot of wide footed riders that these are great for wide feet. But even without wide feet, they fit really well, so not an issue for non-wide footers. Overall plenty of wiggle room for toes (length, width and on top), without being loose.

True to Size?: The Tactical ADVs run half a size large for me. So, that means, if you usually ride a 10, then this works best in a 9.5. i.e. going for a half size down than what you'd normally ride in. So, already being low profile, this makes them even smaller - so if you're looking to get on a narrower board and want boots that allow that, these are pretty much the best option by a good margin, IMO. 

High or Low Arch: Felt about average to me. I have a flat left foot, and a normal to low arched right foot. I had no issues with the top of my right foot in this boot.    

Responsiveness

Nice and responsive for their flex. I found I had the perfect snug but comfortable fit in the 9.5, with good heel hold. All of which helped with the response. But at around that 6/10 flex, they strike a really good balance between being easy to maneuver at slower speeds, but still being able to get quite deep on carves at speed. 

Heel Hold

The heel hold was actually pretty decent - better than a lot of traditional laced boots I've tested. This of course comes somewhat down to getting the right fit, but with the right size/fit, they have good heel hold. 

Adjustability

Being traditional lace, you have a lot of control over adjusting different sections of the boot independently. So good adjustability in that sense. There isn't anything extra (like heel hold kits, tongue stiffeners, or like an internal boa that allows you to adjust the liner on the fly) - just the laces, plus standard internal lacing and velcro on the sides of the top of the liner - but it works well and just having that trad lacing gives you plenty of adjustability. 

Let’s Break up this text with a Video

Comfort

If found these boots super comfortable from the moment I put them on. After heat molding things got even more comfortable. They provided a really snug feeling, with no pressure points, no cramping - just the perfect fit and nice and comfortable from the start. 

Shock Absorption

This is the best boot I've ridden in terms of shock absorption. Adidas use their boost technology on these and they stand out above every other boot I've tested, and there is a good range in shock absorption in boots - so it's no mean feat to be the best here.

Board Feel

Given all that shock absorption, I thought he board feel would be worse. It's not the ultimate in board feel for sure, but it's not terrible either. I would say 3.5/5. 

Traction

These boots have decent traction without being anything epic. 

Reduced Footprint

The best in the business, IMO. They fit best half a size down, which helps straight away, but on top of that they're the lowest profile boot I've measured (along with the Adidas Acerra). It's basically like going from riding a size 10 boot, to riding a boot with the outersole of the average 8.5. So you really can go narrower. It was very obvious strapping in, even without measuring, that these boots were heavily reduced in outersole footprint. 

Entry/Exit

Not the easiest to get in and out of, just in terms of the traditional lacing, but was easy enough getting the foot in and out of - just that there's the extra time to do the laces vs something like Boa or Speed Lace. But not a big factor, IMO, espcially when everything else is so good. 

The Tactical ADVs are probably the best boot I've ridden. Certainly the best mid-flexing boot. If you're looking for something mid-flexing with great comfort, next level shock absorption and need a boot that's low profile, the Tactical ADV should be high on your list.