Salomon Ivy BOA Review

Hello and welcome to my Salomon Ivy BOA review.

In this review I will take a look at the Ivy BOA as freestyle snowboard boots.

As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Ivy BOA a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other women's freestyle boots.

Overall Rating

Boots: Salomon Ivy BOA

Price: $339 (USD recommended retail)

Style: Freestyle

Other Uses: All-Mountain

Flex Rating: Medium

Flex Feel: Medium-Soft (4/10)

Rating Score: 81.0/100

Compared to other Women's Freestyle Boots

Out of the 17 women's freestyle boots that I rated:

Overview of the Ivy BOA’s Specs

Check out the tables for the Ivy BOA’s specs and available sizes.

Specs

Who are the Ivy BOA Most Suited to?

The Ivy BOA are best suited to those looking for a softer flexing, easy going boot for creative freestyle riding where you want a lot of freedom and board feel - or for beginners or more casual riders not looking to ride at super fast speeds and for who comfort and agility at slow speeds are more important than support for high speed carves. 

Best matched with softer flexing boards in that 2/10 to 4/10 flex range ideally, but doable up to 5/10 flex boards. 

The Ivy BOA in More Detail

Rider Height: 5"7" (170cm)

Rider Weight: 125lbs (56kg)

Rider Boot Size: Women's US8.0 (Ride Hera as Control Boot)

Outersole Length: 27.6cm (mondo 25cm)

Difference between Mondo & Outersole: 2.6cm

Backstay Height: 10.6" (27cm)

Weight: 1lbs 13oz ( 820grams)*

* Average of a sample of  women's boots I've weighed was 1lbs 15oz (880g). Heaviest I've weighed were 2lbs 10oz (1200g) and lightest were 1lb 10oz (740g). 

Fit

Width: From first try on they were on the narrower side, but not uncomfortably so. On the lateral side (pinky toe) toes were slightly cramped but not really what I'd call a pressure point. Good amount of room on medial (big toe) side. 

After heat molding and riding in them was still a little cramped on lateral (pinky) side, and a slight pressure point, but nothing major and would likely get better as they molded even further to my feet. 

True to Size?: Upon first try on big toe was just touching the end, with a very minor amount of pressure. Other toes just not touching but close. But overall comfortable length-wise. Some wiggle room for tops of toes. Not quite as much as my control boots, but good amount. 

After heat molding and riding in them, that pressure at end of big toe was completely gone. None of my toes were quite touching the end at this point but the boots overall certainly didn't feel too big or anything. So I'd say true-to-size, for sure. 

Top of Foot (instep): They were snug on top of my feet but no pressure points - both when I first tried on and when riding in them.  

Around Ankles: Very comfortable around ankles from the time I tried them on and that didn't change in the on-snow testing. 

Shock Absorption

When doing the stomp test at home, it felt like the Ivy Boas absorbed shock a little better than my control boots (Ride Hera) but when testing on snow, I didn't notice much difference between them. I'd still say slightly better at absorbing shock than my control boots but quite subtly so. Most boots are better than my control boots, so not a great deal of shock absorption in these boots. 

Board Feel

Very good board feel in these boots. Quite similar to my control boots. One plus of less shock absorption is that it does tend to help with board feel. 

Responsiveness

At slow speeds the boots are very reactive, and small adjustments are quick and easy.

However, at even medium speeds (and certainly high speeds too), the boots feel too flexible (not supportive enough) to make big carves with a lot of confidence. 

Adjustability

Whilst these are double boa boots, they don't work like typical double boa boots (where one boa tightens lower half of boot and other tightens top half). Instead, the front boa controls the cables for the entire outer boot. And the side boa controls the "straight jacket" which works to tighten around the liner around the ankle area. 

Comfort

Apart from slight pressure points on my pinky toes, these boots were overall otherwise very comfortable. 

Heel Hold

Heel lift is very minimal, which is always nice. Whilst the straightjacket boa system isn't great for outer boot adjustability, it is good for helping with heel hold. 

Entry/Exit

Pretty easy to get foot in. A little easier than the average boot for me. 

The lacing system is smooth and easy to work with as well. So overall nice and easy to get in and out of. 

Score Breakdown and Final Verdict

The Ivy Boa offer really good comfort and heel hold and are nice and reactive and easy to turn with at slower speeds. 

They become less enjoyable when trying to ride faster and more aggressively in them, so best suited to more casual riders and beginners or those looking to get creative with freestyle riding.