Hello and welcome to my Salomon Lo Fi review.
In this review I will take a look at the Lo-Fi as freestyle snowboard boots.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Lo-Fi a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other freestyle boots.
NOTE: The 2021 model was the last model of the Lo-Fi, so this review will no longer be updated.
Overall Rating
Boots: Salomon Lo-Fi
Price: $399 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Freestyle
Other Uses: All-Mountain
Flex Rating: Medium
Flex Feel: Medium (5.5/10)
Rating Score: 93.0/100
Compared to other Freestyle Boots
Out of the 35 freestyle boots that I rated:
Overview of the Lo-Fi’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Lo-Fi’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freestyle or All-Mountain |
Price: | $399 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Edge-to-edge: | Medium-Fast |
Weight: | Heavier than normal |
Lacing System: | Traditional Lacing with internal Boa |
Who are the Lo-Fi Most Suited to?
The Lo-Fi's are best for anyone looking for a high-end boot that's super comfortable and shock absorbing, but don't want to go too stiff in the flex of their boots. Often the really high-end boots are also quite stiff. The Lo-Fi is a really high-end boot but with a medium flex.
Still not soft enough for beginners, but great for riding freestyle and/or all-mountain.
Pairs well with boards around that 4/10 to 6/10 flex range.
The Lo-Fi in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Lo-Fi are capable of.
Demo Info
Boots: Salomon Lo-Fi 2019
Size: 10 (US Men's Sizing)
Date: January 24, 2020
Conditions: A little rain with warmish temperature. But didn't feel super warm, with the wind.
Visibility was relatively bad but not terrible.
Snow was well groomed with a hint of slushiness on groomer and a little slushy off.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Board Demoed With: Rossignol One LF 2018
Bindings Demoed With: Burton Malavita 2017
Outersole Length: 30.9cm (mondo 28cm)
Difference between Mondo & Outersole: 2.9cm
Backstay Height: 27.1cm
Weight: 1200 grams*
* Average of a sample of boots I weighed was 1006 grams, so a good bit heavier than the average. One of the heavier boots I weighed
Flex
The Lo-Fi are pretty medium. Just marginally stiffer than the Burton Ruler (5/10) and Vans Aura (my testing boots) that I rode the same day, but not by much, so I'd say around 5.5/10
Fit
Width: Before heat-molding felt a little narrower than normal, which is typical for Salomon. But after heat molding they felt more medium. A perfect width for my feet (which are right on regular width) - enough room, but not too much.
True to Size?: I usually wear 10s and the 10s in the Salomon Lo-Fi were the perfect fit for me, so I would say they are true-to-size.
High or Low Arch: About medium. Again before heat molding I felt a bit of pressure on the top of my foot, but after heat molding that wasn't an issue anymore.
Shock Absorption
The Lo-Fi are really cush. Even just walking in them I could feel the shock absorption - and then getting them out on snow could notice it even more. Flat landings were made better in these boots for sure. They have nice cushy foot beds and the sole itself feels really nice and cush and springy. Only real reason I didn't give 5/5 was that the Adidas Tactical ADV is still that touch better.
Board Feel
Despite all that shock absorption, there's actually still some relatively decent board feel going on. Not exceptional, but a good amount considering the shock absorption.
Responsiveness
About what you would expect for the flex, but just a bit more. I found the fit of these boots was just right for me, which helped - a very comfortable but snug fit. The heel hold was exceptional, which also helped.
Adjustability
Great adjustability on these boots. Being traditional lace, you can really dial them in how you like it - whether you want a tighter lower and looser upper or visa versa.
The other great thing about the adjustabilty of these boots, is that you can adjust the inner boa that wraps around the ankle, without having to undo the laces.
If you want to adjust the liner harness, you've still got to undo the upper boot, but it's nice to have that on-the-fly adjustment of that inner boa harness.
Comfort
These boots were super-comfortable for me. I found they fit really snug, but comfortably at the same time, which is the perfect combo. Toes, tops of the feet, ankles everything just felt like it was well cushioned and comfortable.
Only 2 minor things. 1. They were a little harsh on the shins - but nothing major at all and 2. it was an effort to get my feet in and out of them (but that's more of an entry/exit thing).
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Heel Hold
Really really good heel-hold. That internal boa does a great job holding the heel down - and I love that you can easily adjust it on the fly.
Some boots give great heel-hold but can also be a bit harsh around your ankles, I've found, but with the Lo-Fi, I didn't feel the ankles at all, but still got that great heel-hold.
Reduced Footprint
Compared to most Salomon boots, actually not too bad. Still not overly low-profile, but average, rather than being long.
Traction
The sole looks and feels to be really good quality. It's not an epic sole, but looks like it would have good enough traction. I didn't do any major hiking or have an icy car park or anything, so I couldn't really tell from that, but based on sole inspection, decent without being epic.
Entry/Exit
The biggest downside of the Lo-Fi is the entry exit. Firstly, getting my feet into them was quite an effort. When I first tried them on, I thought I had the size wrong and that they were going to be too tight - but once the feet are in, they fit super-well.
I think part of that effort is the tight stretchy fabric on the outer boot that runs across the top of the foot under the laces - just makes it more difficult to really open the boot out.
Also, being traditional lace, that makes them take a little longer to get on and off.
But that's a small complaint compared to the performance and comfort of these boots, when you do get them on and start riding.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
SHOCK ABSORPTION | 4.5 | 18/20 |
BOARD FEEL | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
RESPONSE | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
ADJUSTABILITY | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
COMFORT | 4.0 | 12/15 |
HEEL HOLD | 4.5 | 9/10 |
REDUCED FOOTPRINT | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TRACTION | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 93.0/100 |
The Lo-Fi's are a great all-round boot. The price isn't the lowest going around, but you do get a really high-end, comfortable boot, that is highly adjustable, has great shock absorption and great heel hold.
These boots were a joy to ride in and I'm going to be seriously considering keeping these ones.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you’re interested in learning more about the Lo-Fi, are ready to buy or want to research current prices and sizing availability, check out the links below.
If you want to see how the Lo-Fi compared to other freestyle boots, or want to check out some other options, check out the link below.
Hi,
These or the Salomon Dialogue Boa?
Board: Lib tech Orca
Bindings: Bent Mental Axtion
All Mountain Riding (Japan this winter WHV)
Hi Alex
Thanks for your message.
I would be leaning Dialogue BOA, just because they’re a little stiffer – and are a better match to the Orca, IMO. But there’s not much in it flex-wise, so if you really liked the Lo Fi or could get a really good deal on them, they’re an option that works. I’m assuming you’re looking at a past season or used pair of the Lo Fi, given they haven’t been in production for a few years now. But yeah, if price isn’t a thing, I’d be leaning Dialogue for the little bit of extra stiffness/response.
Hope this helps
Thanks Nate,
I decided to go with the:
Salomon Dancehaul – Bent Mental Axtion setup.
Offers:
Past season (2020) – Can pick them up for £150.00 – Lo Fi
Dialogue (2022) £200
Nearest shop to me is 100 miles so did the awkward thing of buying online.
My foot size – is 269cm, so I tried on a Mono 275cm UK 8.5 & 280cm – UK 9 still far too tight, my little toe went numb and feels like it’s crossing over the other toe. Heels fine.
Do you think a 9.5? 285cm Mono?
I usually wear a 9/9.5 trainer.
Try the dialogue still or Lofi or another recommended shoe?
Going for that ‘the best shoe is the shoe that fits’!
Hi Alex
With your foot size, you should be able to get into a UK9 at least – I would say UK8.5 or 9 for your footsize is most likely. If they still feel too tight in a UK9, then I’m thinking they may be too narrow for your feet – particularly when you mention it’s your little tow that’s going numb. Salomon boots are the narrowest boots out there (that I’ve tried), so I suspect it’s width and in a wider fitting boot, I think you’d be good in a UK9. Have you e ever measured the width of your feet? It might pay to try a different brand. Some more to check out below:
Sizing Snowboard Boots: The Different Brands
Wide Snowboard Boots for Wide Feet
And yeah, fit is the most important thing, I should have mentioned. Flex is the next most important thing. If you can, I’d match the dancehaul with something 6/10 to 7/10 flex, but yeah, fit is most important.
Thanks for all this Nate =)
I got some wider fits: Adidas
Response (Size 9 UK)
Feels so much better straight out the box, tips of toes are touching and both front ones feel a little oww after half hour or so in the house but no heel lift and not significant pain compared to the others. Tried 8.5 but think its probably a bit too tight…?
Also tried the Tactical Lexicon but the Response just felt dreamy out of them all and the boa, is super easy to get my foot in and out.
They’re noisy though, sound like they need some oil haha but happy!
Hi Alex
Great to hear they’re fitting better. It sounds to me like the UK9s are the best fit in the Response. With tips of toes just touching the edges, it sounds perfect. They will break in and pack out a little bit, so that’s just what you want when fitting them, typically. Can’t say for sure how they’ll break in for you, but typically I find boots break in nicely when they feel like that for me. Hopefully the noise will quieten with a bit of breaking in too!