Salomon Lo Fi Review: Snowboard Boots Review

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.

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:

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.  

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. 

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.