About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the snowboard boot, which I purchased with my own money in May of 2022.

My take

The Salomon Ivy Snowboard Boots have a medium to stiff flex and would be a great choice for any intermediate to advanced snowboarder, especially one leaning towards a freestyle vibe. These boots have a comfortable liner and are a great choice for all-day riding.

About this gear

• Model: 2022 Salomon Ivy Boa SJ Snowboard Boots
• Size: 8.5
• Lacing type: Double Boa

About me

• Height: 5’7”
• Weight: 130 lbs
• Street shoe size: 8.5
• Foot shape: Regular to slightly narrow
• Experience: 23+ years of snowboarding

Test conditions

• When I bought these: May 2022
• Days tested: 4 days
• Board: Salomon Abstract & Pallas Epiphany Split
• Bindings: Salomon Highlander & Union Explorer Split
• Where I’ve used it: Mt. Hood & Backcountry Splitboarding
• Terrain: Park, groomers, soft spring powder, uneven terrain in the backcountry

How they perform

What I was looking for

I have a very soft flexing pair of boots, the Ride Sage, and while they have their place, I was looking for a stiffer, more responsive boot to add to my collection. I like to ride fast and off-piste and I splitboard a lot, but I also like to ride with a freestyle flair and sometimes hit the park, so I didn’t want the stiffest boot out there, but rather a medium to stiff flex.

Why I chose this gear

I wanted a comfortable boot that was easy to get on and off and was also very adjustable. I was also looking for a boot with an extra grippy sole for splitboarding as well. I looked at the Burton Limelight and the Ride Hera as well, but I had heard great things about Salomon Boots so I wanted to try them out. I also read that they run a bit narrow, and I thought they would fit my narrow foot the best.

What I love about it

• Size: The sizing is pretty spot on with these boots. I would say they run a bit narrow, which is perfect for my foot. I got my street shoe size of 8.5, and initially, my toes were touching so I felt like they might be a little small. After a few runs, though, the heel locked in, and now they are perfect. A boot fitting really helps too, as these are heat-moldable.
• Comfort: The liner used is soft and comfortable for many hours on the slopes. Salomon uses heat-moldable multi-density foams throughout these boots making them really comfortable in all the right places!
• Heel hold: The heel hold on these boots is fantastic. Salomon uses a BOA Straightjacket design. That’s right, they call it the STR8JKT, and the mold they use for the heel grabs and holds your foot in place amazingly. The side BOA knob is then used to strategically pull across the front of your ankle to lock you in.
• Shock absorption: The Ivy boots provide great shock absorption. I rode these boots in the park, and the landings were damp and a lot of shock seemed to be absorbed on impact. I also used these while splitboarding over uneven terrain and they absorbed any chatter and shock from the snow easily and comfortably.
• Responsiveness: These boots are very responsive, mostly due to the customized fit you can get with them. The fact that they offer such great heel hold and the double BOA knobs to get the perfect fit, combined with the medium-stiff flex, makes them quick and responsive through every turn I make.
• Grip: The Feather Outsole that Salomon uses on these boots is great. It uses a combination of EVA and rubber that is cushy and comfortable, yet surprisingly lightweight. The design of the soles helps to dig in when bootpacking as well. I’ve had no issues slipping in these.
• Ease of use: There is one quick pull on the liner inside that is fast and easy to use, and the two Boa knobs are quick to tighten and loosen. I find these boots very easy to use and get in and out of quickly and efficiently.
• Durability: Being in the backcountry always gives a good representation of how durable something is, and so far these boots are still holding up great. There are no major signs of wear yet, the BOA system is still working flawlessly, and the liner still feels cushy.
• Weight: These boots are average or above average as far as weight goes. I do not feel weighed down by them at all, and the outsole feels especially lightweight due to the components used.
• Versatility: I don’t think it gets much more versatile than using these in the park one day and in the backcountry the next. They provide great comfort when landing jumps, they are really responsive when making quick turns in trees, and they feel really good skinning uphill. I love the medium to stiff flex for the versatility and support.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Warmth: I don’t have issues with cold feet, so I wouldn’t consider this an issue, but I don’t see anything about them that makes them stand out as far as warmth. If anything, the fact that they run a little narrow could cut down on space to wiggle toes for some people and feel a little chilly on cold days.

Favorite moment with this gear

Hands down my favorite moment with this gear was hiking up Mt. Bachelor after the season was over on the longest day of the year. It took about two hours to hike up, it was quiet, nobody else was around, and we got some amazing views of the sunset over the mountains. We snowboarded down from the summit after 9pm with glowing pink skies all around us. The boots kept my feet comfy on both the up and down and I had no blisters to show!

Value for the money vs. other options

I think these are a great value. Compared to the other models I looked at, these ones were MSRP $299 while the rest were well over $300. The Burton Limelight and the Ride Hera both come in right around $330. I also looked at the Vans Viaje, which do have a bit more adjustability and are a little stiffer, but they sit at about $380. For what you get with the Salomon Ivy’s I think they are a great deal!

Final verdict

For any intermediate to advanced rider with a freestyle flair, these boots are perfect. They are responsive, they have the perfect amount of flex, and have an amazingly comfortable liner that is able to be custom molded to your foot.