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Salomon Malamute Snowboard Boot Review

Boots - Boot Reviews

 
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 3.0 (2)

Salomon Malamute Snowboard Boot Review
malamute-black_1
$320
Advanced to Expert Freeride to All Mountain
The Salomon Malamute boot is the Burton Driver X's main competitor.  It's stiff, mean, aggressive and one of the most expensive boots Salomon sells.  If you like a stiff freeride boot it's seriously stiff and will last a very long time.  This isn't low profile like the Salomon F Series but given it's stiffness you can deal with a size 10 being a size 10.  The speed lacing system isn't quick like some of its competitors but you can custom adjust the lower and each rung of the upper.  To us at the good ride that makes the Salomon Malamute one of the most adjustable boots you can buy.  Salomon boots are known for not packing out and lasting a long time.  The Malamute is also able to bend any board to its will and is one of the top freeride choices you can make.  The Malamute is a serious snowboard boot with amazing turn initiation.  If you combine this boot with a stiff binding and a good freeride snowboard you'll have a good ride.  If you have a big foot or large calfs the Malamute might run a bit tight.  It also has a cuff that has a bend designed at the ankle to make the forward lean easier.  Some prefer an articulating cuff over this style but these are some minor issues you could face.  All in all this is one of the better stiff freeride boots you can choose.  Not much has changed from 2011 to 2012 and both are great boots.

How It Rides
Flex Stiff
Upper Adjustability
 Excellent
Traction Good
Comfort Excellent
Lower Adjustability
 Excellent
Sole Cushioning
 Good
Heel Hold
 Excellent
Response Excellent
Board/Binding Integration Excellent

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The Good Ride Take

A quick look at the 2012 Salomon Malamute

      

The Good Ride Take on Salomon

Boards
Salomon is small compared to some companies but they have the complete line up and a very strong following.  You will either love or hate a Salomon board.  Salomon makes a very fast and damp all mountain to freeride board that seems to feel best at high speeds.  It is really scary how fast it is.  They have also made a solid effort to make some pretty good park boards as well and won some Good Wood Award's in the park and pipe.  If you are looking for something a bit off the beaten path Salomon might work for you. 
Boots
It is almost undisputed amongst most knowledgeable riders that Salomon has some of the best boots out there.  They have spent a lot of time making a boot that fits well and that won’t pack out much.  Even though there is a semi-traditional lacing system it still has a speed lace tightening system and it can lock at each rung on the upper part of the boot.  Some complain that the Salomon boot runs a bit narrow so if you have wide feet think twice.  Also others complain that it can take longer than some boots to make them comfortable for your feet. 
Bindings
Salomon’s bindings are not as popular as their boards and boots but still do a good job competing with the other big name brands. They are reliable and well made and have a more traditional old school feel compared to the leading companies.  That being said the turn initiation and general feeling is good so these could work for you.

 

Company Info

Salomon Malamute 2012

Malamute


Rapid Response

Energize every action in the Malamute, featuring our unique Asymmetrical Flex Shell and Power liner with internal heel strap and energizer bars. A long-time favorite of the All-Mountain mafia, the Malamute's a comfortable, cold-blooded killer.

  • Boot Flex
  • asymmetrical 9
  • Boot Lacing
  • Powerlace Pro
  • Boot Outsole
  • Spring
  • Boot Footbed
  • Conform'able
  • Boot Concept
  • Power
  • Boot Foam
  • Full Custom Fit Pro

    •  

    Salomon Malamute 2011

    Turn up the heavy metal and get ready for steep descents. Our most responsive boot features an asymmetrical flex for long lasting support with an unbeatable fit. Make powerful moves at every elevation.
    Outsole
    Spring
    Foot Bed
    Conformable , Mystic Footbeds

    Salomon Malamute 2010

    MALAMUTE

    $320.00

    A Tradition of Excellence

    FLEX: 5

    The Malamute’s reputation as the best freeride boot in the world is well earned. Over ten years of innovation and solid performance for thousands of riders have kept the Malamute in a class of its own. Full Customfit foam and supportive anatomical archite

    Lacing One-Pull Quicklace Liner, Powerlace Pro
    Liner Power Liner
    Foam Full Custom Fit Pro
    Outsole Spring Outsole
    Footbed Conform'able™ Footbed
    Upper Energizer Bars
    Features+ Asym Flex, Extra Wing, Internal Heel Strap, Wash and Wear, Agion™

     

    Sizing Chart

    Pictures

    Salomon Malamute 2012

    Salomon Malamute 2011

    Salomon Malamute 2010



    Other Reviews

     

     

    Compare Laces & Sizing

    BOA vs. Speed Lace vs. Traditional Lace
    A Snowboard Boot Lacing System Comparison by The Good Ride.

    The Good Ride Take on BOA Boots- A BOA Boot has a steel cable attached to some sort of plastic Coiler mechanism that tightens the boot instead of laces.  There are 2 main types of BOA boots.  
    1. Single BOA- This uses just one BOA Coiler to adjust the entire boot.
    2. Double BOA - This uses 2 BOA Coilers for upper and lower adjusting.  Some have 1 for the outside and 1 for the inside but most are for upper and lower. 
    BOA boots are the easiest to get on, get off and adjust out of any boot.  Single BOA boots have the least upper/lower adjustability of any boot because the bottom and top is tightened by one coil. If you have a Double BOA (2 Dials for upper and lower) they are closer to other lacing systems but still not as good.  Both the upper and lower dials adjust the ankle in the same place.  This means you don't have complete separation like you do with Speed Lace and most Traditional Lace Boots.  The biggest issue with BOA boots is if they break it requires a shop or the manufacturer to fix them.   It’s usually not the cable that breaks but the dials.   Out of all the boots you can crank a BOA tighter than any other boot which can be a good or bad thing.  There have been some complaints that BOA boots can have some pressure points from the cable system when tightened too tight.   The bottom line is BOA tech is a cool technological advancement that will work well with many riders and is super easy to adjust.  In the end it comes down to personal preference and BOA could be right for you.

    The Good Ride Take on Traditional Lace- Traditional Lace is what most people know.  It’s reliable and easy to repair.  Lace boots take a lot more effort than BOA or Speed Lace.  Also many riders complain about blisters in attempts to get them tight.  Some Lacing systems have handles at the top that connect to the laces and we love this.  Another thing we like is when the upper lace hooks hold the lace in place so each section can tighten independently.  When you have this along with a handle connected to the end of the laces it’s more adjustable than BOA and Speed lace.  We really like this but it’s almost not a traditional lace boot.  It’s more a hybrid but whatever you call it we like it!  However it’s not great in terms of the time it takes to get things dialed out or make minor adjustments on the hill.

    The Good Ride Take on Speed Lace- Speed lace is a perfect compromise between BOA and Traditional lace.  It’s almost as fast as BOA and more adjustable.  Some Traditional Lace is just as adjustable but speed lace is easier to do so.  We really like how the upper and lower laces are 100% separate. This is a huge advantage over BOA Boots and some traditional laces that don’t lock at each hook.   Speed Lace is super easy to tighten up and dial out.  It’s also pretty easy to make small adjustments throughout the course of the day.   If the laces break out on the hill it will be a lot more difficult to fix than traditional laces but it can be done without help from a shop or sending it back.   If you are a 100 day a year rider then plan on changing out your laces half way through the season.   We have been lucky so far and never had one break on the hill because any time they start to get frayed they break.  We mainly ride speed lace boots but we aren't that high on ourselves to say that's the way it should be.  Everyone is different.

    All lacing systems have strengths and weaknesses.  It’s up to you to figure out what will work the best.

     

     

     

    User reviews

    Average user rating from: 2 user(s)

     
    Overall Rating:
     
    		 3.0
     
     

    Another Excellent Boot by Salomon

    1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
    If you're an aggressive all mountain or freerider it really comes down to these and the Burton Driver X. I like Burton boots but Salomons just fit me better. I was impressed how well my Synapse wides held up over 4 seasons and 100 days of riding total so my search was short.

    I've avoided the the Malamute in the past because I really thought it would be too stiff. It is a stiff boot but only slightly stiffer than the synapse, and it doesn't give that uncomfortable ski boot feeling like many stiff boots of the past. Pretty light overall and quality construction throughout.

    I still like to get my all mountain freestyle on when I can. The Malamute did take me back a few notches in that area of my riding, but with about 15 days on the hill they're starting to loosen up a little and now I'm back to solid grabs. I've found I can dial the tightness in a little better than my Synapses. Part of this has to do with a couple of additional features that really clamp down the heel. This is nice because you can adjust the tightness of the outer laces without giving up much internal hold. I haven't found better foot hold than what this boot offers.

    Lacing is a little slow but speed isn't on my list of features. The lace locks at each point are a nice feature and this is the first boot I've used where I didn't have to retighten throughout the day.

    The thing that surprised me most is how easy it makes manipulating a stiffer board. I feel like I have more control without limiting board performance or having the board ride me.

    There are a couple of downsides I've found with this boot. One is the cushioning. I'd just like to see a little more in the padding dept. whether it's gel or air. This seems to be the case with most Salomon boots for some reason. The other is cost. These aren't cheap but the performance, quality, and fit is worth the price in my opinion. The toe seems a little tall as well. This may or may not be a problem with some cap straps. The boots seem to fit much better with my burton straps than with the flux straps.

    You'll want to try these on before you buy. I ended up with an 11 and usualy wear a 12. I have a slightly wider than average foot and sometimes go with a wide shoe. These really didn't feel much narrower than the new synapse wides I tried, but obviously fit is unique to the individual.

    In all an excellent product with few shortcomings.



    Overall Rating:
     
    		 5.0
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    Reviewed by JS
    January 10, 2012
     
     

    Bone Spurs

    4 of 6 people found the following review helpful
    I upgraded last year from my 2year old F22's to the Malmutes. Overall it is a good boot but has one major flaw. They use plastic buckles on the inner liner that is right above the ankle at the front of the leg. The pressure from these buckles have started to give me bone spurs. The local Salomon store just brushed me off and were no help.

    The F22 used a fabric buckle instead of a plastic one which to me was a better design.
    Overall Rating:
     
    		 1.0
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    Reviewed by Eric
    October 13, 2010