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Salomon Dialogue Snowboard Boot Review

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 3.0 (3)

Salomon Dialogue Snowboard Boot Review
boots_dialogue_jpn_1
$240
Intermediate to Expert All Mountain Freestyle
The Dialogue has been around for a while and that is why many people swear by this mid flexing boot. It lasts a long time and works well anywhere in the mountain or park.  It's slow to lace up but the adjustability and performance is worth it. The Dialogue has a pretty low profile and the sole cushioning is more on the skate shoe side. That means you have more feel with the board and less sole cushioning.  For 2011 the dialogue added a bit more articulation at the ankle that you could call an articulating cuff.  Salomon just makes great long lasting boots and although this might not be for everyone the Dialogue could work very well for the right rider.  If you have large calves or wide feet Salomon might not be the best choice.  For 2012 Salomon did a little more work on the improvements from 2011 and made the articulation throughout the boot a little more flex friendly.  They call it re-flex tech but whatever you want to call it we like it.  It helps the boot last longer then the average boot without articulation points throughout the boot. The 2012 Dialogue is the call but the 2011 isn't bad either.

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

Compare Prices & Reviews


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The Good Ride Take

A quick look at the 2012 Salomon Dialogue

    

 

Salomon Speed Lace
Salomon is a combo of traditional lace and speed lace.  They have thinner lace than traditional but thicker than speed lace.  They also have one big handle that attaches to both laces so you can yank this thing tight if you need to.  It also has a good upper and lower adjustment setting.  The boot has a lock at the ankle so you can adjust the upper and lower separately.  This is not as easy to adjust as a speed lace but it’s more reliable.

 

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.

The Good Ride Take on Articulating Cuffs
If you don't know what an articulating cuff is the upper and lower panels of the boot are separate.   The top cuff is only attached at the back and then wraps around the front.   When you flex forward it doesn't stretch out the boot and over time it stays closer to its original shape and stiffness.  It also creates a more natural and comfortable forward flex when riding.  It can be made to be stiff or very soft and is generally more comfortable than a standard boot.  We love this tech!

 

Company Info

Salomon Dialogue 2012

Dialogue

 

Reflex

The Dialogue has been the lightweight, low-profile leader for years. For 11/12 we go to the next-level on this classic, best-selling boot and offer our new, upgraded Reflex construction. Lower Reflex panels minimize strap/pad pressure and pain, upper Reflex provides a perfectly powerful flexing cuff that never buckles or binds. Drop in our new Lo-Fi outsole, Mystic 3 Footbeds and the Dialogue is a legend reborn.

  • Boot Flex
  • powerlace pro
  • Boot Outsole
  • Lo-Fi
  • boot_features
  • Heel Grip, Wash and Wear
  • Boot Footbed
  • Mystic Foot Bed Level 3
  • Boot Concept
  • Balance Level 2
  • Boot Foam
  • Custom Fit


    • Salomon Dialogue 2011

    Do you want a long lasting flex and a freestyle boot that can survive 100+ days a season? Our new Reflex Construction dials in a smooth, crease-less flex for unrestricted movement on jibs, jumps and all mountain trickery.

    Tech

    Flex Type
    Reflex Upper
    Lacing
    Powerlace Pro
    Outsole
    Zero G
    Liner
    Balance Level 2

    Salomon Dialogue 2010

    $240.00

    Freestyle Freedom

    FLEX: 3

    Like it bright? Subtle? Wide? Eco? The Dialogue has you covered. This freestyle classic has quick laces, amazing out-of-the-box fit and more support for landing tricks outside the boundary lines.

    Lacing One-Pull Quicklace Liner, Powerlace Pro
    Liner Balance Liner
    Foam CustomFit Perf
    Outsole Dolby
    Footbed Pre-shaped Bamboo Footbed
    Features+ Wash and Wear, Extra Wing


    Pictures

    Salomon Dialogue 2012

    Salomon Dialogue 2011

    Salomon Dialogue 2010



    Other Reviews


    Compare Laces

    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: 3 user(s)

     
    Overall Rating:
     
    		 3.0
     
     

    Quality has gone downhill

    0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
    I have a pair of Dialogues from '09 (I think) with the same tying system as the 2012's and I love them! The only reason I bought the 2012's was because my '09's have about 100 days on them and they're pretty flatted down and smell like absolute hell! The 2012's are comfy and stiff like I like 'em, but the tying system components are terrible. The first pair I got were just plain broken (top lace holder on outside was barely connected...it spun around), and now the second pair just will not stay tightened. I'm having to stop and re-tighten after nearly every run. I'm back in my '09's and dealing with the smell until I can find another boot wide enough for my caveman feet.

    Really bummed me out Salomon...
    Overall Rating:
     
    		 2.0
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    Reviewed by AlpyBoarder
    March 12, 2012
     
     

    Dialogue review

    0 of 0 people found the following review helpful
    I have the 2011 Dialogue from Solomon and def not 100% pleased with the product. Its a very comfortable boot to wear, easy to put on but the tying system is not up to par. First off, the inner tying system is very weak as the last reviewer also noticed. It does not lock easily and sometimes does not lock at all...which means ankle hold can get very loose after some hard riding. Furthermore, the outer and inner shell never seem to line up properly into a compact unit when you try to lace up in the end. I'm pretty sure I would not buy another similar boot.

    cheers.
    Overall Rating:
     
    		 3.0
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    Reviewed by East Coast Shredder
    January 13, 2012
     
     

    Needs better tying system

    4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
    I bought my fist pair of Dialogues in 2005 and used them right up to 2010, they were undamaged and still comfortable but getting so soft, I decided to upgrade. I looked hard at Flow and Burton boots - I loved the tying systems on these boots, but FLOW looked a bit weak while Burtons overpriced (Drop your prices on everything Burton) The Salomon Dialogues 2010-2011 model appealed to me, but from the start I was a bit pensive about the tying system - I finally bought them based on my past experience and price. I have used them hard now for 18 days and the tying system has the following problems - the inner liner cord lock system is very small and very weak - from the start I was unable to get it to lock the cord in, the outer shell cord is also very hard to tighten on the lower part of the boot, I think there is too much friction so the lace won't slide through the eyes, I put a ring there so I can give it a pull where needed, I am totally disappointed with the slow tying system - where other boot makers have taken a step forward Salomon has taken a step back.
    On the upside, and maybe this is the most important point, comfort and support second to none, once you do get these boots tigthened and laced up properly you don't have to touch them for the rest of the day, on very cold days (Like minus 15 C) my feet did get cold but otherwise once warmed up these boots are cozy. Would I buy these boots again ? - NO unless Salomon improves their tying system, they have lost me as a customer and that is hard for me to say.
    Overall Rating:
     
    		 4.0
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    Reviewed by mike464646
    March 07, 2011