Salomon F3.0 2015 - 2013 Review by The Good Ride

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The Salomon F 3.0 Snowboard Boot is a very well made very reduced footprint boot that works with a wide variety of boards.  For the last 3 years, the boot hasn’t changed much and it’s always been a very recommendable boot.

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews.  No one is perfect and we do make money from the “Where To Buy” links below, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

Days:  1 but many more coming as I own it this year
Riders: James
Bindings:  Burton Cartel,
Boards:  Jones Mountain Twin

James’ Foot Specs
Foot Size: Right 9 and Left 8.75
Foot Width: Right and Left between a D/E
Arch Length: Right 9.5 and Left 9
Calves (Widest Point): 17”
Calves (At top of boot): 12”

Approximate Weight: The Size 9 F3.0 weighs 2.2lbs per boot and 4.4 per pair.

Fit: Feels true to size.  My size 9 feet fit a size 9 boot very well. The F Series boots run a little on the narrow/snug side and they feel like there is a little less room for my toes to wiggle in the toe box but it’s not uncomfortable.  It feels about the same as Nike boots….maybe a touch wider.

Flex:  Nice middle ground flex that feels like it’s supporting you but also allowing you to move.

Turn Initiation: Nice easy response edge to edge and the kind of response that can work with a quiver of boards.  These are the kind of boots that turn a freestyle board without making it twitchy and then change up to a Freeride board with semi-challenging tun initiation and be just fine.  If you want more response then go with the 4.0 but I’m more preferential to the middle ground response here.

Comfort:  Very solid comfort factor here. Upon putting them on they felt like they were made around my feet.  Also, the boots roll in a bit on the inside so it’s a little easier on the hips, knees, etc if you aren’t in canted bindings.  If you are in Canted bindings it still works just fine.

Heel Hold:  So Salomon has a different design along the heel that gives it a little more hold than other boots out there. The BOA versions in Salomon’s line crank down a little more but this is pretty close to the Synapse Mary rides. The reduced footprint with the 3.0 is so much better than the Synapse that it’s worth it.

Adjustability:  Pretty good adjustability here.  It’s unconventional and a little awkward at first but you can dial out your fit really well.  There are 2 velcro straps around the bottom of the boot.  Then there is a strap for around the ankle that locks up shortly after.  Then there is the top that has it’s own lock too so you can separate the tightness around the boot in 3 places. Very well done.

** There is one thing unique to the F-Series Boots. They have a fused liner that isn’t removable. Because of that, it’s difficult to add aftermarket custom fitting tools like J-Bars and such.  You can get in around the heel but you can’t get down to the toe or between the footbed and the liner. Everything is sewn across the bottom. It’s also suggested to keep them on a good boot heater when you take them off so it dries out the entire boot.

Flex Retention:  Now there isn’t much revolutionary going on here with flex retention but this reduced footprint boot doesn’t pack out much or noodle out after a full 100 day season.

Shock Absorption:  There is a lot of nice shock absorption going on here that makes this binding great for a bad landing or just keeping your body very insulated from the interface of your board and the snow below.

Traction:  The green stuff you see on the bottom of the boot is some kind of EVA foam but the rest is a pretty soft rubber that has good traction.  It also doesn’t wear down super fast either.  It’s very good for walking in hard to icy snow and it’s not bad everywhere else.

Footprint: Right there with Ride and Burton and it gives you almost a full size smaller on the outside than Salomon’s non-F-Series boots. Burton still has a little less toe/heel drag potential but all three now have almost the same length.  The only drawback with the Salomon F 3.0 is you can’t take out the liner like you can with the other boots.

On & Off Ease: Once you do this a few times the Salomon F3.0 is pretty quick to lace up and take off.  I personally think it’s faster on than Salomon’s BOA boots and just a little slower off.