Adidas Tactical Lexicon 2020 Snowboard Boot Review

Adidas Tactical Lexicon 2020 Review by The Good Ride

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The Adidas Tactical Lexicon takes a lot of what we at The Good Ride loved about the 2019 Adidas Tactical and tweaked it to make it a little more comfortable. It comes at the sacrifice of what we think might be a little longevity in flex but the added comfort might be worth it for most.

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews.  We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

How This Review Happened:  We liked it so much we asked to keep it (we only do this with our favorites).

Days: 3
Size Tried: 8.5
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-195lbs)
Insoles: Footprint Insole Technology Gamechangers, Sandsole Custom Insoles
Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Strata, Union Falcor
Boards: Gentemstick Mantaray 156, Korua Otto,  Loaded Algernon,

James’ Foot Specs
Foot Size: 9 US
Foot Width: D bordering on E
Arch Length: Right 9.5 and Left 9
Calves (Top of boot): 17”
Calves (Bottom of boot): 12”

Sizing/Fit/Heel Hold:  The 8.5 boots fit my true size 9 boots perfectly and I would suggest getting ½ size down that your correct fit except for in the UK which fit’s true. The same worked for my crew in other sizes. Adidas boots run wider too and the Adidas Tactical Lexicon is no exception. This doesn’t really cause much of a problem for most riders because most of the width is in the front part of the boot so a narrower foot can still fit Adidas well enough. However, it really shines for mid/wide to wider footed riders. They are wider than some true wide boots.

Comfort: The Adidas Tactical Lexicon worked on comfort this year and bumped things up to a more comfortable liner. The shell isn’t as stiff this year so I did notice more comfort day one over my old Tactical ADV’s from 2019.

Flex/Flex Retention: All this comfort comes at a moderate cost as the flex retention isn’t like the 2019 models. If you are like me and ride 100 days a year, you will prefer the older model but if you don’t ride as much as I do or didn’t find the older model comfortable enough to keep then the 2020 Adidas Tactical Lexicon might be the better call.

Footprint: Super reduced. Adidas Tactical Lexicon actually runs about ½ to 1 full size less than most boots out there. It can even be more with some of the longer footprint boots. As you get into bigger sizes the reduction in footprint is a little less but still, it’s really reduced overall.

Response/Turn Initiation: The Adidas Tactical Lexicon has a very medium/fast response that will settle in at Medium for a good many days even though it won’t hold it’s flex as long as the older model. There is soo much shock absorption but also a good bit of return after it’s flexed down so it doesn’t make you feel like you are riding on pillows.

Shock Absorption: This energy boost on the Adidas Tactical Lexicon is some of the best we ever had and I personally feel it’s prolonging the inevitable when it comes to surgeries. If you are someone that want’s a lot of boot feel then this energy boost sole is the polar opposite of low profile boots like Burton’s EST optimized outsole. For us, shock absorption is more important but if board feel is more for you then go with something else.

Adjustability: Having traditional lace might be a bit slower than other lacing systems out there these days but you get soo much more adjustability than any other lacing system that it could be worth it to you like it is for us. The Adidas Tactical Lexicon can blend with almost any board because of that. You can leave the top rungs (or even top two) unlaced to have less response to match up with a mellower turning board and then tighten it up all the way to match boards that like a more responsive boot.

Traction: Pretty good. Don’t have much that’s great to say about it but nothing really bad either. It’s rubber so that’s all that matters to us. Just make sure the footbed of your binding is very consistent in support from heel to toe so it doesn’t add pressure points to the soft sole on this boot.

On & Off Ease: Slow compared to the rest of the lacing out there but we all find that it doesn’t take that much longer to get laced up than our friends with BOA’s. Getting them off is a little slower but faster than getting them on.

So while I would personally prefer the 2019 Adidas Tactical’s longevity I think many will overrule me and appreciate the added comfort in the Adidas Tactical Lexicon.