Salomon Launch Lace Straight Jacket Boa Review: A Freestyle Favorite Returns

Introduction

The Salomon Launch Lace Straight Jacket Boa has been a long-standing favorite among snowboard test teams, and for another season it keeps that reputation intact, picking up a Whitelines 100 award along the way. It is one of the most iconic freestyle snowboard boots on the market, and the reason is simple: it solves the classic problem of soft-flexing park boots without giving up the mobility that makes them fun.

If you want to level up your freestyle riding this season, this is a boot that deserves a spot on your shortlist. Here is a closer look at what it offers and who it suits best.

Who This Boot Is For

This is a park-focused boot first and foremost. It hits everything you would want from a freestyle model: soft enough flex for pressing and tweaking, a light feel underfoot, and a fit that keeps your ankle locked in when things get rowdy.

Thanks to its construction, though, it is not limited to the terrain park. Riders can comfortably charge around the rest of the resort, hit side hits and natural features, or get creative across the whole mountain. If you have any hankering for freestyle riding this season, this boot is built with you in mind.

Main Strengths

The full name is a mouthful, but every part of it is earned. The shell uses a conventional lace-up system, and while the Launch also comes in Boa and Speedlace versions, the laces here earn their place. They take a little longer to tie up, but nothing fine-tunes a fit quite as well: you can decide exactly where you want more support and where you want more slack. The oversized eyelets in the upper section let you double-wrap the lace, effectively cutting off the lower half of the boot from being tensioned. That means you can slacken the lower zone for extra foot mobility while still cranking the upper section tight for a snappier response in turns and support on landings.

The second half of the name is the Straight Jacket system, controlled by the Boa coil on the side of the boot and connected to an internal ankle harness. A common complaint with soft-flexing freestyle boots is that the heel and ankle wander, leading to blisters and lost response. The Straight Jacket completely eliminates that problem: no matter how loose your laces are or how hard you flex the boot, your ankle stays locked in place. It is an unusually effective solution to an issue that has plagued freestyle boots for years, and few brands do it this well.

Underfoot, the Feather outsole is primarily cushioned EVA foam, so it is comfortable with strong impact-absorbing properties, while the more rugged outsole material is stripped back to only the target areas. That is a big part of why the Launch is such a lightweight boot; it weighs next to nothing, which makes learning new tricks easier and adds agility on the board.

The Comfort liner delivers what its name promises, with heat-mouldable sections in the key areas: heels, ankles and lower shin. Salomon’s Fit to Ride construction shaves away excess material and bulk, giving a more direct feel and a smaller footprint that reduces volume inside your bindings.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The traditional laces, while excellent for precision, do take longer to tie up than a pure Boa or Speedlace closure. If you are the type who wants to be out of the chalet in ten seconds, that is worth weighing up. It is also a boot clearly aimed at freestyle-oriented riding; all-mountain riders who want a stiffer, more aggressive flex profile may want to look elsewhere. Finally, colorways matter to some buyers: the team option has a retro sneaker-inspired look, while a black version is available if you would rather play it safe.

Buying Advice

For freestyle-focused riders, the Launch Lace Straight Jacket Boa is an easy recommendation. The combination of precise lace adjustment, the Straight Jacket ankle harness, a cushioned and lightweight Feather outsole, and a heat-mouldable comfort liner covers nearly every requirement for park riding. Buy it if you spend your days on rails, jumps and side hits, and you want a boot that stays locked in without sacrificing mobility.

Conclusion

The Salomon Launch Lace Straight Jacket Boa continues to justify its award-winning status. It is comfortable, remarkably light, and solves the ankle-lock problem that holds back many soft-flexing freestyle boots. For anyone chasing progression in the park this season, it is one of the strongest options you can put on your feet.