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Question: BOA boots: anyone with personal experience?

TNtoTaos

Angel Diva
I've loved my present Atomic boots, (100 flex), but they're around 9-10 yrs old now, and I'm ready for a new pair that are maybe a bit stiffer, esp since my skills have progressed significantly in the interim. I have low volume, high arched feet, and have been very interested in the description of how the BOA boots allow for an even pressure while tightening, without those buckles over the instep. I was very disappointed in SKI Mag's boot review a few wks ago, which I thought was very incomplete, and completely left out BOA boots. I did just run across the Powder BOA boot review, though, which was very thorough.

I wanted to try them out last season, but was advised at BootDoctors that those that were available last season -- their first year -- tended to be aimed more at the mid-high volume fit, and suggested I wait. Now I've been reading reviews of the women's Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 115, and they sound very interesting. I've also read that with BOA boots, it's possible to get a good fit even with a mid-volume boot.

So I'd be really interested to hear comments from anyone who has actually tried BOA boots, or fitted them (Paging @SnowHot ).
 

contesstant

Angel Diva
I know several folks who are accomplished skiers who are really, really happy with their BOA boots they purchased last season. I wish I could get into some--until they make their way into the ultra-low-volume world that will fit my stick feet, I won't be able to try them.
 

TNtoTaos

Angel Diva
I know several folks who are accomplished skiers who are really, really happy with their BOA boots they purchased last season. I wish I could get into some--until they make their way into the ultra-low-volume world that will fit my stick feet, I won't be able to try them.
Have you tried the Atomic Hawx Ultras? They supposedly are made for low-volume feet, and allegedly the BOA tech allows for even more adjustment than buckle boots...
 

teppaz

Angel Diva
I have BOA now and you can indeed do small adjustments (though I was able to adjust my K2 boots pretty well). A big difference for me is being able to do them without taking off my mittens. The hold on the foot feels different as well.
 

Trailside Trixie

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
My boot guy said not an option for me. He said they are a great last resort boot if no other boot works. He doesn't feel you have as much control; skiing because the hold on the foot isn't as strong as other boots. To each their own and all of that. One of my friends who's a level 2 loves her BOAs so I know they work for some.
 

skinnyfootskis

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Have you tried the Atomic Hawx Ultras? They supposedly are made for low-volume feet, and allegedly the BOA tech allows for even more adjustment than buckle boots...
I tried them on a year ago and they felt comfortable in the store, but didn't ski them. I liked the boa, since I have narrow feet! It's like everything else personal preference. My specialized cycle shoes are boa and I love them.
 

TNtoTaos

Angel Diva
My boot guy said not an option for me. He said they are a great last resort boot if no other boot works. He doesn't feel you have as much control; skiing because the hold on the foot isn't as strong as other boots. To each their own and all of that. One of my friends who's a level 2 loves her BOAs so I know they work for some.
Interesting, that's the first comment like that that I've heard about them -- most of what I've read seems to say that you can get a much better fit, because you can dial in your hold without crushing down on the instep, so better hold, less pain. :crazy:

Would love to hear from @SnowHot on this.
 

brooksnow

Ski Diva Extraordinaire
H has fairly standard wide feet and loves the K2 Mindbender BOA boots he skied in all last season (80ish days.)
I tried on a couple versions last season but they didn't come close to accommodating my super high instep. Sorry, I don't remember which ones. If I get an opportunity I'll try some on again this season.
 

santacruz skier

Angel Diva
I'm interested.... mainly my Dalbello Asolo 95's are miserable to get on and off. I have Intuition liners in them so the fit is snug in a 22.5 but honestly, I've never liked the boot. My previous boot was a Technica inferno 100 and I loved it..... I had them for 6 years or so and the heels were worn out and could no longer be replaced....
 

contesstant

Angel Diva
Have you tried the Atomic Hawx Ultras? They supposedly are made for low-volume feet, and allegedly the BOA tech allows for even more adjustment than buckle boots...
I have not. I was put into a Lange short cuff in a 21.5 by Brent Amsbury in Park City after my never-ending fit issues with 22.5 boots. My low-volume feet need a different name since they are lower-volume than any I've ever heard of. Noodles? Twigs? If and when BOA makes it to the true low-volume boot world, I will be first in line to try them.
 

TNtoTaos

Angel Diva
I'm interested.... mainly my Dalbello Asolo 95's are miserable to get on and off. I have Intuition liners in them so the fit is snug in a 22.5 but honestly, I've never liked the boot. My previous boot was a Technica inferno 100 and I loved it..... I had them for 6 years or so and the heels were worn out and could no longer be replaced....
I'm a 23.5, and my current Atomic Hawx 100 from 2013 (just looked them up and realized I've had them for 12 yrs!), have been great! Easy to get into and out of, and fit my feet perfectly. With your little feet I suspect they might be worth checking out.
 

SnowHot

Angel Diva
Interesting, that's the first comment like that that I've heard about them -- most of what I've read seems to say that you can get a much better fit, because you can dial in your hold without crushing down on the instep, so better hold, less pain. :crazy:

Would love to hear from @SnowHot on this.
I'm not sure what @Trailside Trixie 's fitter is reffering to but there is nothing about the BOA system that is less control. Any bootfitter with bold statements like that has made up their mind that BOA is not his jam.
From my experience, the fit concerns in the forefoot of a boot are addressed s bit better beause of BOA due to the microadjustability.

Somewhere else here I explained that I've been in three different brand BOA Boots,
Atomic HAWX Ultra XTD BOA - LV
Salomon Supra 115 BOA - MV
K2 Anthem 115 BOA - MV

The Atomic Ultra BOA is a similar fit to the other boots you're asking about.

I also have the LV Lange Shadow 115 which is not a BOA Boot.
I ski a lot of different boots to get a lot of different feedback.
IMHO you shouldn't buy a boot because of BOA but you shouldn't refuse to buy a boot because of BOA
 

TNtoTaos

Angel Diva
I'm not sure what @Trailside Trixie 's fitter is reffering to but there is nothing about the BOA system that is less control. Any bootfitter with bold statements like that has made up their mind that BOA is not his jam.
That was the first thing that came to my mind, as well.
IMHO you shouldn't buy a boot because of BOA but you shouldn't refuse to buy a boot because of BOA
Thanks, @SnowHot -- I agree, of course, but since whenever I start feeling discomfort in my boots it's usually the buckle over my high instep, and I have to choose between slightly too tight or sightly too loose, so I'm really curious to see how that microadjustability will feel. I can't wait to try some on; I'll be in Taos in mid-Dec, and I'm hoping the Bootdoctors will have their full line of boots in by then.
 

SnowHot

Angel Diva
Thanks, @SnowHot -- I agree, of course, but since whenever I start feeling discomfort in my boots it's usually the buckle over my high instep, and I have to choose between slightly too tight or sightly too loose, so I'm really curious to see how that microadjustability will feel. I can't wait to try some on; I'll be in Taos in mid-Dec, and I'm hoping the Bootdoctors will have their full line of boots in by then.
I have been skiing two boots this season.
The K2 Anthem 115 BOA MV and Lange Shadow LV 115 (buckles)
Both feel great over my instep, but on super cold days I like the BOA a little more because I like to micro adjust my instep when I'm skiing on super cold days more than often.
 

TNtoTaos

Angel Diva
I have been skiing two boots this season.
The K2 Anthem 115 BOA MV and Lange Shadow LV 115 (buckles)
Both feel great over my instep, but on super cold days I like the BOA a little more because I like to micro adjust my instep when I'm skiing on super cold days more than often.
Yep, that's exactly what I need to do, but the "micro-adjusters" on my buckles are a pain to mess with on the slope, and they tend to get repositioned when the buckles spin around in the boot bag, etc.
 

DebbieSue

Angel Diva
I'm interested.... mainly my Dalbello Asolo 95's are miserable to get on and off. I have Intuition liners in them so the fit is snug in a 22.5 but honestly, I've never liked the boot. My previous boot was a Technica inferno 100 and I loved it..... I had them for 6 years or so and the heels were worn out and could no longer be replaced....
I had Tecnica Inferno 100 with the air bladders, but they broke early and I ended up having to buckle clog really tight and then had circulation issues with toes.
I’m now in Tecnica Mach 1 MV 105W. Much closer fit without cranking buckles. No numb toes. Not sure how they compare to others for ease of entry.
 

santacruz skier

Angel Diva
I had Tecnica Inferno 100 with the air bladders, but they broke early and I ended up having to buckle clog really tight and then had circulation issues with toes.
I’m now in Tecnica Mach 1 MV 105W. Much closer fit without cranking buckles. No numb toes. Not sure how they compare to others for ease of entry.
I was informed that the Technica Mach 1 LV would work well for me especially because I was coming out of the Infernos. Sadly, no one had them in my size so bought the Dalbellos..... Should have waited.... No issues ever with the Technicas. Simply wore them out.
 

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