Question: BOA boots: anyone with personal experience?

[santacruz skier]

This is not the messaging I understood when I discussed BOA with Torin when I got my new boots in October…

The conversation we had was that there were not yet any high performance (like race) options with BOA in a true low volume option in the brands he carries. He works with a lot of racers as you know, so there just isn’t a solid option for this application yet in the type of boot. He did have a low volume Solomon hybrid BOA boot he had me try on but it was way too soft for me. He wanted to get a sense of how it fit me though and I can say it was the best fit (like an actual glove) I have ever felt around my low instep… like the most amazing full contact on my lower foot that no other boot has ever provided to me. I would have bought it in a heartbeat if The flex wasn’t so very soft for me. He though BOA like this would be a great option for my foot once a true low volume version is available in a stiffer high performance boot.

So I was just a little surprised by this messaging. I’ve always found Torin to be extremely open minded with new technology and thinking outside the box in bootfitting. So I wouldn’t expect him to take this stand on BOA overall really. At least this is not the conversation we had outside of there just not being super high performance low volume options available to us yet and being interested in seeing what comes from it. So it just wasn’t an option for me yet, but he thought from a fit standpoint it could be a great option for me in the future… and he does put me in the highest flex/performance low volume boot in a line based on my anatomy and skiing needs. What I heard was that the jury is still out a bit given what is and isn’t available right now but that there will surely be more to come. He also doesn’t carry every brand, like Atomic sticks out in my mind as a major brand he doesn’t have. I’m not sure what boot models might be available with BOA that he doesn’t carry.

Curious what model and flex Salomon boot you tried on!

 

[pinto]

I'm curious, you mean "BOA'd out" in the same way people talk about "booting out", as in, the boot hits the snow when they're getting huge edge angles? And in this case, the BOA hits the ground first when the people you've talked to are arcing really low turns?

Looking at the front profile of a boot...I'm not sure I'm buying it. I think the boot will hit before the BOA, just as it would with buckles.

View attachment 23943

Here's a screenshot from Reddit of a [future] double BOA, definitely looks like the boot will hit before the knob for a World Cup racer (it's close though...):

View attachment 23944

I mean, I was in no position to accuse them of lying about it?

IIRC, it was during spring testing, and in 3D snow, which might change some things. And each boot is likely a little different as far as the position of the knob, and size of shell might move that around too. Dunno. Didn't think to challenge the assertion.

 

[MissySki]

I'm curious, you mean "BOA'd out" in the same way people talk about "booting out", as in, the boot hits the snow when they're getting huge edge angles? And in this case, the BOA hits the ground first when the people you've talked to are arcing really low turns?

Looking at the front profile of a boot...I'm not sure I'm buying it. I think the boot will hit before the BOA, just as it would with buckles.

View attachment 23943

Here's a screenshot from Reddit of a [future] double BOA, definitely looks like the boot will hit before the knob for a World Cup racer (it's close though...):

View attachment 23944

Thanks for the picture because I was trying to imagine the same thing!

 

[elemmac]

I mean, I was in no position to accuse them of lying about it?

IIRC, it was during spring testing, and in 3D snow, which might change some things. And each boot is likely a little different as far as the position of the knob, and size of shell might move that around too. Dunno. Didn't think to challenge the assertion.

Totally fair. I hadn't thought about 3D snow, and it does seem possible, if you're sunk into the snow a bit.... but I still don't feel like the issue is any more exasperated than with buckles where you could also get caught up in 3D snow.

I just see this complaint against the system brought up regularly, and it always seems like people are just looking for an issue. And maybe it is an issue for 1% of skiers (I'm certainly not part of that group haha).

 

[Ermit]

https://skiracing.com/atomics-cross-lace-prototype-boots-make-debut-at-solden-world-cup/

Maybe this has been covered but an Atomic boot with BOA technology has been skied at the men’s Solden World Cup races and maybe elsewhere this season.

Editing to add that I asked my boot fitter about BOA and the Atomic cross lace race boots when I was fitted in mid-November and he was not in favor. He said that rental boots would be the best application and I agree that would be a great use of the technology.

 

[pinto]

Totally fair. I hadn't thought about 3D snow, and it does seem possible, if you're sunk into the snow a bit.... but I still don't feel like the issue is any more exasperated than with buckles where you could also get caught up in 3D snow.

I just see this complaint against the system brought up regularly, and it always seems like people are just looking for an issue. And maybe it is an issue for 1% of skiers (I'm certainly not part of that group haha).

It wasn't a complaint, really; these are people trying to sell the boots! I had just asked about pros and cons, and that was basically the only con they thought of, and it wasn't an important one. The knob might be a little less aerodynamic than a buckle, dunno. Like I said, never will be an issue for me!

 

[elemmac]

Like I said, never will be an issue for me!

Haha, same here!

 

[Trailside Trixie]

This is not the messaging I understood when I discussed BOA with Torin when I got my new boots in October…

The conversation we had was that there were not yet any high performance (like race) options with BOA in a true low volume option in the brands he carries. He works with a lot of racers as you know, so there just isn’t a solid option for this application yet in the type of boot. He did have a low volume Solomon hybrid BOA boot he had me try on but it was way too soft for me. He wanted to get a sense of how it fit me though and I can say it was the best fit (like an actual glove) I have ever felt around my low instep… like the most amazing full contact on my lower foot that no other boot has ever provided to me. I would have bought it in a heartbeat if The flex wasn’t so very soft for me. He though BOA like this would be a great option for my foot once a true low volume version is available in a stiffer high performance boot.

So I was just a little surprised by this messaging. I’ve always found Torin to be extremely open minded with new technology and thinking outside the box in bootfitting. So I wouldn’t expect him to take this stand on BOA overall really. At least this is not the conversation we had outside of there just not being super high performance low volume options available to us yet and being interested in seeing what comes from it. So it just wasn’t an option for me yet, but he thought from a fit standpoint it could be a great option for me in the future… and he does put me in the highest flex/performance low volume boot in a line based on my anatomy and skiing needs. What I heard was that the jury is still out a bit given what is and isn’t available right now but that there will surely be more to come. He also doesn’t carry every brand, like Atomic sticks out in my mind as a major brand he doesn’t have. I’m not sure what boot models might be available with BOA that he doesn’t carry.

Interesting. He definitely didn't feel it was a good option for me.

Maybe he was distracted when he emailed me earlier this year.

Who knows. If it works for some people then that's awesome.

 

[TNtoTaos]

I skied the Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 120 for about three seasons, and mostly loved them. Entry and egress became more and more difficult (not sure why), and last year I decided to try the same boot with the BOA. The 130 was too much boot, but the 115 seemed to fit quite well, so away we went. Damn if everything wasn't so much easier to deal with.

My Atomic Hawx Ultra boots are now 12 yrs old, and I've always loved the fit (despite the buckle-adjusting described below...

I too have a narrow heel and high instep, and was always messing with my buckles to get things tighter, looser, less painful, more comfortable ...

Yes, this describes me exactly, LOL!

... (If I'm not mistaken, Atomic changed the plastic too, so that is another variable, but I think the basic last remained the same.)

So I'm interested if the BOA version of the Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD that you got was in the same size as your non-BOA boots, i.e., if the size fit was the same. I'm assuming so, since you said the last was unchanged, but curious.

 

[teppaz]

What I'm getting from this thread and the other one about BOA is that this new system works for some people and not for others, and sweeping statements don't mean much. At the end of the day, it's all about going with the boot that fits you.

 

[pinto]

So I'm interested if the BOA version of the Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD that you got was in the same size as your non-BOA boots, i.e., if the size fit was the same. I'm assuming so, since you said the last was unchanged, but curious.

Yes, same size. I went from the men's 120 non-BOA to the women's 115 BOA.

 

[skinnyfootskis]

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.

Or I mess with them so much I need to go all the way around 3 x. Lol

 

[skinnyfootskis]

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.

Ah ha

 

[skinnyfootskis]

My fitter is Torin from Totem Pole in Ludlow, Vermont

Our Story | Totem Pole Ski Shop | Ludlow, VT

www.totempoleskishop.com

I'm lucky enough to have boots from him that I love so no skin of my back. This all came about when I asked him for me as I was curious.

He sells this system and doesn't recommend it when other boots are an option.

Happy to hear it works for some people. All good in my hood.

He was my fitter as well, but I don’t love my boots or fit. Results of trying to purchase during Covid and scarce/slim Pickens.

 

[SnowHot]

What I'm getting from this thread and the other one about BOA is that this new system works for some people and not for others, and sweeping statements don't mean much. At the end of the day, it's all about going with the boot that fits you.

In other words....
get the right fit whether its BOA or not.

 

[SnowHot]

I tried a few double BOA Boots on at the trade show today and will be working with one of the manufacturers next week on some stuff with double BOA. It's a pretty interesting boot set up. I'm intrigued.

 

[TNtoTaos]

I tried a few double BOA Boots on at the trade show today and will be working with one of the manufacturers next week on some stuff with double BOA. It's a pretty interesting boot set up. I'm intrigued.

Tell us more --does that mean that there's a BOA cable replacing the upper buckles as well? Any photos?

 

[SnowHot]

Tell us more --does that mean that there's a BOA cable replacing the upper buckles as well? Any photos?

There is a BOA system for the buckles on the cuff.
I do have pictures but I am embargoed from posting them just yet.
Soon!
I will say, I was surprised how easy it was to get into these from what I initially thought it would be. The attachement and how the top opens works well.

I still think that those who have limited ankle ROM or difficulty getting into boots may not be as comfortable with this option but I do like how snug it is around the cuff because I have skinny calves and like the ability to snug it up in a micro adjustable way.

 

[TNtoTaos]

There is a BOA system for the buckles on the cuff.
I do have pictures but I am embargoed from posting them just yet.
Soon!
I will say, I was surprised how easy it was to get into these from what I initially thought it would be. The attachement and how the top opens works well.

I still think that those who have limited ankle ROM or difficulty getting into boots may not be as comfortable with this option but I do like how snug it is around the cuff because I have skinny calves and like the ability to snug it up in a micro adjustable way.

Sounds very interesting; I gather these probably won't be released until next season, at the earliest?

 

[SnowHot]

Sounds very interesting; I gather these probably won't be released until next season, at the earliest?

There may be some early releases but we will know more in a few weeks.
I'm meeting with some folks in Seattle next week to go through lines of several brands and get more intel.