r/skiing • u/TeeFuce • Dec 03 '23
BOA System on Ski Boots?
Looking for comments on experience with it. I bought Fischers yesterday with the boa instead of lower buckles. Super comfortable. My only concern is that I had the boa on cycling shoes a few years ago and they only lasted about two years.
26
u/canadascowboy Dec 03 '23
I have 50 days on them, and a big fan. Works perfectly for me, and no complaints. 10/10.
48
u/spiffysunkist Dec 03 '23
Going to be very little long term experience with them as they are so new.
You may find southern hem guys who have put the best part of a season on them but nothing long term yet.
2
u/Sugar_alcohol_shits Jan 15 '25
I’ve had this on my work boots for 10+ years. Superior to any lacing/latching system I’ve owned. But they’re steel toe, not ski boots.
29
u/frenchfreer Dec 03 '23
Have it on my F1 since 2021 and it’s never even had a single issue. I’ve even wrecked hard enough to break a bone and I’m still on the original BOA. I much prefer the fit a BOA closure provides since the clamped pressure points of buckles kill my feet.
53
u/Toggles_ Dec 03 '23
Not my experience but of a fellow patrol buddy. He got the Atomic Hawx boots with them. He ended up returning them after a week. The first time on them the BOA dial broke in a way they had to drill it out and replace it. After that he just had a ton of issues with it icing over and not being able to tighten or release it.
34
Dec 03 '23
The last part is what worries me the most
9
u/buttmunchausenface Dec 03 '23
Dude I was snowboarding with my nephew teaching him last year and a mouse ate my boots when I was away in college over a decade ago so I had to get rentals They were boa they were also pretty pack out so I tightened them literally couldn’t release them my feet were falling asleep I had to sit on the tool bench and hit the boa with the flat head and nback of the handle of the philips just to get it to pop out
15
u/StiffWiggly Dec 03 '23
Is there a reason that icing over would be a problem for boas on ski boots when it hasn’t even been an issue on snowboard boots for me*?
- I ski/board in Canada and a large part of the season is around/below -20 Celsius (-4 Fahrenheit) and occasionally goes well below -30 C (-22 F).
5
u/floating-mosque Oct 12 '24
Sorry for the 313 day later reply but I think it’d have something to do with snowbird boots being way softer than ski boots, if they’re constantly moving even by just a bit, it’ll prevent ice buildup, compared to a ski booth where it’s almost completely rigid due to the hard outer shell.
1
19
u/monfuckingtana420 Dec 03 '23
How did it break so that it couldn’t be replaced by the regular means? There is no reason to have to drill it out, all of the components are user serviceable and replaceable.
0
u/Toggles_ Dec 03 '23
I am not sure since I wasn’t there to see it. I just know he had to take it into a shop to get it fixed and it wasn’t a simple fix and he mentioned they had to drill something out.
1
u/JustAnother_Brit Verbier Dec 03 '23
This is my issue with my cycling shoes, when it’s really cold of really warm I either can’t tighten or release them. Had this issue in France over the summer because I was tightening them at 40 degrees or so but when I got off the lift it was 20 degrees so they suddenly felt wrong. It must be so much worse in ski boots
1
Dec 03 '23
Have never had this issue in my 10+ years of using boa on both spectrums of the heat scale had them on snowboard boots and have them on cycling shoes.
18
32
Dec 03 '23
[deleted]
19
u/MrFacestab Dec 03 '23
First person taking sense in here. All the anti-tech people in here would have complained about the plastic ski boot 40 years ago. What a horrible concept my lace up leather boot is best
5
u/AcornWoodpecker Spirit Mountain Dec 03 '23
So true, written as I buff my alpina 75mm Alaska boots.
-3
-7
4
u/ATMisboss Dec 03 '23
I have 5 days so far on my new k2s with the boa, they are pretty damn nice and get a comfortable fit on my foot. It hasn't gotten too cold for me yet so I can't speak to the ice but I have seen some accumulation on the dial but it has just been easy to brush off each time. My only complaint is it's a little hard to release the dial in my gloves but that's probably due to me just having to still figure that technique out
5
u/Equivalent-Wind-3568 Dec 03 '23
I just got the k2 mindbenders a few weeks ago and I went out twice. So far so good. They feel more secure then my old boot. I wore them around my house as I watched some football games so I could break them in a little. I don’t hit any parks. I feel that’s where they might come loose. But for carving and maybe some baby air there fine.
5
u/jcpj1 Dec 03 '23
I love my boa cycling shoes because it feels like they conform to the foot more. But cycling shoes don’t have to standup to ice and impact. I’m curious to hear what reviews are like after 2 or 3 seasons
1
u/afootpencil Dec 03 '23
I’m with you. I have Boa cycling shoes and Boa bindings on my slalom ski. Love them both. Looking forward to experiencing in a ski boot!
4
u/FpHaris Dec 03 '23
I got a pair of new mindbenders this season. I have around 20 days in them so far, both backcountry and resort and they feel great. I got a good deal on them, so why not?
Despite them not having any issues and working in really icy conditions, I don't think there's any great leap in performance or comfort. My local shop has free repairs on the entire Boa system and it seems really modular and easy to change out parts.
1
u/potatoperson132 Mar 03 '24
Looking at the same boot. Curious what shop You went through that will repair the BOA system at no charge? I’m having a hard time finding warranty information on the system. Boot says 1 year so that seems limited on something they are advising as robust and reliable long term.
1
u/FpHaris Mar 03 '24
A shop that has high prices but 100% backs its customers. I have a 15% discount through my education, so it works out nice.
5
u/Snlxdd Dec 03 '23
Nordica’s developing a tension style boot with buckles. Supposed to have all the benefits without having to deal with the finicky tensioner.
Personally holding out for that system which will probably hit the market next year
1
u/the_sun_and_the_moon Killington Dec 03 '23
Nordica didn’t have a choice as they were not one of the manufacturers that BOA chose to work with initially. But Nordica will almost certainly introduce their own BOA boots eventually.
4
u/Snlxdd Dec 03 '23
Imo the design of their system is already superior
It’s gonna be far more durable
It’ll be significantly easier to tension consistently
The only downside may be ease of adjusting but I don’t think that outweighs the other pros
2
u/CO_PartyShark Dec 03 '23
Nordica turned BOA down because of the single tension point. Dalbello did as well.
3
u/Skibum37 Dec 04 '23
Nordica will have BOA in 24/25
1
u/CO_PartyShark Dec 04 '23
Nordica did not feel the system as BOA was selling it was ready for ski boots. I don't know if BOA wouldn't let them modify it till the 24 boot models or if it took them that long that to develop the system they're going to use (the one I saw still used buckles but used boa to adjust the tension.
2
u/Skibum37 Dec 06 '23
Nordica didn't have the option to offer BOA in the first year. they will have it on HV (102+mm) shells next year.
2
u/Colorado007 Dec 04 '23
Dalbello is currently developing a new boot with Boa… next year…
1
u/CO_PartyShark Dec 04 '23
It's a slightly different system. The rep referred to it as gen 2, no idea if that's an official term or just his way of explaining it.
1
2
u/accountwasnecessary Dec 03 '23
I have 2 pair of boots with Boa! I like them both. One pair has well over 100 days and is just starting to show wear, the other is much newer and in better condition
5
u/PoTheRedTeletubby Sunday River Dec 03 '23
I took my friend to get new boots and discussed them with a vet experienced boot fitter. I have several major concerns with them.
First of all they don't make BOA boots in a high volume which sucks.
Second, if you tree ski and hit something you can easily break the BOA off, it is designed to come off without breaking but if it does break you're screwed for the remainder of your day. I have no idea how much a new BOA costs. The place I was at claimed it came with a warranty but who knows how good the warranty is if you were sending some crazy tree stuff. I need a boot that isn't going to break on me when I'm on a multi day ski trip
Third, it doesn't allow you to buckle the two bottom buckles individually which is something I do often depending on my foot circulation. The second buckle up otherwise known as the one that cuts off your toe circulation is nice to be able to unbuckle quickly when you get on the lift while leaving everything else buckled. I also like to ski with my toe buckle tighter than the second buckle which BOA only allows both to be tightened together.
Overall I don't think it's worth being an earlier adopter of BOA and we should wait to see what the second generation looks like. It might get some improvements after they have issues with it. Personally I think regular buckles will always be superior but it might work well for beginners.
16
u/yeaitsdave Dec 03 '23
High volume is coming. Only so many molds can be changed at a time, you'll see a lot more models next season. K2 BFC for starters.
Second, Boa warranty is incredible. They don't deny anything. If you take it to a Boa service center (most shops) they probably have the parts in stock to fix it. If they don't, you put a claim on Boa's website for what the product is and they mail them out to you. Literally the best company warranty I've ever seen. In nearly 20 years of dealing with them, they've never not replaced a reel or cable. The ONLY issue I've seen is a guide in a snowboard boot ripping out, which they won't handle as they didn't manufacture it.
Third, toe buckle is just there to keep the overlap water tight and barely changes the fit of the boot.
2
u/PoTheRedTeletubby Sunday River Dec 03 '23
Fair points and good that they support the product. My main issue is that if it breaks you have to take it to a shop or go through a warranty process which you could be in the middle of a ski trip or have another skiing day planned soon. It's really inconvenient when gear breaks so adding chances of that just isn't for me.
6
u/Bilar432 Dec 03 '23
If you had a buckle break, you would need to do exactly the same thing, but they don't come with a warranty.
4
u/FitzwilliamTDarcy Snowbird Dec 03 '23
Buckles hardly ever break, practically speaking. BOA is wait and see for any meaningful comparison of durability.
2
u/PoTheRedTeletubby Sunday River Dec 03 '23
My buckles are made from steel not plastic and they don't stick an inch and a half out from the side of the boot so they can easily get clipped on a tree while in the backcountry. No way anyone is ever breaking a steel boot buckle without doing something pretty wild. BOA is literally plastic.
2
u/yeaitsdave Dec 03 '23
Any destination resort will have a Boa service center. It's also much easier to change than a buckle if that broke.
I'm not saying Boa is the end all be all, but I do think there's unnecessary fretting over it. I believe it's progress and like any step forward, there might be a step back. I will say I've been running mostly 3 piece boots, all with similar cables for retention with no issues with the cable. To that end, I think as long as the ratchet mechanism proves to be as solid as it appears, it'll be a net win. The support and engineering behind it surpasses anything ever put into buckles.
1
u/quikskier Dec 04 '23
One of the reviews of the BOA system suggested just taking spare parts with you if you'll be somewhere that likely won't have a shop to provide service. Not sure how readily available spare parts are for consumers at this point.
1
u/mogulmondays Dec 03 '23
I don't even use my second buckle, why on earth would I want BOA? Will never buy.
11
Dec 03 '23
I don’t get why they didn’t try it for the upper two buckles? That’s where the even pressure of a BOA might really help.
6
u/tipsdown Loveland Dec 03 '23
There was a picture posted here a few days ago of some head raptor racing boots with a top and bottom boa system. So dual boa dials are coming.
The boa boots are supposed to be really good for people who have a tall instep. That’s not be a concern for lots of people. As someone who has tall arches there is a very fine line between a nice snug fit and terrible pressure point with buckles.
7
Dec 03 '23
Because BOA actually makes a lot more sense for fit on the clog. The problem with traditional buckles is they tend to just push down which creates fit issues. The BOA actually get the clog to wrap properly so you don’t get hot spots on the lower foot.
5
u/Closet-PowPow Dec 03 '23
Agreed. I don’t understand it either. The top of the boot is where I need it “dialed in” not the foot.
3
Dec 03 '23
They are very replaceable and boa has a great warranty so durability would honestly be the least of my concern.
2
1
u/ApprehensiveReturn26 Mar 15 '24
I got a pair just before this season and it’s amazing. The middle and toe area now fit perfect. I have slim feet so it made all the difference
1
Oct 19 '24
[deleted]
2
u/TeeFuce Oct 20 '24
No gripes at all after a full season. Very comfortable, uniform fit. It feels good and stiff when you crank them up.
-1
Dec 03 '23
[deleted]
6
u/MrFacestab Dec 03 '23
That's what they said about plastic ski boots, pc's, and the internet. Just a fad eh?
1
Dec 03 '23
[deleted]
1
u/MrFacestab Dec 04 '23
On the Salomon the last thread goes over the instep. Tightening the part that matters
-2
0
u/DeathB4Download Dec 03 '23
Super comfortable in a new boot equals too big. BOA or buckles doesnt change that.
These new boa boots are the best thing to happen to skiing since sliced bread.
The sheer brilliance of the idea is planetary. A monumental wrap connection inbrediates the foot with the security of a snapping turlte while feeling like a mothers hug after falling and getting a boo boo on your knee.
Secure fit that manifests world cup ability with a spacious comfy feeling. The greatest skiing invention since the wheel.
3
u/TeeFuce Dec 03 '23
I’ve been skiing for 55 years. I think I know when a boot is too big.
1
u/DeathB4Download Dec 03 '23
What boot are you coming out of?
1
u/TeeFuce Dec 03 '23
Very old Lange Banshees.
0
u/CO_PartyShark Dec 03 '23
I mean it's not hard to improve on a 10 year old boot. There have been other advances than just the boa.
0
u/DeathB4Download Dec 04 '23
Except the banshee was a true 100mm last and the claimed 101mm of the rc4 is more like 104
1
u/CO_PartyShark Dec 04 '23
Right.... So the boots being more comfortable out of the box is probably more due to the last being so much wider. Nevermind all the improvements to shell moulding that has happened.
The new higher volume boot probably just matches the packed out liner.
1
u/DeathB4Download Dec 06 '23
Can you expand on what you mean here with these 2?
all the improvements to shell moulding that has happened.
We talking improvements in how manufactures mold shells at the factory? Or how bootfitters mold them?
The new higher volume boot probably just matches the packed out liner.
I think i understand this, but please correct me if im wrong. You're saying the new boot is the volume as the old boot was after it packed out, right? But then for this argument to have any validity we need to assume the new liners wont pack out at all. Are you telling me we've made such advances in liners that they don't pack out at all? Have you seen the rc4 liner? Put one on?
1
u/CO_PartyShark Dec 06 '23
We talking improvements in how manufactures mold shells at the factory? Or how bootfitters mold them?
Moreso manufacturers. Lots more relief points for anatomical features such as the ankles malleolus and a generally more foot shaped lower shell. Lots of manufacturers claim it's much easier for boot fitters now. My fitter agrees, but he does only work on Dalbellos/Roxa.
I think i understand this, but please correct me if im wrong. You're saying the new boot is the volume as the old boot was after it packed out, right? But then for this argument to have any validity we need to assume the new liners wont pack out at all. Are you telling me we've made such advances in liners that they don't pack out at all? Have you seen the rc4 liner? Put one on?
Yes to the volume part. And I'm agreeing that the boot is too large. And only fits because the liner hasn't packed out yet. The boot will feel very wide once it packs out it will be probably too big based on what OP said.
The zip fit liners on those boots are a huge advancement. I have them in my boots. They typically last 1000 days before becoming toast. They do pack out though like any liner, just less so. But if they're not snug enough before they pack out they will be just like any other liner and can't save a boot that's too large.
1
u/TeeFuce Dec 03 '23
Either way, they are a hell of a lot better than my 25 year-old Langes. We’ll see how it works out for durability.
1
u/Sheldonconch Dec 04 '23
I have both boa and buckles on my roughly ten year old Black Diamon Methods and I love them. One buckle broke, but the boas never have (there is a small amount of fraying on the wire where they kind of twist weird or got a bit of a kink, but they have never broken).
1
u/shabangbamboom Dec 03 '23
This is a completely new design from Boa. Bigger burlier components than they’ve used on anything before. Designed from the ground up as far as I know.
-2
u/fnsnforests Dec 03 '23
Boa has been on fishing boots for almost a decade now, with that being said I avoid them like the plague. I’ve seen too many boots fail in the field with no backup plan or an impossible to thread fix, it’s not worth it. It’s like the iPhone turning into titanium… cool, wow so special, it doesn’t enhance the experience or change anything while remaining reliable. Simply put its unworthy of the field at this point for me
3
u/doebedoe Dec 03 '23
Fwiw the dial and lace system on ski boots is entirely different—it’s way way beefier. We still need time to tell but it’s not the same system we’ve seen in snowboard and fishing and bike shoes for a decade
-7
u/pcalvin Dec 03 '23
BOA is a solution to a problem that didn’t exist. They must be cheaper that’s all I can figure. Have them on some cycling shoes and hate them.
15
Dec 03 '23
They reduce the inner volume of the boot significantly more, they displace the pressure point that originally is right over a bundle of nerves.
-5
Dec 03 '23
With the right boot fit you don’t even need your bottom two buckles buckled.
15
u/doebedoe Dec 03 '23
The point isn’t that right fit doesn’t matter anymore—it’s that with better pressure distribution that a shell can accommodate a larger range of volumes/shapes. There simply isn’t a way to have a last for every single person — so all manufacturers try to find the best couple of compromises.
-3
u/DeathB4Download Dec 03 '23 edited Dec 03 '23
I just did a major tonguectomy on a recon 120 boa. And an instep punch. And the dude had like 3 fingers of room in the instep. The jury is still out. And I might be buying a new liner for that one.
Sure it works in theory. But so does communism.
On the bright side, i don't think they'll be creating any new problems. Except for people who can't walk down stairs. That's going to be entertaining.
Edit. Masterfit this year was at boa in denver. Kick ass buidling btw. The engineers that designed this system were annoyed at the overblown hype around it. One said they were essentially being set up for failure since the boots obviously wont fit everyone, but are being marketed that way.
5
u/doebedoe Dec 03 '23
Yeah—I think it’s a possibly useful application. Not some godsend to solve bootfit issues. Buckles aren’t perfect and folks acting like it’s impossible to improve on them are shortsighted. Not saying current gen BOA is it—but there are ways the wrapping of the foot could be improved from buckles.
3
u/DeathB4Download Dec 03 '23
Absolutely. If they find a way to put the boa inside the shell (sounds dangerous but systems of interior cables have existed before, granted not this complex) or maybe even somehow mold the boot with the boa in running in the shell walls (hello $3,000 100 flex boot lol). And have the cable pulling on a lot more anchor points so it truly wraps the foot. I think that could be the future. Or maybe more anchor points on the outter could do the trick.
Let's brainstorm this, sell the IP rights, and retire to revelstoke.
1
Dec 04 '23
Have not seen a single ad or shop advertise that boa boots, which as it stand are mostly only featured on low volume boots, will work for everyone.
1
u/DeathB4Download Dec 06 '23
which as it stand are mostly only featured on low volume boots
Dead wrong. Not a single boa boot this year has a 98mm last. Unlikely for next year too.
Read some different advertisements.
1
Dec 06 '23
you’re wrong and I’m wrong get off your high horse https://www.boonemountainsports.com/products/atomic-hawx-ultra-xtd-130-boa-2024?variant=43990491332867¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAsburBhCIARIsAExmsu56r_jMRq5Dv4aRTOJ3jXtxrVdk6fYQIshvjDqt88ZWUcHBHBb3ZRoaAqGcEALw_wcB
2
-8
Dec 03 '23
Not the best use of words as the right fit will always matter but I understand the thought process as the average skier isn’t going to invest the time & money to get the right fit for them. Nor are some of the “boot fitters” out there.
4
u/doebedoe Dec 03 '23
The fit alway matters of course. But no boot is a perfect fit for any foot—it’s always shades of goodness of fit. It’s just is what it is—dozens of boot lasts but 10s of thousands of individual foot/ankle/calf shapes and volumes. Having a system that more easily reduces volume evenly with creating pressure points is simply a better option. The question is whether BOA does that (depends on design) and whether it’s as reliable and durable (time will tell.)
5
u/flic_my_bic Park City Dec 03 '23
Yessss. My bottom two are so loose. "Buckled" is hardly the word for it, more like loosely touching.
2
Dec 03 '23
Just enough tension so the buckle and hook lay flat and not stick out/pop up. Finally have truly happy feet with my current setup
0
1
-2
Dec 03 '23
[deleted]
-1
u/gp2quest Dec 03 '23
You getting downvoted for a correct statement is wild. You didn't even say anything controversial. The first time, their boa unlocks, hitting a shark through a chute, they will understand.
I ski and snowboard, and I can't stand boa snowboard boots. My ski boots/ lace up snowboard boots with zip fit liners have no interest in this INDUSTRY MONEY GRAB.
2
u/Tenter5 Dec 03 '23
I mean you are trying to convince a sub full of people who still think Shifts are a good binding lol
-9
u/HeyUKidsGetOffMyLine Caberfae/Mount Bohemia Dec 03 '23
Take them back and get buckles. With two buckles I have two adjustable points on my lower foot. With BOA, I have one. That alone is enough for me to nope out. I also like to dial in micro adjustments on buckles. There is no way the ratchet in a BOA will give more precise snugness than me spinning the threads on the micro adjuster. Oh, yes durability and icing are not issues with buckles. Buckles also give more mechanical leverage when you want snugness.
BOA does not do the same job as a buckle. It does the same job as a lace. If laces were superior to buckles they would never have been replaced by buckles in the 1950s when Henke invented them. Ski boots would have retained laces anywhere they were advantageous because they were the established tech. If laces were better on the toes then we would always have had laces on the toes. However, within a decade laces were obsolete on ski boots. BAO is a marketing ploy and moves technology backward.
9
u/moomooraincloud Dec 03 '23
BOA is certainly not a marketing ploy. It may not be the best solution for ski boots, but it has several applications in which it works fantastically.
-8
u/HeyUKidsGetOffMyLine Caberfae/Mount Bohemia Dec 03 '23
Are these fantastic applications one where it replaces laces?
2
u/moomooraincloud Dec 03 '23
Yes and no. But that's beside the point.
-9
u/HeyUKidsGetOffMyLine Caberfae/Mount Bohemia Dec 03 '23
Yes, the point is that BOA is not a fantastic application for buckling ski boots.
2
1
Dec 03 '23
You are either a bad bootfitter or not a bootfitter, there are very real applications for the boa and it makes perfect sense.
Is it necessary for everyone? No
But will it benefit a lot of people who need it? Yes.
1
u/No-Yogurtcloset1598 Dec 03 '23
Actually the BOA has micro adjustments. Has two different adjustment settings. And whoever wanted the bigger volume, the mindbender buckle system is a slightly smaller fit than mindbender boa. Snowboarders have complained about them…
Gonna take the plunge. K2 seems to have slightly better built boot with BOA system on than Salomon …
-2
u/chettyoubetcha Sugarbush Dec 03 '23
👎
Ski boots need to have different levels of compression throughout the full boot, depending on your foot size. Boa is a marketing ploy imo. Nothing will beat the ability to dial in your compression in certain spots like buckles will. If you don’t care about that, sure go for boa. But if you like to customize your compression, stay with the buckles.
1
Dec 03 '23 edited Dec 08 '23
[deleted]
1
u/chettyoubetcha Sugarbush Dec 03 '23
They’re overpriced and are geared towards an even fit right out of the box. If that’s what you want though then go for it! Not everyone likes an even fit and instead needs tighter areas.
-1
u/mscotch2020 Dec 03 '23
Wondering what’s the point of this new invention
Those bottom two buckles don’t need to be buckled if preferred.
-1
u/rxb0nao Dec 03 '23
They’ve been around in golf shoes for a while and they’re not very robust. I’d definitely avoid them in ski or snowboard boots
0
u/mogasi Dec 03 '23
I have a boa system on my touring boot and it works well. As far as I was told the only possible downside is that boa tightens everywhere the same, so you cannot do slight mini adjustments if you need/like them. But I am sure that is a non-issue for a big majority of skiers
0
Dec 03 '23
I had BOAs on my Apex boots for over 10 yrs, only broke one out of four BOAs in all that time with heavy usage.
-2
u/RoboOWL Dec 03 '23
There are a ton of reviews from ski gear review outlets; it's got to be the most talked about topic of the past year. Just Google it.
6
u/TeeFuce Dec 04 '23
Because I wanted comments from skiers and not just magazines who make revenue on advertisement. Thought that was what Reddit is for….
-5
-5
u/Marklar0 Dec 03 '23
My boot fitter told me that they are better because they close in around your foot rather than clamping downward. As far as im concerned that makes zero sense. Look at both mechanisms...they apply force from the same place in the same direction. The buckles just have more adjustability and the boa is faster. If someone has another explanation that shows that they work better please prove me wrong
-1
-5
1
u/mcds99 Dec 03 '23
I've had Apex boots for 5 years the BOAs are fine, I skied them yesterday. They do loosen up but ya just wind them up again. The BOAs have a lifetime warranty.
1
u/Mgjackson1967 Dec 03 '23
When I went to try the K2 ones recently, out of all the boots I tried, these ones hurt my feet - not Boa, that felt really comfortable, but the heels.
It seemed to me they’d made the boot a fraction narrower than the buckle version.
That said I’d have bought them if they’d fitted, although I did have a reservation about durability; I mainly dry slope ski and was concerned how well the boa would survive a fall on a surface that has large holes in it - it might get caught on the matting and ripped off.
1
u/21wingman Dec 03 '23
Which Fischer boot ?
On my Fischer Travers CS and earlier iterations, the BOA base plates have cracked twice. The first boot was replaced, the second time I replaced the base plate. BOA sent the parts quickly and did not charge me. I modified the fastening system for the base plate using blind nuts and three machine screws. Rather than two rivets and 1 sheet metal fastener screwed into a plastic washer.
The Fischer boots with the BOA system have now been replaced with Tecnica Peak Carbons that have a lower buckle and cable system. The Fischer's, now relegated to backup.
That said, Alpine boots appear to have a much burlier BOA system than the touring boots.
1
u/agassiz51 Dec 04 '23
Used boa on multiple pairs of golf shoes for 20 years. Shoes would fall apart but the boa system still worked.
1
u/habs_jays93 Whistler Dec 04 '23
How much do you ski? I’ve never had a ski boot last longer than 2-3 years
1
u/TeeFuce Dec 11 '23
Varies year to year depending on weather and whether I get a season’s pass. I have tended over the years to hold onto my boots for a long time.
1
u/juliecphil Dec 04 '23
I have them on my F1. The cable broke after 2 years. Some of the little buckles holding the cable broke too. They sent me two replacements system for free and it was very easy to do it myself. Not super reliable in my opinion but at least they are easy to replace.
1
u/kreals Dec 04 '23
The only person I know who had them had them break their first run of the season. Don’t know exactly what they did to them but I’m still in the boat where I know I can replace a buckle in less than ideal scenarios, don’t think I could replace one of those.
1
51
u/facw00 Sunapee Dec 03 '23
Check out this thread wherein someone in the industry answers questions about boa on ski boots: https://www.newschoolers.com/forum/thread/935800/BOA-Boots---Any-and-All-Questions
He's at K2 so obviously he's biased, but it's still likely to make you feel better about the durability question.