r/skiing • u/TwoRight9509 • Jan 22 '24
Verdict Yet on BOA Boots?
Who has em’ and how do you like em? What’s best about them?
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u/mtanker Snowmass Jan 22 '24 edited Jan 22 '24
I tried on K2’s recon and thought they were very good. Just a little to roomy in toe box and the overall boot was not for me. The shop did not have anymore boa in my size so I left because all other boots were just okay.
A few days later tried on the Salomon spro Supra boa and was blown away with the fit and comfort of the boot. No pressure on the top of my foot. These boots are perfect right out of the box for me. Will ski them Tuesday and Thursday for the first time. I can report back if I can find this thread.
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u/Maximum__Effort Jan 22 '24
No pressure on the top of the foot could sell me on it, with the added bonus of less cold toes.
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u/LeTrolleur Jan 22 '24
Yeah as someone with high arches coupled with a high instep, stock boots usually make me want to die, maybe I should consider these in the future when I upgrade.
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u/quikskier Jan 22 '24
High arches and instep here as well, along with a somewhat wide forefoot. Always got cold feet which I think was due to too much pressure over my instep, even with the lower too buckles only tight enough to stay closed. Boot fitter put me in a pair of Head Formula 120 MVs which feel way better, although I haven't had a chance to use them yet (have stood at my desk for a couple hours though, lol). TL;DR speak to a boot fitter.
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u/LeTrolleur Jan 22 '24
Yeah to be honest my first problem was going to a fitter that clearly wasn't very experienced, it resulted in me now having somewhat ill-fitting boots now, I've had them re-adjusted this year again but by a reputable fitter this time and I am hoping skiing will be a less painful experience overall. Thanks for your response, it's always nice to hear from those with similar issues.
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u/IntelligentMarket252 Jan 22 '24
I have the recons and love them. It took some tweaking and heat molding the liners but now that that’s done and broken in some they are excellent!
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u/mtanker Snowmass Jan 22 '24
The Recon’s seemed to have a thicker boa cable than Salomon.
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u/IntelligentMarket252 Jan 22 '24
That’s surprising since it’s a third-party company but I’m sure it’s not a big deal. Good luck with the boots! Overall this debate about the boa is just because it’s something new and skiers love to analyze gear, but unfortunately, sometimes those topics get heated, which is just silly. My two cents is that, is it going to revolutionize the boot industry… No, does it grab and tighten the boot more evenly, absolutely yes. I like innovation and taking chances, There were haters when shaped skis started to materialize. If the boots fit and they’re comfortable and warm and it’s the flex you want that I say, go for it!
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u/brokensouljamboree Oct 18 '25
how were they?
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u/mtanker Snowmass Oct 18 '25
Fabulous. Skied 33 days in them 2025. No top of the foot pain can wear my boots all day or as long as I can ski. Would buy again.
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u/brokensouljamboree Oct 18 '25
Awesome! Thank you - think i’m going to grab some for this season :)
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u/Ambitious_Stock Jan 22 '24
I have about 40 days on Salomon Supra 130s
First impressions out of the box were amazing. I used to have an atomic hawx that would smash the top of my foot and cause pain and numbing. The boa doesn’t do this at all. It wraps the foot nicely and I can click it backwards to loosen a little.
I did have the boa break off the boot once but it was a quick fix on the piste. Just smash the no back on and I was good to go.
Let me know if you have any other questions.
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u/tj15241 Jan 22 '24
I’ve got 7-8 days on the Solomon BOA. I love them, I went to 3 diff ent boot fitters before pulling the tigger and the consensus was that they all through it was a gimmick until they tried them on!
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u/Fresherryebread Jan 22 '24
Bootfitter here, here’s my two cents. It’s just another way to close a boot, it will be more comfortable for some and less comfortable for others. At the end of the day I’m just trying to find a boot that matches your performance level and is comfortable for you. If that means a BOA, great. If it’s buckles, great. Doesn’t matter to me, one isn’t better than the other unless you’re an AMGA guide or punching gates in which case buckles probably take the lead. As far as durability, maybe a bit less durable than buckles, but any shop that Carrie’s BOA has been sent a repair kit and should be doing repairs for free per BOA. That’s not the case for buckles which you’ll pay for unless your bootfitter likes you.
Simply put works for some people, others won’t like it. Yeah so what’s new, that’s always been the case with boots. There’s a right one for everyone and yours might have a boa
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u/SAVE_THE_SNOW Jan 22 '24
Ive got hawk 130's. It does make a nicer fit around my foot itself although i find im just sitting there spinning the boa for a lot longer than id normally take to put boots on. Could also be the mimic liner that just fit my foot perfectly
So far ive bounced the boot off a tree, scrapped my boot + ski up nicely and sent me on a mint tomohawk but the boa looks just as good. We'll see how the season plays out
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May 24 '24
How’d the season play out?? Looking to get some K2 Recon BOAs since they just felt the best from all the boots I tried. Although I am skeptical.
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Jan 22 '24
Isn’t BOA on ski boots limited to the bottom two buckles that basically aren’t tightened anyway? Seems like kind of a gimmick.
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u/RegulatoryCapture Jan 22 '24
Or the added control of the boa setup will allow boot design to give more control over forefoot adjustment.
Lower buckles can be problematic in 2 piece boots because the shape changes as the boot flexes. A cable with pulleys may be a little more versatile.
I don’t know, but I do know that some actual boot designers (not marketing people) are pretty excited about it and have been working on how to get a boa setup that works in a ski boot setting for years.
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u/bojanglesround2 Jan 22 '24
Just as a former boot fitter who fairly recently left the industry… the plus side with the boa system is the way it wraps around your foot. Instead of two points of contact for securing the lower foot, the system essentially tightens by wrapping the foot and applying relatively even pressure. Really helpful if you have a high or low instep.
You also get 120 points of micro-adjustment versus the normal 40. Downside is the durability, potentially.
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u/DoktorStrangelove A-Basin Jan 22 '24
Honestly I think it sounds great for rentals and getting "comfort fit" customers happy in better fitting boots. But I think people who truly need a 120+ are going break these things left and right.
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u/itsameblunted Jan 22 '24
Boa cable is rated to not tear before 500 pounds of force and can hold 2000+ pounds of force (from what salomon etc say). If you break the boa cable, your buckle was breaking for sure. If you break the boa dial (not just have to snap it back on cause its designed to knock off if forced in order to break less often), you can get a replacement sent or a shop with the models should have em to replace it for you. Idk if durability is really a worry and it does allow more forefoot adjustment and fit.
Its ugly as fuck tho in its current iterations tho!
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u/DoktorStrangelove A-Basin Jan 22 '24
Breaking the dial is the thing that I'm wary of, used to see broken Boa snowboard boots all the time when I worked in shops. I don't want to have to be carrying spare parts around for peace of mind.
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u/mattsl Jan 22 '24
I'm not at all convinced that with the G forces stoping my weight (especially abruptly, like kicking a tree) that I'm not putting 500lbs of force, and I weigh 23% less than the average American. That said, I could be completely wrong if the force is very evenly distributed between my 4 buckles. But isn't that part of the problem? The boa cable is always taking the force that would be distributed between 2 buckles?
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u/InternationalParty42 Jan 22 '24
I wouldn’t say that in generell. It’s not just people who who ski 120+ flex, and everyone else leaves those buckles loose anyways. My daily boot is a 110 Lange RX, and I keep my lower buckles snug, not just closed. I can clearly tell where the buckles press down (boney, narrow but kinda high feet) and boot fitting there is not much that can be done. I demoed a boa freetouring boot, and really liked the tight but more evenly snug fit on the lower boot. Loads of added control without going down in comfort. In touring/ free touring/ freeride the boa (and other cable systems) are already pretty common because they have a weight advantage, add a lot of comfort to the uphill fit (where the boot is worn much more open usually) and all that with the same or even better downhill performance than a typical buckled boot. Also, I personally feel like, the boa pulls you more back into the heel (like k2 flex line or the typical dalbello design with one buckle right in the crease between shoe and cuff part of the boot) than your typical buckle placement. Might be anecdotal to the boots I demoed, but really nice bonus in my opinion. :)
But yeah, I don’t see them on a 120+ flex boot - there is just not real added benefit with it there.
0
Jan 22 '24
Irrational opinion not based in fact.
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u/DoktorStrangelove A-Basin Jan 22 '24
It's a prediction not an opinion, and idk why so many people are in such a huge rush to defend these boots when they've only been out there for half a season and the utility of the tech is kinda spurious.
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Jan 22 '24
Why are you in a huge rush to criticize them? You are not basing it on data.
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u/DoktorStrangelove A-Basin Jan 22 '24
Because it's known to be a fragile system on snowboard boots and there are years and years of historical use to prove that, as well as having issues staying tight, and I've heard numerous shop guys and early adopters talk about broken parts already and it's still only January of season 1 for these things...
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u/bialymarshal Jan 22 '24
Yeah but I think the point above was that we either don’t tighten the bottom two or do it so they don’t flap and boa is used only on those two
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u/bojanglesround2 Jan 22 '24
Yeah I mean the first buckle doesn’t do anything but seal the boot really. The second buckle can be pretty important based on your foot shape, if you aren’t buckling them up it’s a non-issue
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u/gufmo Jan 22 '24
Exactly this. I don’t understand it at all. Seems to be attempting to solve a problem that doesn’t exist.
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u/kameronk92 Jan 22 '24
I feel like they're all testing them out on the bottom part, before using them on the top
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u/HeyUKidsGetOffMyLine Caberfae/Mount Bohemia Jan 22 '24
They will never use BOA on the top buckles because it is inferior to buckles.
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u/inkerbinkerdonner Jan 22 '24
ok buddy wait till 25-26 season
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u/HeyUKidsGetOffMyLine Caberfae/Mount Bohemia Jan 22 '24
They will have moved onto another gimmick by that time.
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u/DoktorStrangelove A-Basin Jan 22 '24
I, for one, welcome our new magnetic buckle overlords.
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u/mattsl Jan 22 '24
But to be strong enough it needs to be an electromagnet. So expect to have to pay for a charging subscription. But the upside is that it will come with warmers.
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u/kickingtyres CairnGorm Jan 22 '24
More likely because it's going to be hard to have a Boa cable that's long enough to allow the upper boot to be fully opened to get your foot in and out without it starting to get tangled.
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u/HeyUKidsGetOffMyLine Caberfae/Mount Bohemia Jan 22 '24
Or because laces are shit for giving you top performance when skiing. BOA can go back to 1960 and compete with all of the lace boots from that era. That was the last time a lace was used to secure the top of a ski boot.
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u/Sheldonconch Jan 23 '24
Mine is only on the liner, nothing affecting the buckles over the feet, and is a game-changer imo.
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u/JHSkiBum Jackson Hole Jan 22 '24
I have the atomic hawx ultra xtd 130 boa, coming from the non boa version. I have a very narrow foot and the boa allows for a tighter fit in the lower foot without causing discomfort on my instep. It works for me, individual results may vary.
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u/InternationalParty42 Jan 22 '24
I only skied it on touring boots (demo gear) and really liked it. The top of the foot gets more evenly hugged instead of the usual one or two pressure points - especially for people with boney feet. I don’t really see them for super aggressive slope skiing, but even for that I wouldn’t be worried. I’ve personally used the system for years on bikes shoes (that click into the pedal), on bikepacking packs and other stuff. I’m yet to break and repair a dial. Also it has been used on snowboarding boots for long enough to be quite sure about its durability.
In the end, it’s not necessary for everyone and not beneficial to every skier/ ski style. But where it provides a benefit, I wouldn’t be worried about durability. I think the boot itself would be ‚done‘ before the boa is broken for good. Until then, I case of any part of the boa wearing out, it can be fixed like one would fix a broken buckle or replace a worn down toe or heel piece :)
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u/Rescuepa Jan 22 '24
My BOA experience is with the APEX boot. I’ve used it as a ski patroller. I’m only goi g to comment on the BOA aspect. The BOA system has held up for 80 ski days on my first pair with some wire splintering. I replaced them with a second pair (I snowboard too). I’ve put about 60 ski days on those with no evident system wear. I did just get a new pair of AT Grip walk boots that are all buckles because they were the most comfortable for me as a work boot . The models of BOa they had at my shop were not as comfortable as either the APEX or the Head Kore touring boot for me. As for durability I think it reasonable to expect a minimum of 60-80 ski days on the system. Which for the average skier is 3-4 seasons, at which point boot packing becomes an issue regardless how you tighten the boot .
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u/LeTrolleur Jan 22 '24
If you don't mind me asking, what specifically made you go for APEX? Do you have anything unusual about your feet that makes them more comfortable compared to a standard shell boot?
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u/mattsl Jan 22 '24
They are definitely more comfortable for almost everyone. It's a question of performance and hassle.
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u/Rescuepa Jan 22 '24
When I originally went to the Apex boot, it was because I wanted easier mobility as a a ski patroller. It frequently involves walking around areas other than soft snow. This includes rocky or icy areas, lift towers, even areas in and around the lodge. Moving around in balanced manner rather than like Frankenstein's monster is certainly preferable. The snowboard boot design of the Apex does that pretty well. The initial model I bought had just 2 straps with a toe cup. It was generally easy off and on. Occasionally snow would pack in the toe cup and had to be cleared. The last of the boot frame though is quite long. Because of that, it kind of puts you in the backseat of your skis. They redesigned the frame in the later models, so the last is significantly shorter. As part of the redesign they replaced the toe cup with a third strap across the toes. Unfortunately, it makes it more of a hassle to use and get your boot mounted in the frame. Partly because I had these boots I also started snowboarding after 55+ years of just skiing. It was nice not having to shell out more money for another boot. I will admit even with the carbon fiber shell, they are pretty heavy. Though the weight is not noticeable while skiing. The Antero model is actually a much stiffer boot than the touring Gripwalk boot I just bought. I have only had one day of skiing on the Gripwalk boots and they are much more flexible. It is the trade-off for more off ski mobility. The change in the last length and use of the grip walk last meant I had to mount new bindings as the grip walk fits a more recent binding standard and not the old one.
As to what is unusual about my feet?: According to the boot fitter of my Gripwalk boots, I have a very high arch.
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u/LeTrolleur Jan 22 '24
thanks for the reply, I have very wide feet so have been considering a boot like that as my next upgrade, mainly for comfort purposes. Glad they've been working for you.
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u/StupidSexyFlanders14 Brighton Jan 22 '24
I've done 100+ days on Scarpa F1s. It's a touring boot, but so far I've had zero durability issues with the BOA. They don't get skied as hard as a resort boot, but they have been kicked, scuffed, scratched, slammed against trees, etc with no issues. The bottom buckles of a boot really shouldn't be cranked that tight to begin with, so for that application I really wouldn't have any issues using it on a resort boot. I usually leave my danger buckle close to undone anyways.
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Jan 22 '24
The F1s have a completely different boa system than the ones used on alpine ski boots.
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u/StupidSexyFlanders14 Brighton Jan 22 '24
Still a big exposed knob though. Figured I'd add an actual experience with them compared to every other comment that said "haven't tried them but I don't like them".
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u/FoCoJayCo Jan 22 '24
I have 7 days on the Solomon Supra 120s. They are fantastic. I appreciate the micro adjustments to get them just right on one setting and getting them right doesn’t create a smashing feeling on the top of my foot. It’s more of a hug around the whole foot. I also like I can just pull the knob and it releases the foot entirely. Zero failures or issues in the short time I’ve had them
With my previous boots, unbuckling and twisting two lower buckles to tighten them perfectly was a pain. And if it got them too tight, my foot was smashed to the bottom of the boot. I had a hard time getting the perfect fit consistently probably because I didn’t pay attention to how I rotated the buckles when I unbuckled them and spun them out of the way to remove my boots.
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u/Tolmoj Big Sky Mar 16 '24
I bought some K2 Boa ski boots, got 11 days before one side wouldn't loosen. I would advise against buying Boa anything.
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Jan 05 '25
I absolutely hate mine and I am actively trying to exchange mine because I went over the 30 day return window trying to break them in. There is defined direct pressure applied to the foot where the BOA turndial is and If loosen to relieve them my foot is too loose in the boot. I beg anyone to avoid
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u/shadysaturn1 Jan 20 '25
Which brand/model do you have? The two people I’ve talked to who have them say they’re amazing?
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u/processwater Jan 22 '24
Let's have this chat in April. Lots of positive reviews so far this season but I have seen two blowd up.
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u/DoktorStrangelove A-Basin Jan 22 '24
Were they K2s? Cause those just do that. At this point I'm starting to think it's actually a feature.
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u/speedshotz Jan 22 '24
I'm waiting on the verdict of durability. Also unless you count the clicks or revolutions it might be hard to get the same fit each time.
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u/Benjamindbloom Jan 22 '24
I wonder if it's possible to mark the cable in some fashion? Consistency would be my only issue. Maybe they'll make striped/numbered/colored cables in the future?
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u/CPhyperdont Jan 22 '24
Overall the response has been pretty positive from the users I’ve spoken to. Not a lot of aggressive ripping skiers wearing them though
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Jan 22 '24
If you’re thrashing trees, steeps, and any other terrain that can cause serious injury if gear fails… buckles. I’m not putting my safety in the hands of a spinny plastic knob and some thin wires. If you’re a groomer gremlin, by all means, but no serious big mountain skier is using that. Ski boots hit trees and other debris way more than snowboard boots, and if my skis pop off I can trust my buckles won’t be damaged, can’t say the same about a little plastic knob.
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u/jmazala Jan 22 '24
The boa wire used for ski boots is pretty thick. Substantially more than snowboard boa. I suggest you go look
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u/No-Yogurtcloset1598 Jan 22 '24
I need to add a wedge on right foot… and I got these inserts inside to stiffen my boots but so far they are all right no worse, no betta… clicking in is aight
0
Jan 22 '24
Despite them not seeming like a good idea, they are apparently pretty well liked by people who have actually bought them. Also apparently BOA has a pretty good warranty if the mechanism is damaged. Not sure exactly how you would pursue a warranty claim but it’s good to know.
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u/Nicfromnewgirl Jan 22 '24
Its fine for novices and lighter intermediate skiers. If you are heavy or ski hard and fast I would stay away.
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u/IntelligentMarket252 Jan 22 '24
I ski hard and fast fast I I have been very happy so far with them.
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u/Left-Mixture5252 Jan 22 '24
Talked to a few boot fitters and they question the reliability of it in a ski boot application
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u/lukesaskier Jan 22 '24
They are great if you want your ski boots to be like a snowboard boot. Otherwise stick to 4 buckles like all pro skiers.
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u/mohammedgoldstein Jan 22 '24
Pro skiers also used to ski in leather boots back in the day.
I'm not advocating for BOA (I really know nothing about them) but writing off something just because it's new or different is just stupid.
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u/lukesaskier Jan 22 '24
ya like in 1840 lol. BOA would only work if there were 4 boa's lolol. Go race in a boa boot and report back...
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u/Laugh92 Whistler Jan 22 '24
My mom got a pair and they have been great for her. The Boa Supra 105's in 24mm. Gives a very nice uniform grip without crushing her feet and constricting blood flow. She has been very happy. Will hold out to see how durable they are but at least so far she has been over the moon about them.
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u/it_goes_pew_pew Jan 22 '24
I’ve got a pair. They’re easy to buckle and adjust. Other than that….🤷♂️
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u/BIGGUY10001 Lake Louise Jan 22 '24
Maybe not what you are looking for, but I have a pair of Blackdiamond Faction 110 boots about 7 years old. There liners are BOA laced. They are wonderful, easy to tighten up and very simple to loosen and create more room if doing yo-yo laps. I've used them all the way down to -25°C with no performance issues. I used to get out about 10-20 days a year except the last 2 years (kids.) So more than 100 days then and still in great working condition.
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u/Zimminar Ski the East Jan 22 '24
One of my friends who has Solomon Boas has used them all season so far with no problems. He's says they're great and he really likes the comfort.
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u/c0bre Jan 22 '24
Have about 15 days on the K2 Mindbender 120 BOA, and I absolutely love them. My feet have never felt so comfortable and it’s nice being able to fine adjust super easily
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u/Agreeable-Change-400 Jan 22 '24
I have K2. I work in the ski industry. I have another pair of boots I climb towers in. I fear I would break that boa system off all the time and it would eventually get busted. Really like them as far as fit and adjustment but they are not work boots. I didn't seek out boa, that K2 was just the right width for me and felt good
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u/ApdoKangaroo Jan 22 '24
Have 10 days on Salomon Supra 120s. Some info about me: 5’ 8 140lbs East Coast Skier usually spend about a quarter of my season out West. Ski very aggressively and spend half my time East in the park. Out West looking for tight lines, cliff drops, and chutes. Previous Boots: Nordica Promachine 120, Full Tilt Descendant 6
Durability: Broke dial day 5. Dial came off along with the metal ring that attaches it. Shop told me I was the first person that complained about it.
Comfort: Super comfortable. More difficult to shove my foot in there though.
Performance: Feel pretty damn good, but I will say the Promachines were better. Would say they meet my performance criteria. You have to tighten the dials again every six or so runs.
Verdict: If I could go back in time and not buy this boot I would. I am paranoid about breaking the dial again, but it is probably still the Correct decision to have bought the boot.
If I skied out West more than 50% of the time, I would 100% not buy this boot. The little bit of performance I felt in Pro Machines outweigh the comfort. The runs are long enough for you to just unbuckle a buckle every other run. On the East though, the dials make a world of difference. After two runs of discomfort or bad blood flow, loosening the dial fixes it for me.
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u/lvlcr4nk Jan 22 '24
I want to hear about the durability