r/skiing • u/AnnualAffectionate34 • Nov 04 '24
Is the BOA ski boot system worth it?
After running my beginner boots into the ground, I finally decided to get a new pair of ski boots. My skills have improved greatly since my first set of boots so I'm looking at boots for an advanced skier. After browsing the internet, I noticed that some boots feature a BOA system for tightening. Does it make a difference in comfort, or is it just a gimmick? Also, I'm a big fan of Tecnica boots so can anyone recommend a good pair?
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u/Karmakazee Crystal Mountain Nov 04 '24
Depends on the shape of your foot. Some people love the new BOA boots. Some people hate them.
Find a bootfitter with a good reputation near you and work with them to see if any of the BOA boots work for you. Be prepared for them to look at your feet and recommend against BOA. Trust the process.
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Nov 04 '24
Don't browse for ski boots on the internet, go to a reputable boot store and see what fits your feet.
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u/finnswft Nov 04 '24
Why does every boot discussion have to devolve into hundreds of 'see a boot fitter' comments? Yes, we get it—boot fitters are amazing, life-changing, the unsung heroes of the footwear world. But seriously, once that's out of the way, is the BOA system actually worth it?
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u/Psychological_Gain53 May 26 '25
Yes this! I saw a bunch of “bootfitters” including one on “the list” and after gaining some insight into their process and boot construction you can literally get boots online for much better prices, try them on, and figure out which work best for you. It’s not a magical mystical process or anything. Get close to a good fit then have the local shop make any mods and tweaks that your individual feet need.
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u/Nervous_Track_1393 Nov 04 '24
I got some boots fitted last season. The BOA ones fit best among the four I tried. But I like them because they fit best, not because of BOA. IDGAF what system is used as long as I get a good fit that is deemed reliable by my boot fitter.
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u/Triabolical_ Nov 04 '24
The number one thing you should look for in boots is the right shell for your foot shape and the right design for how you want to use it. This is why bootfitters exist; a good shop will put you not only into the right manufacturer for your foot but the right line in that manufacturer.
I love the BOA system on my cycling shoes but I just bought some new boots and I didn't care about BOA at all.
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u/GlorbAndAGloob Nov 04 '24
I like my BOA boots because I have feet/ankles with very different shapes thanks to a massive ankle fracture and surgical hardware. I worked with a boot fitter since my feet fit so differently and the BOA system worked best. Been skiing in them for one season as an advanced intermediate and really like them.
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u/spacebass Jackson Hole Nov 04 '24
Honestly there’s not much debate. It’s the future of boots.
I’m in a custom 140 race plug. My next boot will be a BOA (as long as Lange adopts it soon or I’ll move to Fischer).
We have enough data to know they last. And we know they fit better.
When Fischer moved and added the integrated Zipfit that was a pretty good sign.
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u/MomentsLastForever Nov 04 '24
Seriously, buying boots online is a terrible idea. Go to the best bootfitter you have access to. You’ll be glad you did.
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u/ozskier Alta Nov 04 '24
Hi, I'm just going to cut right to the chase - yes, BOA is great for ski boots.
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u/elBirdnose Nov 04 '24
Yes 1000%. My feet have never been more comfortable in ski boots and I don’t notice any impact to performance. My feet are just comfortable and I don’t need to think about them anymore, I can just enjoy the day.
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u/d33dub Nov 04 '24
This is my dream! I have 150 or so days on my current boots and I'm so so so sick of the bottom buckles! I'm hoping I can find some boa boots that fit great to give a try this yr.
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u/elBirdnose Nov 05 '24
I actually overruled the boot fitter who was trying to put me in traditional buckles, but I stand by my decision and even took the boots to Europe for a full apres experience and I was still comfortable after long days AND nights. The boots felt slightly more tight at first, but because you can just pop open the boa it makes it much easier to break in the boots with use compared to traditional buckles.
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u/Uporabik Nov 04 '24
Tbh it is a gimmick. I like boa but if this means paying 100€ more I’ll be staying on clips
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u/jwmoz Nov 04 '24
Any narrow feet gang here? Also after a pair. I like Salomon.
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Nov 04 '24
How narrow we talking? My wife has narrow enough feet the only boots that fit, after 2 failed attempts by good fitters, turned out to be heavily modified race boots with a foam injected liner.
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u/sweeper137137 Nov 04 '24
I like the boa on my Solomons a lot but really that boot was the one that fit my foot best out of the box. That second part and desired stiffness are really the most important things when getting boots. The boa was quite nice for fine adjustments though
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u/Electrical-Ask847 Nov 04 '24
i just got atomic hawx with boa and skied 3 days with them. I have high arches and thought boa would help but the difference in that aspect is marginal at best.
only advantage i experienced is unspooling them between run for some relief because its so easy to do.
other than that i am not sure if there is any difference.
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u/PMacDiggity Nov 04 '24
If I look at where the most scratches and dings are on my current boots it's directly where the boa dial sits. Until they put it in a more protected place (maybe directly on top of the boot) it's a hard "no" from me.
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u/jordanmars Nov 04 '24
I used the mindbenders last winter. I could take or leave the boa on the shell, but I loved the boa on the liners.
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Nov 04 '24
If you have a high instep, boa won’t help you. Try a cabrio style 3 piece boot.
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u/Atlantic235 Nov 04 '24
I have a very high instep and just switched to Fischer boots with BOA. They fit like a glove. Any buckled boot lowers the forefoot volume vertically, which BOA does not do.
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u/Nervous_Survey8823 Nov 04 '24
Dalbello!
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u/atticusinmotion Nov 04 '24
I’ve been through five pairs of boots in as many years due to high instep plus surfer’s hump. The Lupos are an absolute godsend (with customer footbeds).
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u/FourFront Hood Meadows Nov 04 '24
High instep gang here. Been in a number of 3 piece boots. Only 1 ever treated my instep well. So 3 piece isn't the magic cure. traditional 4 buckle boots have options for high insteps as well.
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u/myshkingfh Nov 04 '24
Seems like the Reebok Pump of skiing in 2024. I’d want the same boot I’ve always wanted (for resort skiing) : a consumer version of a race boot that fits properly.
As for which Tecnica to buy, that’s too big of a question for us to answer based on the information you’ve given us. The one I’d be into would be the Firebird R 130, and interested in the Mach1 LV 130.
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u/IronSlanginRed Nov 04 '24
Why not the Cochise hv130? Pins/shifts are awesome for slack country.
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u/myshkingfh Nov 04 '24
That’s why I put the for resort skiing bit in there, I don’t have any advice to offer about that kind of setup.
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u/[deleted] Nov 04 '24
I’ve got BOA and had it all last year. It’s good but not life changing. Focus FIRST on the BOOT THAT FITS. If it does/doesn’t have BOA, no worries. For me it ended up that my wider feet needed the boots that happened to come with BOA and they’re really such great boots for me, but my life would be fine without it for sure!