The Problem with BOA Ski Boots That Everyone Should Know

[@jonathanpettibone627]

High instep. Tried one on in the shop and liked it. Bought boots last year though, so it will be a few before I'm ready. All that said, I really came here to say that the floor switch on the lamp behind you is upside down and it's driving me mad.

[@OutOfCollective]

Yo 😂 best comment yet

[@n-da-bunka2650]

I liked his gravity grips on the wall behind him... mounted correctly... LOL-ish

[@gkemplen]

I noticed many negative comments on Boa boots, mostly from people that haven’t tried them. I’ve been skiing on K2 Mindbender 120 Boa and have only good things to say. Very comfortable, especially the forefoot, great fit and super responsive. If I find anything negative down the road, I will be sure to post it. But for now, loving them❤

[@wireham]

Do you have a wide foot? I’ve heard the mindbender boas are good for a wide foot

[@rickden8362]

Was it worth the $100 extra it seems K2 charges for BOA over non-BOA boots.

[@TheGweedMan]

My bottom, two buckles are closed with very minimal pressure. The buckles don’t fly all around they stay right, where they supposed to. On a four buckle boot the third buckle is the most important as it’s the one that does the most in keeping the heel in the heel pocket.

[@Bseaman25]

I ROC boa on my mountain bike shoes and I've crashed many, many times on hard rocks. Boa Seems to hold up fine. I've had one buckle break in 12 years and was still able to ride another 90 miles with just the top ratchet straps.

[@fsquared64]

If you have to crank down on the bottom two buckles your boots don’t fit properly.

[@lassivaatamoinen5468]

My thoughts (and experience) exactly.

[@tomblagdon3991]

In most cases but not all

[@maxmchale7685]

Also possible that there aren’t boots that do fit properly. I have had boots in the past where my toes are curled like rock shoes but I still have to crank down on the buckles. I just have super flat feet with low insteps. Finding boots that fit has been very difficult

[@lassivaatamoinen5468]

@@maxmchale7685 plausible, but quite rare. I do know people who need to get boots punched before actually paying up in a shop.

[@jackvanlierop6090]

If you aren't cranking everything, your not skiing fast enough

[@timothyfoster9752]

I have two days so far on the RC4 MV Pro. I usually average 50+ days per season. The Zip fit liner + the boa as well as a custom footbed = the best fit I have ever had in a boot full stop. Taking it to the mountain, the amount of control from foot to ski is insane. You feel the boot wrap your foot to contact the sole to the footbed and remove any sloppiness that you might not have even realized was there to begin with. Keep in mind it is not faster than clips. When you pop it at the bottom of the run for the chair ride up you will need to tighten some of the slack before your next lap.You are gonna need to crank and you might feel like a tool doing so if you have self confidence issues. But it is about efficient energy transfer from foot to ski. I am not worried about it failing, and since it is located on that high corner near the ankle you have less chance of snagging your buckle of the inside foot and booting out mid turn. Which means greater steering angle clearance. I am concerned how it will hold out against Slalom Gate impact Or tree stumps, but it should pop the top and snap a new one into place. It feels like nothing else I have skied on. Like a Japanese toilet, don’t bash it until you give it a try, you might find it hard to go back.

[@OutOfCollective]

Love this. Thank you!

[@simon1066]

For all the reasons you’ve described I’m also very happy with my new Salomon S/Pro Supra Boa boots. The best fit ever!

[@darinanderson4859]

One way to not feel like a tool is to ride with snowboarders. While you wait for them to find a seat and buckle up know one will even notice that your cranking up your BOA! 😂 Love my Solomons so far. 15 days and counting.

[@maelilmc4079]

@@darinanderson4859Salomon

[@maximusmiles8435]

I think it's a gimmick. The bottom buckles are only meant to hold the shape of the boot. They are not meant to be clamped down. The foot is not supposed to be squeezed or pressed down on. The fit should be good enough that you only need to hold the shape. I'm sure BOA does it just as well, except when the dial pops off. It sells boots, and that's the bottom line. Just like the flex numbers that don't actually mean whole lot since there is no standard. Selling boots is what they are in business to do, and this helps.

[@milesparker3263]

Agree 100%. You don't *want* your lower foot to be squeezed. As long as my midfoot and heel is soldly anchored, I'm good. Typically my lower buckles are at one finger tension.

[@richardmesser1091]

You should be a boot designer

[@thomasmedeiros5722]

So which brands/ models have you actually tried on? Which models have you actually skied on ?

[@GlennSacks]

I'm holding out at least a season. I'm sure there are going to be all kinds of issues discovered this season, and some of them will be addressed with product updates next year. To say that it is an inconvenience if the knob breaks of is quite an understatement. If it breaks on my local resort that sucks, but I can take it to my shop for repair. I'm still probably going to be without my boots a few days, which is a problem for someone who skis multiple days a week. (instructors, racers, coaches, other industry pros). if it breaks while I'm on vacation that's an even bigger problem. If they break more often than buckles that's not going to be a long term win.

[@brzerk412]

These can be replaced in minutes

[@estelja]

How will everyone know I am a tourist when I'm walking around the grocery store with these if there aren't loose buckles to make that clanking sound?

[@OutOfCollective]

They’ll never know.

[@user-ed7dy1mq9u]

What I love about snowboarding BOA is the ability to quickly and ever so slightly tighten the top part of my boot. Not sure why the BOA is only on the bottom.

[@sebastianjo752]

I bet boa is coming for the upper part next season/year, i think they want to introduce it slowly.

[@marvellous9652]

@@sebastianjo752 The top 2 ski boot buckles are exposed to more force and would likely break easier.

[@user-ed7dy1mq9u]

@@marvellous9652 Every pulley you add cuts the forces in half. These aren’t impossible problems.

[@coloradomallcrawlers]

I broke my BOA boots. Not just popping it off, I sliced it off. They stayed tight, but skied to the base area and a shop replaced the system. Not sure what I would have done in the backcountry (well ski better), but I love my BOA boots in the resorts. I made a review on my ski channel too.

[@grantlingley1385]

I tried a new pair of K2 Recons with the BOA system and I have to tell you I loved them. Much like you said, a firm and really comfortable fit. I am Ski Patrol (NS Canada) so mostly have to decide which flex is best for the kind of skiing I do. I typically ski a 130 flex boot (currently a Rossi) and really did like the feel of the Recon in the 130. I was pleasantly surprised by how beefy the BOA mechanism was…easy to use with gloves on and simple changes can be made on the fly. The Dealer I met with in New Hampshire was awesome and spent a fair amount of time with me trying on boots re K2 and Dalbello as well. Kudos to the Kittery Trading Post!

[@ashtonsuire]

Can confirm the feeling of the boa blowing and loosening up while tumbling is great.

[@malcontent456]

I bought the Salomon version mid-season last year and I think they're great. Nice and comfortable fit with easy adjustability.

[@OutOfCollective]

Love to hear!!

[@adelkharisov]

Waiting for 91-96 mm last boot with BOA and ZipFit liner!

[@TheSnow150]

Has anyone ever been riding aggressively and had the boa system open up? Going from trusty buckles to a wire would make me nervous, specially since it's built to release on a crash.

[@nicholas5396]

Hahaha, i knew it. "The problem with Boa, its perfect to a fault"😂😂😂

[@leightoncash3642]

my feet go numb from pressure on my instep. So this sounds like a good solution. But I'm a hard charger, so it would have to be pretty bombproof. It doesn't sound like it's there yet in that regard.

[@OutOfCollective]

Tough to say as far as long term durability. They do have a failsafe, and it’s mostly available on performance - oriented boots so really supposed to be for the hard chargers.

[@rickden8362]

You problem is bad boot fitting.

[@dredbud9272]

No problem hard charging with the Fischer. No issues. 140 flex is only for serious bombers.

[@rickden8362]

@@dredbud9272 140 flex also for bigger skiers. BOA also $100 more.

[@parker9645]

i was able to test them before they came out and after the first day 3 pairs companies brought out were busted. the fit on them is great thought and for people with special foot issues they work great too. Durability is the only slight issue i’ve seen

[@JeffreyHyun]

As someone who hasn't been following boot tech but heard boa in passing, the biggest shocker of this vid is that the boa system is on a RC4 boot. That adds credibility to the tech, but I wonder how much. Race gear historically hasn't has all the bells and whistles tech of its "performance" line. Wether its due to FIS regulations (like things sticking off helmets) or that it just doesn't work as that level is the unknown.

[@MichaelAbell-f5g]

You buy the RC4 for the ZipFit not the Boa

[@OutOfCollective]

One thousand percent

[@stickgs]

How about the fit for folks like me with flat narrow feet and large ankle bones?!! 😞

[@stevejenkins845]

Just bought a pair of Solomon’s nice boot.

[@dewittlife802]

I had Apex boot with BOA. They kept loosening up. I'd have to tighten them after every run. Eventually, it loosened up during a run on a double Black Diamond. It was yard sale. I'm still recovering from a torn rotator cuff. Needless to say, I got rid of the boots with the BOA and went back to regular boots. I will definitely see how things go before I would buy a boot with the BOA system again

[@OutOfCollective]

Sorry to hear! That apex system is 10x different than the one being run on current alpine models, so I'm pretty confident that issue has been more than addressed.

[@jamesthornburgh6641]

@@OutOfCollective have you tried their new generation of boots? If so what do you think? I have a really high instep and have never skied without being in pain. I bought some boss 110s last year and basically have to have everything on the first buckle in order to not have my foot go numb.

[@Daz555Daz]

Really sucks that your boots had a faulty BOA.

[@neilmacpherson260]

Having broken some boas on newr new mega ££ cycling shoes after a couple of days use, plus having low volume feet, plus the positioning on the shell of some of the boas on boots designed to freeride/ tour... I'll pass. Firstly I can't get boots tight enough with the boa vs buckles. F1lite- (boa) too slack, F1XT(buckle version-excellent)... Secondly, for resort laps,nice tight boots with the buckle being flipped up on the lift/ is super easy. Boas wear out more with every ratchet click. Buckles please.

[@douglasbroccone3144]

Does it better allow blood flow through the vein on top of the foot so the foot toes stays warm ?

[@GinandNat]

Hey! Serious question. I am in the market for new boots this season and I noticed MOST boa boots are offered in a mid volume. Is the boa intended to replace last size, in a sense? I don't see a hawx ultra or fischer rc4 in LV, the only brand who's doing it is Salomon.

[@RT-tn4ry]

Try the APEX ski boot if you get cold feet. I have NEVER NEVER EVER had warm toes until I got the Apex boots with a stick on toe warmer in there. It can be 10 below and I have warm feet. They are as comfy as sno board boots, cause they kinda are. The boa tightening I love.

[@reddofly]

I've been wearing Apex boots for years. Game changer.

[@coreymclernon]

Boa works. It’s much better than buckles. You can micro adjust the system so easily. Just turn the boa either way. They are made for all mountain skiing but I saw a pic of one on world. Cup.

[@rickden8362]

World Cup racers get paid to use gear. There's no guarantee the BOA was actually functioning.(it probably wasn't)

[@willyelmejor]

I tried the Atomics and liked it, 130 may be too stiff for me (currently on Atomic Hawx Ultra 110) so I'm considering the women's which are 115. In your video you mention it's good for high instep, mine is low instep and there's akways room inside my boot. Would this be a good option ? When I tried it, it felt like it did work for my foot, felt less empty room inside

[@OutOfCollective]

If it feels good, that’s awesome. I guess I more mean that the benefit isn’t AS apparent for people with low instep. The extra volume suck you get with boa is nice, but it depends on the boot.

[@masattac]

My understanding is that all BOA Boots currently are mid volume except for the atomic.

[@jehjay2600]

Ive sheared buckles off of my boots on a couple occasions and or bent the hell out of them on others from rock and stump impacts. I'd much rather lose 1 buckle and have to jury rig something at night at a ski shop to replace a rivet than have the whole boot open up, be useless the rest of the day, and maybe the rest of the vacation... Even if the boa is more comfortable, I don't want to risk the few days a year I get to ski...

[@elonmusk6486]

Completely agree

[@brzerk412]

Can be replaced in minutes at a shop.

[@jehjay2600]

@@brzerk412 if you're somewhere where there's a shop and they have the right boa... unless the boas are like bicycle UDH? With a buckle I can ski without 1 buckle OR jury rig something easily.

[@Peter-io2xs]

Very good discussion. Thank you.

[@theplumber4934]

If It did break and I am in the Alps will any shop do a warranty repair or do I have to wait until back in UK?

[@OutOfCollective]

Any dealer stocking boa will replace for free.

[@TAH1712]

'A ton of parts at the local retailer' isn't really useful when bits break on the mountain - isn't that obvious... 'A ton of parts at the local retailer' is a good prediction of regular failure - isn't that obvious as well.

[@Daz555Daz]

"A ton of parts" are available for regular clips on boots as well.

[@lassivaatamoinen5468]

5 times thicker? I doubt they are 10mm thick… Also, you wont lose *all* pressure from the forefoot, if the Boa comes off. Or, if you do lose all, you’re already in a too big boot.

[@albertpuyal731]

Is anybody here still riding a horse to go to work? StilI using pigeons to send messages? Still using a flaming wooden torch to light the darkness? I doubt it...We call it evolution, when plastic ski boots appeared there was also controversy, it always happens when something new is introduced. Only time will answer all our doubts... After having tried some K2 BOA models I'm absolutely on the BOA boat.

[@timhood438]

Anyone know if the best way to test drive the BOA systems before purchasing? Is there a rental program?

[@LucasFenollar]

Some ski shops demo ski boots, Footloose demos every ski and boot they sell in-store (Might just be a west coast thing)

[@rmschindler144]

what does BOA stand for?

[@powderskier5547]

Off course more people have broken buckles more than BOA, there are 10 times as many buckle boots out there than BOA and Buckle boots have been around a lot longer

[@richardmesser1091]

Yes he said that

[@TAH1712]

surely 100 times more...

[@dredbud9272]

Most skiers are not good enough to get the max out of their equipment. Not sure if the people commenting here are good skiers . I ski from October til June every season and I’m probably not good enough to get the max out of my equipment. No issues with the boa yet. Time will tell .

[@menotyou9406]

Um if I crash I have to hunt through the snow to find a little knob? Oh that will end well

[@richardmesser1091]

Stays on the cable, almost never detaches from the boot

[@ColinRockFight]

But how do Boa's help you in the bedroom?

[@richardmesser1091]

Gives a better fit

[@tomnoble27]

So wait, what's the big problem that everyone should know?!

[@charleswallace4671]

Good luck when your miles from nowhere and it breaks your ot of luck will not use

[@richardmesser1091]

Just the for foot no problem getting back, do you even ski

[@richardmesser1091]

You dont get to have them

[@jcmoye1]

There are no problems with BOA, in a few years buckle boots will not be available

[@teddyzamba1396]

Salomon has had a boa design for 50yrs, it was internal in the beginning for heel hold down and forefoot adjustment; now its external....pure marketing craptastic moments, its not a good design from a design perspective. Salomon had it right 50yrs ago; now its just reinventing the wheel. I mean, it really complicates a very simple operation. So, that sux.

[@bearclaw5115]

If they had it right 50yrs ago then how come they don't still use the design? Must have been a problem somewhere.

[@teddyzamba1396]

@@bearclaw5115 They have to sell boots, and boots last a lifetime (I ski on boots over 40yrs old) I need lightweight and easy on, easy off, so rear entry for me. Boa is pure marketing, a gee whiz factor to sell boots, it accomplishes nothing; just a different look. But, it will sell some boots because it is something with a new 'bell n whistle' and people will want to blow the new whistle.

[@strathound]

I ski and snowboard. My top of the line snowboard boots, the BOA, it never holds. Never. I am constantly re-tightening them. They loosen up as I ride. For the love of all that is holy ... PLEASE NO. Don't make me use that stuff. It doesn't work. We know this because the stupid snowboard boots are too soft to have buckles. If you make me ski in a pair of fluffy bunny slippers, then yes, put a boa on it. But not my ski boots please. Do you realize what happens if that boa loosens up? Someone gets hurt. And you get sued.

[@michaeljohnston8265]

If the boa loosens someone gets hurt?! 😂😂😂 Sometimes I notice my lower buckles were not done. Nobody hurt yet! Upper buckles keep you in the boot and your heel tight. Lower buckles are purely to just close the boot around your foot.

[@KevinJames1933]

spray skiers

[@TheJeffatan]

Gimmick gimmick gimmick..

[@OutOfCollective]

Big if true

[@TheJeffatan]

@@OutOfCollective why would one need only mino tension across the top. 2 buckles let to set to different tensions..plus tippy toe buckle for me is always super soft ...

[@bc6881]

Atomic backland boots boa system snapped. Shop couldn’t replace, they sent back to Atomic for replacement. Atomic ultimately gave me new boots with buckles presumably because they are so difficult to replace.

[@H0lyH0g]

My feet cannot handle a constant squeeze so I’m unbuckling at bottom of every run and buckling at top of every lift. I could see this being more comfortable on my foot and more convenient for releasing tension. These things are so obviously new and shiny and weird, and skiing being this gear sport thats also an intersection of class and “who’s expert” blah blah blah have some people up in arms over this lol. The boot makers have only made the buckles look nicer and maybe latched a bit better and boa has been a solid application for other outdoor footwear so I don’t see what the big deal is. Ill probably end up at least trying a pair and if I think it would help me ski with more comfort in my feet which is typically my most uncomfortable area then I would be a fool to dismiss a good product because it betrays some unspoken attitude of what ski gear should and shouldn’t be.

[@richardmesser1091]

Like cell phones

[@normalizedaudio2481]

WTF is this BOA? I get my boots at the thrift store.

[@OutOfCollective]

I own the thrift store

[@richardmesser1091]

It's a snake

[@normalizedaudio2481]

This boot is how you recognize the tourists. Steer wide dudes.

[@bertford8785]

Love it. Haha

[@richardmesser1091]

This post is how you recognize the know it alls

[@ianholmquist8492]

Boas will always break, are never durable, and don't provide a proper fit like standard buckles. They are a gimmick so that companies can sell more plastic shit

[@richardmesser1091]

Opinions are not facts

[@teddyzamba1396]

BOA sucks, it makes no sense, but its a marketing do hickkie that can be played like a parlor trick. Its the reinvention of the wheel, and it will disappear as fast as it appeared. BOA was done right in the past as an internal cabling system for heel retention and forefoot adjustment, but it was necessary on a rear entry boot....rear entry....so, you needed something to replace external buckles. This new reinvention is worthless from a fit standpoint, since you are not using a rear entry....dumb dumb and dumb. But, you need marketing nothingness to impress the monkeys to want to leave the cage and jump on the new tire lashed to the tree with a Boa....nice....!!