Boots equipped with the BOA® Fit System, which is now popular in the top freeride scene.

BOA has a history of over 20 years in snowboarding. Since its release for alpine skiing in the 2023-2024 season, it has quickly become the talk of the scene. Katsuno Tenran and Sasaki Yu have been using BOA boots since last season. These two top freeride skiers are now full-fledged BOA users

With just a slight difference in force, it became easier to subtly control the skis. | Yu Sasaki

Sasaki Yu, who travels between Canada and Japan during the season, wears BOA boots almost every time except when skiing on extremely hard slopes.
"Once I started skiing, I didn't feel any discomfort in operating the skis.
The buckles are held down from above, so my feet would sometimes hurt, but BOA boots wrap evenly around the entire foot, so I was able to stay comfortable.
When I walked with the buckles loosened in BC boots, my feet would move around inside the boots and hit the ground, but I didn't have that problem with BOA."

Gliding, flying, spinning, nothing to worry about | Katsuno Tenran

Katsuno, on the other hand, said that although he didn't try them during the FWT, he often used them outside of it.
"When you first ski with new boots, you wonder if they'll be okay, but there was nothing to worry about at all. Everything about gliding, flying, and turning was great."
BOA boots can be adjusted down to the millimeter, providing an excellent fit for anyone. With no gaps between your feet, it's easy to imagine that there is less loss of power transmission to the skis.

Refresh your existing senses. A familiar feel from the start

BOA used a special insole to measure the static pressure on the top and bottom of the foot. The results showed a maximum increase of 6% in the force on the sole of the foot and a 10% increase in the force applied at the initiation of a turn.
This, combined with a 13% reduction in pressure on the top of the foot, has been scientifically proven to provide both comfort and performance.

"I can't really tell if my turns have improved, but what's most amazing is that I've been able to ski with the same feeling since my first year as I've been wearing the boots I've been used to for years.
My ankles are easier to get into, and it's easier to switch and freestyle, and to ski in powder. I feel like I can control my skis more easily than ever before, just by applying a slight difference in the amount of pressure I apply to the soles of my feet,"
says Sasaki Yu.
Katsuno Tenran adds,
"I used to tighten the buckles with force, so it felt like the load was concentrated in certain areas.
But with the BOA boots, the load is distributed evenly throughout, with no gaps. The uniform application of force may be the reason I was able to ski stress-free from the start. Sam Kuch (K2) has skied with them without any problems, so it's proven that these boots can be used outside of competitions."

Both of these people, who are active in competitions and video productions, agree that the shoes feel comfortable and natural the moment you put them on.
If you're unsure, try them on and step out onto the snow. You'll understand what they're saying.

Model used by Yu Sasaki

Katsuno Tenran model used

BOA Technology

Over five years in the making, the BOA Fit System for alpine boots was developed.
To accommodate the rigid shell, a completely new system was developed from scratch, instead of a traditional system.
It encases the lower shell and securely holds the heel in place. By evenly distributing pressure across the top of the foot, you feel more connected to the boot, improving power transfer and control.

Six brands use BOA

A total of 26 models of BOA-equipped boots were released in the 2023-2024 season by four brands: Atomic, Fischer, K2, and Salomon.
From the 2024-2025 season, two more brands, Nordica and Tecnica, will join the lineup, bringing the total to six brands. Nordica has released the Speedmachine 3 BOA, an all-mountain boot, while Tecnica has released the MACH BOA HV 130GW, an on-piste boot.

Information

BOA

Official website: https://www.boafit.com/ja-jp
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