BOA® , which opens and closes laces by turning a dial to create a perfect fit, is comfortable to use, safe, and reliable. We spoke to skier Tsuyoshi Kodama, who travels the world, about its true essence.
The perfect ski boot with no drawbacks
"I've been using the BOA Fit System since the 2023-2024 season, when it was introduced to ski boots, and honestly, I can't find any drawbacks."
So asserts professional skier Tsuyoshi Kodama, who is well-known from the TV show "Sliding Around the World." For his 10th season, 2024-2025, he will be embarking on a month-long trip to three countries in South America. The only boots he brought with him were Atomic's "HAWX ULTRA XTD 130 BOA."
"I've been walking on steep rocky terrain and skiing on a variety of snow conditions for three seasons, but I've never had a lace loosen or a dial break. I've found the reliability of these skis to be increasing every year."
When I travel, I always bring a repair kit that can replace the entire BOA, but I've never had to use it.
"BOA boots tighten the boots softly and continuously with a consistent tension. There's no unevenness where one part is tight and another is loose, and it feels like the whole foot is wrapped in the boot. There's no stress, so fatigue is reduced."
The shell opens wide with a single touch of the dial, making it easy to put on and take off without the hassle of undoing each buckle.
"You can loosen it while riding the gondola, or tighten it at the top of the slope. The ease of fine adjustment with one hand makes it useful in all sorts of situations."
It is said that the human foot swells by about 5 to 10 mm between morning and evening. As the condition of the foot changes from moment to moment, it was difficult to obtain the same feeling every time with a buckle type that requires gradual adjustment.
"BOA provides precise fitting for skiers who spend all day on the snowy mountain."
Having earned Kodama's trust, BOA will embark on another long journey this season.
Takeshi Kodama continues to use BOA Boots
ATOMIC
HAWX ULTRA XTD 130 BOA
SIZE: 24/24.5 ~ 29/29.5
FLEX: 130
WEIGHT: 1861g (26-26.5cm)
¥142,890
This touring model features a BOA lower shell and a buckle upper shell for adjustment. High specs for both gliding and walking.
PROFILE
Takeshi Kodama
A professional skier who takes on extreme skiing in the mountains of the world. His ongoing "Skiing Journey Around the World" with photographer Kei Sato is now in its 10th installment, with the South America edition photo book now on sale.
Instagram: @skiertake0728
“Ride The Earth” photobook 10
SOUTH AMERICA Beyond the Horizon
On sale now
Publisher: HS Co., Ltd.
Size: 210 x 270 mm
Number of pages: 162 pages
¥2,970
This is the 10th installment in the "Skiing Journey Around the World" series, in which the two travel to snowy mountains in various countries and regions, capturing the charm of snow and skiing through photographs and writing, and compiling them into a single book.
TOPICS 1
Dual BOA fit system with two dials
K2 "CORTEX ZONAL 140 BOA" maximizes the performance of dual BOA
Ski boots are made up of two shells, a lower and an upper, separated by the ankle. The Dual BOA Fit System allows you to continuously adjust the fit of each shell. By providing a uniform fit from the toes to the calves, it improves maneuverability and reduces fatigue.
Two dials allow you to customize your fit by zone, evenly tightening the boot to accommodate irregular foot shapes and calf shapes. The two dials work together to create a natural, unified fit throughout the boot.
It wraps around the instep and shin with a wide surface, rather than a point or line, and holds it in place. This securely locks the heel into the heel pocket, eliminating unwanted movement and providing greater power transfer, stability, and control.
The zigzag metal laces allow the entire boot to fit your foot evenly and balancedly. The millimeter-level stepless adjustment allows you to get a comfortable fit that suits your foot condition on any given day.
TOPICS 2
There are a total of 10 brands equipped with BOA
In the first year the BOA fit system was introduced, in 2023-2024, it was only available with four brands: K2, SALOMON, ATOIMIC, and FISCHER. However, in 2024-2025, NORDICA and TECNICA were added, and this season, DALBELLO, HEAD, ROSSIGNOL, and LANGE have been added, bringing the total to 10 brands. As embodied by the globetrotting Kodama Tsuyoshi, this is proof that BOA is recognized by skiers around the world.
DALBELLO VELOCE SPACE 130 DUAL
ROSSIGNOL ALLTRACK 130 HV BOA GW
LANGE CONCEPT 12 GW_BOA
Photo=Key Sato
Text=Shinya Moriyama
Information
BOA TECHNOLOGY JAPAN Co., Ltd.
Official website: https://www.boafit.com/ja-jpOfficial
SNS: Instagram