BOA ski boots: review of major models from all brands | What are the impressions from professional riders?

Among the gear released for the 2023-2024 season, boots equipped with the BOA® Fit System are particularly noteworthy. Many riders have seen them at early order events and in the media, but they won't know until they actually try them on and ski... Here are the impressions of riders who tried them out before the users did, to find out if they work properly and how they affect their skiing. How did each rider feel about them compared to existing models? We'll give you all the pros and cons

For more information on the new features and highlights of BOA ski boots, please see the related article below. Regarding K2's Mindbender, guides are currently publishing their impressions of using it in the field

"No durability issues. The correct boot fit has made it easier to catch turns." | ATOMIC's Takeshi Kodama and Minoru Kojiguchi

Tsuyoshi Kodama, who has skied in polar regions and high altitudes both in Japan and overseas, and Minoru Kojiguchi, a staff member at the pro shop Shugakuso, have extensive knowledge of clothing and gear. The two ATOMIC riders tried out the HAWX ULTRA XTD 130 BOA GW, a model with a walk mode that is an all-mountain crossover boot that maintains both downhill performance and walkability

Before trying out BOA, the two had concerns about durability (Kodama) and the possibility that they might not tighten properly (Kojiguchi). Kodama wondered whether he could actually wear BOA boots in the harsh conditions of the backcountry, and whether they would hold up in the fields where he often skis

Kojiguchi had been worried about whether he would be able to tighten up the hard boots, based on his experience wearing BOA-equipped AT boots that have been available since 2011. Kodama wore them from late January to early May 2023, while Kojiguchi wore them at a test ride event held last season. Any doubts or anxieties they had were dispelled by actually trying them out on snow

Kodama:I was surprised at how securely it fastened and how easy it was to adjust. I used it for a full season and there were no issues with durability. In backcountry situations, it performs just as well as previous models.

On the other hand, Kojiguchi feels that he has improved his grip when starting turns

Kojiguchi:Compared to the buckle type, the feeling has changed from being held down from above to a feeling of being wrapped around the entire foot. The "play" that was previously inside the boot is gone, and it fits snugly in the boot, resulting in quicker grip when initiating turns.

They also mentioned some minor drawbacks they felt while wearing them

Kojiguchi:I find it a little inconvenient that you have to turn the dial to get the tightness to your liking. However, since you can adjust the fit in millimeter increments with the dial, it's very convenient for fine-tuning when you want to tighten or loosen it just a little more.

Kodama:The BOA boots offer a better fit, but they lack a bit in power transfer and stability on hard-packed snow. However, they create a better foot feel, which prevents the heel from lifting and makes skiing easier.

The person who taught me

"It feels more secure than the buckle type." | FISCHER's Shinichi Takase

Shinichi Takase is active mainly in National Athletic Meet races and technical selections, and is also dedicated to promoting and developing skiing as a SAJ national demonstrator. He also works as a test rider for his team, Fischer

The model he tried out was the "RC4 130 MV." This high-performance boot, bearing the "RC4" name synonymous with Fischer Racing, offers excellent control and power. It features a grip sole, a 100mm (MV) last width, and is compatible with Fischer's proprietary heat-molding system, "Fischer Vacuum."

Before trying them out, Takase was worried about whether he would be able to wear the boots properly and whether he would be able to ski in them in the same way as with conventional boots. However, when he tried them on in spring snow conditions in early April, he was surprised at how well the BOA boots fit

Takase:I felt that the BOA system provided a tighter fit than traditional boots, and it felt like it was snugly wrapping around my feet. I was worried that the boots themselves were very light and seemed fragile, but contrary to my concerns, I was able to enjoy skiing as usual. Even when I bumped the BOA dial, the tightening didn't release easily, so it was sturdier than I expected.

Another attractive feature is the "vacuum" heat molding process that is unique to Fisher boots

Takase:Thanks to BOA, I feel that the boots are lighter and more comfortable to ski in all day long. I also think that the improved heel hold, which is one of the advantages of BOA, can be further enhanced by applying a vacuum.

The person who taught me

"It fits evenly and envelops you. It improves grip on the snow and maneuverability." | K2 Gota Sakamoto and Masaori Fujii

Gota Sakamoto is a professional skier who competed in mogul and ski cross and is now active in a variety of scenes. Masaori Fujii is an up-and-coming freeride skier who competed in freeride competitions such as the FWTQ after competing in domestic and international mogul competitions. These two K2 riders shared their impressions of the bike

Gota Sakamoto uses the MINDBENDER 130 BOA®. This model is designed to deliver the performance required of freeride boots. It is a lightweight boot that offers a 50-degree range of motion and walking comfort, an important factor in backcountry skiing. Sakamoto has been using this buckle-type model since its inception and has worn it throughout the season from late January to late May. Having tried it in all sorts of situations, including backcountry, powder, moguls and groomed terrain, Sakamoto vouches for the evenly tightening fit

Sakamoto:Unlike buckle boots, I like how they evenly tighten around the entire foot. The shell feels like it's wrapping around you, and the flex feels a little stiff. After heat molding, they became even more comfortable and softer. I think the improved fit made them a little more responsive to movement and improved maneuverability.

Meanwhile, Masaori Fujii, who uses the "RECON 130 BOA®" model for riders seeking higher power transmission and response when downhill, praised BOA boots highly, from the fit when wearing them to the power performance while skiing. He started using them in November this year, and like other riders, including ATOMIC's Kojiguchi, said that the "play" inside the boots has disappeared and they have a better grip on the snow surface

Fujii:The fit is absolutely fantastic. Thanks to that, my heels fit better, I can use the entire length of the board from tip to tail, and it's easier to grip the snow. I feel more sensitive underfoot, and it responds better to subtle foot movements and edge angles.
Also, the fit is less different between the left and right feet depending on the temperature and weather, and I love that the BOA system allows me to adjust the tightness to my liking in any situation.

The fit has improved maneuverability and has also made a positive difference to skating. The downside is that "it takes time to tighten up," says Sakamoto

Sakamoto:I always fully unbuckle my skis when I get on the lift, but I found it a bit of a hassle to fasten them again. With the buckle type, the protruding part would sometimes get caught when fully unbuckled. That annoyance is gone with BOA.

Fujii:Before I started wearing them, I was worried they might break easily, but now I don't have those worries anymore. I've been using them without any problems.

The person who taught me

"It holds firmly and improves ski maneuverability" | SALOMON Daisuke Yoshioka's Case

Daisuke Yoshioka, who competed in the 2006 Turin Olympics as an alpine skier and later excelled in technical competitions, is currently involved in the promotion and development of skiing through activities such as running a ski school. The "S/PRO SUPRA BOA 130" boots he wore are high-performance boots with a 100mm last width, designed for experts and advanced skiers. The new Exolup^™ shell construction provides a precise hold that wraps around the foot, and the addition of BOA allows for uniform tightening and millimeter-precise adjustment. The flex 130 model used by Yoshioka is for experts.

Yoshioka:I've been using them mainly on piste since March 2023. At first, I was worried about whether they would fasten properly and whether the BOA system would break. They have a flex of 130, but before I put them on, I wondered if they would feel soft because of the BOA system.

Yoshioka had previously used a racing model, and thought the new model would have a wider last width and more room to maneuver. However, the BOA tightening provided a more snug fit and a sense of security than he had imagined

Yoshioka:The wire tightens around the entire foot, giving a truly enveloping feeling. It offers more hold than buckle-type boots that tighten at a single point, so you feel more secure when you ski. As for the flex, I felt a firm stiffness rather than a sticky feeling. It's a fairly sensitive boot with high maneuverability.

Yoshioka also mentioned the "heel lock," a benefit of the BOA fit system. The heel fits snugly, and while skiing, the entire sole of the foot moves from toe to center to heel, providing a firm hold and allowing for excellent ski maneuverability

Yoshioka:Compared to the model I wore before, these boots are more roomy, but they're surprisingly sturdy. The power transfer and precision to the skis are just as good. Because the heel fits in better, the distance to the snow surface is closer, which improves maneuverability, but some people might feel that the edge angle is slower. However, for general skiers who aren't competing, there shouldn't be any problems, and I think they'll appreciate the high level of maneuverability.

The person who taught me

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So far, we've introduced the impressions of riders wearing the 2023-2024 models. Even though they're all "BOA," each manufacturer designs their boots to highlight the best features of the model and the BOA. To accommodate BOA, there are a variety of innovations, such as changing the shell's cut angle or materials. Looking ahead to next season, BOA and other manufacturers are active, and it seems there will be new BOA boots released in addition to the models this season

Not only are they easy to put on and take off, but the snug fit that riders love also derives from them. The superior performance of BOA boots, such as ski maneuverability and agile power transmission, is what makes them so great

Information

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