BOA ski boots, major model reviews of all brands | What are the impressions from professional riders?

Among the gear released for the '23-24 season, boots equipped with the "BOA® Fit System" are particularly popular. Many users may have seen the shoes at early order events or in the media, but they won't know until they actually try them on. Here are the impressions of riders who were among the first to try it out, to see if it works properly and how it affects sliding. How did each person feel compared to existing models? Let me give you all the advantages and disadvantages.

Check out the related articles below for new features and points to note about BOA ski boots. Guides are now sharing their impressions of K2's Mindbender after using it in the actual field.

"No durability issues. With the correct boot fit, I was able to catch turns faster." | Case of ATOMIC Tsuyoshi Kodama and Minoru Kojiguchi

Tsuyoshi Kodama, who has skied in polar regions and high places both in Japan and abroad, and Minoru Kojiguchi, who has a wealth of knowledge about clothing and gear as a staff member at the pro shop Shugakusou. The two ATOMIC riders tried the "HAWX ULTRA XTD 130 BOA GW." This all-mountain crossover boot has a walk mode and maintains both downhill performance and walking comfort.

Before the two tried BOA, they were worried about its durability (Kodama) and that it might not tighten properly (Kojiguchi). Kodama had doubts about whether the BOA boots would actually work in the harsh conditions of the backcountry, and whether they would hold up in the fields where he often skates.

Kojiguchi said he was worried about whether he would be able to tighten up the hard boots based on his experience wearing AT boots equipped with BOA, which were introduced after 2011. Kodama wore it from late January to early May 2023, and Kojiguchi wore it at a test drive event held last season. The doubts and concerns the two had were dispelled by actually trying it out on the snow.

Kodama: I was surprised at how tight it was and how easy it was to adjust. I used it for a full season, and there were no problems with its durability. In backcountry situations, it shows performance comparable to conventional models.

On the other hand, Kojiguchi feels that his grip at the start of a turn has improved.

Kojiguchi: Compared to the buckle type, the feeling of being restrained from above has changed to a feeling that wraps around the entire foot. The "play" that used to be inside the boots is gone, and the boots fit snugly, making it faster to catch when starting a turn.

There are also slight disadvantages that each person felt while wearing them.

Kojiguchi: I find it a bit troublesome to have to turn the dial to get the tightness I like. However, you can adjust the fit in millimeter increments using the dial, which is very convenient for fine-tuning the fit if you want it to be a little tighter or looser.

Kodama: The fit of BOA boots is better, but there are some areas where power transmission and stability are lacking in hard burns. However, by creating a better foot feel, the heel is less likely to float, making skiing easier.

the person who taught me

“It feels tighter than the buckle type”｜FISCHER Shinichi Takase

Shinichi Takase is active mainly in national races and technical competitions, and also works to popularize and develop skiing as an SAJ national demonstrator. He also works as a test rider for Fischer, which he belongs to.

The model he tried was the RC4 130 MV. Fisher's high performance boots are named after the ``RC4'', which is synonymous with Fisher Racing, and have excellent control and power performance. This model has a grip sole standard, last width of 100mm (MV), and is also compatible with Fisher's proprietary thermoforming system "Fisher Vacuum".

Before trying them on, Takase was worried about whether they would fit properly and whether they would be able to slide on like traditional boots. She wore the BOA boots in spring and snowy conditions in early April, and she was surprised by the surprisingly tight BOA boots.

Takase: The BOA feels tighter than traditional boots, and it feels like it wraps around your foot. I was worried that the boots themselves were very light and seemed weak, but I was able to put my concerns aside and enjoy skating as much as before. Even if I hit the BOA dial, it wouldn't release the tightness easily, so it was more sturdy than I expected.

Another attractive feature of the boots is that they can be heat-molded with "vacuum," which is unique to Fischer boots.

Takase: Thanks to BOA, the boots are lighter and I feel that they are comfortable to slide on all day long. I think the improvement in heel hold, which is a benefit of BOA, can be brought out even better by applying a vacuum.

the person who taught me

"Evenly wrapped fit. Improves snow surface grip and maneuverability" | For K2 Godai Sakamoto and Masori Fujii

After competing in moguls and ski cross, Godai Sakamoto is a professional skier who is currently active in various scenes. After competing in domestic and international competitions as a mogul skier, up-and-coming freeride skier Masori Fujii is now participating in freeride competitions such as FWTQ. These two riders gave their impressions from K2 riders.

Godai Sakamoto uses “MINDBENDER 130 BOA®”. This model pursues the performance required of freeride boots. These lightweight boots offer walking comfort and a range of motion of 50 degrees, which is an important factor in backcountry skiing. The Sakamoto, which I love from the same buckle type model, is used throughout the season from late January to late May. Sakamoto has tried it in all kinds of situations, including backcountry, powder, bumps, and grooming, and he is impressed by the evenly tightening fit.

Sakamoto: I like the fact that unlike buckle boots, they tighten evenly around the entire foot. The flex feels a little stiff as it wraps around the shell. When I heat-molded it, it blended in better and felt softer. I think that by creating a better fit, it is slightly more sensitive to movement and has improved operability.

On the other hand, Masori Fujii, who uses the RECON 130 BOA®, a model for downhill skiers who seek higher power transmission and response, has high praise for BOA boots, from the fit when worn to the power performance while skiing. showed that. She started using them in November of this year, and like ATOMIC's Kojiguchi and other riders, she says there's no more play in the boots and her grip on the snow is better.

Fujii: The fit is at an irresistible level.
Thanks to this, my heel fits better, I can use it from the top of the board to the tail, and it's easier to grip the snow surface. The sensation underfoot is more delicate, and it responds to fine foot movements and cornering. I also like that there is less difference in fit between the left and right sides depending on the temperature and weather, and the BOA feature allows you to tighten it to your liking in any situation.

The fit has improved operability, and there has been a positive change in slippage. The disadvantage is that ``it takes time to tighten'' (Sakamoto).

Sakamoto: I always fully open the buckle when riding the lift, but it took a while to re-tighten and felt like a hassle. The protruding part of the buckle type could get caught when fully opened. With BOA, that hassle is gone.

Fujii: Before I wore them, I was worried that they would break easily, but now I don't have to worry about that. I have been using it without any particular problems.

the person who taught me

“Hold firmly and improve ski maneuverability”｜SALOMON Daisuke Yoshioka’s case

He participated in the Turin Olympics in 2006 as an alpine athlete, and later participated in the technical competition. Daisuke Yoshioka is currently involved in the promotion and development of skiing, including school management. The ``S/PRO SUPRA BOA 130'' he wore is a high performance boot that is developed as a 100mm last width model for experts and advanced users. The new EXOLAPTM ^shell structure provides a precise grip that wraps around your foot, and the addition of BOA allows for uniform tightening and adjustment in millimeter increments. The Flex 130 model Yoshioka uses is for experts.

Yoshioka: I have been using it mainly on piste since March 2023. At first I was worried about whether it would tighten properly and whether the BOA would break. The flex is 130, but before you wear it, does it feel soft due to the BOA? That's what I thought.

Until now, Yoshioka had been using a racing model. Compared to this model, the last width is wider and I thought it would give more room. However, the tightening provided by BOA provided a more enveloping fit and sense of security than I had imagined.

Yoshioka: The entire leg is tightened with wire, so it really feels like it's being wrapped around you. It has a better hold than the buckle type that tightens at a point, so you feel secure when you try slipping on it. As for the flex, I felt it was more rigid than sticky. The boots are quite sensitive and easy to operate.

Yoshioka also mentioned the ``heel lock,'' which is another advantage of the BOA Fit System. He feels that his heel is completely tucked in, and while he is skiing, he can hold the ski firmly while using the entire sole of his foot, from the toe to the center to the heel, and he feels that the ski is highly maneuverable.

Yoshioka: Although they have more room than the previous model, they are more sturdy than I expected. Power transmission and precision to the skis are second to none. The distance to the snow surface where the heel rests is close, and it feels like the maneuverability is improved, but some people may feel that the cornering is slow. However, if it is used by general skiers rather than competitive skiers, there will be no problems, and I think they will appreciate its high operability.

the person who taught me

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So far, we have introduced the impressions of riders wearing the '23-24 model. Even though they are called the same "BOA," different manufacturers have designed models that bring out the best in the BOA. In order to incorporate BOA, various efforts were made, such as changing the cut angle of the shell and changing the material. BOA and other manufacturers are actively working towards next season, and in addition to this season's models, there are also new BOA boots that will be released.

Not only is it easy to put on and take off, but it also has a hugging fit that riders are fascinated by. The great thing about BOA boots is the high performance that comes from their fit, including ski controllability and agile power transmission.

Information

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