 Poster: A snowHead
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The Boa replacement for the lower 2 clips appeared last year. I've seen the 2 Boa version just start to come onto the retail market towards the end of this season, replacing the top 2 boot clips. I have the single boa on my boots and I like the continuous adjustment, wouldn't go back to clips, and have done many, many days in them on piste and skinning. Anyone got them yet? Like them?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| CathyAuLait wrote: |
| The Boa replacement for the lower 2 clips appeared last year. I've seen the 2 Boa version just start to come onto the retail market towards the end of this season, replacing the top 2 boot clips. I have the single boa on my boots and I like the continuous adjustment, wouldn't go back to clips, and have done many, many days in them on piste and skinning. Anyone got them yet? Like them? |
I think they're for the 25/26 season so not widely on sales yet.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I bought the K2 Mindbenders this year, lower boa, it's a game changer. I never knew ski boots could be so comfortable both to ski in and walk in.
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i am curius...did you have any problems with boa - cable until now? stuck or something like this
btw @Fogliettaz, your appart link does not working it think
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I know, we sold it 8-9 years ago! haven't updated signature.
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I haven't tried clog BOA (not a lot of point until I need new shells as almost always I need work) but I've always been sceptical of value to someone who scarcely clips the clog other than to keep out snow.
Cuff BOA is a lot more interesting as I've heard it continuously restributes tension as you flex and release so I can can see might have performance impact (though I question whether it could possibly be as much as a decent liner plus booster strap). And for those subscribers to the decent liner school there is an issue with "racer entry" on a cuff that is constrained by a cable and/or some immediate faff to replace the stock cable with a suitably long version.
The gamechanger that K2 were claiming early on was that multiple widths of foot could be fitted from the same boot because of the "wrap". I predicted this was a harbinger of the "self custom fit" to deliver a good enough fit to people who didn't use bootfitters. No idea if its still heading that way.
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I'm still not convinced about these. My road bike shoes have them, and I always have to tighten them during the day.
I'm also sure i can break one.
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| Mosha Marc wrote: |
I'm still not convinced about these. My road bike shoes have them, and I always have to tighten them during the day.
I'm also sure i can break one. |
Well that was all part of the initial scepticism about them. It's pretty clear that BOA have an aggressive marketing department pursuing OEMs to incorporate their product and are also prepared to throw engineering time at it and apparently stand behind their product with a breakage replacement warranty (though quite how much us that is when your 1000m above the nearest ski shop that doesn't stock or is out of BOA spare anyway is open to question). I guess the OEMs have bought in wholesale because it's a bright and shiny "benefit" that can be sold to customers at an increased price whether they needed it or not. As above I can sorta see a case for cuff BOA, stuff like golf shoes and gloves etc just seem like pure overkill.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Mosha Marc wrote: |
I'm still not convinced about these. My road bike shoes have them, and I always have to tighten them during the day.
I'm also sure i can break one. |
On your cycling shoes? The ski boot ones are a lot thicker/stronger than the strings on your road shoes.
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@adithorp, I meant I'd break the BOA capstan rather than the wires; or at least lose it.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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It'd be interesting to know how frequently that's been an issue now they've been out in the real world for a while or whether the snap/pop off feature has saved them (as advertised).
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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My winter trail running shoes (Sportiva Cyklon GTX) have boas. After 1.5 winter seasons of fairly intensive use in rough mountain terrain the boas are still doing fine. For this use it’s a good innovation imho.
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Only two, seems a bit wuss.
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You know it makes sense.
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Have skied with someone who owned a pair of 'toe Boa' boots and, well seemed to be a tiny bit more pain for zero gain. The tow buckles shouldn't be tight anyway, just flick up/down with 1 finger - and didn't have issues with my toe buckles icing up and needing a smack to be able to release them, unlike my 'toe Boa' friend.
The idea of 'cuff Boa' boots make more sense to me as you get a better spread of load across the cuff and quicker to boot faff if it just means reaching down and giving a knob a couple of clicks vs. the faff (and occasional smacked finger) fiddling with buckles.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I am waiting for quad boa 
Invention to solve problem that doesn't actually exist
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I'm very much on the sceptics bench on this one, as DOM says, the toe clips are never tight & I never notice if they come loose.
That big knob on the side of the boot would certainly take a hit, judging by the scapes on the buckles of my boots.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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It will really hit the sweet spot for skiers when they offer rear entry with two knobs.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@hang11, are we to anticipate a user name change to Finbar Saunders?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Have to say, I'm not sure I like the idea of boa on my ski boots. I have problem feet (very flat, with skinny calved), and have finally found the solution that works (Atomic narrow boot and Booster straps engaged on the liner).
In anticipation of Atomic modifying this boot with Boas (they have done this on their wider fit boots), i have bought a second pair in the sales and stashed them away for when my current ones are done with!
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If it works for you fine. As a cyclist and someone whose feet have given him more grief than is reasonable I have found that the best fitting shoes for a comfortable day in the saddle is ...... a two boa shoe. Although I seem to have found myself in a good place with my current conventional boots I won’t be ruling out the possibility of a boa system should i need to replace them.
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Interesting reading this and I'm keen to get a pair of double BOAs soon. My current boots are nearing end of life and are mainly hanging on as I've just not been bothered to get to a shop and sit there for an hour.
The reason I'm keen on at least the bottom BOA is my boots inevitably end up with a lower clip that is either undone or too tight at one further slot on the clip rack (no idea what the correct term is here). The ability to get them to a goldilocks position every time certainly appeals. In terms of the double, I like to ease my way into the day gradually which requires tightening after the first 2-3 lift rides of the day. So the top one seems like a good option here too.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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In terms of longevity, and while not exactly science, i worked all last season on Patrol in my Atomics with a Boa on the forefoot and they took some beatings (climbing towers, kicking the side of ladders, being dragged up lots of metal things, skidoos etc) and they were absolutely fine. I did rip a clip off the cuff though so there you go !
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Since my earlier posts I acquired a pair of new boots with single/foot boa.
With just 3 days skiing in yhem id say i love them. They tighten more evenly, almost shrinking the boot evenly to my foot. Whereas previously boots, the toe buckle has felt like it was squeezing my foot side to side and the second buckle clamping down on the top of my foot. I can choose normal snug to super tight (but even pressure without hot spots).
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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what is really telling is this.... you don't see many people who have BOA boots saying that they don't like them, yet all those criticizing it and thinking it wont work from them are the people who haven't even tried one on
had it been 1 brand pushing BOA i would have been very skeptical but, 10 boot brands have invested in mold changes to accommodate BOA on their boots, do you honestly think they would invest this kind of money if they didn't think it was worth it?
remember it is just a closure system, If the shell is a good fit for your foot then BOA will help wrap the shell closer to your foot without pressure points IF however the shell doesn't fit you it really doesn't matter if you have clips, BOA or anything else for that matter closing the boot
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| CEM wrote: |
what is really telling is this.... you don't see many people who have BOA boots saying that they don't like them, yet all those criticizing it and thinking it wont work from them are the people who haven't even tried one on
had it been 1 brand pushing BOA i would have been very skeptical but, 10 boot brands have invested in mold changes to accommodate BOA on their boots, do you honestly think they would invest this kind of money if they didn't think it was worth it?
remember it is just a closure system, If the shell is a good fit for your foot then BOA will help wrap the shell closer to your foot without pressure points IF however the shell doesn't fit you it really doesn't matter if you have clips, BOA or anything else for that matter closing the boot |
That should probably end the discussion I reckon!
Not that it will 
FWIW I haven't tried BOA ski boots but am modestly positively disposed to the idea, particularly on the clog and in part because I've really liked BOAs on cycling shoes (admitting that is different design and application).
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You know it makes sense.
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| CEM wrote: |
what is really telling is this.... you don't see many people who have BOA boots saying that they don't like them, yet all those criticizing it and thinking it wont work from them are the people who haven't even tried one on
had it been 1 brand pushing BOA i would have been very skeptical but, 10 boot brands have invested in mold changes to accommodate BOA on their boots, do you honestly think they would invest this kind of money if they didn't think it was worth it?
remember it is just a closure system, If the shell is a good fit for your foot then BOA will help wrap the shell closer to your foot without pressure points IF however the shell doesn't fit you it really doesn't matter if you have clips, BOA or anything else for that matter closing the boot |
I'm not sure it is really telling. Very few people go trying on boots just for fun so that they are "allowed" to have an opinion. And anyway it would be a waste of bootfitters' time and I hope most people (acknowledge the odd internet shopping bottomfeeder exists) would have more respect than that. No-one runs boot demos.
I'm sure it works. My question of clog BOA is whether it will be a real functional improvement for me for the price uplift given at the moment I barely close the clog clips. Not that I suspect i'll get the choice. When it comes to change shell it will probably be a fait accompli that the very few models that would be appropriate will either have BOA or not. I can't see any brand running parallel models to offer consumers the choice.
Re cuff BOA it seems a bit of a PITA to me that I'd immediately have to start shelling out for longer cable upgrades in order to be able to use the shell racer entry with a zipfit. I think BOA ought to be offering that swap for free for those that want it but have zero expectation that would happen just like boot sole swaps to alpine DIN from Gripwalk weren't offered as a choice (generally in the market - I'm sure you, CEM, are very careful at checking what sole the customer needs).
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| Dave of the Marmottes wrote: |
| CEM wrote: |
what is really telling is this.... you don't see many people who have BOA boots saying that they don't like them, yet all those criticizing it and thinking it wont work from them are the people who haven't even tried one on
had it been 1 brand pushing BOA i would have been very skeptical but, 10 boot brands have invested in mold changes to accommodate BOA on their boots, do you honestly think they would invest this kind of money if they didn't think it was worth it?
remember it is just a closure system, If the shell is a good fit for your foot then BOA will help wrap the shell closer to your foot without pressure points IF however the shell doesn't fit you it really doesn't matter if you have clips, BOA or anything else for that matter closing the boot |
I'm not sure it is really telling. Very few people go trying on boots just for fun so that they are "allowed" to have an opinion. And anyway it would be a waste of bootfitters' time and I hope most people (acknowledge the odd internet shopping bottomfeeder exists) would have more respect than that. No-one runs boot demos.
I'm sure it works. My question of clog BOA is whether it will be a real functional improvement for me for the price uplift given at the moment I barely close the clog clips. Not that I suspect i'll get the choice. When it comes to change shell it will probably be a fait accompli that the very few models that would be appropriate will either have BOA or not. I can't see any brand running parallel models to offer consumers the choice.
Re cuff BOA it seems a bit of a PITA to me that I'd immediately have to start shelling out for longer cable upgrades in order to be able to use the shell racer entry with a zipfit. I think BOA ought to be offering that swap for free for those that want it but have zero expectation that would happen just like boot sole swaps to alpine DIN from Gripwalk weren't offered as a choice (generally in the market - I'm sure you, CEM, are very careful at checking what sole the customer needs). |
we have no choice on sole unit, race boots re ISO 5355 everything else is GRIPWALK, you can still get ISO 5355 soles for most boots for now, BUT when the manufacturers have a new boot in the future with a different sole pad pattern it is unlikely that they will offer 5355 soles ..... but hey its only been out there for 10+ years now and people are still whining about it, it is becoming tedious.
as for BOA it offers mm by mm micro adjustment, right now some brands are offering the same boot with all clips, boa on lower and clips up top or double boa, what will happen is sales will dictate which way the market goes, if you have 3 options of the same boot chances are you arent going to make production numbers on at least 1 of the 3 if any, so the strongest will survive.
when it comes to getting the boot on with a zipfit, so far the cuff opening hasn't been an issue, i have a fairly high volume foot with a heel instep perimeter 2 sizes up on length and i can get into the salomon dual boa with my zipfit, its tight but i can get in, boa parts are free of charge to dealers for warranty purposes and as far as i am concerned anyone who needs a longer cable buying boots from us it isn't an issue, but unless you are at the limits of what would fit in the boot in the first place it shouldn't be a problem
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Poster: A snowHead
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| CEM wrote: |
when it comes to getting the boot on with a zipfit, so far the cuff opening hasn't been an issue, i have a fairly high volume foot with a heel instep perimeter 2 sizes up on length and i can get into the salomon dual boa with my zipfit, its tight but i can get in, boa parts are free of charge to dealers for warranty purposes and as far as i am concerned anyone who needs a longer cable buying boots from us it isn't an issue, but unless you are at the limits of what would fit in the boot in the first place it shouldn't be a problem |
Good to hear. As someone who engages in "motivating language" at the best of times Worldcupping into a Magna from what I've read elsewhere I suspect I might be a candidate.
Cheers Colin.
& re the Gripwalk thing, exactly why I bought some spare ISO 5355 pads from you last year so I don't have to retire half or more of my quiver. Appreciate that this is a niche concern.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| CEM wrote: |
what is really telling is this.... you don't see many people who have BOA boots saying that they don't like them, yet all those criticizing it and thinking it wont work from them are the people who haven't even tried one on
had it been 1 brand pushing BOA i would have been very skeptical but, 10 boot brands have invested in mold changes to accommodate BOA on their boots, do you honestly think they would invest this kind of money if they didn't think it was worth it?
remember it is just a closure system, If the shell is a good fit for your foot then BOA will help wrap the shell closer to your foot without pressure points IF however the shell doesn't fit you it really doesn't matter if you have clips, BOA or anything else for that matter closing the boot |
All good points. My problem was that the Atomic boot fits me so well, after years of pain, that i am a bit bound to it. I expect that their new BOA version will be very good if they don't change the fundamental dimensions.
I just didn't want to take the chance!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Harry Flashman wrote: |
| CEM wrote: |
what is really telling is this.... you don't see many people who have BOA boots saying that they don't like them, yet all those criticizing it and thinking it wont work from them are the people who haven't even tried one on
had it been 1 brand pushing BOA i would have been very skeptical but, 10 boot brands have invested in mold changes to accommodate BOA on their boots, do you honestly think they would invest this kind of money if they didn't think it was worth it?
remember it is just a closure system, If the shell is a good fit for your foot then BOA will help wrap the shell closer to your foot without pressure points IF however the shell doesn't fit you it really doesn't matter if you have clips, BOA or anything else for that matter closing the boot |
All good points. My problem was that the Atomic boot fits me so well, after years of pain, that i am a bit bound to it. I expect that their new BOA version will be very good if they don't change the fundamental dimensions.
I just didn't want to take the chance! |
why didn't you just ask?
the internal dimensions of the ultra haven't changed at all with BOA going on to it, (if there are to be any changes they will happen in 2027/28 which is the next round of updates on that shell)
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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CEM do you know if BOA is making its way onto any wide fit boots for the coming season?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| afterski wrote: |
| ...The reason I'm keen on at least the bottom BOA is my boots inevitably end up with a lower clip that is either undone or too tight at one further slot on the clip rack (no idea what the correct term is here). The ability to get them to a goldilocks position every time certainly appeals.... |
Why don't you use the micro adjust to compensate? Unscrew the buckle a few turns when going to the next slot. 
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| damanpunk wrote: |
| CEM do you know if BOA is making its way onto any wide fit boots for the coming season? |
there is with boa for the 25/26 season
tecnica mach 1 HV
Lange concept
Salomon S Pro Delta
Dalbello Veloce space
there are more but i need to look through all the catalogues top find them
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| adithorp wrote: |
| afterski wrote: |
| ...The reason I'm keen on at least the bottom BOA is my boots inevitably end up with a lower clip that is either undone or too tight at one further slot on the clip rack (no idea what the correct term is here). The ability to get them to a goldilocks position every time certainly appeals.... |
Why don't you use the micro adjust to compensate? Unscrew the buckle a few turns when going to the next slot. |
They don't have that feature.
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| afterski wrote: |
| .......They don't have that feature. |
@afterski, what make/model of boot?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| spyderjon wrote: |
| afterski wrote: |
| .......They don't have that feature. |
@afterski, what make/model of boot? |
its either a very low spec boot or its seized
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To the "I barely tighten my lower buckles, so what benefit could Boas give" crowd I think you may still enjoy the boas. Because while you may not currently tighten your clips the boas will allow you to and you end up with a real good feel of the whole boot wrapped around your foot, even compared to tight fitting clips is just feels better.
My theory about why this feels better to me is because clips are very on off, yes you have micro adjust so you can fine tune to get the right pressure but you still have to let off all the pressure before you add more, so all of the pressure is applied in one go which can make it feel much tighter than it is, you also tighten the clips individually which can mean it is uneven. With the Boa the pressure just keeps building as you turn the knob as it wraps around your foot, so you can have the hold on your foot without it being tight in the same way clips cause.
This is after having them for the first time last season. I started not really tightening them much like I would've with clips and was quite underwhelmed with my new boots, despite them being fitted properly by one of the fitters who are frequently recommended on here, and them being a very narrow and high spec boot. But after I started cranking on the dials the boots were transformed, amazing foot and heel hold with all day comfort.
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FAQ
