BFT Ski System, founded in 2019 in Bolzano, redesigns both the boot and binding systems to change the on-mountain experience. The BFT is a patented system, using a comfortable, warm, and multifunctional boot that can walk, drive, and ski. The boot is attached to the ski via a new innovative binding, using a mobile arm that rests on the upper cuff of the boot to transmit movement directly from the legs to the skis. According to the company, the design allows for comfort and complete safety on the snow.
The first BFT prototypes were created between 2021 and 2023, with the first pilot series launching in 2024. While they’re still in production phases, the pre-series market launch was scheduled for 2025. At this point it’s unclear exactly when the gear will launch. While an exact cost has not yet been announced, the company estimates that it will cost around the same as a mid-to-high traditional system.
If you feel like you’ve seen this system before, you aren’t necessarily wrong. The company acknowledges that the BFT system is the next step in the evolution of the Nava Skiing System from back in the 90s. The system was adjusted to the marketing regulations and to improve technical aspects related to both safety and performance.
Hmm, I remain skeptical as to whether that can give the same level of control and feedback as conventional ski boots and bindings. Perhaps @spyderjon can comment?
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Thu 9-10-25 6:14; edited 1 time in total
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Quote:
skeptical as to whether that can give the same level of control and feedback as convenient ski boots and bindings.
My initial thought was most certainly not. But, having seen the video on their Instagram page, there are some similarities to snowboard step on bindings (which people had similar worries about) and they are generally accepted to perform similarly to conventional bindings, so perhaps performance will not be so bad. But it's kind of moot as the target audience is not those looking for maximum performance anyway. The questions really are;
- do they provide significantly more comfort over regular boots?
- do they provide "enough" control?
Can't answer the first one, but the video you posted (I'm assuming the skiers are using them you can't really see) would suggest yes to the second question - they look better than vast majority of Brits that would describe themselves as "expert" and claim to need super stuff boots and skis
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
@boarder2020, of course I meant to type 'conventional' not 'convenient', damn autocorrect!
@adithorp, there's more videos on their websites.... it's not going to give a huge amount of feel on the pedals if using it to drive
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
I can't help but think the medical profession being very concerned about ankle breaks and ligament damage becoming more frequent with a system like this.
After all it is free
After all it is free
RichardB wrote:
I can't help but think the medical profession being very concerned about ankle breaks and ligament damage becoming more frequent with a system like this.
thats was exactly my thought.
what will happend falling backwards?
I think the ankle Surgeons will be very "happy" (or better their bank account) if this system will be really popular.
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@turms2, I'd guess the big upright that's fixed on the binding is what stops ankle problems falling backwards (so just does knee instead).
Without seeing the full product or having a medical degree and specific understanding of lower body mechanics, I'm not sure it's something I'm particularly placed to speculate on.
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I thought they looked a little familiar
“No, these aren’t a pair of shoes, but a group of Italian designers and engineers have worked to revive the Nava Skiing System from the 1970s“
Given Dahu boots do a similar sort of thing without new bindings why change everything? And Dahu boots haven't seriously disrupted the ski boot industry yet.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
SnoodyMcFlude wrote:
@adithorp, there's more videos on their websites.... it's not going to give a huge amount of feel on the pedals if using it to drive
Having watched one video from @ster's link, I'm going to make guess that expert skiers with good balance/technique/balance can ski/demonstrate on them, just like they could with boots undone. Would they be their frst choice for a hard days skiing or just for a leisurely mooch to lunch with family? Can a beginner or early intermediate do the same*
*can't be bothered to watch them all to see if the answer is in there.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
One would hope the beginner could ski in them, otherwise there's a question of who they're actually being marketed to. I would guess beginners (for the comfort) or people who are jumping in and out of a car
I've done a few trips now where I've got in and out of a car and I can't say that the faff makes me want to replace my boots AND bindings on 2 or 3 pairs of skis. So if it's beginners then it would be for the rental market...and those aren't going to want to change their bindings because it would limit who can hire their skis.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
If it’s rear entry with a couple of knobs most skiers will love it
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
hang11 wrote:
If it’s rear entry with a couple of knobs most skiers will love it
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
Quote:
I can't help but think the medical profession being very concerned about ankle breaks and ligament damage becoming more frequent with a system like this.
I didn't mention it, because it's rather speculative without any real evidence. But a softer boot may well reduce risk of injury. Looking at the set up my thought was there may be a decreased risk of ACL injury. Even if you were simply moving the would be injury from ACL to fib/tib or ankle break, it would be beneficial.
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
@Alastair Pink, hmmm, my Tecnica Zero-G boots are "comfortable, warm, and multifunctional boots that can walk, drive, and ski" ...
At one level all they're doing is reducing the structure of the boot to the minimum required to drive a ski. But that's where I see an issue engineering a hing at the arm-ski interface that's rigid enough in as many axes as required. The Nova (I think Nava's mis-spelled?) binding just never lived up to it's marketing.
As an example of what does work, Nordica HF range.
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?
under a new name wrote:
@Alastair Pink, hmmm, my Tecnica Zero-G boots are "comfortable, warm, and multifunctional boots that can walk, drive, and ski" ...
.
I'm guessing you have never tried driving something like a Caterham, there's barely enough space between the pedals for your feet, let alone a skiboot. You certainly wont be doing any 'heel and toeing' if you do.
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...
JohnS4 wrote:
under a new name wrote:
@Alastair Pink, why ever not?
I'm guessing you have never tried driving something like a Caterham, there's barely enough space between the pedals for your feet, let alone a skiboot. You certainly wont be doing any 'heel and toeing' if you do.
It isn't easy even in a normal car. I have done it once to move my car from one parking area to another, the forward lean of the boot made it impossible to press the clutch down far enough to change gear, first gear was enough for the distance needed though.
After all it is free
After all it is free
@JohnS4, sadly I have never driven a Caterham. Would love to. But can't see any situation where a Caterham with me behind the wheel and ski boots would coincide.
@rjs, always in automatics. Buckles undone. Etc. Mind you, the Zero-Gs give me nearly as much ROM as not in boots.
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Even in an automatic I'm not sure I have the dexterity to operate the brake with the accuracy I'd want, just not worth the risk for me.
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@SnoodyMcFlude, each to their own. I definitely do.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
I thought toeing and heeling was the technique to play the pedals on the organ.....
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.
under a new name wrote:
@SnoodyMcFlude, each to their own. I definitely do.
Me too, both original type Land Rover & Jeep Cherokee original were fine as pedals were made for big boots.
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
So if you're just off somewhere snowy come back and post a snow report of your own and we'll all love you very much
As a snowboarder who regularly snowboards in ski touring boots I will admit to usually driving in them, and they are fine. Probably nicer to drive in than winter boots. But I drive an automatic diesel truck and use the gears going down hill not much foot action required.
You know it makes sense.
You know it makes sense.
"New ski boot binding system (and BOA) promises additional funds for the marketing department" FIFY
Grumpy old sceptic here
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
SnoodyMcFlude wrote:
@adithorp, there's more videos on their websites.... it's not going to give a huge amount of feel on the pedals if using it to drive
This seems to be Italian so it would suit their driving style anyway.
Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead
JohnS4 wrote:
under a new name wrote:
@Alastair Pink, why ever not?
I'm guessing you have never tried driving something like a Caterham, there's barely enough space between the pedals for your feet, let alone a skiboot. You certainly wont be doing any 'heel and toeing' if you do.
Can’t say I’ve seen many Caterhams parked around ski resorts. Odd example.
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