A New Ski Boot Revolution??
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- Опубликовано: 24 янв 2023
- Super stoked to dive in deeper on the latest innovation to hit the ski boot market for 2024.
So this is a new closure system that has been built in cooperation with BOA for a new way to enclose the lower shell of a ski boot.
Join me as we take a closer look at this technology and think about the pros and cons with this new system on ski boots.
Let me know your thought on this below in the comments!!
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Craig Hemsley
Master Boot Fitter
Founder of Patriot Footbeds
Ski Shop - Jindabyne Sports
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You are able to turn this boa wheel system backwards as well to fine tune the fit. You don't have to open it completely and start from the beginning again. I know that cause we also have a few pairs at our shop ✌🏻
Cheers
If turning it backward loosens it then there is no position lock, therefore a clean hit to the top of the disk releases the tension. Unlikely but not good.
The missing part here is the ability to block at some point the pressure of the lower (near to the toes) part of the cable and after that to be able to put some more pressure to the higher part of the boot. Would be nice to have a “block” cap (or something smaller) for the front buckle. Now the pressure is equal everywhere, but this would not help for the perfect fit. People feet are different, with different instep volume. If second “block” cap is implemented, the pressure can be independent on the two zones -the toe zone and the closer to the ankle…
Great overview. But, this BOA setup tries to solve a problem I think few skiers deal with. It likely adds complexity and cost, plus a reduction in closure system durability. My guess is it’ll be a fad for a few years and then fade away.
i have boa on difernt boots for many years now . i love them
i disagree that they are fragile
I've heard reviews that they need to be tightened up every couple of runs.
@@johnnyskied never had this problem with boa 🤔the sistem and the cable does not have elasticity at all
Snowboarders have vetted this tech.
@@mpenlandmoto Snowboarders that put the same torque on their edges (race boards) have absolutely NOT vetted them. Literally, every single FIS World Cup Snow Board Racer uses a 4 buckle Mountain Slope .951 Boot - and the angles those guys get in GS turns would take that racket wheel off nearly every turn.
Best point to the video made is about spare parts. If the boot makers are going down this route, each one needs to INCLUDE a spare boa part and strap. Plain and simple, because WHEN it breaks the boot is unusable until you get the part needed!
Hi!
Love your videos, but I think you missed some stuff! I've had my hands on these boots myself.
If you tighten it to much, you don't have to "release" the dial/spinner. You just crank it back a few steps for a perfect fit. Better fine tuning the of the tension than the old school buckles. You can tighten the mv shell from a 100mm down to about 95-96mm! The wire placement also prevents the shell from deforming or bulging out in the instep area, the flex is much more uniform! Try it out.
The dial/spinner is made to pop out if you hit it hard on something, but the risk of loosing it is quite slim. The dial is still connected to the wire, and the wire is quite beefy. You could always completley smash it I guess, but nothing is bomb proof!
Keep up the good work, love your stuff!
//greetings from a fellow boot guy in sweden
Hi Andreas,
Thank you so much for your comment! Yeah I think the model I had was just a sample and the micro adjustment wasn't tweaking back. But that is so good that it is capable of do this, makes a lot of sense and makes it so much more functional!!
I can't wait to actually ski in the boot and test the flexing and closure properly. Initial feelings when trying it on was good foot wrapping but didn't prevent instep contact completely.
Also makes perfect sense about still being connected to the cable. Of course it is, as all snowboard boas are like this too, so no real risk of losing it.. I didn't want to test my luck by ripping it off. :)
Where are you located in Sweden? I hope the season is going well.
Appreciate you watching and for the input.
Cheers mate
I also got the impression that this would allow you to reduce the volume of the boot. I always use a low volume model so this could be a benefit as the liner packs out. I work in a ski shop so I definitely will want to try this out. It will be interesting to get customers feedback as we fit these new models.
This is not the first cable buckle system. Way back in the 1960’s we had the Molitor Cable system on leather ski boots. As an old boot fitter I look forward to trying this on and take it from there. I like a low volume boot so this could be a benefit as the liner packs out. Please give us your impressions when you get to ski in this model. I been following your channel for years and love your videos. Hope you have a great season down under.
Someone who knows what it's all about, I drove the salomon Boa last spring, already there I was convinced of the system.We will see, good thing I have been in this business for 30 years and my feeling was mostly right, at Fischer vaacum I said after one season, too soft too thin much too cold, and for 3 years nobody talks about vaacum, partly no vaacum matrial anymore at Fischer Ski boots, yep Fischer also comes with boa. Finally something new.
Seems like it would be a lot more interesting if the system also included at least the first upper buckle over the ankle. Those first two buckles have always been a non-issue for me, just enough pressure for them to snap closed securely and you're done.
Couldn't agree more. I'd be much more intrigued if this system were incorporated into the upper shell, while leaving the lower buckles in a traditional setup. Lower buckles are a non issue for me
Glad to see you back.
When you look at any pulley system that has multiple wheels in parallel, what you will see is that from friction alone, there will be more force applied to the pulley closest to the cranking mechanism - which in this case will be over the 2nd buckle which is where if you have a high arch, it is the MOST critical area to never over tighten - thus, and it isn't that important, but your 1st buckle toe area will be subservient in tightness to your 2nd buckle area.
I have those on my mountaineering boots. I love them. I'll have to get them for skiing too.
Seems like you lose adjustability with this. You can only change the overall tension level. You can't change how tight it is at the front of the instep vs. the back. Everything has to tighten equally. With two buckles you have some variation available to you, even when one buckle is effecting the other.
I’m not sure if i’m talking about the same skiboots but the ones i have, do have elastics and each elastic are adjustable.
So I hate to tell you this cause I don’t wanna start anything, but you’re actually cranking down on your instep more. The tension is not even along the length of your foot. As one end of the cable is fixed, you’re pulling more of it through the first pully closest to the Boa.
Honestly, BOA is conveinient, but, they (at least for me) give me INCREDIBLE foot pain. Traditional laces are a pain in the ass but they are the most comfortable. I've never had crazy foot pain until I full timed boa 100 days a year 3million vert a season.
I agree. It's one adjustment for the whole foot. Good point.
I picked up a pair of the Salomon S/Pro 120 Boa boots this past weekend and I really enjoyed them. They weren't what I was looking for, but I've been using Boa fasteners on both my road and mountain bike shoes for over five years and I've yet to have a problem with them, so I figured I'd give these a try. I had the instep cranked down pretty tightly - there's a graduated scale that goes from 1 to 5 and I had them at about a 4.5 - and I buckled the upper two buckles and the power strap like I would any regular boot.
I skied about a dozen runs in them and never felt the need to back them off or to unbuckle them to let my feet relax; very comfortable right away and for the whole day. Also, I moved from a comfort type of Dalbello boot with a low flex rating up to these in a 120 and the amount of stability and control I felt was impressive. We'll see how they hold up but so far I'm happy with my purchase.
BOA has been a revolution in snowboarding - Coming from years of traditional and speed-lace systems in my snowboard boots I rate BOA ahead of both by miles - got to be dual BOA though. It will be great to see how it applies to ski boots in the coming years.
My main issue with my ski boots over the years is that I can only tolerate very gentle pressure on my instep in ski boots which means that the 2nd buckle on my ski boots so often comes undone when I'm skiing. A BOA system would always stay engaged. A big win for me.
Great video but you missed that the boa goes both direction so you can do a micro adjustment tighter or looser. You do not have to unsnap the boa to loosen it just a little
I believe most ski boots with buckles have a total of 4. Counting from the toe that would mean there are 2 on the foot and 2 around the ankle and lower calf. When I ski, I’m focused on the third buckle, which really holds the foot in the heel pocket. The top buckle is recently tight as well. The bottom two buckles really don’t need to be super tight and they don’t need to be the same tension. In fact, as another person commented often buckle number 1 isn’t tight at all and the buckle sometimes comes undone. No big deal. The fact that you can’t adjust buckle 1 differently than buckle 2 is a hard no for me. I am a certified ski instructor and in my boots 5 to 7 days of the week. I need the tightness of the entire buckle system to be 100% adjustable. That is not available on a boa system. Thanks for the video!
I could see this for casual skiers concerned more with ease and comfort than with performance. It would suck to have that mechanism fail and loose tension on the whole lower foot instead of just at a single flex point. The second I saw it pop open all at once I started to have doubts.
Also I agree completely about the micro adjustability. When I worked rentals one of the main complaints about feet hurting was due to over tightening boots. Peoples feet are different (even the same feet on different days) and it's good to have a lot of adjustment choices.
Only high end boots have micro adjustment buckles. And most rentals don't carry that kind of inventory.
To me it seems like a solution to a problem that doesn’t exit. But then again, I own two pairs of golf shoes with the boa system! I surely enjoy innovation, even when the evolution isn’t really there. We’ll see in a couple of years. Thanks for the review though. Highly enjoyable as always!
I wonder what will happen if it freeze completely. I have struggle with the regular buckling when it gets ice on it.... imagine the ice filling up the holes of the string and freezing the boa trigger.
I have a similar issue of micro adjust in my FT cable system boots. Nothing to write home about, its not about matching ladder notches or consistency I find. The general premise is crank the hell out of it, do a warm up or 2, back it off, reseat, recrank, and add a click or 2 as the day goes on.. socks or post legday pump alters boot fitment from day to day.
i'll Also wager the staggered nature there will be less pressure points= less need to release them in the lift line.
The bigger issue for me will be
1) crashing or icing up.
2) toe box tightening and heel tightening, the boa does it uniform whereas a classic book crushes the heel down as a priority
When I'm getting in and out of my boots, the plastic over the top of my foot spread quite a lot. To me, it doesn't look like this system provides enough slack to easily and painlessly slip in and out of the boot - especially when the boot is cold and stiff.
As for the spinner, the odds of hitting trees are slim, logs... maybe possible, but the real issue could be racing gates which could have enough force to pop it open.
I'm not convinced this solves any more problems than it creates.
What's the point? Lower two buckles are decorative anyway. I don't see BOA changing anything in terms of instep accommodation or pressure resolve - even a step back, since you can't pull one buckle strong, and the other weakly. Also, BOA handle is more difficult to operate in gloves or cold fingers, than a lever. Plus, it stick out to the side further, thank a clamp.
I like BOA on my motorcycle boots, but I don't think it brings anything into skiing boots.
Lower buckles decorative? What are you saying? The one closest to the top is the most important to keep your eel in place. It’s the most important for me anyway since I have narrow feet.
@@oysterpt2018 Then you probably have wrong boots or at least wrong footbed.
That spinner looks like it would get caught up in thick trees. I would worry about snow packing in and the mechanism getting stuck too.
I think your pants will likely be covering the dial, I’d be surprised if getting it caught on tree branches would be too much of an issue. Buckles can get smashed and bent too. Who knows though, time will tell
This design takes after the old Molitor cable boots like the ones I had back in the 60s
Both of my young adult children have K2 ice skates with boa closures and my son’s broke on one skate within the first year. Those have a fairly thin nylon cable, which I have not tried to replace. This cable is clearly significantly beefier/better, but I won’t rush out to buy a pair until they’ve been out for a while and get mass field tested.
A problem that may occur is that the adjustment wheel is too close to the snow while the snowboard adjuster is at shin height covered by the pants leg. There might be a problem with ice buildup at the wheel mechanism where a build up of snow thaws at the base of the lift then freezes on the lift. Another problem would be side slip fall on an icy section taking out the wheel.
Agree that with the boa, you would lose fine adjustment of boot fit. One way to accomplish a personalize fit is to have different size pulleys (for a lack of a better term) or spacers that the cables ride over. But wouldn't be practical to change on the slopes.
EDIT: an eccentric cam that can be rotated at each of the points that the cables rides over would allow a more personalized fit.
Looking forward to your evaluation after actually skiing with them.
Super great points. Yeah ice build up might prevent you from doing up your boots altogether. And yeah some terrain challenges for sure!
BOA on the lower shell is genius !!. Adjusting the lower buckles is a constant shell game without satisfaction
I like how you pointed out, how if you overtighten, you're going to have to release it all over again, and how annoying that could be. Also yeah, the entire issue of that part knocking off, is a big problem. I feel like the durability is going to be a problem, and given how expensive ski boots are, I think this is going to be a downside where buckle styles will be more in demand still.
The first point I had wrong as this was a sample. The final production model can be micro adjusted back if you go too tight. And I agree durability will be interesting to see how they hold up. :)
Anyone remember Scott Boots? You know, back in the 70s? The Scott Superlight and Superhot were awesome.
Once you break that spinner, the boots are over. Smash a rock etc. Edge angle?
I have problems with pressure on the top of my foot and went with the Salomon Boas to try and relieve that and to some extent, it does work better than clips. However, I agree with you that it isn't fully game-changing but with the Salomon's, the liner has an adjustable tongue and combined with the Boa, that has made a significant difference to the pressure on the top of my foot. Getting the tongue set up correctly was the game changer for me
Great to hear! Im looking forward to skiing on some other boa boots and the Salomon is top of the list.
Rachel did this in the late 80's . The buckle was on the rear. A smarter place. I see a huge market in spare BOA ratchets that were smashed off.
They were Raichle FX8's
They actually do stay attached by the cables if they take a knock. Very burly so not really likley to fully explode. But it will be interesting to see how they hold up over a couple of years.
I'm one of those people who unbuckle at the lift for circulation. This would be a burden. Appreciate your thorough review.
Not sure buckle target pre setting is a realistic concept. The coldness of the boot makes us set as far as it will go, then ski and tighten again, and ski more and then tighten more and more. But do agree with pooping cable accidentally
This is exactly what I do both with my ski boots and snowboard boots. I've been trying to nail it down the first time but to no avail to this day.
I wonder if this would freeze say if your skiing in -15 c or colder ?
About time
any recommendations for a high-arched, bow-legged performance skier? Any models have canted sole-plates, or heavily canted boot cuffs? (custom foam'd preferred) thx!!
I have high arches, too, and I don't think this would work for us. Can't crank the toe buckle and leave arch buckle un-cranked
Raichle used to have something similar to this in the '90s (best boots ever for tough-to-fit feet), not a revolution, but rather someone thumbing through old ski magazines and hoping the patents had run out.
I'm in awe of how much you are into your subject. Really good review, but where did you steal "stay rad" from?
I've used boa snowboard boots since 2010 & use Dalbello ski boots. I wear my ski boots pretty tight & have never broken a buckle. I have broken 5 Boa cables since 2010. They break by fraying. A single strand snaps, then unravels, then other strands break & unravel. I carry large cable ties just in case they snap in the back country. They do make snowboard boots easier to tighten, but I can't see the benefit of cable-based tension on a ski boot given the tension needed for a proper fit; the weight saving if they're AT boots, would be minimal. If the boot has fit issues, then try a different boot, or get some custom work done on the shell, or get a custom fit liner.
I wonder how it would work for a high volume foot? I'm 26.5 length but 29.5 across the heel. At least a couple of the boots you showed have Tech inserts.
This makes me consider my super-cool Leki ski poles, with the clippy-tabs on the gloves. That freeze solid when actually skiing and are entirely useless.
(in the case of the poles, it's really not cool to not be able to re-arrange your poles when you get on a lift. To the extent that I have used the poles without straps or tabs for 20 years)
Reminds me of what Molitor did on their boots in the late 1960's in the early days of buckle boots! Their system "lost" the competition with the other buckle systems. This modern version might just work well.
Spot on. Love the thinking and experimentation, but as someone who undoes all buckles for each lift ride it might be annoying. Especially with a One way BOA. An integrated guard like buckle boots have for the first buckle would be bulky but smart. Also, I'd be worried about damage when going down on one hip and then digging in to pop back up. Could see the BOA cap popping off during that.
So these Boas do actually adjust out the opposite way, this was an early sample so didnt work as well. Wouldnt say it is a smooth unwinding but it is there. Other boots have also added deflectors to help protect the mechanism from impact. Seems to be expanding heavy into more boots next year, so looks here to stay?
Mountaineers have been using this system for years! 😉
So if my friend needs a boot with a wide-106 last, would this work as a universal last (with a min/max mentioned on there)? Or would it still have a "last" mentioned in the boot sizing?
Yeah the last will be likley be 100-102. A 106 is usually after you have heat molded the boot.
Does it affect weight? And for Fischer, aerodynamics for racers? Increased aero drag could be a hundredth of a second in a down hill
I’ve never hit a log when skiing pow. Skied all over the US west and BC
You can release them also counterclockwise, click by click .. atleast at the bicyleshoes...
As someone who has tried on every boot in my local shop and has skied on 6 already this year with instep pain/loss of circulation in all of them, I am super excited to try these out and just confirmed my local shop has some from the early release on the way that I'll be demoing. My only worry is on the adjustable last. Do these fit like a standard MV boot? Might want to hold off and check out Atomic's Boa offerings so I'm not in a HV boot masquerading as a MV/LV.
Yeah they are claiming variable last, but It doesn't enclose quite like you'd expect. It still has to wrap like a regular overlap design, so the pressure comes in still above rather than just width.
maybe try some proper bootfitting? and I don't mean a classic shit bootfitting every (even specialized) store does, I mean find someone with wooden lasts that are adjusted to your feet, then the shell is baked with this last inside, the only thing that helped my 110mm wide feet get into race and touring boots...
The Boa system works on my cycling shoes. However, boa won't work on high-performance ski boots due to the hard shell on high-end ski boots. It may work on soft-shell ski boots. Moreover, the boa buckle on the side of the boot is prone to breakage.
There are snowboard boots with a lighter boa system that is able to be popped off the boot. The piece hangs onto the cable still so its left dangling from the boot until it is popped back into place. Boa is already known to supply replacement kits to stores that sell boa gear. It is very easily replaceable.
Hi Allen, yes very familiar with the snowboard Boa's. Also address this connection in the follow up video> Cheers
How about taking out the inner shell?
Is it possible to do that as easily just as with a buckle system?
Yeah no problems in that regard!
Is the BOA not dual directional? (spin it the other way to loosen it?) Salomon + Atomic's BOAs can both be loosened in that way... If K2s isn't that seems a huge oversight...
Thanks Jake, yeah this one definitely didn't have that function. (This may have just been the sample version however.)
Great to hear there is micro adjustment on the other versions. I look forward to seeing that!!
I’m 100% certain that the dial spins in both directions. Try it again and you’ll see.
Also if you knock the dial off on a rail while skiing it stays attached to the lace so you don’t lose the dial.
I hope to see an updated video after you use this product!
This is a problem that many skiers deal with every day. I know of many people who struggle with tension on the top of their foot, myself included. I love the idea, and I am curious to try it myself. I hadn’t thought of the replacement parts issue that you had brought up, and I would be extremely upset if I couldn’t buckle my boot for the remainder of a ski trip because I lost my boa. Another thing that I haven’t seen anyone address on RUclips, or the few online articles I’ve read, the tension is not even. Again, I probably sound crazy, but the tension is not even. If you know how pulleys work, it’s immediately apparent. Being that one end of the cable is fixed you’re pulling more cable through the closer pulleys to the Boa than you are the fixed end. Meaning you’re cranking down on your instep more than you would be on your toes. I would’ve imagined there would be a loop of cable, so that it came out of both ends of the boa and completed a loop through all the pulleys.
The good news is if the boa takes a hit, it is still attached via the cable, so not much chance of fully losing it. But great points on the tension.
How easy is it to step in and out with this ?
How the hell do you get in/out? I usually crack the boot completely open to get in and I can't see how I can do it with the boa always thare? Is the string long enough to pull the boot tongue out?
Yeah it is not any more restrictive. Getting in is still ok
It reminds me a bit of when rear entry boots came out in the 80’s. Those did not last. One apparent drawback of the Boa is that you can’t snap it down with gloves on like you can with buckles. It seems you have to take your gloves off.
I dunno, I’ve never had an issue tightening the boa dials on my snowboard boots with gloves or mitts on. I think I’d still prefer the ease of buckles though and the ability to always set the tension the same with one click. I think I’d go crazy having to twist the dials at the top of every run
seems like the boa might wear out faster than a buckle, i like slightly different pressure on the forefoot and instep buckles too
Planned obsolescence, great for manufacturers and their profits.
Never buy first generation anything, especially anything with BOA.
so you are turning full speed and hit something and spinner pops and releases tension mid turn?
You would be able to lean a long way over before it contacts anything. Biggest risk is tree skiing and the spinner actually stays held on by the cable if it was to pop.
Yes, it is high-up for piste skiing, but for off-piste im a little bit skeptical about what nature hides in snow.... From branches, to stones and ice. You are all good on maintained tracks, but i dont know about off-track skiing.
I love the idea - but I wonder if there is a better way. Two individual boas instead of the two traditional buckles on the foot might make for fine + quick adjustments?
Two boas is also an excellent idea!
It will be better for fine adjustment, but would likely increase the cost. Not to mention more effort needed to close them, and more parts for potential failure
One wheel at the top of the toe, another above the heel :)
The new BOA system does turn the other direction, turning forward tightens the boot and turning backwards slowly loosens the boot for finer adjustment.
Yes, I addressed this in the follow up video. This was filmed back before any of the BOA boots were released.
Hmmm... That big knob worries me. Couple years ago I ripped off a buckle when well cranked over. took a tech about 10 mins and 10 dollars to replace it. Not sure that would be the case with this system.
i sometimes boot pack up, and my boots already have been hitting rocks when freeriding or bootpacking, that buckle would have been fine if on top but on the side like that and so proeminent it's a no, i'll get that scratch and 100% sure it will break down
I had some Nordica boots from 1990 that had a twist ratchet 'knob' on the back upper heel that secured my footbed. Not sure why the concept did not continue back then. Not sure why it has taken this long to catch on.
Am I missing something? The BOA system was introduced at least 7years ago. But - they only make them in smaller sizes (not for my giant feet). They’ve been one shelves since I started skiing in Cali in 2015
They have existed in other boots for sure, I think this is just a slightly beefier system. Pretty sure they’ve only been in lighter weight touring boots up to this point, could be wrong though
If you take a hit on the Boa sytstem it will actually clip off and you can clip it back in, can take alot of hits from what ive seen
I have boas on my korker wader boots. Theyre great until they get a little kink in the wire and then dont want to release
Can't they also microadjust down to back off pressure without having to pop the dial and fully reset? Not sure about the k2 system but the Salomon and Atomic boa boots have that adjustability both ways. The dial seems to be designed to pop off if hit instead of breaking. Shops will definitely need to stock extras for people who lose them or if they pop off into powder
Yes they did micro adjust. Also, not likely to lose the dial as they will still be held on by the cables if it takes a hit.
I have some concerns with this system. Everybody has different feet, having one system to close down on your instep and toe box doesn't seem like you can get the right tension around your whole foot. I see shin bang in the future or to tight and cutting off circulation. Also what are your custom fitting restrictions what can you grind or stretch and how will the boa work then. What if the cable seized or the gears froze how do you get the boot off. I bet it's not a fun system to repair.
Saw it in touring Scarpa F1 boot a few years back.
Correct - Scarpa has had these for years. And other ski touring boot-makers have followed suit. The knob is usually on the top of the forefoot, though.
I love the BOA system! Having a very wide feet, this would be super convenient on/off the lifts. I unbuckle / buckle way too often that it becomes annoying when it takes too long, so this is exciting!
Caber boots has a BOA like closuer system around 1970. Good system - I have some Apex boots and they have 2 BOA's on the liner. Nice system but not new but 50 year old idea.
Listened to the Gear:30 Blister Review podcast last weekend on my way to the hill. The main takeaway was it wraps you foot securely in a way buckles simply can't. Of course it's new to ski boots so time will tell if this is a fad or will become mainstream.
brand new innovation ? :D a snowboarder asking
How easy is it to get in/ out of the boot... now my boot splits all the way down with buckles....
Yeah its not too bad. No noticeable difference getting them on.
A complicated solution in search of a problem
I fail to understand what is new here. My Scarpa f1 had this already last year. I prefer buckets, but it seems it is possible to make boots with boa lighter
Its not a new concept, but it is a much bulkier and heavier gauge boa specifically for shell closure on the overlap style boots. Just not seen on regular alpine boots until now. Cheers!
I think the real potential with this system is a 3 piece boot design like the fullt tilt boots, which K2 has because they have terminated the Full Tilt brand
Fisher traverse.. skialp boot. already has boa system. I have... it works.. but is a light skialp boot.
To get in and out of my boots, I need to open the bottom. On occasion use I use my middle buckle to open the boot. Not happening with this system. Heavier, more expensive more complicated... Love to try them for a season, but at this point I'm not convinced.
Im a vacation skier and I've been wanting to buy my own gear. I have a wide foot and I've been looking for boots that won't feel like I've broken my foot. This looks like I could wear thicker socks in it too.
What about the top 2 buckles your title says no bucklets
I like to split a boot open to put my foot in and get out. Not sure this will allow that
i guess on one end it will be better so people stop cranking their buckles and killing the nerves on their feet, however the traditional skier will end up with a sharpie mark on the lace. It does have a bulbous profile to it which could ultimately connect with a few branches/trees/skis/etc. Looks like a neat boot but I think it may be better suited for touring boots maybe? Ultimately by starting on the bottoms, they will be looking to convert the whole boot to boa which I don't see happening. I think i'm going to stick to my 2 buckle SPK.
K2 already stocks some boa boots
Snowboarders: "Ahhh you finally decided to show up to the party."
😂
It is trying to solve a problem that does not exist.. Plus once I set my boots in the ski locker in the morning I never need to touch them till back in the room when taking them off. Clips never been an issue for me and will stick with tried and tested method.
That big button looks quite furnarable
BOA have a lifetime replacement warranty on their mechanisms. Their website has a form to specify your shoe/boot type and they send out replacement dials at no charge.
Yeah I always have Snowboard Boa's stock on hand for repairs. Hope they get these ski boot ones out there too!
Ya but who the f wants to replace it.
@@IsraelistheJewsland true
@@IsraelistheJewsland Yeah - most people never will but it's a good sign from BOA that they are willing to cover the mech for the LIFETIME of the product. How many other ski brands (or any) offer this, in this day and age of designed obsolescence. I'm a cyclist and have 2 pairs of shoes with BOA dials and they have both lasted over 5 years now, so my experience is they are built very well. A few buddies have replaced their dials and its not that hard to do.
Isnt' tension the gauge of tension?
deep thought
I don't get why you would change a part of the boot that, if your boots fit, you do not need. I have the dalbello 3 piece boots with wrap lines and the bottom buckle doesn't even get touched
Old clips are eternal,
I'm concerned this new wheel might not last that long
A true revolution would be a comfortable ski boot 🎿no matter what I do my feet always kill me after a long day of skiing.
Try DAHU boots.......uses a fantastic, comfortable inner boot that is seated into an exoskeleton. I have a pair and it has been a dream!! The inner boot can be used as a fashionable walking/apres-ski boot. The exoskeleton has standard stiffness ratings and I find mine give me ski-control NO DIFFERENT from my 5-buckle race boots. I bought mine in Aspen.....the boot was designed in Switzerland and incorporated the input of a Phd engineer whose thesis on ski-boot mechanics is available online. The DAHU company was sold a couple of years ago to a major US snow-sports company that's head-quartered in Eagle County, Colorado. I have skied since 1964 and have had decades of painful boots, having to use foam pads and other products to prevent injury to my feet, multiple custom insoles and boot-specialist stores.....you know this common story. The DAHU boot has been a godsend for me after starting skiing with ankle high lace-up boots that mum used to tie up for me, 59yrs ago!!
More complex, difficult to operate with gloves and even worse with mittens. A fix for a problem that did not exists before. The concept as such works on other products, but here it seems to add more problems than it solves.
Cannot see the benefit with this really, the trouble is always with the top buckles. I think you need the individual adjustability of the lower buckle's but I have often thought that there must be a better design possibility out there for ski boots.
This is a solution looking for a problem.
It reminds me a bit when Rossigñol came up with something similar almost 20 years ago. This system is better but, sorry, I do not like it either. A buckle would do the same job, same or less weight, less bulky and hassle free. Boa systems have been used extensively on snowboard boots, going from one to two Boas and have improved a lot, but a light cable buckle like what Tecnica Zero G's mount is waaaaay better. These are my two cents...
Isn't this just another marketing USP from BOA and boot manufacturers? I don't see how this helps when I need slightly different tension over my arch compared to lower down my foot. If, as imperfect humans, we need different tension over two areas of our feet how does a system of constant tension over the lower closure area help. I think I'll stick to buckles... so easy and, by the look of it, much quicker to activate and release 😉
K2 dial-a-pain.
Top two buckles is what fixes your foot during skiing anyways, so this boa does very little performance wise
cable tightening boots is not a new idea. Nordica N95 boots circa 1983 had were rear entry step-in and had a rear mounted ratchet that tightened the ankle by means of a cable that wrapped around the ankle. It had a screw-pressure plate in the forefoot to stabilize the foot in the toe box. The issue with the BOA seems to be that uniform tightness may not be desirable -- you want the ankle to be well seated in the heel pocket but the forefoot & toe don´t need to be as tight and if too tight will cause numbness and discomfort. Yes, the ski edges can and will cut the cable -- again in the 80´s manufacturers tried using cables and you could cut the cable (Ref. Garmont Omni-Lite).
It might work if the boot plastic is softe enough but this seems like a solution in search of a problem. Also, please don´t use a dremmel tool to mark the cable! you will damage the cable strands.
Thanks for the comment. I have never seen that Nordica boot, I will look it up. :) My suggestion with the Dremel or pen was to mark the shell where you want to finish tightening as there is only one line on the K2, not the cable.
The salomon and atomic versions actually have multiple lines as a better gauge. Cheers!
@@PatriotFootbeds makes sense. have fun trying those!