Ski Boot Design: how did we get here, and where are we headed?
We brought together ski boot designers, Tom Pietrowski (K2), Christoph Lentz (Fischer), Riccardo Bonaiti (Dalbello), and Ross Herr (Dynafit) for this conversation — and pro skier / designer / obsessive tinkerer, Hoji, joins the conversation, too.
We get into how and why BOA dials are taking over ski boots for the 2023-2024 season; the role that weight plays in the development of boots of all types; the balancing act of designing a walk mechanism; the challenges presented by the boot-binding interface, and more.
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Learn more about the Blister Summit here
TOPICS & TIMES
- Intros & Brands’ Latest Products 00:00
- Weight vs. Downhill Performance 8:35
- The Rise of BOA 20:25
- Walk Mechanisms 29:10
- Boot-Binding Interface Challenges 39:58
- Evaluating Fit Across the Whole Boot 50:13
- Women-Specific Boots 55:21
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No thanks on the BOA.
I’ve had BOA cycling shoes, golf shoes and hunting boots. The cycling shoes it worked great because it’s adjusting a smaller area. The BOA system broke within months on the hunting boots and golf shoes. I wouldn’t trust it for my ski boots. Just my opinion.
I’m not a boa fan by any stretch, but I think it’s important to note and realize that like many mechanical systems boas can be scaled in size and robustness. AFAIK there is no inherent reason why one couldn’t be made strong enough for a ski boot (or hunting boot, or golf shoe).
The question then becomes whether the boa still makes sense from a weight/size/etc perspective once you’ve made it burly enough and given it enough leverage to truly replace a boot buckle.
One additional remark: The system that Boa (the company) developed for ski boots is notably burlier than the ones they’ve been selling in the past for conventional footwear.
Adding to that: One of the nice and unique things that Blister does is to provide information about how the ski performs at multiple mount points, and that’s only really possible with a “true” demo binding with movable toepiece.
I hear this all the time- “no one asked for BOA” or “no one needs BOA”. Sure no one specifically asked for/needs BOA, but skiers do ask for/need better fitting boots, which I do hear all the time. This is the distinction between “solutions” and “needs”. A buckle, a BOA, a power strap, a foam liner, etc. – these are all solutions trying to address the need of FIT. No one needs buckles, no one needs BOA – what they need is a well-fitting boot that is durable, repairable, and performs. BOA is a solution to all these needs and especially takes “fit” to a new level.
I skied on my Salomon Boas for like 20 days in March. I was messing around with it at the bar at lunch. I walked over to get water and was like” what am i standing on” I looked down i was standing on the knob. I limped over to my chair popped it back on. This was the only time it popped off i must have been monkeying with it just right. It was not damaged at all I am 270 pounds.
Thanks for sharing. It’s good to keep getting more and more feedback from actual users.
The biggest praise is they skied just as precise as my x/pro 120’s once u start to understand the gauge on the opening 1-4. I have been so used to the feeling of cranked buckles over the years, i remember lace Raicle boots then buckles came out. It takes a bit to get used to the even snugness of Boa. The salomon Boas have tons of wiggle room for the toes which I like then I boosted up the toe ramp with stick on material. I got back from the whole miraclish month at Mammoth and had some thicker socks at home. The socks snugged up the forefoot midfoot versus cranking down the Boa to maintain the even wrap keeping the Boa gauge in the middle. A thicker top cover on my thin orthotics would do the same thing. I fit boots like this… new the toes graise the front of the boots then pull just back off the end when I flex my ankles. The latex liner is soft maybe a little softer than I am used to but an all day leave em alone fit.
I had awesome viper 10 boots once and intolerable instep pressure did not really have any on the old Salomons or the new Boas. The Boa wire is long extend it just enough to get in the boots then lock the boa or you will be spooling the thing longer than catching a big muskie initially to get them tight, lol. I’d be up for shortening the Boa cable.