What is the BOA system, and how does it work in ski boots?
It's a cable system with contact points on the boot that's tightened or released with a dial. You can get a single BOA on the foot with buckles on the leg or a dual BOA on both the cuff and foot.
How does BOA differ from traditional buckles?
Traditional boots use buckles at set positions, generally two over the foot and two on the cuff. BOA uses more contact points to even out pressure and improve the wrap when closing the plastic shell. The dial moves the cable in small increments, which creates better foot hold and increased comfort.
Is BOA durable?
The design is clever; if hit with enough force, the dial pops off but stays attached to the cable and can be clicked back into place.
"In early testing, we even smashed a demo boot against a tree and used a digger to apply pressure - the dial just popped off and reattached." - Steve Wells, our ski equipment buyer
The chances of breaking are very small, and even if it does, all the components are generic between brands, making replacement parts easy to source.