Two of the most important model names in ski boots each launched dual-BOA alpine boots at the moment. K2 and Salomon launched the brand new Cortex assortment and S/Professional Supra Twin BOA, respectively, and, notably, neither boot makes use of a single conventional buckle. As a substitute, these techy alpine boots leverage two BOA match system dials to independently modify the tightness of your entire shell — from toe to cuff.
These boots symbolize the primary two twin BOA alpine ski boots. Salomon and K2 declare that the twin BOA design improves their boots’ match, assist, and efficiency. In its press launch, Salomon referred to as the twin BOA system a “new benchmark in ski boot design.”
That is neither K2 nor Salomon’s first foray into BOA ski boots. Each manufacturers already provide boots with one BOA dial on the shell that tightens across the wearer’s instep and foot. The cuff of these boots, nevertheless, makes use of conventional boot buckles.
The brand new twin BOA system featured on the Cortex assortment and S/Professional Supra has dials on each the decrease shells and the higher cuffs, so wearers can incrementally modify the tightness of your entire boot.
“The twin BOA system used on this boot is an announcement to our relentless pursuit of excellence, designing merchandise that empower skiers with unparalleled management and luxury,” Lauren Samuels, Salomon’s North American alpine class supervisor, mentioned in Salomon’s press launch.
“That is the boot our freeride athletes have requested for — a performance-focused boot that blurs the sides of race boot and conventional low-volume boot efficiency and match,” Tom Pietrowski, K2’s senior world ski boot product line supervisor, mentioned in K2’s press launch.
Salomon, K2, and BOA: Doubling Down on Dialing Match
BOA has been well-liked in snowboarding and backcountry ski boots for years, nevertheless it has solely just lately entered the world of alpine ski boots. In 2023, K2 launched the primary alpine boot with BOA, its Recon alpine ski boot. The model referred to as it the best innovation in ski boot expertise “in 60 years.” In contrast to conventional buckle programs, BOA applies extra even stress across the foot, hugging it somewhat than compressing it.
Since then, virtually each big-name model has hopped aboard the BOA practice. Atomic, Fischer, Nordica, Technica, Dalbello, and Salomon have all introduced their very own variations of BOA ski boots to market. Nonetheless, till now, alpine boots solely had one BOA dial for the shell and conventional buckles for the cuff. The K2 Mindbender has a second BOA on the liner, however the Mindbender nonetheless makes use of conventional buckles as effectively.
That normal is altering, although. K2’s Cortex assortment and Salomon’s S/Professional Supra Twin BOA solely use BOA match programs. This permits the wearer to micro-adjust the match of your entire boot, dialing it for maximized consolation. Each manufacturers say of their press releases that a greater match additionally interprets to higher sensitivity and management over your skis.
Twin BOA Boots Now Out there
On Wednesday, Jan. 15, K2 launched the unisex Cortex ski boots in 5 variations. On its web site, it has the K2 Cortex 140 Zonal BOA ($950), Cortex 130 Zonal BOA ($850), Cortex 120 Zonal BOA ($850), Cortex 125 W Zonal BOA ($850), and Cortex 105 W Zonal BOA ($850).
Salomon launched the S/Professional Supra Twin Boa alpine ski boot in two completely different stiffnesses for women and men. The ladies’s boot ($900) has a stiffness of 105, and the lads’s ($950) is 120. Each are actually out there on the Salomon web site.
In the event you’re out there for brand spanking new ski boots and wish one thing comfy, practical, and revolutionary, take a look at K2 and Salomon’s new twin BOA boots. You possibly can evaluate them to different all-mountain alpine boots on GearJunkie’s information to the Greatest Ski Boots.
GearJunkie has but to check both of the brand new twin BOA boots, however maintain your eyes peeled for a assessment. That is expertise we’ll undoubtedly get our palms on and ft into.
