The BOA Double Buckle Free Skates are here and feature an innovative design

Ski boot technology hasn’t changed much in the last 15 to 20 years, so it was kind of a big deal when BOA system for convenient disc/cableoriginally designed for snowboarding boots in 2001, He came to ski boots for the 2023-2024 ski season. But those who were hoping for a truly buckle-free experience were a bit disappointed because the first BOA-equipped skates only featured a single disc that replaced the two lower buckles on the bottom shell.

Read more: The best high-tech ski gear of 2025

Well, now Atomic, Solomon, K2 and others have announced new products BOA double disc skate shoe Which features two BOA discs and completely eliminates any buckles. Starting at around $750, a range of Dual BOA models are available for purchase now, while others will ship this fall. I recently had the opportunity to try out Atomic’s upcoming Hawx Ultra 130 S Dual BOA shoe in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, and I have some early impressions.

Innovative detachable cable for BOA top cuff disc

As I noticed after trying out the first generation single-disc BOA skates, the BOA models are a little more difficult to get into than a typical skate with two lower buckles. You can pull the disc up to release the cable completely, push it in and turn it counterclockwise to secure it. You can also loosen the cable without lifting the disc (you can simply turn it clockwise). It’s a little difficult to get your foot into the shoe because it doesn’t open the extra part at the bottom when you release both buckles. So how do you place your foot in the shoe using a dial at the bottom and top of the shoe near the cuff?

It turns out that the new upper BOA cable system is actually detachable and clips on and off on a mounting post, allowing you to fully open the cuff and slide your foot in without a problem. So, yes, there is some kind of faux buckle-like element, but once you put your foot into the shoe and clip the upper dial, there’s nothing to fasten — just dial in your preferred size. I thought it was a very elegant design.

Shoes equipped with single or double BOA discs will not significantly affect how you ski, although you should get slightly better response and power transfer during turns, especially if you are an advanced skier. The way BOA shoes cover your foot feels a little different – ​​it’s more of a uniform wrap that provides the same comfort around your foot. And you can call this comfort more precisely. But most people will simply appreciate the convenience of being able to adjust your fit using a dial rather than fiddling with buckles, especially when it’s really cold and the snow is falling heavily. I often feel like my shoes are too tight in the third groove but not tight enough in the second. BOA discs give you a Goldilocks tightness and also reduce pressure points due to the way the cables connect tight.

All that said, the BOA Fit System (single or double) does not guarantee that you will get a more comfortable fit than a traditional skate boot with four buckles. You can still develop pain points and need to make sure you get the right size shoe with the right last (width). Often times, people get shoes that are too big for them (runners, on the other hand, want shoes that are too narrow). With the Atomic Hawx 130 S, you’ve actually downsized. This is a narrow, “low profile” shoe and I have a somewhat wider foot, but in the limited time I’ve used the shoe, it feels good.

If I used them long term, I would at least buy them a new footbed and maybe get a custom liner, which is not cheap. Companies like Surefut He will remove the stock liner and replace it with a custom liner that the boot technician fills with foam to mold to your foot. (Surefoot also sells custom footbeds and a shoe heater attachment that works well.) You can also ditch the shoe liner for $500 ZipFit shoe lining. Custom boot settings can run you about the same as the boots themselves, but the extra cost is worth it for many people desperate for a pain-free skiing experience.

Zoom in on the image

BOA-equipped ski boots tend to cost a little more than non-BOA-equipped boots. I wondered about the system’s warranty and what you would do if one of these dials broke or was damaged. BOA told me that the Fit System is guaranteed for the life of the product and that it ensures that skate shops across the country have repair tools and replacement parts if needed “at no cost to the customer.” Customers can also access new parts through the BOA warranty team using BOAfit.com.

The Atomic Hawx 130 S are men’s boots, but Dual BOA boots from Atomic, Salomon, K2 and others will be available in women’s versions, as well as a few different flex options — the 130 in the name refers to the stiffness of the shoe. , while being the sturdiest and typically most expensive model in the line (prices for the best dual BOA-equipped boots approach $1,000). More advanced skiers tend to have stiffer boots, but this also depends on your personal taste, skiing style and factors such as weight and height. Rental boots tend to hit around 90 degrees, which is not stiff enough for most expert skiers.

Initial listing of the new Dual BOA skates

atomic:

• Atomic Hawx Ultra 130 S Dual BOA (available this fall)

Salomon:

K2:

Ski head:

Nordica: