The BOA closure system has been one of the most prominent innovations in the ski boot world for 2024. Designed to replace traditional hooks, this system uses a dial that allows for a more precise and uniform fit across the foot. We went from having two pressure points with the hook system to four with the BOA closure system. This is undoubtedly the strong point of this new adjustment system, but we also like the ease of making micro-adjustments – which can be millimetric – while skiing, the uniformity in the fit of the instep or the comfort when putting on and taking off the boots.
The hook fastening system, although it has been the norm in ski boots for a long time, has a number of drawbacks that can be uncomfortable and create foot pain. One of the most common problems is the uneven fit created by the hooks. With localised tightening, it is easy to create uncomfortable pressure points, especially on the instep, which can lead to soreness after several hours of skiing. This unbalanced pressure also affects circulation in the foot, which contributes to the constant cold feeling that many skiers experience. In addition, making adjustments with the hooks is not always an easy task, especially when wearing gloves or skiing in extreme cold conditions, which requires applying force on each hook in a somewhat awkward position.
However, freestyle enthusiasts don’t seem to receive the BOA system positively despite its convenience and quick micro-adjustability, which eliminates pressure points common with traditional hooks. Among the drawbacks highlighted by riders are the weakness to shock and susceptibility to wear and tear, although brands often offer a lifetime warranty.
After this brief introduction to the BOA system, here is a selection of the five best brands of ski with a hybrid binding system that includes BOA binding on the instep and hooks on the upper. Here are what we consider to be the best ski boots for both women and men in 2024, so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs, taking into account our tips for choosing your ski boot.
Women’s ski boots with BOA system 2024
The BOA system integrated into the 2024 ski boot is designed for those of us who don’t want to sacrifice comfort and performance. Forget about painful, foot-marking hook adjustments; with BOA, you get a firm, even fit with the turn of a dial, without having to worry about uncomfortable pressure points. Not only do these boots allow you to enjoy greater freedom on the mountain, but they also adapt to different female foot shapes, ensuring you’re at ease on the most aggressive descent as well as those long days spent enjoying the snow.
Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 115 BOA W
The Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD for women combines lightness and power in an all-mountain and freeride boot thanks to its Prolite technology, which reinforces key areas to improve stability by 25%. Its Mimic liner and Memory Fit system thermally moulds to provide a custom fit in critical areas such as the foot and ankle, maximising comfort and performance. In addition, the Adaptive Fit System (AFS) shank with a removable overhang provides more room and natural 54° movement for easy walking. With a narrow 98mm profile and multi-binding compatible GripWalk sole, it is ideal for skiers looking for stiff flex and maximum control.
This model is an ideal combination for skiers looking for lightness and precision. With a flex of 115, it offers excellent control in varied conditions in both alpine and alpine skiing. The BOA H+i1 system allows for a wrap-around fit in the lower part of the boot, eliminating pressure points. It also has a “walking” mode option that facilitates off-court movement.
K2 Anthem 95 BOA
The Anthem range from K2 revolutionises women’s alpine footwear with its lightweight and agile design, weighing only 3160 grams per pair, making it one of the lightest boots on the market. This model is designed for performance, combining power, support and comfort. With innovations such as Fastfit Instep, which makes it easier to put on even on cold mornings, and Energy Interlock technology, which eliminates rivets for a more progressive flex, this boot offers great reactivity. In addition, the Powerlite system and Precisionfit liner are thermoformable for a custom fit.
The 95 Flex is soft and ideal for intermediate skiers looking for a balance between comfort and performance. The Anthem 95 offers a soft flex with great adjustability thanks to the BOA system and features a women’s specific design that ensures ergonomics adapted to the female foot, offering comfort during long ski sessions. The ease of use of the BOA system allows for quick adjustments without removing the gloves.
Salomon S/Pro Supra BOA 105 W
The S/Pro Supra BOA 105 W is perfect for skiers looking for performance without sacrificing comfort. With a 105 flex, it is suitable for intermediate to advanced skiers. The BOA system distributes pressure evenly, improving circulation and keeping feet warm all day long. The French brand can be proud to have conceived a ski boot designed to redefine the fit in women’s ski footwear, breaking away from traditional constructions. Its ExoWrap® technology, combined with the BOA® Fit system, allows for a precise fit that wraps around the foot with just a simple twist, making it quick and easy to customise the fit.
With a 100-101mm last, it offers more room for greater comfort to fit most female skiers. This design seeks to fit the natural shape of the foot by measuring the width between the first and fifth metatarsal, providing an optimal fit for most profiles.
Fischer RC4 MV 105 BOA W
The Fischer RC4 105 W MV BOA ski boots are designed for experienced female skiers looking for optimal performance combined with comfort on every descent. These boots feature a 105 flex, making them an excellent choice for veteran skiers who need precision and support in every turn. The 100mm last offers a perfect balance of fit and comfort, ideal for medium sized feet.
In addition, they are equipped with Grip Walk (GW) technology, which improves traction when walking on snowy and icy surfaces, providing greater safety and comfort off the slopes. This combination of performance and comfort makes them an excellent choice for skiers who want to challenge the most demanding slopes, while ensuring a personalised and precise fit thanks to the incorporation of the BOA fitting system.
This boot stands out for its excellent fit and precision, designed specifically for women with a 105 flex. The BOA system provides a precise fit in the instep area and is complemented by a comfortable interior for long days of skiing. Fischer has integrated the BOA system into its design to maximise the efficiency of energy transfer in every turn.
K2 Mindbender 115 W BOA
These women’s K2 ski boots with BOA closure are ideal for skiers looking for a balanced blend of performance and comfort, with a custom fit. They feature the BOA® Fit System, which allows for precise micro-adjustment to ensure a firm foot hold throughout the day’s skiing. The adjustable dial, together with lightweight and durable laces, ensures a perfect fit with no pressure points.
K2’s Powerlite Shell combines different thicknesses and TPU types for a lightweight yet responsive boot, while MultiFit™ Last technology allows it to fit feet between 97mm and 100mm, offering flexibility without compromising comfort. Its design includes the Powerlock Spyne, which provides a 50-degree range of motion, ideal for ski touring ascents, while maintaining stiffness on descents.
The Powerfit Pro Tour Liner and GripWalk system ensure efficient power transmission and secure grip on snowy or icy surfaces, ensuring this boot is perfect for both technical descents and demanding ascents.
Men’s ski boots with BOA 2024 system
And after analysing what we consider to be the five best boots with BOA system for women, it is now the turn of men. And maybe you have doubts about whether this new system is a fad and the typical hooks are the best solution to keep the foot well fixed to the bora. We usually know what we are looking for in a good ski boot: a fit that does not make us lose time or performance on the mountain and, if possible, that lasts and that we can enjoy them for many seasons. BOA system boots for 2024 are ideal for those of us who don’t want to be struggling with uncomfortable hooks in the cold and bending our spine while pushing hard. Have you ever made use of the micro-regulators on the hooks in the middle of the piste? Probably not. And not because you don’t want to, but because turning the piece with your gloves on is not a good idea. With the BOA, micro-adjustment is a breeze: just turn the dial and you have the perfect fit without the typical pressure points that destroy your foot after several hours. Looking for performance, comfort and quick adjustment? These boots have it all. If you’re the kind of person who likes to hit the slopes, BOA fits you precisely and consistently, so you can focus on what’s important: enjoying the descent and feeling in control with every turn.
Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 130 BOA
This is one of the standout boots for 2024, designed for hardcore skiers who want a crossover boot that delivers solid downhill performance as well as backcountry efficiency. With a low volume 98mm fit, this boot uses Prolite construction, which relies on a slim profile reinforced in key areas to maximise power in every turn. The BOA® fit system provides a precise fit by wrapping the boot evenly around the foot, ensuring secure and adaptive support.
It also incorporates Memory Fit technology and the Mimic Platinum liner, which is heat moulded for a custom fit. The adjustable Adaptive Fit System (AFS) tongue allows for a perfect fit over the foot and shin, enhancing comfort. Its 54° range of motion in the upper facilitates ascents and walking mobility.
With additional features like the GripWalk outsole and Free/Lock 4.5 mechanism, this boot offers versatility in both all-mountain and freeride, ideal for those looking to venture on and off piste. It is lightweight, weighing in at 1831 grams per boot (size 26-26.5), and features a stiff flex for advanced skiers looking for control and precision in any terrain.
K2 Recon 120 BOA
The Recon 120 is ideal for advanced skiers looking for a precise and efficient fit. It is a high performance boot designed for advanced and expert skiers looking for efficient power transmission and all-day comfort. With a flex of 120, this boot offers the stiffness needed for aggressive descents, ensuring precise control and dynamic response on all types of terrain. Its BOA® fit system allows for quick and easy customisation of the fit, providing even support across the foot without the drawbacks of traditional hooks.
In addition, its MultiFit adjustable last from 97 to 100 mm ensures a comfortable fit for medium to slim feet, while the fully thermoformable PrecisionFit Pro liner allows the boot to mould to the foot for customised comfort. The GripWalk outsole improves grip on icy surfaces and facilitates a more natural walking motion. The K2 Recon 120 BOA is especially recommended for skiers who demand precise control and response in every turn, without sacrificing comfort and performance.
Fischer RC4 Pro MV 130 BOA
The Fischer RC4 Pro MV 130 BOA is designed for high-level skiers who demand maximum performance. These men’s ski boots represent the next generation of performance ski boots, designed for skiers looking to take their ability to the next level. With a flex of 130, these boots provide optimal stiffness to maximise control and power transmission during the most demanding descents. They feature the BOA® H+i1 system, which allows for a precise, wrap-around fit of the shell, improving pressure distribution and providing support throughout the day’s skiing. This system also facilitates adjustment and loosening on the fly, adapting to the skier’s needs in real time.
The VACUUM thermoformable shell ensures a custom fit, while the iFZ Performance liner provides additional comfort and support. GripWalk® outsoles improve traction on slippery surfaces and allow for a more natural gait, complemented by SOMATEC technology, which aligns the feet in a more ergonomic position for better power transmission and control on skis. Weighing approximately 1885g (per boot in size 27.5 MP), these boots are ideal for skiers who prioritise performance and custom fit.
Salomon S/Pro Supra BOA 120
The Salomon Supra BOA 120 is a boot designed to take foot support and performance to a new level, offering a millimetric and customisable fit. Its combination of the ExoWrap® and BOA® Fit System allows for a precise fit that adapts quickly with a simple twist, hugging the foot evenly. With a 100-101mm last, it provides a wider fit suitable for most skiers, while the polyurethane shell and Custom Shell HD technology allows the boot to be quickly customised in just 10 minutes to fit the skier’s morphology perfectly.
The design includes innovative features such as the adjustable My Exowrap™ 4D Perf tongue, which improves foot support, and the elastic liner strap, which ensures a perfect wrap around the instep. The Power Spine connects the shank and shell, improving support and flex, while the pre-installed GripWalk outsole offers increased walking comfort and better grip on slippery terrain. In addition, the boot is fully removable and customisable, making it easy to adjust and repair all parts of the boot, making it an excellent choice for advanced skiers looking for precision and comfort.
K2 Mindbender 130 BOA
We can consider this model as the flagship boot of the Mindbender range, designed for extreme stiffness and optimal performance. With a flex of 130, this boot is created for advanced and expert skiers looking for power, control on every descent and who know how to ski off-piste. Its ability to transmit power immediately allows for fast and dynamic edge-to-edge transitions, providing total control of the ski, making it an excellent choice for skiers looking to dominate both the piste and off-piste terrain.
The BOA® fit system provides pinpoint accuracy and a customisable fit, ideal for medium to fine width feet (97-100mm). In addition, the Mindbender 130 is perfect for freeriding, thanks to its integrated gear mode that facilitates ascents by releasing a lever and offering 50° of travel. Its lightweight design and advanced support allow skiers to climb and explore new terrain without compromising downhill performance. As mentioned above, this model is aimed at skiers with good fitness and advanced technique who want to push their experience to the limit, both on and off piste, so if you are learning, don’t make the mistake of buying a ski boot with these characteristics as it is a demanding boot and will be better than choosing a boot with less flex.
