A Game-Changer in Ski Boot Comfort and Fit
Always looking for ways to improve our customers’ experience, this season we brought in several brands of BOA ski boots to test. We wanted to know if our customers would like the technology, comfort, and performance.
Spoiler alert: not only did our customers love them, but the boots were in such high demand that Dean Peters, owner of Park City Sport, said jokingly, “customers were fighting over them.“
What Are BOA Ski Boots?
In case you aren’t familiar with these yet, BOA refers to a closure system that uses a precision dial to tighten the shell using a stainless steel cable. You may be familiar with the technology from snowboard boots or cycling shoes. On the ski boots we’ve tested, the BOA closure replaces the bottom buckles.
Given the comfort and performance benefits, this technology appears to be where the industry as a whole is heading.
Superior Comfort and Fit
When you tighten the BOA dial, it evenly distributes pressure – wrapping around your foot, rather than the top down pressure of a traditional closure system. In a traditional buckle boot, pressure is applied at the specific point of the buckle. That can be uncomfortable for some people, and many who have historically had trouble closing the front of their ski boots are in for a pleasant surprise.
In many of the ski boots with a BOA closure, the liners are also different. They wrap the foot as the cables tighten. We found this brings the pressure of the boot over the foot in a balanced and even way.
To open the boot, you pull the BOA and it fully loosens the lower shell. This makes it a lot easier to get in and out of the ski boots. For anyone who has struggled with trying to wrench their boot open (it can’t just be me) this is a big upgrade in experience. The dial can also be turned for micro adjustments, so if you are someone who skis a really snug boot but wants it loose on the chair – it’s really easy to adjust with the dial, even in gloves.
Our rental customers consistently mentioned the comfort difference. As Dean Peters noted, “The BOA ski boots hold you uniformly and that’s what people are jazzed about.”
Performance on the Slopes
But what about their performance on the mountain? When boots fit well, it’s easier to feel your turns and maneuver the skis. This can mean greater confidence and control.
In these boots, the pressure is balanced and even across your foot, which translates directly to control over your skis. Many of our customers said that the boots were both more comfortable and improved their ski experience.
Who Are They For?
While anyone might like these, they’re especially appealing for people with specific fit challenges:
- Skiers with high insteps who struggle to close traditional buckles
- Those with wider forefeet who experience pinching with conventional boots
- Anyone who finds the process of getting in and out of ski boots difficult or painful
- Skiers who like to adjust their boot tightness frequently throughout the day
The BOA system addresses these common pain points by fundamentally changing how pressure is applied to the foot.
Our Plans for Next Season
We think BOA ski boots are some of the best ski boots of 2025. Our customers really liked the new style of closure – finding the boots easy to get into, comfortable, and high performance. Given that, we’re ordering quite a few for next ski season. They will not replace traditional buckle boots, but they will become a welcome addition to our rental fleet.
Known for offering a wide range of boot brands and models to fit our customers better, Park City Sport will be adding BOA ski boots from four iconic brands: Dalbello, Rossignol, Lange, and Salomon. Each brand’s shell fits a little differently, providing more options to find a great fit.
Need ski rentals in Park City?
As always, we seek to elevate the ski rental experience with the best technology and selection available. If you need ski rentals in Park City, learn more about Park City Sport and why our customers keep coming back for our comfort, performance, and friendly, expert service.
