Two Dials, Zero Buckles, Even Pressure: Dual BOA Ski Boots Launch Across Brands

Two of the biggest brand names in ski boots both launched dual-BOA alpine boots today. K2 and Salomon released the new Cortex collection and S/Pro Supra Dual BOA, respectively, and, notably, neither boot uses a single traditional buckle. Instead, these techy alpine boots leverage two BOA fit system dials to independently adjust the tightness of the entire shell — from toe to cuff.

These boots represent the first two dual BOA alpine ski boots. Salomon and K2 claim that the dual BOA design improves their boots’ fit, support, and performance. In its press release, Salomon called the dual BOA system a “new benchmark in ski boot design.”

This is neither K2 nor Salomon’s first foray into BOA ski boots. Both brands already offer boots with one BOA dial on the shell that tightens around the wearer’s instep and foot. The cuff of those boots, however, uses traditional boot buckles.

The new dual BOA system featured on the Cortex collection and S/Pro Supra has dials on both the lower shells and the upper cuffs, so wearers can incrementally adjust the tightness of the entire boot.

“The dual BOA system used in this boot is a statement to our relentless pursuit of excellence, designing products that empower skiers with unparalleled control and comfort,” Lauren Samuels, Salomon’s North American alpine category manager, said in Salomon’s press release.

“This is the boot our freeride athletes have asked for — a performance-focused boot that blurs the edges of race boot and traditional low-volume boot performance and fit,” Tom Pietrowski, K2’s senior global ski boot product line manager, said in K2’s press release.

Salomon, K2, and BOA: Doubling Down on Dialing Fit

BOA has been popular in snowboarding and backcountry ski boots for years, but it has only recently entered the world of alpine ski boots. In 2023, K2 released the first alpine boot with BOA, its Recon alpine ski boot. The brand called it the greatest innovation in ski boot technology “in 60 years.” Unlike traditional buckle systems, BOA applies more even pressure around the foot, hugging it rather than compressing it.

Since then, almost every big-name brand has hopped aboard the BOA train. Atomic, Fischer, Nordica, Technica, Dalbello, and Salomon have all brought their own versions of BOA ski boots to market. However, until now, alpine boots only had one BOA dial for the shell and traditional buckles for the cuff. The K2 Mindbender has a second BOA on the liner, but the Mindbender still uses traditional buckles as well.

That standard is changing, though. K2’s Cortex collection and Salomon’s S/Pro Supra Dual BOA only use BOA fit systems. This allows the wearer to micro-adjust the fit of the entire boot, dialing it for maximized comfort. Both brands say in their press releases that a better fit also translates to better sensitivity and control over your skis.

Dual BOA Boots Now Available

On Wednesday, Jan. 15, K2 released the unisex Cortex ski boots in five versions. On its website, 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 released the S/Pro Supra Dual Boa alpine ski boot in two different stiffnesses for men and women. The women’s boot ($900) has a stiffness of 105, and the men’s ($950) is 120. Both are now available on the Salomon website.

If you’re in the market for new ski boots and want something comfortable, functional, and innovative, check out K2 and Salomon’s new dual BOA boots. You can compare them to other all-mountain alpine boots on GearJunkie’s guide to the Best Ski Boots.

GearJunkie has yet to test either of the new dual BOA boots, but keep your eyes peeled for a review. This is technology we’ll definitely get our hands on and feet into.

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