Boa Lacing System

Ready to retire the shoelace? You probably have a few questions about Boa. Start here.

FAQs

In what sports can I find Boa?

Boa delivers performance solutions to a long list of sports, plus other activities. This list includes: snowboarding, cycling, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing, water sports, hockey, inline skating, hunting, fishing, hiking, running, golf, motocross, and fitness (i.e. aerobics, walking, spinning, etc.). Boa also helps build shoes, boots, and other products for construction workers, factories, fire fighting, medical support, and - believe it or not - horses.

Are there different kinds of Boa Lacing Systems?

There are many different Boa Lacing System configurations split between three power levels: Low, Medium, and High.

  • The Low Power system provides performance solutions to a lot of low-cut footwear in sports such as running, cycling, and golf.
  • Mid Power generally focuses on activities and sports where footwear extends as high as the ankle or mid-calf, depending upon the stiffness of materials used in the upper. This list includes: hiking, motorsports, snowmobiling, and utility. Mid Power is also used in ski boot liners (with boots from Black Diamond, for example).
  • High Power is primarily used in snowboard boots, where the thickness and stiffness of upper materials requires a significant closure force.

What's wrong with Shoelaces?

Shoelaces have been used, unchanged, for so long that we have just become accustomed to their deficiencies and hardly notice them anymore.

If your shoelace comes untied a few times while running a marathon and a minute is added to your time because you had to stop and tie your shoe, nobody blames the $120 running shoe. This type of failure is unacceptable. And yet many athletes accept it as "bad luck."

We have carefully studied the way shoelaces work and have defined their deficiencies:

1. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO FINE TUNE THE TIGHTNESS YOU WANT.
a. There is controlled friction intentionally put into eyelets or lace loops so you can move tension up the shoe and tie the knot.
b. You have to tighten the shoe a little more than you want because you lose tension as you move up the shoe and then tie the knot.
c. Once you are done, you can't adjust tension without starting completely over again.

2. TIGHTNESS CHANGES ALMOST FROM THE START. As the lace stretches, the knot tightens or loosens. If the shoe gets wet the lace stretches even more.

3. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO QUICKLY RE-ADJUST TIGHTNESS while doing your sport. You have to stop, untie the shoe, and start the tightening process all over again.

4. COMPLETE FAILURE is not uncommon. If a shoelace comes untied, you cannot continue effectively with your sport until you stop to retie it.

Isn't Boa just a fancy shoelace?

With many performance-enhancing benefits that traditional shoe laces don't possess, Boa is far more than just a fancy lace. Its advanced technology makes it a superior alternative to traditional laces, enhancing any sport or activity.

Does Boa Technology make shoes?

No. Boa partners with some of the world's best footwear companies to make great shoes even greater. The Boa Lacing system represent a quantum improvement over traditional lacing systems and, in this way, Boa elevates the performance level of both the shoe and the athlete.

Is the Boa lace reel strong enough for an aggressive adult snowboarder, cyclist, runner, golfer, or other athlete?

Bet you cannot break one. Our design goal from the beginning has been that the reel should outlast the boots in any conditions. The Boa System has been under development since 1997 and has tens of thousands of hours of testing on it from all types of riders/skaters in all types of terrain.

The lace looks awfully thin. Is it really strong enough?

The lace is much stronger and more durable than its thin appearance would seem to indicate. It is made with up to 49 individual strands of aircraft grade stainless steel wire. It is then compressed for a smooth surface and incredible strength. Gram by gram, it is stronger than tank armor.

How is Boa better than other lacing systems out there?

Firstly, Boa enhances the fit of any shoe or boot. It provides a glove-like fit by creating a smooth, even wrap that hugs your foot rather than constricting it. Secondly, You can make small, precise adjustments while you are on the move without interrupting your activity; talk about fast! Next, it's lightweight, never absorbing water, or collecting mud or other debris. Best of all, no more double-knotting, and retying your laces, because the Boa Lacing System never comes untied!

Who wears Boa?

Some of the world's most elite athletes, sponsored by the world's leading brands, wear the Boa Lacing System. This list includes:

  • More than 30 riders in the 2009 Tour de France, including 2008 champion Carlos Sastre (Lake Cycling) and Fabian Cancellara (Specialized), who wore the yellow jersey for six straight days.
  • PGA Tour players Steve Stricker, Scott Verplank, and David Love III, all sponsored by Footjoy.
  • Pro snowboarders Gretchen Bleiler (K2) and Travis Rice(DC), who share several X Games podium placings between them.
  • Ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes of The North Face, who won the Badwater Ultramarathon and in 2006 completed 50 marathons in 50 days wearing The North Face Arnuva 50 Boa running shoe.
  • Professional snowmobilers, fishing guides, mountain bikers, equestrians, and other athletes at the top of their game.

My footwear collects a lot of grit and grime. Will Boa stand up to abrasive debris? How durable is it?

Don't let the size of the Boa lace fool you. That relatively thin lace is ounce-for-ounce stronger than tank armor! Constructed of medical grade stainless steel jacketed in nylon, these laces can resist the rigors of dirty environments with ease. And, because the nylon coating shields the steel core of the lace, mud, sand and other elements that would otherwise have abrasive effects can't adhere and simply fall away.

What does Boa deliver that other pull-cord systems don't?

Firstly, on-the-fly micro-adjustment. Boa gives you easy, one-handed adjustment to tune in the perfect fit, even on the chairlift with a glove on, with a quick turn of the Boa dial.

Second, an incredibly secure hold. Set it and forget it. Our stretch-free steel cable and ratcheted dial provide a powerful 3:1 mechanical advantage. They lock in a perfect fit and stay that way. Period.

Lastly, it's a system that’s built to last. The Boa Lacing System is designed with aircraft-grade stainless cable and bombproof nylon reel guides that are designed to take all the abuse you can throw at them.

Does Boa have a Guarantee?

At Boa Technology, we stand firmly behind our product and believe in its durability over the long haul, and we guarantee the Boa Lacing System reel and laces for the lifetime of the product.

This is the Boa Dialed In for Life Guarantee. And our promise to you. To redeem the guarantee, please click on the Guarantee section on our website.

What if the Boa Lace Breaks?

In the rare event that your Boa Lace breaks (we experience less than .5% of our laces returned because of breakage), you would simply do what you do with a traditional lace: tie it into a knot.

Of course, because of the low-friction nature of the Boa Lacing System, it will be necessary to tie three very tight knots, but this will get you back to the trailhead, to the bottom of the slope, or back home just fine.

Many retail stores are well-schooled in performing Boa Lace repairs and often have spare laces and parts available.

Also, the Boa Lacing System is designed to be easily user-repairable and replaceable. You may request free replacement parts online via our Boa Dialed In for Life Guarantee and view downloadable instruction sheets and videos. Most first-time repairs take several minutes. With a little experience, re-tying a spool can take less than 120 seconds.

Can I replace the lace with a new one?

Yes. Replacing a Boa lace is faster than putting in a new shoelace. View boot reel lace changing instructions here.

Video Tutorials

Boa is Best in Snow

There is a clear reason why the world's best snowboard boot brands have been turning to the Boa Lacing System for over eight years: it delivers the best high-performance closure out there.

It's about precision, durability, convenience, and comfort.

It's about giving yourself the best ride.

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