I’ve really wanted to get into the new boa since they were all announced last season but I wasn’t able to try any on for some time so wasn’t willing to spend the high cost at that point considering my Rossi’s are in really great shape.
I was out west a little earlier in the year and had a chance to get into a store and try on some boas. The k2’s agreed with my feet a lot but as mentioned at the time wasn’t looking to spend $800 just for boa when I had solid boots. Figured I’d wait a season or 2 for prices to come down a little.
fast forward to BFCM, sales started hitting places but it seemed boas were not on many sales and if they were it wasn’t much which makes sense. Still new models.
Checked out my go to Corbetts and was blown away by the boa sales. Ended up paying $497 shipped for the 24 recon 130 boa. At that price it was an absolute no brainer to pull the trigger. Already tried on. Knew they fit. Price was too good.
they arrived today. Threw on the ski socks, put my inserts in and been rocking the boots around the house for 2 hours now. I only rocked them for about 15 mins in store. Wasn’t able to stay longer. Nothing really shocking on general fit. They feel good. Which I already knew. Going to do a home liner molding to get the ball rolling. I don’t foresee any issues with the shell or needing to mod it. Didn’t need any work on my Rossi shell either.
the big positives. The boa closure
is just great. The way it allows the boot to wrap your foot is kind of insane. I’ll make a video showing but you clearly see the shell “wrap” not pinch closed like buckles.
the feeling in boot is just more comfortable. You feel “wrapped” when in the boot rather than closed into the boot if that makes sense. I just feel like out of the box the fit is so much better from the start. To be clear I also tried on the older 130 recon with buckles. The feeling is different. You “feel” the buckles on the older ones. Like where the buckles are applying pressure. Where as the boa you feel more even “pressure” over your entire foot hence the “wrapped” feeling.
it is more burly than any other boa I’ve ever felt. By a lot. The dial feels flimsy but it’s just basic plastic. Which it feels like. But I assume that’s a pro for ease of replacement and weight.
Also included different heel inserts to make them more “mellow” for impacts. I do plan to swap to the softer ones. As well as your usual liner laces, some pads for the tongue to change some shape and some wedges as well.
now onto the negative. For me at this point there is only one. They are so fucking hard to get in and out of. This was not unique to the k2’s when I tried boots on. I tried the k2, atomic and Salomon. Atomic was insane hard, k2 slightly easier with Salomon being easiest. All of them are harder than any buckle boots I’ve tried. For me this is minimal. Only deal with it getting in. And once you’re in it’s like any other boot. Getting out for me was just was easy as buckles.
that’s really all I have atm. I leave sat to breck and will be using them there then headed to beaver creek in Jan. So I’ll update as I use them.
feel free to ask any questions if you’re curious or want some specific pics.
