deacon mark

They have a great deal on Louis Garneau road shoes light weight too. They use the BOA system entirely for lacing, any use shoes with these laces. I thinking they could break or go bad easier. I have even read some pros going back to regular laces. My buckle Shimano s are fine but would like to upgrade to lighter shoes and these look cool.

chainwhip

Switched from modest priced/good fitiing Louis Garneaus with velcro and ratchet straps to discounted higher end Gaernes with BOA closure. One full season of use...no issues at all with the BOA.

CliffordK

I have a pair of lakes with the BOA.

It seems like if I bump them, they inevitably loosen a bit. But, once on the bike, they're handy. Can be adjusted on the bike, and hold tight.

I did by a pair of used Lakes with broken and missing parts. And, I think the BOAs may have a lifetime warranty on them. I do need to follow up on that sometime.

Jakedatc

I've had my LG's for like 4-5 years now and the BOA is still good. Can tighten them easily on the fly, even through light shoe covers.

mstateglfr 

My LG Slate(i think) have BOA and they are excellent
Its metal wire of some sort- they wont just break.

Be aware that there are different styles and levels of the BOA system. Some can loosen and tighten thru ratcheting and some can tighten only. Mine tighten only and i dont think twice about them.

Some shoes have both BOA ratchets tighten to the right and some shoes have both BOA ratchets tighten by twisting towards the outside of the shoe.
Total individual preference, but just be aware.

motosonic

I'm on my 2nd pair of BOA-based shoes and so far they're fantastic. I wore the first set out completely but the BOA's were still fine. I'm in middle ground as far as shoes go.. I don't have the kinda budget to drop $500 on a pair of shoes, so both my pair have been under $200 if that helps. What I can tell you, switching from Ratchets or velcro to BOA is YOU'LL NEVER GO BACK! lol Maybe it's just me, but the 'custom' fit you get from the BOAs is worth it.. and it's SO easy you can do it while riding without even thinking about it. My current pair is a Fizik Uomo (I think that's what it is) and my only complaint with that particular shoe is I had to put the cleats as far back as I could to get proper placement on the pedals.. but that's not a BOA complaint.. I'm particular about where my feet are on the pedal I'm told so they're probably good for everyone else. Otherwise, fantastic shoe for the $.

RShantz

I have over 35k miles on a pair of S-Works with the BOA system. The ratchets have worn out twice. Both times, I went on-line to BOA & they mailed me new ratchets free of charge. I do not have any problems with unwanted loosening during a ride until the ratchets start wearing out.


The shoes are looking a little rough, but I'm wanting to see if I can get 50k out of them before I replace. I think they'll make it.


As you can tell, I'm a pretty big fan of the BOA system.

SSRI

I switched over to Lake with BOA and I am very happy with them, the strap/buckle system is just a vulnerable to breakage.
Moving forward my next pair will likely be BOA system again, but with double dials.
It is too bad BOA does not make a retrofit system, I would convert most of my footwear to BOA if possible.

redfooj

Pros and cons to each.

Ratchets are most fiddly to use. But secure.

Rotary dials are fastest but tends to loosen mid ride.

Laces don't allow adjustment while in the bike.

Velcro don't offer lots of leverage and I find myself redoing it multiple times to get the right tightness


What's worse is a shoe that combined all these methods...and I've owned ones that has all permutations of these. Utterly superfluous.

Individually, I think ratchets are the worst.

On a given pair of shoes I don't really have a preference for any of them.

Bob Ross

I have a pair of S-Works shoes with BOA closures that I bought in 2010. The BOAs still work perfectly; never had them come loose during a ride, never had any problems with closing or opening them, it's a very nice system.

Unfortunately, the soles of those shoes lasted less than two seasons before they were worn so badly as to make walking precarious. So they're not my favorite cycling shoes, and I retired them to my parents' house in AZ where I keep a spare bike that I only ride for ~1 week out of the year. Stupid shoes! But the BOAs are pretty badass and I would certainly not hesitate to get another shoe with a BOA system.

robbyville

Like many others I’ve never had a boa come loose during a ride. Closest was after about 3 years of use one boa wouldn’t hold as well during tightening. I went by my local dealer and they ended up having some extra ones around so replaced all 4 free of charge.

Best system for me, and I’ve had them all. Love the ability to tighten on the fly and no pressure points.

Sy Reene

Ok, but I think you're saying your BOAs so far have lasted 2 years, plus 1 week a year for the past 5 years?

woodcraft

I had some on S-works shoes for a while. They were fine, but have seen some broken

Now mostly in lace shoes. By far the lowest profile & most aero system,

& work best with shoes covers

Bob Ross

Not quite; I only just sent them down to the retirement farm this past year. But it is fair to say that they stopped being my regular daily riding shoes after that first 2 years, and that since then they only get used infrequently.

WhyFi

At my LBS, they'll give you a replacement Boa knob/wire for free if you somehow break one. They said they're handed down from Boa, for free, for that purpose - I would assume that a number of shops do the same. Regardless, I have yet to have one fail on me.

dabac

I used Lakes with BOA for two winters.
I was entirely happy with the mechanics as such.
Overall I had a nagging suspicion that the fit might have been overall a tad better if the tightening could be sectioned, instead of one tension point for both over the foot and for the collar.
Can’t say it was a confirmed issue though.

MakiNn

My sidi's have BOAs' and they are the best thing ever, they stay nice and tight all throughout races and rides

bruce19

I've used Specialized shoes with the BOA system for the past three years. No issues so far.

caloso

Another fan of boas. I’m on my 3d pair of S-Works shoes, each has had boas.

Beach Bob

Whoever invented BOAs deserves a medal as far as I'm concerned. On my first pair and I just can't believe how much better it is than velcro/strings

deacon mark

OP here I just got Louis Garneau Course lites new for $164. I think a great price competitive cyclist has them $179 but found pair new on eBay. Can’t wait to give them a spin but hey it is -2 right now have to wait. Use old pair on trainer thanks to all for feedback!

chainwhip

"The Boa Closure System has also been used in spinal bracing, created for individuals with medical problems with their back or neck. The closure system allows physicians or patients to custom fit the braces more precisely."

"Boa Technology is a closure system manufacturer for the sports and medical industry. The company is headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Boa Technology is suspected of editing Wikipedia for advertising purposes, ..."

Founder: Gary Hammerslag
Founded: 2001
Industry: sports and medical
Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, USA

Judging from the feedback here...sounds unnecessary for BOA to ..."(edit) Wikipedia for advertising purposes"...

OTOH...perhaps it's pot/kettle, as wiki likely edits Wikipedia for political purposes...;0p.

OP - enjoy the new road shoes. IMO, LG makes great fitting, solid gear. You should be well served.

rgconner

I am on my second set of Boa equipped Motorcycle boots.

Unfortunately, the second set was closeout, and no one makes them anymore.

Dunno why, they are damn effective and make my ankle feel secured in the boot. (I have bad ankles from rock climbing)

PaddleFoot

I had a pair and loved the BOA system, especially on the bike, but the LG shoes themselves were just awful for my feet. It is interesting to read of how long the lacing lasts... that was my biggest concern as shoes laces always wear out before a shoe does.