You know the BOA name. Maybe you’ve used BOA Fit Systems before. But do you know that it goes beyond the convenience of a dial? It also improves fit, thereby enhancing your performance and comfort.
Insights from testing at BOA’s Human Performance Fit Lab (HPFL) reinforce the value of superior fit. Compared with traditional shoelaces, cyclists benefit from the BOA Fit System, including improved speed, power transfer, energy efficiency with each pedal stroke, and greater stability and control.
“BOA’s research builds on years of foundational work at the Human Performance Fit Lab, where we’ve consistently demonstrated the impact of fit on performance,” says Dan Feeney, PhD, VP of Partner Product Innovation & Development. “What’s new here is the application at the highest levels of cycling—where even the smallest gains matter. By locking the heel and connecting the midfoot to the sole without pressure points, BOA enhances how much power is transferred to the pedals. Because each pedal stroke is more efficient, this leads to measurable improvements that compound over the course of a ride, ultimately translating into meaningful time savings over the course of a race.”
Additionally, compared to traditional shoelaces, the company touts that the BOA Fit System delivers up to 3% improved power transfer, up to 1.5% improved energy efficiency, and up to 3.5% improved speed for road cyclists.
“I micro-adjust my BOA dials, both in training and in races. When I hit a climb or start an effort, I tighten them so there’s no movement inside the shoe, just a direct power transfer to the pedal,” says Kasia Niewiadoma Phinney, BOA athlete and winner of the Tour de France Femmes 2024 on Team Canyon//SRAM.
Giro Imperial II AS Road Shoes with BOA Fit System Li2
In March of this year, Giro released the Imperial II All Season (AS) road shoe featuring the BOA Fit System. The new version builds on the Imperial II by redesigning the upper to be better suited for colder, wetter conditions.
The Imperial II AS features a new TPU monofilament mesh that improves breathability without sacrificing comfort or power transfer. Giro selected BOA’s Li2 dials for these shoes because of their lightweight, low-profile design. The dual-dial configuration provides multidirectional, zonal adjustments on the fly for added comfort and fit.
The BOA Fit System uses a CS1 lace with 49 strands of stainless steel wrapped in nylon for its performance in harsh environments, delivering reliability and durability.
Price: $449.95
Colors: White or Black
Sizes: 36-48 (half sizes from 42.5-45.5)
Fit: Runs true to size
Weight: 235g (EU 43)
Availability: Online or Retail
FS2 BOA Fit System Debuts on S-Works Evade 4 Aero Helmet
In May, BOA Technology introduced the new FS2 BOA Fit System, which then debuted on the S-Works Evade 4 Aero helmet. According to the company, the design of the new FS2 platform provides a 6% stronger hold than traditional helmet fit systems, a split yoke and forehead guide design to customize the fit across a range of head shapes, and a dial with 40% finer adjustment resolution with sub-millimeter accuracy. These features translate to fewer pressure points and greater comfort.
The company states the FS2 Dynamic360™ fit is defined by:
• Adaptive, low-friction, lace-based system that wraps the head evenly to balance tension and reduce peak pressure, resulting in a 6% stronger hold relative to traditional helmet fit systems.
• A split yoke and forehead guide design to lock in the occipital bone (the large, flat cranial bone forming the back and base of your skull) and stabilize the sides of the head, creating a true custom fit across a wide range of head shapes. At the same time, vertical adjustment allows for further fine-tuning.
As someone with a narrow head and who wears a size small helmet, I struggle to find a snug-fitting helmet. I found the S-Works Evade 4 with the Dynamic360 design to provide an excellent overall fit, zero pressure points, and all-day comfort.
“Unlike traditional helmet fit systems that concentrate pressure at the front and back of the head, we’ve developed a solution that is proven to distribute tension evenly around the entire head for a more secure, uniform fit,” says Dan Feeney, Vice President, Partner
S-Works Evade 4 Helmet
Price: $349.99
Colors: Matte White, Matte Black, White/Red, Multi Aurora, Silver/White
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
Weight: 280g CE, 320g CPSC
Safety System: Mips® Air Node Pro pads
Sunglass Storage: Yes
Availability: Online or Retail
Sheri Rosenbaum regularly contributes articles and reviews products for RBR. She’s an avid recreational roadie who lives in the Chicago area and a major advocate for women’s cycling, serving on the board of directors and volunteering with the Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club. Click to read Sheri’s full bio or visit her web site sunflowersandpedals.com.
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Evade 4 has a low safety score from vt tech. Strange for a brand new helmet design. I used to buy giro shoes but this year they stopped making size 40 shoes. Too bad.