single vs double boa snowboard boots

Single vs Double BOA Snowboard Boots – Battle of The BOA!

by Fraser
Updated:

Some riders swear one is enough, other’s need at least two to be satisfied.

I’m talking of course… about BOA lacing systems!

You’ve witnessed the laces vs BOA debate. Now it’s time for something much more serious. Join me in this brutal head-to-head as we discuss single vs double BOA snowboard boots.

Overview

Single BOA snowboard boots have one BOA lacing system, using a single dial and wire coil. This tightens the entire snowboard boot. Double (or dual) BOA snowboard boots have two BOA systems, with one usually tightening the upper boot and one tightening the lower. This allows the ankle to be adjusted independently. Both boot types are available here.

But which is better? And why should you care?

Read on to find out…

Single BOA Snowboard Boots

The single BOA lacing system is quick, easy to use, and simple to maintain. Essentially, you can lace your boots within seconds.

However… as there’s only one set of cables for both sides of the boot, the adjustability is reduced. Significantly. 

This makes it pretty challenging to get a perfect, custom fit.

Say for example your ankle was lifting, you’d have no choice but to tighten the whole system, which may put unnecessary pressure on your shins!

Image courtesy of boafit.com

To combat this, some brands use a hybrid system. These often use BOA for the upper portion and laces for the lower sections. 

Which begs the question… why not just use dual BOA?

Double (Dual) BOA Snowboard Boots

Double BOA snowboard boots provide symmetrical tension and added adjustability. The dual BOA lacing system consists of two wires that can be adjusted independently. Each is attached to separate dials on the sides of the boot. 

The dual system minimizes pressure point issues, which was a common problem with the single BOA lacing systems. 

double (dual) boa lacing system
Image courtesy of boafit.com

Double BOA models are more advanced and often feature better materials than their single-BOA counterparts, which means they usually come with a more expensive price tag. 

Single vs Double BOA Snowboard Boots!

single vs double boa snowboard boots

Let’s now take a look at the two systems and consider which one you should be riding. 

The double BOA system allows riders to lace their boots up in a flash, choosing the ideal degree of tension for each section of their foot.

A significant advantage of this system is how easily you can achieve the perfect fit. But perhaps this sounds too good to be true?

Let’s dive into the pros and cons of a dual BOA boot. 

The Pros and Cons of Double BOA Snowboard Boots

Pros
  • Use one hand to adjust the whole boot (even with gloves on!)
  • Zonal adjustability helps to reduce pressure points
  • Avoid having two lacing systems (as often happens with hybrid single BOA systems)
  • Micro-adjustments are possible 
  • Usually featured in the most premium boots, providing a high-performance package
  • Often offers better heel hold than single-BOA
  • Looks pretty dope 
  • No frozen laces!
Cons
  • Double BOA snowboard boots are more expensive than their single BOA counterparts.
  • The dual wire coils can be more challenging to replace than the single BOA lacing system. 
  • If you have tight snowboarding pants, you may struggle to get them over your boot with two dials on either side. 
  • Older dual BOA models had the coils on the inner boot, which reportedly popped open more easily.  

The Pros and Cons of Single BOA Snowboard Boots

Pros
  • Super quick adjustments
  • Easy to take off
  • Usually cheaper 
  • Avoids using traditional laces
Cons
  • Prone to pressure points 
  • If the BOA system breaks on the mountain, you're screwed! 
  • Reduced ability to tackle heel lift
  • Often present in entry-level boots
  • If using a hybrid system (for example half BOA, half laces) then you lose the ability to take them on/off quickly - which was the whole point of BOA!

The Verdict!

When choosing between single and double BOA boots, consider both your budget and what kind of riding you plan to do.

If you only ride short runs here and there, it may be enough to tighten everything up with the single BOA lacing system (though you could even consider laced boots for this).  

If you spend all day on the snow, double BOAs offer better performance and a more fine-tuned fit. But they do require a larger initial investment. 

Personally, switching over to dual BOA was one of the best decisions I’ve made. My boot of choice is the DC Judge. You can read my in-depth review right here. 

But I’m interested to know what you think. Any bad BOA experiences? Have I missed something super obvious?

Let me know in the comments below!

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