The newly released "TEAM BOA HYBRID" is an innovative boot that has been praised by many professional riders. To find out the secret behind its evolution, we spoke directly with four team riders who use it: Shunta Akagawa, Yuji Usui, Kenji Nakamura, and Yunosuke Sugaya. Why did this boot become their choice?Stability, flexibility, and gripWe will explore the surprising performance of these boots and what kind of performance they can bring out. We hope you will feel the true value of these boots through the real feedback from riders.
Q1: First of all, please tell us why you chose TEAM BOA HYBRID.Akagawa:The stability when skating at high speeds is just amazing. It's solid, but also easy to bend your ankles, which I like because it makes it easy to do tricks.
Usui:The reason I chose it is because it offers a great balance of comfort, control, and ease of timing the initial movement.
Nakamura:It provides great support even during hard riding, improving your performance.
Sugaya:These boots have a hard flex in the nose-tail direction and flexibility in the toe-heel direction due to the cuff cut. I control the balance between high response and flexibility by compressing the boots in order to perform tricks at high speeds. I like the wide range of control.
Q2: What size do you wear? What is your usual shoe size?Akakawa: My size is 26.5cm, which is the same size as my regular shoes.
Usui:My size is 26.5cm. My regular shoe size is 27.5cm. (Actual size is 26.3cm. Some people may experience pain in their toes.)
Nakamura:Both my boots and everyday shoes are 26.5cm.
Sugaya:The size is 24.5cm, the same as my regular shoes. I wear them just so that my toes touch the ground, but if they fit tightly there's no pressure on my toes, so it's not a problem.
Q3: In what riding situations do you use it? Would you like to use it?Akagawa:I use them when I'm skiing at high speed from the top to the bottom on the slopes, and also when I'm skiing in the park.
Usui:I mainly use them for carving and powder. My home slope is in a snowy area, so I can switch precisely even in situations where I can't get a good foothold. These boots allow me to move smoothly.
中: I use these boots when skiing in powder or in the park. They are the boots I want to use when I want to go fast and have delicate maneuverability.
Sugaya:The high responsiveness of the TEAM BOA allows you to transmit your movements to the board without any waste, which I think is advantageous for a variety of styles, but I think it is particularly suitable for my style, which combines turns and tricks.
Q: Mr. Akagawa, you upload a wide range of videos on YouTube, from big jumps to playing around with the terrain and small tricks like freestyle tricks. Is TEAM BOA more suited to hard riding?Akagawa:The flex and response are recommended for those who want to ride hard. These boots are for those who want to enjoy powerful sliding and reaction rather than flexible movement.
I have the impression that Nakamura, who was in the Self-Defense Forces, must have exceptional leg strength... lol. When you say delicate movements, do you mean like when you press on a rail or something?Nakamura:Just as you'd imagine, his leg strength is outstanding thanks to the Self-Defense Forces lol. This is true when he presses, but especially when he shows his style or attempts difficult techniques.
Q2: TEAM BOA HYBRID is an improved and more powerful version of the EIGHT BOA LF. The power strap has been reduced from two to one, but how does it feel to wear and hold?Akagawa:You can tighten it firmly with just one strap. The ankle part is tightened with BOA, so it holds your foot in place perfectly!
Usui:The support around the shins is more pronounced. The lower two-thirds of the leg feels enveloping, while the upper third is tight.
Nakamura:Even though there is only one power strap, the holding power is still sufficient, and the holding power around the ankles and shins seems to be more pronounced than with the EIGHT BOA LF.
Sugaya:By using one thick strap, the shin area is held in place while providing a good balance of ankle flexibility and smooth movement. We recommend tightening the power strap firmly, which will allow you to bring out the natural flex of the boot.
Q5: BOA laces too,The material and the part that tightens have changed, but how has the feeling of hold changed?Akagawa:The TX laces are soft and conform to the shape of the boot, allowing them to fit your feet perfectly.
Usui:BOA laces have less bias when tightened and distribute the tension naturally. I'm the type of person who wants to loosen my boots immediately after skiing, but these are comfortable enough that I can eat lunch with them fastened.
Nakamura:It tightens to fit your feet better. Even if you wear it for a long time, you won't feel tired due to pressure.
Sugaya:The flexibility of the Dyneema laces provides a well-balanced hold all around. It also improves movement when crushing the boots.
Q6: How has the change in your innerwear changed?Akagawa:The shin area has been changed from straps to Velcro, making it easier to secure the shins.
Usui:It wraps you up softly. There is a sense of increased volume overall, and it feels as comfortable as sitting on a luxurious sofa. There is especially more space around the toes. It is now easier to move your fingertips.
Nakamura:The shin area has been changed to Velcro, which means the inner garment no longer slips from the ankle to the shin and is easier to put on and take off.
Sugaya:The ankle area is now looser, making it more comfortable to wear.LIQUID FITI recommend you to use it.
Mr. Sugaya is not only a skier, but also well versed in movie creation and gear development! LIQUID FIT Is it better to use LF after all?Q: Sugaya:Heat-molding fitting systems are common, but they do not change the size of the innerwear, so they cannot fill large gaps around the ankles. LF, on the other hand, pours paraffin fluidly, so it can deform to fit each individual shape. The poured paraffin hardens when it is put on a cold slope, providing a better fit than you can imagine. It is especially recommended for those who want a tighter fit from the heel to the ankle.
Q7: The soles are made harder than other companies' boots, but do you feel this while riding?Akagawa:When you're gliding, it doesn't feel that hard, but you can feel the quick response.
Usui:It's easy to understand the angle of the sole of your foot. It's not just about raising and lowering the edge, but it's also easy to get 3D information with the sole of your foot. It's easy to control the amount of rotation of your knees and pelvis. Since the slope itself is 3D, this is a big advantage.
Nakamura:Because I can feel the sensation under my feet more, I feel better edge control and a better sense of grip with the soles of my feet when riding in the park, which I think improves my performance.
Sugaya:The stiff sole makes it easier to use the flexibility of the boots. I especially feel the control over the movement of my ankles. It's easier to lay the board down and stand it up.
In the 23-24 season, UsuiTechnical Championship WinnerCongratulations! This is truly a competition where skiing is the key to success! But does TEAM BOA fit all kinds of movements?Usui:In technical skiing, there are two main ways to choose boots. One is to match the flex of the boots to the weight and hardness of the gear. The other is to choose according to the event. Short turns in particular require speed and twisting skills, so soft boots with high torque control are preferred. This TEAM BOA has a medium flex, so it can be used in a variety of events by changing the way it is fastened. In other words, it has a high level of control and is well-balanced. And it fits very well when bending the knees. So it can be said to fit any movement.
We asked some professional riders about the appeal of the TEAM BOA HYBRID. The stability, flexibility, and hold of these boots will support the rider's performance and raise their riding skills to the highest level.TEAM BOA HYBRIDWe hope you find the right fit for your riding style and enjoy the best possible ride.
