BOA® Technology, celebrating 25 years of BOA® Fit System innovation, delivers micro-adjustable, precision fit, pushing cycling performance forward with new science-based findings, further proving system benefits in footwear studied at the elite athlete level.
Insights from testing at BOA’s Human Performance Fit Lab (HPFL) reinforce the value of superior fit across disciplines. Compared to traditional shoelaces, road cyclists and mountain bikers see the BOA Fit System’s benefits of improved speed, power transfer, energy efficiency per pedal stroke, and increased stability and control on variable terrain.
The BOA Fit System with a BOA-powered wrap enables riders to achieve up to 3.5% faster speeds by allowing more efficient acceleration and delivering a net 3-watt benefit at the start of the ride and a 4.5-watt benefit at the end of the ride—greater than any aerodynamic differences between shoe models. During key attacks or sprints, riders experience a net benefit of up to 22 watts due to a locked-in heel and improved connection to the midsole. The secure, uniform fit also enhances stability and control, helping riders maintain higher speeds through varied terrain and long rides. These gains translate to 1 minute and 30 seconds faster times over approximately one hour of riding on a sustained 21.5-kilometer climbing effort at an average grade of 7.5%.
“BOA’s research buildsresearch 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 BOA Fit System delivers:
- Road Cycling: up to 3% improved power transfer, up to 1.5% improved energy efficiency, delivering up to 3.5% improved speed, Downhill
- Mountain Biking: up to 3% improved power transfer, up to 4% improved stability & control, and up to 3.5% improved speed
“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.
For more information on innovation and data in cycling, visit boafit.com.
About BOA® Technology
BOA® Technology Inc., headquartered in Denver, Colorado, pioneers performance fit solutions through its patented BOA® Fit System. Designed to deliver micro-adjustable precision fit, the BOA Fit System is featured in products across snow sports, cycling, trail running, golf, outdoor, athletic footwear, workwear, and performance bracing. Every configuration is engineered to deliver a secure, consistent fit, backed by The BOA Lifetime Guarantee and validated through laboratory testing and athlete-driven research. BOA operates globally with offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia.