neutralmlkhotel

So the time has come that I am retiring my '09 Burton Hails, and looking to grab a new pair of boots. I've been told to avoid traditional lacing and BOA at all costs and go with speed lacing or zone lacing (whatever you want to call it). Personally, I have no real preference over speed or BOA. I like the Ride Hi-Phy and the Salomon F-20 for speed lacing. any input?

threej21

speed laces FTW....just make sure they are dual zone speed laces, meaning one chord for the upper and one for the lower

seriously though, this system to me is the best there is. rode burton ambush all season last year and they held up fine, super comfy, and very easy to adjust..even adjusted laces couple times on the lift when i had overtightened, which is only complaint i have with speed laces, youll tend to overtighten them untill you figure out the perfect balance b/t tight and loose

snowklinger

i loved my boa's all season last year, and they broke after about 50 days of use at the end of the season. using the lifetime warranty to get a new cable and tools was easy. unfortunately i was unable to get the old cable out, the entire system is now an exploded fucked mess and i dont even want to deal with it.

while i wont lie, i really liked the convenience of the system on the hill, the current situation is such that i would never buy them again. seems like zoned speed lacing is pretty money these days. even a couple years ago they used to loosen up easily but they all seem to have that fixed.

traditional laces are cool too, only drawback is convenience and i mean shit...i learned to tie my shoes like 30 some years ago....

neutralmlkhotel

Speed lace is the word on the street and Salomon supposedly make the most comfortable ones. 1 of buddy's in Tahoe says he will only rock Salomons and the kid I shred with every other trip refuses to only rock them as well.


I feel the Burton boots are a little bulky (size 12) and don't sit well in my Ride Delta's

neutralmlkhotel

Thats exactly what I'm arguing myself about!!! my GF rocks BOA on her K2's and she loves it but, she doesn't charge as hard unless its POW

CMSbored

I bought K2 darkos this year and i feel that the system on that is perfect. (traditional lacing and boa on the liner). I prefer traditional lacing as i can always get them tight and they stay tight. I feel no matter which way you go whether it be speed or boa, get dual zone. My old Celsius boas were single and i hated how they tightened the whole boot with one, doesnt conform right.

i like having the boa for the liner as you can tighten and loosen just the liner on the mountain. The liner makes a big difference ive noticed.

HoboMaster

I put my boots on in the morning and take them off after riding... How fast does the shit need to be? If it does its job you shouldn't even have to mess with it in between. I have no problem taking an extra 15 seconds to lace up my boots, and in my opinion you get the least slop that way.

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PowderHound and TreeNinja

neutralmlkhotel

Thats the only reason why I'm looking at the BOA is for the Zonal aspect of it.

I didn't even know that the Speed lace has a Zonal control......

CMSbored

Agreed, 100%. Ive had to lace up my hockey skates everytime since i was 5. I love lacing up boots, its like a prequel to a good day of boarding.

threej21

never worn salomons, but for what its worth, i also wear sz 12 and never felt my boots were bulky. my boots, as well as a lot of the burton line, have the imprint tech which scales the size of the actual boot down a size. maybe thats why they dont seem bulky

not swearing on it, but i believe all of burtons speed lace were dual zone last year and this one...maybe not all, but all the ones ive seen have the dual zone laces...

anyway, rock what you want. go try a bunch on, from all brands....
i wouldnt get a boot just b/c two guys on your hill 'swear' by them and will where nothing else...your foot could be totally different from theirs