Kate Agathon

The Atomic Hawx Prime 85 BOA GW ski boot is my new favorite alpine ski boot from a company whose ski boots I have loyally worn for the last 12 or so years.

From the Atomic Savor 95 rear entry ski boot to several pairs of the Atomic Live Fit 80 ski boot, Atomic has been my favorite company for ski boots for years because of their fit and quality. They consistently produce ski boots whose comfort and ease of use is unparalleled.

 

When Atomic introduced the ski-specific BOA Fit System Alpine platform H+i1 (highest force) to its ski boots, I was thrilled. My favorite ski boot company collaborating with my favorite sport lacing system?! WHAT!!!

I’m the person who is constantly readjusting my shoelaces or ski boot buckles. With its precise and secure dialed in fit, the BOA Fit System technology has been a complete game changer for me in nearly all my cycling, hiking, and fitness footwear.

 

After not being medically cleared to alpine ski last winter, the thought of getting back on the mountain and finally getting to try that BOA Fit System Alpine technology on my Atomic ski boots this season was exciting!

Designed with intermediate skiers with mid-volume feet in mind, the Atomic Hawx Prime 85 BOA GW ski boot offers a medium flex, precision fit, and a wealth of features.

 

Key features include:

 

• BOA Fit System Alpine with BOA H+i1 platform offers improved shell wrapping with bidirectional micro adjustments.

• Prolite shell construction keeps the profile slim while adding strategic reinforcement in key zones for downhill performance.

• Cantable GripWalk grip pads provide added grip and the power transfer of standard alpine outsoles.

• Dual-sided cuff alignment.

 

Fit

The Atomic Hawx Prime 85 BOA GW ski boot is all about the fit.

 

The main difference between ski boots with the BOA Fit System Alpine platform and the traditional buckled ski boots is the closure.

 

The BOA Fit System Alpine’s H+i1 platform dial and cable lace closure wraps the foot, as opposed to a buckle that applies downward pressure to keep the foot secure.

 

Using 4 points of contact (5 if you count the H+i1 dial) to provide a uniform wrap instead of just 2 points of contact from buckles, the Atomic Hawx Prime 85 BOA GW ski boot provides a secure, comfortable fit. To achieve a similar hold, I’d have to over tighten my buckles and it definitely wouldn’t feel as comfortable.

Dialed in Comfort

The lower shell is where skiers typically encounter the most comfort issues. I recall often adjusting the lower buckles accordingly throughout the day.

 

Unlike snowboard boots where the dial is near the cuff, the placement of the H+i1 dial along the bottom of the ski boot where the lower buckles are typically found was determined partly by ease of use and also an optimal place for closure. In other words, it was easier for skiers to feel the difference in closure on the lower shell.

 

One thing to be aware of is that the BOA Fit System Alpine tightens both sections simultaneously. So, for example, if you’re a skier who is used to having a tight buckle near the toe box and the second lower buckle a little looser (i.e. not the same tightness) for a more customized fit, that might be a concern.

 

The Atomic Hawx Prime 85 BOA GW ski boot closes incrementally, so it requires less pressure than forcing a buckle down to achieve the same level of tightness. This results in a more even distribution of pressure at the top of the foot.

 

Throughout the day, I noted that it was nice to be able to make small micro adjustments at the top of each run. The H+i1 dial enabled me to loosen or tighten the laces as needed. When I needed to release the tension so that my food could relax, I simply pulled out the dial.

 

I liked the ease of how I could just lean over and adjust my comfort level. In the past, I dreaded adjusting the buckles on the lower part of the boot. It involved a lot of leaning forward, contorting in weird positions and grunting. Not so with the BOA Fit System Alpine!

 

At the end of the day, unbuckling my boots and getting my feet out of ski boots is always a process. There is a noticeable difference in simply popping the dial out and sliding my feet out with not much hassle.

Scientifically Proven Solution

This is a performance-driven ski boot.

 

With its bidirectional micro adjustments that improve shell wrapping, the BOA Fit System Alpine not only is incredibly efficient, but is scientifically proven to improve skier performance.

 

In a 2023 dedicated alpine ski study published in Frontier in Sports and Active Living, the study determined that the technologically advanced system not only improved pressure distribution, but responsiveness and power transfer during turns.

 

One of the company’s biggest initiatives since the BOA Fit System was integrated in snowboard boots in 2001, the BOA Fit System Alpine with BOA H+i1 platform was announced in Fall 2023.

 

Best of all, the BOA Fit System is guaranteed for the lifetime of the product on which it is integrated.

 

Comfort

In addition to the BOA Fit System Alpine, the Atomic Hawx Prime 85 BOA GW ski boot has skier comfort and customized fit in mind.

 

Comfort features include:

 

• Memory Fit advanced heat-fitting technology thermoforms the shells, cuffs, and liners in minutes for a customized fit.

• Pre-formed 3D Bronze liners with anatomic ankles and heels offer a precise fit.

• 3D Stretch toe boxes in the liners are asymmetrically shaped for the left and right sides, allowing for extra stretch and toe comfort.

• The women-specific boots have a lower rear cuff height and greater cuff circumference to fit the shape of women’s calves.

• Adaptive Fit System (AFS) cuffs have removable spoilers that increase the amount of tulip-shape and volume in the cuff. Spoilers can be removed for more room in the lower legs.

 

One more thing about sizing. The adult boots come with a pair of size adjusters in the box. When added to the footbed, the inserts make the boot a half size smaller. It is recommended that if you need a whole size, choose the larger half-size boot and adjust it down.

 

I didn’t think it was possible to beat the ease of use of the two-buckle Atomic Live Fit system to adjust ski boot fit, but those were the pre-BOA Fit System Alpine days. I am wholly onboard with ski boots featuring the BOA Fit System Alpine H+i1 platform.

Style
I liked how the boot’s shell was constructed from two different shell materials, so the back of the boot was a shiny black and the front was kind of a textured looking matte (hence the Black/Stone color name). Subtle, but cool looking.

 

I’m not a fan of colorful ski boots, so I appreciated the understated aesthetic of the  Atomic Hawx Prime 85 BOA GW ski boot.

 

Overall Thoughts

The addition of the BOA Fit System Alpine to ski boots was met with skepticism by some in the ski community, and eagerly anticipated by others. I definitely was part of the latter group.

 

The Atomic Hawx Prime 85 BOA GW ski boot lived up to the hype and my personal expectations. The boots were comfortable and I loved how easily I was able to adjust the tension.

 

One other important detail to note is that the BOA Fit System is guaranteed for the lifetime of the product on which it is integrated.

 

While there is a $100 price difference between the Atomic Hawx Prime 85 BOA GW ski boot and the Atomic Hawx Prime 85 GW ski boot, I appreciated the preciseness of the fit the BOA Fit System alpine delivered. Definitely worth the expense!

 

I loved being able to wear my favorite Atomic ski boots outfitted with BOA Fit System Alpine technology (for me, a dream collaboration!). Sorry, buckles, but I won’t be going back.

Kate Agathon

Dr. Of Stoke

Freelance writer, bicyclist, outdoor recreation enthusiast, social justice advocate, and mom to her furbaby, Sansa.

A Colorado native, Kate considers the outdoors her mother ship. She brings her passion for bicycling, the environment, and issues of diversity to her writing. Her primary outdoor recreation activities are mountain biking, road biking, nordic skiing, alpine skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, and peak bagging Colorado’s 14ers.

 

Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in History from Colorado State University and later an MSEd and Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Purdue University. In addition to her education, Kate’s background serving on the Mayor’s Bicycle Advisory Committee and experience working for non-profits and bicycle sales well position her to bring depth and understanding to the complex changes currently taking place in the outdoor recreation industry.