For Denver-based BOA Technology, “making the best gear better” is how the company approaches its work with partner brands. BOA’s purpose-built fit solution, the BOA Fit System, is featured in products in a wide range of categories, notably in run, snow, cycling and golf, and increasingly in workwear, too.

So, how exactly does that BOA dial make work boots better? The brand’s BOA Fit System works to deliver micro-adjustable, precision fit and BOA’s research shows that this offers improved performance for elite athletes and workers. The BOA Performance Fit Lab, established in 2018, has conducted over 2,000 scientific tests and published five peer-reviewed papers that have proven performance benefits and inform future innovation. BOA Fit System solutions wrap the midfoot to securely lock the heel, reducing pressure points and delivering a more uniform fit. By optimizing fit and tension across the foot, BOA helps workers move more efficiently, conserving energy throughout the day.

Here, Kate Harrison, PhD – Director of BOA’s Performance Fit Lab and Kiersti Bird - Commercial Director, BOA, answer a few questions about BOA and the work boot category.

Footwear Insight: What are the biggest benefits of a perfect fit in work boots? What other benefits does BOA add?

Kate Harrison, PhD – Director of BOA’s Performance Fit Lab: “A proper fit is critical for long-term health and productivity. Until Julie Steele and Jessica Dobson, researchers from Australia, analyzed feedback from workers on footwear issues, work boot design focused only on protection from immediate hazards. Steele and Dobson realized work boots fit the foot very poorly, leading to pain, injury, and fatigue. By addressing these shortcomings, workers can feel better, be more productive, and ultimately succeed at work. At BOA, we spent the past five years researching and developing footwear designs that optimize hazard protection, fit, and long-term health. With the BOA Fit System, we create stability through a close, secure fit rather than a rigid, cast-like construction. These benefits can be experienced not only at the foot, but up the legs to the knees, creating overall more control and efficiency for a better workday.”

How are you working with brand partners (and retailers) to help consumers understand the benefits of BOA?

Harrison: “When collaborating with brand partners to integrate the BOA Fit System into their work models, we showcase the scientifically validated benefits of improved fit on key performance attributes, including efficiency and stability. Workers must be able to make informed choices about the best equipment for their long-term health and productivity. This communication is a cornerstone of how we partner with brands and retail to ensure this message gets across.”

Do you see work boots as a performance category similar to your athletic brand partners?

Harrison: “Absolutely. We consider workers industrial athletes. They usually perform in their footwear for longer than any other type of athlete we work with over the course of a day or week. That makes performance attributes like efficiency and joint stability even more critical to avoid overload and support a long career.”

BOA has strong brand recognition in sports such as snowboarding and cycling. Do you see crossover in workwear consumers who choose BOA products and already use the brand in snowboarding or other sports?

Kiersti Bird - Commercial Director, BOA: “The industrial workforce is full of snowboarders, cyclists, and trail runners who are already familiar with and rely on BOA-powered products for athletic activities. They experience how the BOA Fit System provides a precise fit, enhances performance, and guarantees durability, making BOA the preferred choice for their work boots. Our consumer research supports this connection. For instance, it’s common for those who participate in work and snowboarding to own BOA in both.”

How much opportunity do you see for BOA to continue to grow its presence in the U.S. workwear category?

Bird: “We see a significant opportunity for continued growth in the North American workwear category. As work environments become increasingly demanding and safety regulations evolve, workers expect a higher level of performance and durability from the footwear they rely on at job sites. The BOA fit system is proven to deliver improved stability and control, increased power transfer, and greater energy efficiency. With BOA, workers are able to start their long days better and finish stronger. By partnering with leading footwear brands, promoting innovative designs, and focusing on the needs of industry professionals, we believe the growth opportunities are endless!”