Scott Elite Boa: The boa constrictor for the foot

The shoes represent one of the few points of contact between the rider and the bike and are therefore of great importance. The wrong shoe can turn training, competitions or a leisurely ride into a real journey of suffering. Scott Sports has a long history of making shoes alongside clothing and bicycles. Also for the mountain bike area you have with the Scott elite boa the right pair ready, which the team riders, like Rémy Absalon in Enduro, also use. We tried to find out what the shoe is capable of.

equipment and practice

High quality, with neatly finished seams, the elite boa there, like a one. To protect against dirt and water, Scott uses a synthetic leather for the outer skin of the shoe. This is part of the ErgoLogic Wrap Fittechnology and is intended to ensure that the elite boa, hugs the foot like a second skin. The Ergological-Insole has Poron cushioning and variable inserts to support the foot in the arch and midfoot area, so that the foot can be given a lot of stability.

With a velcro closure on the forefoot and the Good-locking wheel allows the shoe to be closed quickly and easily. The sole comes with a minimalist profile in a subtle racing look and Sticki rubber, which is supposed to ensure the best grip on roots, rocks and scree.

Thus, the shoe leaves nothing to be desired and expectations rise. But as soon as we put them on, we miss a small but fine detail that no shoe should be without: a loop on the heel of the shoe. Of course you can do without it, but it makes it easier to get into the shoe, especially when you are out and about. With a shoehorn, however, it is also possible to slip into the elite boa as child's play. Also the lacing using the Good-Adjustment wheel is easy to use and the shoe fits without annoying adjustments. Our test model, in size 43, is quite large, so you should try the shoe on before you buy it. What is immediately noticeable is the amount of space that the shoe offers in the front area. Cyclists with a wide forefoot really get their money's worth here.

In use, the sole of the elite boa. It is pleasantly stiff, but still has enough flexibility to be able to walk one way or another in a relaxed manner. Even mud does not cling to the open sole and so the cleats find their way to the pedals almost automatically.

The closure was less convincing. The fine wire ropes, which are used to keep the shoe in place and which, due to their small diameter, only have a small contact surface, constrict particularly at the level of the tendon sheath and leave unsightly pressure points on the foot. Otherwise he leaves elite boa a positive impression. Ventilation over the many nylon air meshInserts works perfectly and avoids heavily sweating feet. And also the Ergological-Insole provides a firm and secure footing in the shoe.

Conclusion

Scott Sports has with the elite boa a versatile mountain bike shoe in the portfolio that impresses above all with its subtle look. The sole of the shoe impresses with a good grip and a lot of comfort, while the closure with the very thin wire ropes is not XNUMX% satisfactory and presses heavily at the level of the tendon sheath.