Imminent Scarpa Phantom Tech with BOA?

Maybe thread should be renamed “Imminent Scarpa Phantom Tech? with Better Colors”

This is essentially an informed assumption, drawing from:

• Observed demand trends for La Sportiva products, particularly driven by the preference for BOA systems.
• The strap system appears similar to what’s commonly used in most BOA-equipped boots.

That said, there’s still a possibility these could be laced in the foot area like a sneaker.

The strap is for the crampons. 

There's no indication that these boots have a BOA system. I've tried looking for the indicative BOA knob bulge but haven't seen one.

rocknice2 wrote:

The strap is for the crampons. 

There's no indication that these boots have a BOA system. I've tried looking for the indicative BOA knob bulge but haven't seen one.

Aside from that, I would hope that if Scarpa was developing a boot with BOA, they would learn from LS's initial mistake (since rectified,) of putting the knob/dial inside the gaiter. Anyone who hasn't used that configuration won't appreciate what a huge deal it is to have the dial on the outside.

Grant Watson wrote:

Aside from that, I would hope that if Scarpa was developing a boot with BOA, they would learn from LS's initial mistake (since rectified,) of putting the knob/dial inside the gaiter. Anyone who hasn't used that configuration won't appreciate what a huge deal it is to have the dial on the outside.

Im playing the devils advocate here, but putting outside the dial clearly has its benefits, yet one of its biggest drawback is durability, which is a lot better under the gaiter, and still a lot of shoemakers think so.

As the knob, i also tried to find bulges and i may see one on the patagonia video out and above the heel (on the first picture, between  the crampon strap and the grey material, left to the buckle), but i cannot be sure of, and also based on my boa shoes it may not even bulge visibly with a thick material. (i think the new material there is the same as the simond ice 4season with nylon dots that wear out under heavy abrasion)

Bel Aoros wrote:

Im playing the devils advocate here, but putting outside the dial clearly has its benefits, yet one of its biggest drawback is durability, which is a lot better under the gaiter, and still a lot of shoemakers think so.

As the knob, i also tried to find bulges and i may see one on the patagonia video out and above the heel (on the first picture, around above on the crampon strap), but i cannot be sure of, and also based on my boa shoes it may not even bulge visibly with a thick material. (i think the new material there is the same as the simond ice 4season with nylon dots that wear out under heavy abrasion)

Well, the devil deserves an advocate, but for my part:

a) The dial under the gaiter just causes stress, abrasion, and tearing of the gaiter (mine both had small holes in them within about 3 days of use); and

b) The gaiter material - on the G5s, anyhow- is so thin that it does almost nothing to protect anything (see a) above).

Perhaps those could both be mitigated by using heavier material over the dial, but regardless, I'll accept the small risk of damage to the dial any day in exchange for the convenience of quick adjustment without releasing a crampon strap and a zipper.  YMMV.

I must now stop talking about this stuff before I talk myself into buying new boots this year!

Bel Aoros wrote:

As the knob, i also tried to find bulges and i may see one on the patagonia video out and above the heel (on the first picture, between  the crampon strap and the grey material, left to the buckle), but i cannot be sure 

I don't see anything and that would be a terrible place to put one. 

I think putting it on the outside is the logical place.

rocknice2 wrote:

I don't see anything and that would be a terrible place to put one. 

I think putting it on the outside is the logical place.

It would make it possible to crank with the crampons strap still on. The aequilibrium top has it on the same spot. Also a lot of inside the boa gaiter has patches on to prevent abrasion of the dial

Still, you may be right, i just trying to gather some insights. 

So you think that this prototype uses normal laces for the above-feet area only and an upper strap? I mean we have not yet seen any such design in the wild, at least known to me.

You were talking between the crampon strap and the grey material earlier. That would put the knob at the ankle, a terrible spot.

The LS Aeq. has it at the bottom of the calf, great spot.

Then it's just a matter of inside or outside. This point is moot because I don't see any evidence of a BOA system on the boots. 

Bel Aoros wrote:

So you think that this prototype uses normal laces for the above-feet area only and an upper strap? I mean we have not yet seen any such design in the wild, at least known to me.

The current Phantom 6000 HD uses a system like this. 

Pro boa. Carry climbing tape just in case. Would love to see a scarpa with a boa. 

NateC wrote:

The current Phantom 6000 HD uses a system like this. 

And it laces incredibly comfortably, securely, and never felt like it was too tight. I had the new 6ks in AK and did not feel the need to loosen them once at a belay. 

I am running the 6ks in AK over the G2s because I do like laces for extended trips and the 6k is done so well (above comments) I found no need to relace. 

Boa for cragging / lower 48 / less consequential if a dial did break. Also highly recommend folks give the G summit a shot. Everyone's foot is different but they seem to have changed the layout of how the cables tighten and for me it is so ridiculously secure. I had second gen G5's and the boa worked fine enough but felt like it just held my foot down, Summit feels like a secure hug around my entire foot, instead of just downward pressure. 

New boots from Simon with two independent BOA dials for finer adjustments

https://www.decathlon.mt/p/361423-488776-4-seasons-mountaineering-boots-ice-evo-blue-black.html

Justin S wrote:

New boots from Simon with two independent BOA dials for finer adjustments

https://www.decathlon.mt/p/361423-488776-4-seasons-mountaineering-boots-ice-evo-blue-black.html

I really wish we could get Simond in the US. They make really good product for the money. 

NateC wrote:

I really wish we could get Simond in the US. They make really good product for the money. 

Isn’t it pretty easy to order them through decathlon in the US?

Branan Andreu wrote:

Isn’t it pretty easy to order them through decathlon in the US?

They stopped bringing Simond into the US several years ago and closed all of their physical stores. I got really big on the brand when I got to see it during a trip last spring. When I got home, I searched and searched for a way to buy it from here but haven't come up with anything easy. I guess I could have friends in the UK purchase and send to me, but that introduces a lot of complication. 

Rumor has it that if you reach out to BOA (Denver based), they will happily send a field repair kit for the "oh no!" for free. I wouldn't knock them down just yet. I have no affiliation with them, but their customer support and backing of their product is tops. They know shit breaks in real life, hence the free in field repair kit.