BOA® Demonstrates How Precision Fit Can Support Peak Cycling Performance - With Up to 22 Watts More Power When Attacking

Insights from the BOA® Human Performance Fit Lab show how a superior connection between the foot, shoe, and pedal can help athletes transfer power efficiently and maximize performance across different race conditions.

In professional cycling, WorldTour teams optimize every possible performance aspect to get the most out of every watt. One critical, yet sometimes overlooked, factor is the connection between the foot, shoe, and pedal.

Research conducted by the BOA® Human Performance Fit Lab shows that fit can have a significant impact on performance. The BOA®-Powered Wrap configuration is an innovative panel structure designed to create a more connected fit across the foot, with even pressure distribution, a locked-in heel, and enhanced midfoot connection - helping translate power directly into every pedal stroke without wasted energy.

Three Elements for a Better Connection

The foundation of BOA®'s performance philosophy is the precision fit of the entire foot within the shoe - an approach brought to life through the BOA®-Powered Wrap configuration.

• Increased toe splay supports more natural toe positioning.
• Even, precise adjustment stabilizes the midfoot and supports a stable connection between the foot and shoe.
• A secure heel hold reduces unwanted movement within the shoe and supports a stable connection to the midsole.

Together, these elements create an improved responsiveness through the quick transfer of energy from body to pedal for faster acceleration. The goal is to transfer the rider's available power to the pedal as efficiently as possible.

Superior Fit & Proven Performance Advantages

The BOA® Fit System is the ultimate solution for cyclists seeking peak performance. BOA® delivers a micro-adjustable precision fit - reducing pressure points and locking in the heel for improved speed, power transfer, energy efficiency, stability, and control.

One Fit for Different Race Demands

A race does not consist of a single type of effort. Riders move between longer periods of sustained power, steep climbs, explosive sprints and fast descents. Each of these situations places different demands on the rider and their gear.

The BOA® Human Performance Fit Lab therefore investigates how the connection created by the BOA®-Powered Wrap configuration affects performance under different cycling-specific conditions.

TIME TRIAL - Efficiency Over Time.

Time trials are about sustaining high power over a given period as efficiently as possible. A stable connection between the foot and shoe can help reduce unnecessary movement and support consistent interaction with the pedal. Under the tested time trial conditions, the BOA®-Powered Wrap demonstrated a 2-watt performance gain at speeds of 50-60 km/h and a rider power output of 400 watts.

CLIMBING - Power When the Effort Increases.

On climbs, the physical demands increase. As effort and fatigue build, a stable connection between rider and equipment becomes increasingly important. In earlier controlled test conducted by the BOA® Human Performance Fit Lab, power transfer increased by up to 3 %, or around 3 watts, at the start. As riding time increased, the test showed that the efficiency benefit grew, reaching up to 4.5 watts under the respective test conditions. The current studies demonstrated a 4-watt performance gain at speeds of 15-20 km/h and a rider power output of 400 watts.

ATTACK - Maximizing Power Transfer.

In a sprint, every second counts. Riders must generate maximum forces within a very short period and transfer them to the pedal as directly as possible. Research shows that optimizing the connection between foot, shoe and pedal can deliver up to 22 watts after accounting for measured aerodynamic differences. The decisive factor was the quality of the connection between the foot, shoe and pedal.

DESCENT - Stability & Control.

At high speeds, the performance demands change again. During descents, aerodynamic efficiency can play a greater role than power transfer, while control, stability and a secure foot position within the shoe remain critical. The current studies underline the importance of maintaining a stable and secure connection, particularly at high speeds.

"From steep climbs to crazy sprints, the BOA® Fit System gives me a perfect connection with the pedal, and the power transfer is incredible", says Kasia Niewiadoma Phinney, who made a strong impression with her ride on Mont Ventoux at this year's Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift.

Overall Performance Advantage

The results demonstrate that cycling performance cannot be reduced to a single metric. A fit that can adapt to different demands, support efficient power transfer, and help reduce fatigue can provide a decisive advantage. Preserving energy and maintaining performance across long race stages, while still supporting high-intensity efforts when it matters most, is particularly valuable in multi-stage races. For athletes, this adaptability is part of their race routine: At the 2026 Tour de France, 67% of the peloton raced in BOA®-powered footwear, while an impressive 77% of riders at the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift raced in BOA®-powered footwear.

"At the highest level of cycling, meaningful performance gains are becoming increasingly difficult to achieve. That's why teams are analyzing the entire rider-equipment system.

Our research shows that fit plays a critical role. The BOA® PerformFit™ Wrap configurations lock the heel while distributing pressure across the foot. This leads to a more efficient pedal stroke and a consistent advantage during all riding. Coupled with the ability to micro-adjust, riders are more competitive in BOA®." - Dan Feeney, Ph.D., VP of Partner Product Innovation and Development, BOA® Technology.

Start Better, and Finish Even Stronger.