Polarizing Products: BOA System Versus Laces
Golf Shoes

Polarizing Products: BOA System Versus Laces

Support our Mission. We independently test each product we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.

Polarizing Products: BOA System Versus Laces

Golfers love a good debate and few topics get the shoes spinning like this one: BOA system or traditional laces? The BOA system with its dial-based closure promises convenience and a consistent fit while laces are the classic go-to for, I would imagine, the majority of golfers. But which one is best? Let’s dive into this discussion and, most importantly, hear your opinion in the comments below.

BOA system: Convenience at its best?

The BOA system has built its reputation on simplicity. Just turn the dial and you’ve got a snug, even fit that doesn’t loosen during 18 holes. It’s perfect for those mid-round adjustments when your feet swell or your fit feels off. No bending down to tie a knot, no worrying about laces coming undone on the 12th hole. Sounds pretty great, right? But does the BOA system’s convenience outweigh the cost for you? Or do you think it’s just solving a problem you don’t have?

Laces: Classic, customizable, reliable?

On the flip side, laces have been around forever—and for good reason. They’re simple, effective and let you tweak the tension exactly where you need it. Some golfers argue that laces offer a more personalized fit, especially for those who prefer a looser feel near the toes or tighter pressure across the midfoot. Plus, there’s something timeless about the look of laces. Do you think laces offer better control or is their classic appeal part of their charm for you?

Durability and style: BOA or bust?

BOA’s durability is another selling point. The BOA system stays tight and secure throughout your round, no matter the conditions. No more fumbling with wet or muddy laces on a rainy day. And let’s be honest, BOA-equipped shoes look sleek and modern which might be a big deal for golfers who care about aesthetics. But is BOA’s durability enough to make you overlook the potential for mechanical issues, rare as they are? Or does its modern look win you over?

Price and practicality: Does BOA earn its premium?

BOA Golf Shoes

Here’s where the debate really heats up. The cost. BOA-equipped shoes usually come with a higher price tag and not everyone is convinced they’re worth the extra cash. Meanwhile, laced shoes are often more budget-friendly and if a lace snaps, it’s an easy fix. Does the added convenience and tech of BOA justify the price for you? Or do you think laces offer more bang for your buck?

Your opinion

Where do you stand? Are you Team BOA, loving the ease and precision of the dial? Or do you swear by the timeless reliability of laces? Maybe you’ve tried both and have strong opinions about what works best for your game. Share your thoughts below. This is your chance to weigh in on one of golf’s most polarizing products!

For You

For You

Instruction
Jun 9, 2026
If You Still Play Long Irons, Copy This Thought From Ludvig Åberg
PLM 2025_Most Wanted_Foresight GC3 PLM 2025_Most Wanted_Foresight GC3
News
Jun 9, 2026
College Golf Tournament Prep Looks Nothing Like It Did When I Played
News
Jun 9, 2026
The Best Father’s Day Golf Gifts That Won’t Break the Bank
Jamie Danbrook

Jamie Danbrook

Jamie Danbrook

Jamie is the MyGolfSpy Forum Director. A Canadian living in Switzerland can often be found posting on the forum under the username GolfSpy_APH. When not on the forum he can be found on the course, or with his wife, two kids and three dogs hiking and exploring. He prides himself in being a lefty golfer and is still in search of his elusive first hole in one.

Jamie Danbrook

Jamie Danbrook

Jamie Danbrook





    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

      Kevin

      1 year ago

      I have a wide foot with high arches. Therefore, I need different tightness on the toes vs over the arch. A BOA’s uniform all-over tightness just doesn’t fit my foot well. I would love a 2 BOA style: one for the toes and one for the arch. Two thumbs up to the snowboard boots that do this.

      Reply

      Ed

      1 year ago

      After one spine surgery, three knee surgeries, two hernia repairs, old age and so forth, its BOA for me. Heck I’m lucky to swing a golf club and I hate putting on lace-ups.

      Reply

      Frank

      1 year ago

      I wouldn’t even consider a golf shoe that’s not BOA. Faster than laces. better fit, greater durability.
      They outlast the shoe, are not ruined by water damage, and after shoes break in hardly ever need re-tightening.
      Easy to release the tension too. I see no reason to even use laces on shoes anymore.

      Reply

      WYBob

      1 year ago

      I have golf shoes from a myriad of brands (Adidas, Ecco, G/Fore, Payntr, etc.) that utilize either BOA or laces. Either system works just fine and once the shoes are on I don’t notice or care which closure system the shoe utilizes. The most important considerations for me are fit, comfort, and stability which either closure system provides. My current favorite brand is Payntr and they offer only one model with BOA. I walk most of the time so walking comfort is paramount. In that regard, Payntr is superb.

      Reply

      Athol Hill

      1 year ago

      I use Boa on the Ecco shoes. I won’t do laces after how well they work.

      Reply

      Mike in Pittsburgh

      1 year ago

      I love my BOA-equipped shoes. The ease of use is just part of the reason. For whatever reason, I find I frequently need to tighten my shoes mid-round (the opposite of needing to loosen them from my feet swelling – something I cannot explain). Wet conditions make laces a pain, while the BOA system just ignores them. That said, I only buy them when I can find them on sale for a reasonable price. Haven’t experienced a single failure so far. One alternative I have found that works almost as well is elastic laces – which work far better than you might imagine.

      Reply

      Joe Domill

      1 year ago

      great shoes fit really well and FJ replaces the boa,s if they break

      Reply

      Matt McCoy

      1 year ago

      I have been wearing the FJ Boa in blue for years! And they are awesome! I wouldn’t buy them in white.. white seems like the only choice these days. Most people don’t like change blabla. These are the same people who are the last to understand how club fitting, putter fitting, and golf balls specs will can make a difference in your game. The BOA shoe if the right size keeps your foot from sliding less than a worn out shoe lace. Maybe we can send someone to the moon someday!!!!!

      Reply

      Les

      1 year ago

      I’ve got a pair of Adidas BOA’s, or I should say 2 pair. I liked the first pair so much that I bought a second pair in another color. I like them so much
      that they’ve actually booted my previous favorite laced Foot Joy’s out of the rotation. I wear them now only when it’s soft and muddy on the course.
      The BOA’s just seem to fit better with micro adjustments to the BOA dial. I’m an older golfer who has lost some flexibility and these work for me. As
      far as having them loosen up during the round, I’ve never had that happen. They just stay comfortable.

      Reply

      ChuckZ

      1 year ago

      I have the BOA FJs and they are fantastic. The heel is the only way to go, which is patented to FJs. Find them easy to operate and they stay snug. The BOA system is guaranteed for the life of the system.

      Reply

      Chris Moore

      1 year ago

      As an engineer it is a cool idea. However, if I must bend over to tighten the BOA then I might as well tie some laces. The cost outweighs the gains. Give me a shoe that I can slip on and tell it to tighten without bending over.

      Reply

      vito

      1 year ago

      Love it! As a retired engineer I get you. As a mechanical engineer I’m not sure I’d trust a software engineer to get the voice recognition right. But it would be way cooler than BOA.

      Reply

      Dr Tee

      1 year ago

      The only reasonable BOA is Footjoy which is on the heel (they hold the patent for this). Other locations of the BOA dials on the front of the shoe or sides are cumbersome and can even be knocked open by the other foot while walking. The biggest drawback of side mounted BOA’s is that for right handed older golfers like myself, the left outer side BOA dial may be nearly unreachable and difficult to tighten fully. For me–it’s flat laces and lace locks available at any running shoe store–just as effective as BOA in maintaining tightness throughout the round and unlikely need to re-tie..

      Reply

      Big moose

      1 year ago

      It’s boa for me, I have 3 pairs of asics gel course duo boa golf shoes. I found out the boa system is guaranteed for life, so I sent a picture of the cables on my one pair where the plastic cover was peeling off and they sent me a free repair kit.

      Reply

      john

      1 year ago

      BOA or no buy… they need to expand the nbr of shoes in their lines that offer BOA… My experience with shoes getting a little looser as the round progresses is worth the extra $$$ just reach down and turn the KNOB… thanks

      Reply

      Birdie Bob

      1 year ago

      I’m a big fan of BOA system; been using them for years and won’t buy any shoe without it.
      So convenient to just reach down and twist when you need that extra comfort before ripping it down the fairway.
      Walker/Rider currently alternating between pairs of ECCO BIOM.

      Reply

      Kevin C

      1 year ago

      I love golf shoes with BOA. My feet are on the narrow side and the BOA system just feels better to me. It is an expensive option though so I’ve only bought when I shoe I like with that feature is on sale. Puma’s DISC system seems to work as well and I find their shoes more comfortable and with much better sales than FJ.

      Reply

      Kevin Colcord

      1 year ago

      I wanted to like the BOA system. I wear narrow shoes and I was extremely satisfied with a pair of regular laced FJ’s in narrow so I ordered a second pair of the same shoes with the BOA system. Apparently, when they designed the BOA system, they only made one size and it doesn’t work on a narrow shoe. I can ratchet it down to the very bottom and the shoe is still loose. I contacted FJ but could not successfully explain the issue to them so I trashed the shoes.

      Reply

      Marc Shapiro

      1 year ago

      I too have very narrow feet (AA in dress shoes). I ordered FJ custom in Premier series BOA (design your own and also allows ordering different sizes for each foot!). They fit me better than laced. Will order more.
      Marc
      W. Palm Beach

      Reply

      Justin

      1 year ago

      Sure you did , skinny .

      Reply

      Andrew the Great!

      1 year ago

      I have one pair of BOA, and I think it’s terrific. Got it on a discontinued pair of FootJoys at $99 6 years ago, but I won’t spend more than the low $100s for any golf shoe, so that may be why I don’t have any other BOAs.

      Also, my BOAs have needed tightening during rounds. I don’t consider that a problem, because it’s a helluva lot easier to tighten them than to tighten traditional lace shoes.

      Reply

      Michael

      1 year ago

      Been using BOA for years. Won’t buy a golf shoe without them. So convenient; never have to tie shoes. Wish more manufacturers made had more of a selection. Currently using Ecco.

      Reply

      burke lake pro

      1 year ago

      Tie your shoes like a big boy.

      Reply

      Marc Shapiro

      1 year ago

      …and drive your horse & buggy 😂

      Reply

    Leave A Reply

    required
    required
    required (your email address will not be published)

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Instruction
    Jun 9, 2026
    If You Still Play Long Irons, Copy This Thought From Ludvig Åberg
    PLM 2025_Most Wanted_Foresight GC3 PLM 2025_Most Wanted_Foresight GC3
    News
    Jun 9, 2026
    College Golf Tournament Prep Looks Nothing Like It Did When I Played
    News
    Jun 9, 2026
    The Best Father’s Day Golf Gifts That Won’t Break the Bank