2025 Salomon Shift Alpha BOA 115 W Ski Boots Review

The Lowdown

The Shift Alpha BOA has entered the chat, and she's a beaut! New for 24-25 season is Salomon's Shift Alpha BOA 115 W boot, a combination of the brand's three winning fits/technologies: Shift, Alpha, and BOA. Positioned between the Shift Pro - Salomon's touring-capable alpine boot with four buckles and GripWalk soles, and the Summit MTN - their touring-specific boot featuring one buckle + one BOA and a full touring sole, the Shift Alpha BOA takes winning features from those two models. The Shift Alpha BOA is a 98mm lasted freeride touring boot made for big days in both the resort and backcountry. No surprise that we see BOA integrated here. My favorite feature about this boot is the ExoBelt, a fastener running over the last to the heel that allows for unmatched heel hold. In addition to improved range-of-motion with a full rubber sole, there's not a lot this boot can't do. If you've tried the Shift Pro, but found yourself wanting to explore more of the backcountry, or you've tried the MTN Summit, but wanted more confidence in the downhill, consider the Shift Alpha BOA. Conquer the uphill, master the downhill.

Ride Impressions

The mold for the Shift Alpha BOA is based off of the S/Pro Alpha, which replaced the S/Max. With a 98mm last, you get the downhill performance of the S/Pro Alpha with touring capabilities. I am not typically a narrow-lasted fit. For reference, my go-to boots are the K2 Mindbender 115 with a stated last of 98mm, the same as the Shift Alpha BOA and the Dynafit Hoji Free 110 (101mm last). I would argue that the Mindbender 115's last of 98mm is closer to 100mm, and the Shift Alpha BOA is a true 98mm. It should come as no surprise that out of the box, this boot felt very snug for me, especially in the forefoot area. I took advantage of the Custom Shell HD, Salomon's fit technology that allows for customization in the forefoot, heel, and ankle through baking (or heat molding) the shell. Night and day difference, and the boot fit like a glove! If you're to compare the toe box to the previous S/Max or the Shift Pro boots, you'll notice that the Shift Alpha BOA is boxier, allowing for some wiggle room in the toes.

I run an aftermarket liner in both the my Mindbender (Zipfit) and Hoji Free (Intuition). Salomon's stock My Custom Fit 4D liner checked enough boxes for me to keep it in there, rather than throwing my Zipfit in. It's a high density liner that holds its shape well, and has very anatomical heel pockets. After several days on it, I have not felt the need to swap to an aftermarket liner.

For my first day out, I took these for a walk in the woods near Loveland Pass. Weight wise, these are very similar to the K2 Mindbender 115, or even the Shift Pro boots - coming in at 1670g (24.5). That said, the boots have a more svelte look to them, giving me the illusion that they felt lighter. The rubber touring sole made scrambling on a windy rock ridge very easy. I was most impressed by the walk-mode, which has an impressive forward range-of-motion. I nearly forgot I had a boot on my foot.

As for downhill performance, the boots have a nice stiffness that ramps up the more you engage, which allowed the boot to meet me where I was at with speed and drive. The boot maintains its stiffness when skiing aggressively, making me feel confident in the backcountry with variable snow, but also at the resort where I encountered some wind bluffed snow.

I would put this boot more in line with the Atomic Hawx Ultra XTD 115 versus the Mindbender or Shift Pro boots - with its full rubber sole that makes scrambling on rocks as breeze, the Exobelt keeping your heel locked in within instep pressure, and very impressive range-of-motion - it's up for big days in the backcountry, and bell-to-bell laps at the resort.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Who Are They For?

The Salomon Shift Alpha BOA targets intermediate to advanced skiers seeking a versatile boot for both resort and backcountry adventures. Its 98mm last offers a snug fit ideal for those with narrow feet, while the Custom Shell HD technology allows for personalized adjustments for enhanced comfort. Skiers looking for a lightweight option with impressive walk-mode capabilities will appreciate its suitability for long days in the backcountry. The boot's stiffness provides confidence and control when skiing aggressively, making it suitable for tackling varied terrain conditions. Overall, the Shift Alpha BOA appeals to skiers seeking a high-performance boot that seamlessly transitions between resort laps and backcountry exploration.