First Look: Salomon S/PRO Alpha C BOA Boot

All Images: Courtesy of Salomon

There have been many new additions to the world of ski boots in recent years, but Salomon's new S/PRO Alpha C BOA boot has caught our eye in more ways than one. FREESKIER's First Look breaks down what you need to know about this groundbreaking boot.

The 2026/27 S/PRO Alpha C BOA boot looks like a normal alpine ski boot, but this new addition from Salomon packs a major difference. It's an aggressive boot boasting a 130 flex, and it might have the best power transfer capabilities on the market.

Salomon's North American Alpine Category Manager Lauren Samuels claims that, "This is the most direct, progressive, and smooth alpine boot [we have] ever designed. The evolution of the S/PRO ALPHA C BOA® is all about giving aggressive skiers more power and control without sacrificing comfort."

She continues, "We reworked this boot from the inside out to deliver a high-performance design that responds instinctively on snow thanks to the new ExoDrive and better heel hold, enhanced energy transmission, and a fit that can be dialed in with absolute precision."

The 2026/27 S/PRO Alpha C BOA from Salomon

Has Salomon cracked the code on comfort and performance? The secret lies in the new cuff. This design deviates from standard two-piece alpine boot construction. While typical boots have an upper cuff that connects to the body via two pivot points on either side of the ankle, the new S/PRO Alpha C BOA has only one pivot point, located on the shell's outside. (See images above)

On the inside of the boot, below the ankle, is Salomon's proprietary Powerlink design. This small bolted plate attaches the ExoDrive cuff to the lower shell without the usual pivot point seen elsewhere in a two-piece boot design.

One of the lower buckles is then attached to the ExoDrive cuff, not the lower shell, ideally creating better power transfer and a more consistent, secure fit around the ankle. This brings us to the other key differentiator, which is that BOA is implemented here on the upper cuff. Several companies have utilized BOA on the lower shell and traditional buckles on the upper cuff, but Salomon is flipping that here, and it makes sense. The aggressive flex and ExoDrive cuff combined with the customizable fit and excellent retention of BOA seem like an ideal match.

Important to note—the S/PRO Alpha C BOA is also offered in a 115 W flex. While this boot will include the same combination of buckles and BOA, it will not include the ExoDrive cuff and Powerlink construction.

Inside both the S/PRO Alpha C BOA 130 and 115 W boots, you'll find another new innovation from Salomon: the S/PRO CF Expert Liner. Heat moldable with a new Custom Tongue, it's one of the better stock liners available on the market.

This boot is intended for expert resort ripping in all its glory. The skier who's going to find this the most appealing will be someone who is looking to drive powerful turns, but has struggled to find an ideal fit in the market. Salomon is convinced that this construction will lend itself to advanced skiers, and we have to agree.

Aside from experience, foot shape is something to consider here. You should always see a boot fitter before deciding if a boot is the right match for your foot, though it's worth noting that this is listed as a low-volume boot, with a 98mm last in a size 26.5. If you know your foot runs on the wider side, it's worth trying a pair on and discussing potential boot work with an expert fitter first and foremost.

Above all, it's cool to see Salomon trying something very different here. This new design is sure to make a dent in industry standards, and we're curious to hear your take on this expert offering.