How do you utilize Aetrex's Albert 2 Pro technology in your Lab?
“We use the Albert 2 Pro to scan the feet of every athlete tested in the Performance Fit Lab at BOA. From the 3D foot scans, we collect key foot shape data like arch length, heel width, and girth that we analyze alongside additional biomechanical data collected through motion capture, force plates, and more to understand how subtle variations in foot shape, the construction of footwear uppers, and material choices impact athletic performance.”

What is your goal for using the Albert 2 Pro in your Fit Lab? And, how do you intend to use the data/how are you using the data?
“In addition to using Albert 2 Pro scan data to select and recruit athletes with a foot shape well-matched for a specific test, researchers in the BOA Performance Fit Lab analyze the data to optimize how the BOA Fit System integrates onto footwear, ensuring our configurations wrap the mid-foot securely and lock in the heel. Thus, the Albert 2 Pro assists our team in proving BOA's wrap configurations yield additional performance benefits over standard lace configurations. We are also interested in finding what does not work and why. For example, the optimal fit for a low instep but wide foot will differ from an athlete with a high instep. We use this information to create wrap configurations that will accommodate both.”

What has been your biggest learning to date from using the Albert 2 Pro in your Fit Lab?
“A critical learning using Albert 2 Pro has been that instep fit, driving heel hold is the most critical area of the shoe to fit for human performance. We use the dimensions of athletes’ feet from Albert 2 Pro to understand where our wrap configurations will hold the foot, and this is often a strong predictor of how well a particular configuration will fit and perform.”

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A critical learning using Albert 2 Pro has been that instep fit, driving heel hold is the most critical area of the shoe to fit for human performance.
- Brenna Sullivan | Consumer Marketing Manager

Which stats/examples can you share to help quantify your success in using the foot scanner in your Lab?

“BOA’s Performance Fit Lab has scanned over 300 athletes with the Albert 2 Pro and conducted performance tests in golf, court, trail run, hike, workwear, ski, snowboard, and cycling segments.
In 2023, BOA published its second major study reinforcing the performance advantage of BOA PerformFitTM Wrap applications in Frontiers in Sport and Active Living, which built upon finds that BOA published in Footwear Science in 2021.
These studies show that by improving micro-adjustability, heel hold, and connectivity of the upper and midsole, BOA PerformFit™ Wrap applications give athletes a greater rate of force production when changing direction, faster overall movement with the same exertion, and increased stability in motion.”

Why/how do you feel the Albert 2 Pro helps you design and create better-fitting products?

“By understanding how subtle variations in foot shape interact with the construction and materials selected for footwear uppers impact athletic performance, the research team can optimize how the BOA Fit System integrates into footwear. We ensure the configurations we design with our brand partners wrap the mid-foot securely and lock in the heel, which significantly improves athlete efficiency and stability throughout their performance.
For example, if we understand where along the length of the shoe the average instep is highest, we can design our panels to lock in that area. Similarly, we use the length from the heel to the metatarsal phalangeal joints to determine where our last wrapping panel should end.
Additionally, we use our database of foot scans to select testers that will fit specific lasts. For example, if we are testing an Asian brand partner’s shoe that is built on a wider last, we will ensure we recruit appropriately sized subjects.”