Skip to main content

Asics Gel FujiRado shoe loses the laces, adopts the Boa System instead

BOA How It Works Turn Tighten
Outdoor enthusiasts are likely already familiar with the Boa System, that clever laceless process that allows you to tighten your snowboard boots, hiking boots, and other such gear that you want to keep snug, without any need to fiddle with knots and tangles. But now, the twist-to-tighten mechanism behind Boa is coming to another kind of footwear — your running shoes. Meet the new Gel FujiRado, the latest trail running shoe from Asics that trades laces for Boa’s new TX4 closure system, so you never have to be slowed down by the need to tie your shoes.

The Boa System is comprised of three parts: an instant release dial, which allows for a precise fit; lightweight yet strong laces; and low friction guides that help create a smooth closure. When you want to tighten your laces, just push down on the Boa button to engage the system and turn to tighten. When you need to get out of the shoe, just pull the button up for quick release.

Related Videos

The Gel FujiRado also comes with a so-called “mono-sock,” described as an “elastic internal sleeve which replaces a traditional tongue providing a ‘sock-like’ fit.” It’s also meant to keep out debris while you’re running on trails, and hold your foot to the platform, allowing you to leap and bound over any terrain. Weighing in at just 10.6 ounces, the shoe also features SpEVA midsole material and a higher-density AHAR outsole.

While Asics may be the first shoe company to take advantage of the Boa system, it will by no means be the last. In fact, Boa is also collaborating with New Balance to make a shoe for sprinters. And while it’s been a time-consuming process (over 80 iterations spanning five years), it looks like such a shoe will soon be coming to fruition. Boa is also collaborating with Under Armour for a shoe unique to that brand.

But for the time being, if you’re interested in checking out what Boa has already accomplished by way of its partnership with Asics, you can grab a pair of the Gel Fujirados yourself for $130. After all, there’s nothing like a new pair of shoes to motivate you to hit the trails.

Editors' Recommendations

Check out the first-ever roller coaster on a cruise ship
check out the first ever roller coaster on a cruise ship bolt  mardi gras

Taking a roller-coaster ride right after a big lunch is always a brave move, with those endless twists and turns risking an unwelcome second look at your recently consumed meal.

Florida-based Carnival Cruise Line, however, clearly wants to push things to the limit, having built what it claims is the first-ever roller coaster on a cruise ship.

Read more
Bottle+ creates sparkling water on the go with the push of a button
Bottle+ mounted on docking station on marble counter.

A new Kickstarter project promises to keep your water bubbly for longer, while also cutting plastic waste from your daily beverage routine. Bottle+ incorporates a refillable CO2 canister in its base that can produce roughly 15 bottles of carbonated goodness before needing a top-up at its home docking station. A press of the button lets you carbonate to your preference.

Beyond the purported long-term environmental benefits of owning a Bottle+, the Swiss designers are making pledges at the production end, too. They say packaging will be recyclable and kept to a minimum. Factories will also be monitored to meet environmental regulations and social equity standards. To top it all off, Bottle+ has partnered with Cleanhub to collect 1 kilogram of plastic waste for every bottle sold.

Read more
GoSun’s new portable power stations use the sun’s ray to charge devices
gosun new portable power stations gets you through outages power550 hero

GoSun's diverse lineup of solar-friendly products is expanding this week with two new portable power stations. The GoSun Power 550 and Power 1,100 are high-capacity batteries designed to help keep your appliances running when off the grid, whether that's due to an outage or being on a camping trip. Much like its other eco-friendly devices, these portable power stations can be charged using solar panels.

These portable power stations have plenty of power output options, including a 600-watt AC, a 1,000W AC, USB-A with QuickCharge 3.0, two 5V 2.4A USB-A plugs, a 60W USB-C plug, and a 12.3V DC. For charging, they use a 12-24V adapter, 18-24V input for solar, or 12V if you're charging it from the car.  Both AC outlets are pure sine wave, meaning your electronics get a more consistent feed of power. That's good news for your phones and laptops. It also has a Maximum Power Point Controller (MPPT) built-in, which helps to optimize the gain from solar panels. Other batteries lose a lot of efficiency on this front.

Read more