HEAD, a brand that previously released some well-reviewed pickleball shoes, continues to update its lineup, this time testing out the performance possibilities of a BOA Fit System with the HEAD Motion Pro BOA.
I tested the HEAD Motion Pro BOA on and off throughout the summer and you’ll find my thoughts below. Let’s get things going with another WearTesters pickleball shoe performance review.
What is the HEAD Motion Pro BOA?
The HEAD Motion Pro BOA is a thoughtfully designed pickleball shoe made specifically for the sport with no others in mind — although I have an inkling it could generally fare well in other racket sports like tennis.
As many may suspect, the leading feature of the HEAD Motion Pro BOA is its use of a BOA Fit System which replaces the traditional lacing system of an athletic shoe. There is also a traditional lacing version available, simply known as the HEAD Motion Pro.
Some notable features and details of the HEAD Motion Pro BOA include:
- BOA Fit System
- HyBrasion+ rubber outsole
- DynaFoam midsole + OrthoLite insole cushioning
- Elastic Sock Support System
- Retail price: $199 (Non-BOA variant retail price: $129)
How did the HEAD Motion Pro BOA perform?
99% of the HEAD Motion Pro BOA performance experience was positive, however the 1% was a glaring concern and you probably guessed correctly — it involved the BOA system. We’ll get there.
My favorite aspect of the silhouette may be the outsole. There is plenty of coverage to stop on a dime when needed, but also a bit of freedom to slide into shots, if you’re type that can’t give up on any shot. I could imagine professional-level players may prefer it as the medial outsole wrap was rounded out just a touch more, but that is purely speculation and would only cover a tiny percentage of pickleball players.
The geometric, honeycomb-like pattern along with forefoot articulation that radiates from the pivot point welcomes a bit of flexibility in what could have easily turned out to be a clunkier ride. Also, the outsole appears to be on a higher tier for durability for pickleball shoes. To extend the life of the outsole even further, I was a fan of how HEAD used the solid nubs around the perimeter of the outsole instead of the cored out pattern as the outside edges are most likely to wear down the fastest.
The TPU toecap that extends to the medial side of the forefoot is also helpful as it provides coverage to protect the upper against foot drags on cross-court dink rallies. The upper in general is also designed in a way that is supportive, but also flexible after some break in and breathable — you can even see some of the underlay material cutouts sitting over the neoprene bootie known as the Sock Support System.
Fit runs true to size and the shoe hugs the foot comfortably thanks to the flaps implemented into the BOA Fit System wrapping over the foot, locking everything in from mid foot to heel. Similar to pickleball shoes like the Diadem Court Burst, Selkirk Courtstrike Pro, and SQAIRZ XRZ, the toe box offers a bit of wiggle room to accommodate wide footers and toe splay for corner to corner court coverage.
At one point during testing, one of the BOA dials popped off of the shoe mid-game. Fortunately, it was the lower dial near my forefoot rather than the top which secures the ankle and heel areas, but it was quite the scare feeling the pop before realizing what happened.
The dial did pop back in as if nothing happened, but it was alarming as I didn’t even have the dials cranked in as tight as they can go around my foot. Even if I did, I think that is a problem. Drew from our WearTesters team educated me on the use of these removable dials in some BOA fit systems (here’s an example), but I cannot imagine why this type of dial would be used for pickleball.
Aside from that mishap, everything else felt secure in this version of the Motion Pro. Heel and torsional support were present and the low and wide platform along with overall support from the upper all worked together nicely.
Who is the HEAD Motion Pro BOA best suited for?
I’d honestly rather blindly recommend the standard version of the Motion Pro without the BOA Fit System (which will also save consumers a few dollars), but if making quick adjustments between points is a priority, then BOA will surely come in handy.
Lockdown system aside, the HEAD Motion Pro BOA will appeal to anyone looking for durable pickleball shoe that also allows for the feeling of being connected to the floor. While it isn’t the lightest option out there, it does allow a lot of airflow, which I think many (especially those in warm climates) will welcome.
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Disclosure
While HEAD did send the Motion Pro BOA to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.
