For over 20 years, I've been snowboarding, and recently ventured into splitboarding. I had the chance to test the ThirtyTwo MTB BOA Snowboard Boot, specifically designed for splitboarding and uphill travel. Additionally, I've spent time with the ThirtyTwo TM-Two women’s boots, exploring their features and suitability for various riding styles.
ThirtyTwo MTB BOA Snowboard Boot
The ThirtyTwo MTB BOA boot is designed for splitboarding and uphill travel. Getting in each boot is made easy with the double BOA system. The inner liner is super easy to tighten with a pull cord and it locks right into place. Just outside the liner on either side of your feet are the customizable boot flex inserts. These can come in handy after a long day in the boots or while doing some serious mountaineering. I found them completely comfortable on my skin up. They add to the overall stiffness which I prefer when charging downhill on steeps and on challenging terrain.
Getting the inside of your boot dialed is seamless with the double BOA system. I like my forefoot to have a little tension and allow my calf to have a little movement. The system allowed the perfect amount of both. For the descent, I could adjust to my perfect fit and the BOAs did not loosen at all. It’s important to note that I also tested this boot several lift access, downhill- only days on Vail Mountain.
Key Features of the MTB BOA Boot:
- Double BOA system for easy and precise adjustments
- Intuition heat-moldable liners for a great out-of-the-box fit
- Customizable boot flex inserts for added stiffness
ThirtyTwo TM-Two Women’s Boots
I've ridden the ThirtyTwo Lashed for over fifteen years, and I’m now on day ten or so with my ThirtyTwo TM-Two women’s boots. After some months of trying out other boot options, I cannot tell you how happy I am to be back to riding without ankle pain or swaths of numbness in my feet or much heel lift at all. Seriously. While I have a lot to say about the women’s version of the ThirtyTwo TM-Two boots, most of which has to do with the details of my arriving at their cushiony doorstep, I’m going to cut myself off, save that shit for later on in this ThirtyTwo TM-Two boot review, and wax a little about whom these rad boots might mesh with.
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The TM-Two boots offer a medium-stiff flex that’s markedly stiffer (and advertised as such) than the Lashed I had been accustomed to. The TM-Two boots also really dig their claws in in the flex retention department. Historically speaking, I can move through a pair of ThirtyTwo Lashed boots in a fairly short period of time.
Admittedly, the TM-Two toe box does feel kind of weird at first (as if it curves upward?). This is one thing the professional boot fitter at Mt. Bachelor took care of (note: I have never gone to a boot fitter for snowboard boots, as I narrowly assumed boot fitting was just for skiers; I’m glad I went). Also: I’m fucking picky. Also-also: while waiting in one of those epic powder-day lift lines a month or so back, I ear-hustled a conversation two dudes were having about the “weirdness” of their TM-Two toe boxes. I guess it’s a thing, which may or may not also be a thing for you. If it is, a good boot fitter and some dollars ($20 or less) can change that for you right-quick.
With the TM-Two boots, you have to persevere. For the right kind of rider, they’re worth it. Promise. As far as traction goes, the ThirtyTwo TM-Two boots definitely boot-pack the cone at Mt. Bachelor with grippy finesse. Landing shit is also fantastic,. Basically, the TM-Two boots are what I’d been hoping for after coming off a sweet and comfortable (but too soft for me) pair of Nitro Crown TLS boots.
Turn initiation? Medium at first and then, again, after letting the boot fitter do his thing and add a little heel wedge in order to reduce heel lift (I get heel lift with every fucking boot, no joke), much faster. Like, holy shit I didn’t know what I had been missing in terms of turn initiation.
With all the women’s snowboard boots I’ve pulled, laced, speed-laced, BOA’d, and ratcheted into in the past eight months, I can say with confidence that ThirtyTwo boots are, hands down, the most comfortable I have ridden. Ever. In all of time.
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Who Should Ride These Boots?
- Aggressive riders who prefer a medium-stiff flex
- Riders looking for excellent flex retention
- Those who value comfort and performance
Why Steer Clear of These Kicks
If you don’t want to have to do a little bit of fine-tuning or engineering with your boots before they’re just right (though, folx do it with ski boots all the time, so why should we expect otherwise with snowboard boots; yes, I understand the materials are different, but still, boot fitting for snowboard boots should not not be an option), and if you don’t care for a longer break-in period on a stiffer boot, I’d opt for something other than the ThirtyTwo TM-Two women’s boots. Maybe something like, say, the ThirtyTwo Lashed (with traditional laces ) or the ThirtyTwo Lashed Double Boa (if that’s your kink). Also, if you want a women’s snowboard boot that boasts a smaller footprint (less volume), the ThirtyTwo lineup won’t give you that. While I love the larger volume present throughout the entire ThirtyTwo women’s boot collection (it fits better into bindings, and has a nice look to it), there are plenty of folx who don’t.And, of course, the toe box on the ThirtyTwo TM-Two boots could get weird on you. Don’t say I never said anything.
Why Pull on These Moonwalkers
Pretty damn sure I covered this one already, but… aside from how the ThirtyTwo TM-Two women’s boots perform and feel, I am totally down with their style. Mostly because it reminds me of black fishnet tights, and black fishnets are a wardrobe staple for me. Anything meshy or fishnetty or see-through or hole-y, really (I’m an 80’s kid, and a product of the grunge era). Whether you go with the sheer black with mint accents (very nice) or the black over floral print (my own personal choice) for these boots, the result is dope. Stilettos (on snow) atop fishnets? Yes, please.
Read also: Renting Snowboards in Whistler Blackcomb: What You Need to Know
Final Notes: ThirtyTwo TM-Two Boots
First. I understand, and feel compelled to note, that the majority of my “boot issues” most likely stem from the specific construction of my own feet, ankles, and calves (to see if your foot/ankle/calf combo matches mine, and thus make a more informed boot buying decision, check out my profile). I mean, I love my feet, ankles, and calves. They just don’t love snowboard boots. In fact, their loathing of boots is sort of what got me to start this whole Gold Snow thing to begin with. That and the fact that the internet has hardly any women’s snowboard boot reviews written by women floating around in its strange blackhole of a web. Second, but really first. Snowboarding is this thing I love dearly and, when there’s boot discomfort or heel lift or numbness going on, I kind of become this pouty little bitch. I know, not sexy to admit.
After giving it my all with at least four different women’s snowboard boot models from four different companies, I kind of just became this little asshole, quietly and to myself, every time I pulled on a pair of boots that weren’t made by ThirtyTwo. Oh, I’m on the side of this gorgeous fucking mountain and the snow is piling up and I’m among dear friends, and there’s this lift that takes us to the top of it all whenever the fuck we want, but my boots hurt and that’s all I can focus on. Know what my Italian-Jersey background has to say about such first-world complaints? Vaffanculo, babe.
Thanks, heritage. You always keep me in check. Much like when you’re in a relationship and it kinda sucks and you’re probably (read: definitely) going to go back to your prior fling, I knew that I’d return to my original ThirtyTwo mistress. I just wasn’t sure when, or in what form. After years of riding the Lashed, a model I adored and which served me well while lapping the park in Jersey day in and day out, I knew that the comfort and response of a pair of ThirtyTwo women’s boots were what my feet and ankles and riding style longed for. And now, at last and by way of the ThirtyTwo TM-Two women’s boots, you could say the band’s back together and we’re rocking the fuck out.
ThirtyTwo TM-Two vs. Lashed: A Comparison
Here's a quick comparison between the ThirtyTwo TM-Two and Lashed models:
| Feature | ThirtyTwo TM-Two | ThirtyTwo Lashed |
|---|---|---|
| Flex | Medium-Stiff | Medium |
| Flex Retention | Excellent | Good |
| Comfort | High | Very High |
| Best For | Aggressive Riders | Park and All-Mountain |