This is my review of the ThirtyTwo STW BOA snowboard boots.
I’m a well-seasoned snowboarder who has been working as a CASI-certified instructor for the last ten years. I’ve used many different boots and know what to look for in a high-quality option. I haven’t used these, but I spoke to some of my students who have.
The ThirtyTwo STW BOA is a decent boot for beginners or freestyle riders looking for a budget option. They won’t give you outstanding performance but are a comfortable and affordable model.
In this post, I’ll provide you with an in-depth review of these boots to give you a good idea of what you can expect on the mountain if you buy them. I’ll dive into the details of performance and construction, alongside other important attributes.
Let’s jump in.
Contents
ThirtyTwo STW BOA Overview
ThirtyTwo makes some solid snowboarding boots, and I’ve used several of their models over the years. I haven’t personally used the STW BOA because they are too far on the beginner end of things, but several of my students use these and like them.
The boots are not a high-performance option by any means. If you are an experienced snowboarder looking for an option that will deliver a top-of-the-line experience, I wouldn’t even read the rest of this review. Continue your search elsewhere.
If you are a beginner or want a budget freestyle option, then these are worth exploring. Their most alluring aspect is their price tag, and the STW BOA has a low cost that makes them approachable despite higher-end capabilities.
These boots are also pretty dang comfortable. That is apparent right out of the box, and you can expect them to fit true to size and give you a good amount of cushioning and shock absorption when you ride. This is another nice feature for beginners looking for ease of use.
With BOA dials and an Intuition heat-moldable liner, the STW BOA allows for plenty of quick adjustments that let you get a snug and secure fit. You can make adjustments on the fly, which can help you improve your skills on the hill.
A soft flex makes the boots very forgiving and puts them into the freestyle category. They make for a decent option to use in the terrain park, and any park rat on a budget could easily get by with these laced up and strapped in.
In other areas of the mountain, they don’t have much to offer. In more technical terrain, the softer flex leads to a lack of power and response that will make more experienced riders pretty disappointed.
They are well-constructed and built to last. That increases value and durability, making the boots a good first buy for any newbie rider looking to get their first set of equipment.
Overall, the STW BOA is a mediocre choice for the average rider. They are a good value for beginners who want a comfortable and forgiving experience. The cost is low, but so is the level of performance and capability. I like other models from ThirtyTwo a lot more.
Detailed Review
The ThirtyTwo STW BOA is a low-cost option that can work pretty well for beginners or riders on a budget who want a freestyle focus. They offer a lot of comfort and a decent value but are not a performance pick.
Performance
These boots deliver fairly average performance across the board. They are not intended to be high-end tools capable of pushing your ability levels to the max. If you are looking for high-performance, go ahead and look elsewhere.
That doesn’t mean that the STW BOA is a bad set of boots. They have a niche and a purpose – they just need to be on the feet of riders who match these. They will provide decent performance for beginners, thanks to a soft and forgiving nature.
Freestyle situations are definitely where these boots stand out if they stand out at all. The softer flex makes them a solid option in the terrain park when you want to hit new features and have a little extra padding and shock absorption.
On more technical lines, they don’t hold up well. You will not get enough power or response to carve effectively at higher speeds or handle steep terrain. If you are a beginner looking to explore, these can work, but I wouldn’t recommend them to others.
Comfort
The boots are comfortable. That’s a definite advantage to wearing them when you ride. This again comes in handy for beginners who want to ride as long as possible without worrying about getting tired or sore feet.
They come with a 3D molded tongue that helps spread the soft flex evenly throughout the entire boot. This gives you comfort you can count on and helps increase the ability of the laces to stay tight and in place.
An Intuition heat-moldable liner is another comfort-leaning touch. This gives you a customized fit that uses dual-density foam for added shock absorption and support. The liner also has built-in laces for an even better fit.
The liner also has a comfort harness that keeps your heel in place and helps deliver a reliable fit. This heel hold is usually a performance feature, but it turns more into a comfort thing with these boots.
Style
The STW BOA looks pretty good for a budget boot. They are similar in appearance to other models in the ThirtyTwo lineup. Even though they aren’t quite eye-catching, they have a certain style that is easy to like.
The boots have a clean but modern look that I like. They aren’t overly flashy but have a sort of moon boot appeal without being bulky. The BOA dials help keep them clean and minimal, while a layered-panel construction adds texture.
You can also get the boots in several colorways, giving you options to match your other clothing or style. They come in different colors for men and women, and I like the burgundy version the best.
These aren’t going to win you any style points of the mountain, but they look nice. I wouldn’t buy them based on style alone, but for a budget option, they stand out.
Additional Features
The STW BOA doesn’t come with too many extras to mention. They are basic freestyle or beginner boots built for a budget, which means they don’t come with many bells and whistles.
They do have a 1 to 1 lasting, which makes them true to size. And they are available in half sizes, which means you can get a quality fit easily. This is a good feature for beginners who need a solid fit to help them develop new skills.
A comfort footbed is another feature that helps out in the comfort department. This is made out of a moldable material that forms easily and effectively around your foot as you ride. It works with the heat-moldable liner for an excellent fit.
The sole is made with an STI Evolution foam that adds comfort and helps out with sock absorption. This material is super cushiony with a reliable bounceback. It helps limit foot fatigue and allows you to ride for more extended periods.
Value
The boots are affordable, and that’s a definite plus. Even though they aren’t a high-performance option, they still represent a pretty solid value due to a lower than average entry point. That can make them an attractive choice for any rider.
If you are a beginner and want a very comfortable and forgiving boot with a solid fit, these are a good value. You might outgrow them after a season or two when your skills improve, but they will keep you in good standing along the way.
They also make a decent value for a freestyle boot. A softer flex and plenty of shock absorption make them a solid choice for park rats who don’t want to spend a ton of money on their boots. Their durability comes into play here as well.
If you don’t fall into either of those categories, I don’t think the STW BOA is a good value. They just don’t have the performance characteristics necessary to explore much of the mountain outside of the terrain park.
The Alternatives
If the ThirtyTwo STW BOA boots don’t seem like the right choice for you, or you simply want to check out other options, the alternatives below are all worth a look.
These are a solid option from ThirtyTwo that has a little more versatility and range than the STW BOA. The TM-2 comes with a medium flex that makes them a more effective all-mountain boot.
They have a super soft energy foam cushioning system that makes them exceptionally comfortable. And excellent construction makes them durable enough to last of seasons of regular use.
==> Read our detailed review of ThirtyTwo TM-2 to learn more.
The Hi-Standard is a high-value option because of its low price and overall decent performance. It’s not a high-performance boot for experts, but it will give you quality all-mountain capabilities you can rely on.
It’s a good option for beginner and intermediate riders who want to roam without spending a ton of money. An Ultra Cush liner and footbed provide plenty of comfort, and a Pleasure Cuff V1 harness keeps your feet in place.
==> Read our detailed Vans Hi-Standard review for more.
3. DC Phase
This is one of my favorite budget options around. It’s seriously one of the lowest-priced snowboard boots you can find that still is capable of exceptional performance. They are simple but effective, and a medium flex gives you a lot of versatility.
My Verdict
The ThirtyTwo STW BOA is a decent boot for beginner’s or freestyle riders who don’t want to spend a bunch of money. These boots don’t offer high-end performance, but they will give you plenty of comfort alongside a durable construction.
About Lorraine