Expert Review: ThirtyTwo TM-3 Snowboard Boots · 2020
This review is my honest opinion of the snowboard boots, which I purchased with my own money in December of 2020.
All photos courtesy of Brandon Tidaback
About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the snowboard boots, which I purchased with my own money in December of 2020.
My take
The ThirtyTwo TM-3 Snowboard Boots are for the intermediate to advanced level rider looking for a durable, stiffer boot with top-tier components and accessories to dial in their fit.
These boots will suit your everyday needs in all conditions during the winter
About this gear
- Model: 2020 ThirtyTwo TM-3 (Grenier edition)
- Size: 10
- Lacing type: Traditional
About me
- Height: 5’8”
- Weight: 165 lbs
- Street shoe size: 10
- Foot shape: Medium arch, narrow feet
- Experience: 15+ years of snowboarding
Test conditions
- When I bought these: December 2020
- Days tested: +40
- Board: Rome Stale Crewzer
- Bindings: Rome Cleaver
- Where I’ve used it: Washington, Oregon, Utah, Canada
- Terrain: Everywhere—groomers, park, trees, and sidecountry. They’ve become my daily boots.
How they perform
What I was looking for
I left my ThirtyTwo Lashed Boots for double BOAs and struck out on a pair of K2s and DCs that just did not fit my foot right. I needed something that fit my foot snugly but was comfortable, had traditional laces, and was stiffer than the Lashed.
Why I chose this gear
I chose the TM-3s because of the heat moldable liner and stiffness of the overall boot, and I was intrigued by the accessories that came with the boot to get a more tailored fit (arch support, J-bars, and classic disk inserts). Plus, we all love a good colorway, and this year's camo colorway for the Grenier model was too good to pass up. I considered the ThirtyTwo TM-2, the Ride Fuse, Adidas Tactical, and the Vans Infuse.
Great tread on boots after 2 seasons
What I love about them
- Comfort: I chose the correct arch support for my feet and heat molded my boots; those two things make a huge difference for my feet throughout the day. I was pretty surprised with how nice the stock insoles were after I used the fitting accessories compared to other boots I’d gotten.
- Warmth: Riding in the Pacific Northwest, these boots get wet a lot, but my feet still remain warm after 5-6 hours of riding.
- Heel hold: One of my favorite reasons I like these boots is how locked in my heels feel. This makes a world of difference in my riding compared to the double BOA boots I was in previously.
- Shock absorption: The cushion in these boots is what makes them comfortable all day, and it comes in handy on heavy impacts.
- Responsiveness: I only knew how much I liked stiff boots once I got these and the responsiveness that comes with them. In all conditions, my feet have minimal movement, give the right support, and provide enough cushion to make the ride smooth throughout the day.
- Grip: The tread on these boots is awesome for walking in when the walk is longer than I expect and in variable conditions.
- Durability: After two seasons, these boots are still in great shape. With over 40 days in these boots, the only thing I can tell might give way soon is the lower lace loop they have on their boots. They’ve since updated this specific piece on the boots with the 2021 and later models, so if someone buys from then on, I would expect them to last multiple seasons with no problem.
- Weight: These boots are lighter than both of my double BOAs. They look heavier than they feel.
- Versatility: I like to ride all-terrain, but my favorite riding is in the trees and way off the groomers. I see no difference in these boots when I switch terrain. They are supportive, the fit is comfortable all day long, and the combination of supportive insoles and cushion underfoot dampen any unfriendly terrain one encounters.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Size: ThirtyTwo runs snug, so I recommend sizing up if someone is between sizes. However, these boots run true to size for me and felt really snug for the first two days. My toes gained some room as time passed, and they still fit nicely on my feet after two years.
Wore these for 7 hours at Woodward from the indoor foam pit to the outdoor park and my feet felt great all day
Favorite moment with this gear
It was a pow day, and I was on my Bataleon Party Wave in these boots for the first time. It just felt like a completely different ride compared to other boots I had owned, with the fit, responsiveness, and comfort of the TM-3s.
Value for the money vs. other options
Boots are the one thing I always tell people to ensure they don’t cut corners. There are cheaper boots available for more entry-level rides, like the Lashed, which are a bit softer, or the TM-2s, which are a different liner, but once someone starts thinking about upgrading boots for more aggressive riding, they should consider these. At the price point of these boots, one is getting top-of-the-line gear that will last multiple seasons of hard riding. With the additional accessories they'll get, they can also make these boots fit better over a longer period of time.
Final verdict
This gear unlocks my ability to ride longer and feel comfortable doing it. The ThirtyTwo TM-3 boots are for anyone looking to level up to a stiffer boot and tackle all terrain and conditions thrown at them.
