Expert Review: ThirtyTwo Lashed Double BOA
Photo courtesy of Nathan G.
About this review: This review is my own honest opinion of the boots which I bought with my own money in November 2020.
My take
The ThirtyTwo Lashed Double BOA snowboard boots are fantastic for the snowboarder who wants a medium to firm flex fit that can be dialed in over the foot and around the ankle for an extra supportive fit with even flex. Plenty of arch support for those who need it and perfect heel hold. I would say any skill level can benefit from these boots, but it’s the perfect boot for intermediate to advanced riders. There's a reason this is the favorite boot of Chris Bradshaw.
About this gear
- Model: 2021 ThirtyTwo Lashed Double BOA
- Lacing type: BOA lacing (double)
- Size: 11
About me
- Height: 6’2”
- Weight: 188 lbs
- Street shoe size: 11
- Foot shape: Regular
- Experience: 20 years
Test conditions
- When I bought these: November 2020
- Days tested: 17
- Board: Lib Tech Orca and Golden Orca
- Bindings: Now Pilot
- Where I’ve used it: Afton Alps in Minnesota
- Terrain: Park, pow, groomers, all-mountain
How it performs
What I was looking for
I was looking for new tech since my previous boots were traditional lacing, and I was a bit skeptical about BOA having issues from what I’d heard from others. I had heard that BOA often breaks or doesn't keep the boot tight after a while. But, I wanted something that would provide a better fit than traditional lacing and would be easier to get on and off. ThirtyTwo is known for making some of the most comfortable boots in the snowboard market, so I was excited to experience them.
Why I chose this gear
I decided to go with the ThirtyTwo because I had tried on the Vans Auro Pro Double BOA (another boot with a similar offering that was about $50 less) and found them to be uncomfortable. Ultimately, I decided to go with a brand I trusted and had owned a pair of their boots in the past. Additionally, I needed something that would handle the powder as well as steeps and park riding. On the first day on the slopes, I knew these were the right choice. They were much more comfortable than the alternative I had previously tried.
What I love about it
- Size: These are true to size for men's snowboard boots—they feel tight right out of the box but eventually pack out. They run regular width; I haven’t noticed any distinct feeling of them being too narrow or wide. The boots can also be heat molded for a more customized fit.
- Comfort: Really comfortable fit. These feel like a shoe, to be honest. They feel really comfortable, especially after they are packed out after several runs. Evolution foam cushioning in the footbed and heat-moldable intuition foam liner allow this boot to fit your exact footprint for the ultimate fit. The heat-moldable liners, in particular, are really nice for that precision fit specific to you. Dual-zone BOAs allow the rider to independently tighten/loosen the upper and lower zones of the boot for a more customized fit and adjustability when compared to a singular BOA.
- Responsiveness: Response is really good when considering these are a medium flex boot. The mid-level flex on these boots provides the response I am looking for, so my energy from foot to board is more direct, and I don't lose energy the way I would with a softer flexing boot. Extra support in the cuff and calf gives riders that extra leverage to effectively transfer energy to the toe/heel sides of the board. The feedback time between turn initiation and turn execution is minimal but forgiving.
- Grip: The grip has been really good. I haven’t noticed any slipping or loss of traction. I have pretty icy conditions in the Midwest, so considering I’m hiking and walking on ice, these have fared very well. Excellent board feel.
- Ease of use: These are super easy to use right out of the box. I really enjoy how quick it is to not only get these boots on and off at the beginning and end of the day, but how easy it is to adjust both the foot and ankle adjustments to the perfect fit. When you’ve gone down a run or two, and you really work in the boots, you can easily adjust the bindings again without removing a glove, and dial in for the perfect fit. There is nothing overly complicated about using these—the dual BOA system does everything you need for easier lacing. Compared to traditional lace boots, the dual-zone BOA lacing system is much faster and tangle-free. You won't have any delays booting up at the lodge (except waiting on your skier friends to boot up!).
- Durability: I’ve only owned these for one season, but I haven’t noticed anything wearing or tearing. They look like they are in great condition. ThirtyTwo is known for making great quality boots, and it all starts with the care they take during their boot-building process. They set out to make the best.
- Weight: These are surprisingly lightweight, especially for a size 11 boot. The Energy Foam midsoles offer lightweight construction, giving these boots a lighter overall weight. They are comfortable, easy to walk in, and don’t feel like they hold me back in any way.
- Versatility: These are a great all-around, all-mountain boot that will tackle any terrain with ease. I don’t see these holding anyone back, no matter what the conditions or terrain throw at them. They are great for the all-mountain rider who wants a little freestyle action followed up by some freeride action. Whatever your riding style, the ThirtyTwo Lashed Double BOA will keep up. The fact that these are easy to adjust, made of lightweight material, and have a medium flex gives them a playfulness perfect for general all-mountain riding. This is also what I want out of a pair of boots for park and pipes, so I have some forgiveness but not too much.
Issues I’ve encountered
- Warmth: These aren’t extremely warm boots, but I don’t feel like they are really lacking any more warmth than any other boots I’ve used in the past. I would say they are pretty middle-of-the-road for warmth. In really cold conditions, you'll want something that locks in the body heat from your foot, and there are other boots out there that accomplish this better. Still, it's not any less warm than most other boots.
- Heel hold: The heel hold was not quite as good as I was hoping. I noticed my heel slightly lifting off the sole of the boot on a couple of jumps, but then I was able to adjust the heel tightness a bit more, and it improved somewhat.
- Shock absorption: As far as shock absorption goes, I didn’t really notice it being either good or bad so I’ve given this a star rating of 3 since nothing really stood out to me with these boots as far as this category goes.
Favorite moment with this gear
These are such a nice upgrade from the traditional laced boots I owned previously. I was blown away by how well they fit and how easy they are to adjust. One of the most underrated feelings is when you can take your boots off at the end of the day, and these come off just about as easily as street shoes. There’s a lot to be said about how great that feels at the end of the day.
Value for the money vs. other options
I would say these boots are definitely worth the investment. I had my Burton lace-up boots for several seasons and I imagine I’ll have these boots for several seasons, too. These are more comfortable than the Vans Auro Pro Double BOA that I tried and are at a comparable price. I was going to save about $50 on the Vans, but after feeling the hot spots in those and then switching to the ThirtyTwos, it was obviously worth the extra investment to get a higher quality boot that has no hot spots and offers a customized fit.
Final verdict
The ThirtyTwo Lashed Double BOA unlocks the ability to have a high tech boot that is simple and easy to adjust and comes at a fairly reasonable price for the technology they offer. These are not a super aggressive boot but more of an all-around great-fitting boot that works really well for all-mountain riding. The ThirtyTwo Lashed Double BOA boots are awesome boots that will let you ride wherever you want without compromise. They have great response, are made with premium materials and innovation, and are perfect for riders with high standards. They're simply a must-have purchase.
ThirtyTwo Lashed Double BOA Snowboard Boots · 2021
- We price match
- Returnable