Thirty Two STW Boa Review

Hello and welcome to my Thirty Two STW Boa review.

In this review I will take a look at the STW Boa as freestyle snowboard boots.

As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the STW Boa a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how they compare with other freestyle boots.

NOTE: The 2022 model was the last model of this boot, so, naturally, this review has not been updated beyond the 2022 model. The STW Double BOA is still available though, just not the Single BOA version. 

Overall Rating

Boots: Thirty Two STW Boa

Price: $219 (USD recommended retail)

Style: Freestyle

Other Uses: Beginner

Flex Rating: Medium-Soft (3/10)

Flex Feel: Medium-Soft (3.5/10)

Rating Score: 68.6/100

Compared to other Freestyle Boots

Out of the 28 freestyle boots that I rated:

Who are the STW Boa Most Suited to?

The STW Boa are best suited as boots for beginner riders. They work well for beginners because of their easy flex and really easy entry/exit is a nice bonus for beginners who aren't used to snowboard boots. 

Also a good option as playful, low cost freestyle boots or if you're a beginner in the park and want a soft forgiving pair to learn with in the park.

Board Demoed With: Rossignol One LF 2018

Bindings Demoed With: Burton Malavita 2017

Outersole Length: 31cm (mondo 28cm)

Difference between Mondo & Outersole: 3cm

Backstay Height: 29.1cm

Weight: 800 grams*

* Average of a sample of boots I weighed was 1006 grams, so a good bit lighter than the average. Softer flexing boots tend to be lighter, but the STW Boa were still a little lighter than the average (850g) of the softer boots I weighed too. 

Flex

They feel softer than medium, but not ultra-soft. Probably around 4/10 out of the box, but would likely soften up to a good bit softer than that fairly quickly. Even after heat molding and then testing, they already felt softer than 4. 

Fit

Width: A little wider than normal for the toes, but not as wide at the balls of the feet. Fit my feet well, but that narrower area at the balls of the feet, might not be suited for wide feet? 

True to Size?: I rode the 10. I normally ride the 10 and the 10 for the STW Boa fit just right, so I would say true to size. I sometimes find 32 boots run 1/2 size small (i.e. I'm better in a 10.5) but for the STW Boa I found 10 to be just right. 

High or Low Arch: Maybe just a touch higher in the arch than average. So might be an option to try for those with high arches. No pressure on the tops of my feet. I have a flat left foot and a relatively normal, but slightly flat, right foot, so I couldn't say for sure for those with higher arches. 

Shock Absorption

They aren't the worst at absorbing shock, but not the best either. A couple of notches down from my test boots (Vans Aura).

Board Feel

Really good board feel - and not surprising there given their soft flex and their fairly minimal sole. 

Responsiveness

More response than I was expecting to be honest. Certainly not monster carvers or anything, but I was thinking they'd be worse than they are. Still best when riding at slow speeds, but a little better than I was expecting at higher speeds (but my expectations were fairly low). 

Adjustability

There's just a standard pulley lace harness on the liner and a single boa to tighten the entire outer boot. This makes them super easy to get on and off, but also seriously lacking in adjustability. 

Unlike most other 32 boots, they also don't have a heel hold kit (which I felt was needed with these boots) so no bonus adjustability points for that either. 

Comfort

Decently comfortable. Nothing really plush or anything like that. Pretty basic liner and shell, but their light, I found no major pressure points - nothing that didn't work themselves out by the time I'd finished riding - and no cramping, which are the main things. 

Let’s Break up this text with a Video

Heel Hold

Compared to most other 32 boots I've tried the STW Boa felt quite loose around the heel. Ironically all the other 2020 32 boots I tried had heel hold kits, but I never felt like I needed them as the heel hold was good without using the kits. With the STW Boa I felt like I could have used a heel hold kit, but they didn't come with one. 

Noticeable heel lift because of that looseness around the heel. 

Reduced Footprint

Right on the average. Not ultra long for their mondo, but not low profile either. Right in the middle. 

Traction

Sole doesn't seem the greatest quality. Had nothing icy or challenging to walk in but just based on sole inspection, probably not going to be the most grippy or long lasting, but I'd never expect that at this price point and in a boot that you're unlikely to be doing any hiking in (except hiking the park). 

Entry/Exit

Super easy to get foot in and out of. Really simple to tighten liner and really easy and fast to tighten outer boot with that single boa. Probably the easiest boot I've tried for getting on and off. 

If you're looking for a nice simple boot, that's as easy as it gets to get on and off, are a beginner, beginner park rider looking for a pair of boots for the park, or a playful park rider looking for a second pair of boots for the park at a low cost, the STW Boa are a solid choice.