Hello and welcome to my review of the ThirtyTwo Binary Boa snowboard boots.
In this review I will assess the suitability of 32’s Binary Boa boots for Freestyle riding.
How they Are Rated
For the purpose of this review the Binary Boas will be rated on the following:
- Flex
- Response
- Reduced Footprint
- Heel Hold
- Shock Absorption
- Adjustability
- Comfort
32 Binary Boa Overview
Boots: Thirty Two Binary Boa
Price: $264 RRP
Lacing System: Double Boa
Flex: Medium (5 out of 10)
Rating: 86/100
Here are some stats relating to a bunch of freestyle boots I looked at. Of 51 boots I assessed as freestyle boots:
- The average score was 76
- The highest score was 90
- The lowest score was 61
- The Binary Boas were ranked 3rd
Right, let’s take a closer look at how these boots performed in some of the specific categories.
Flex
Surprisingly, a lot of the top ranked freestyle boots had a medium flex (as opposed to a soft or medium-soft as I would have expected), including the Binary Boas.
Whereas the highest ranking freestyle snowboards and freestyle bindings were almost exclusively soft or medium soft flexing.
That’s not to say that you can’t go with medium-soft or soft boots for freestyle riding but from the one’s I looked at the boots with soft and medium-soft flex tended to lack in other areas that are desirable for freestyle riding.
Certainly leaving the upper section of the boot looser – easily done with the Binary Boa’s double Boa lacing system – will allow for more flex around that area if you feel you need it.
But I digress!
Response
Whilst response is not a crucial area for freestyle riding it is a nice to have especially if you like riding freestyle on the trails – or if you like to hit large or x-large jumps or the pipe.
Partially due to their medium flex and perhaps largely due to their ability to lock down the heel, the Binary Boas produce awesome response – even more so than would be expected out of a medium flexing boot.
Learn more about the Binary Boas in the video Below
O.k. this video is getting old now but not too much has changed between the 2014 and 2016 models so most of the info is still relevant – the boots just look quite different now.
Heel Hold
Speaking of heel hold, the Binary Boas excel in this area.
This of course will depend on the shape and size of your ankles and heels but these bad boys should lock down most heels.
This due to internal j-bars in the boot liner, ankle wraps on the external part of the liner (which should also help to eliminate any potential pressure points) and a fully heat mold-able liner that will conform to your foot.
If you’re still having trouble with heel hold in these boots you can also get a separate heel hold kit that insert for even better heel hold.
Shock Absorption
Crucial for any freestyle boot is shock absorption. Whether you’re doing laps of the park all day, hitting natural hits on the rest of the mountain or climbing the pipe walls, you’ll need that shock absorption to absorb all the impact of the day’s riding.
32’s Binary Boas don’t disappoint here.
They have EVA padding in both the sole of the boot and in the internal footbed to provide some serious padding and dampening.
Comfort
All that shock absorbing padding will also help these boots to be super comfortable.
That and other bits of technology, like:
- the ankle wrap on the liner for eliminating pressure points as mentioned earlier; plus
- a neoprene toe cap to help reduce toe pressure; and
- a liner made from dense ‘intuition’ foam
all help to contribute to a really comfortable, light feeling boot.
The Final Score
O.k. cool – let’s look at the breakdown of the overall score.
| FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
|---|---|---|
| Shock Absorption: | 3.5 | 17.5/25 |
| Response: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
| Heel Hold: | 5.0 | 15/15 |
| Adjustability: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
| Flex: | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Comfort: | 4.5 | 9/10 |
| Reduced Footprint: | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Traction: | 1.0 | 1/5 |
| TOTAL after normalizing | 88.1/100 |
That’s a pretty awesome rating – it’s no wonder they rated 3rd in my top men’s freestyle snowboards boot list.
User Reviews, Current Prices and More on the Binary Boas
I hope you have found this review useful and now are more informed about the Binary Boa and their suitability as freestyle snowboard boots.
If you are interested in the Binary Boas, check out the links below where you can find more information, user reviews and the current prices.
When checking for the cheapest price always check to make sure the shipping is free – it normally will be within the US if you are shopping in a US store.
If you are interested in checking out some other freestyle snowboard boot options check out the link below.
Hey Nate,
Still considering these vs k2 Maysis. I like freeriding, powder, just a bit of park and jumps.
Have several concerns
1) out of box these feel pretty stiff, but you always refer to them as to mid-flex. Would they be sufficient for all-mountain, freeride & powder?
2) 32s are known to be arund half-size smaller. out of box these ones feel a bit small inlength so that the thumb hits the toe section of the boot and it feels even a bit painful. Will heatmolding in the shop fix this?
3) K2 Maysis feel really nice out of box, the concern is that if they pack out they’d be too big. Can that be the case? Have you tried K2s?
Thank you in advance for your reply!
Oh, and the off-topic question. Have you heard of or tried the Union Dayze bindings?
Hi Vlad
The Maysis are relatively stiff – but not as stiff as some other boots. They are what I would call 7/10. So they definitely will feel stiffer than the Binary Boa, which are what I would say are 5/10. But all boots soften over time. So this is the stiffest that the Maysis will feel. Though it should take a good while before they feel noticeably softer.
Heatmolding will likely help but only to an extent – if they are too too small, then they may be a problem – but it’s hard to say how much the heat molding will do without actually doing it. Are your toes having to curl up to fit in? If they are just touching the end then they should be just right and will pack out – either by heat molding in the store or naturally on the slopes. But doing it in store is probably a good idea if you’re getting pain. But if your toes are having to curl up too much, then they might be too small.
Are your toes back at all from the end on the Maysis. Again if they’re just touching the end (when standing up straight), then they should be fine, They should pull away from the end a bit when your knees are bent. If your toes are already quite far from the end, then they might pack out to be too big. I had K2 boots a few years back that did that. I wore thin socks in the early days and wore thicker socks as they packed out. Not ideal but it kept me in them a bit longer. So yeah, they can pack out to become too big but there are things you can do.
I haven’t tried Union Dayze but they look to me to be like the Union STR with the Contact high backs – sort of.
Wow, thanks for such detailed reply!
I think I’d better go with something stiffer than Binary Boa. K2 Maysis or Flow Talon is what I’ll be looking at.
Speaking of Bindings, I’ve got a deal to get used Union Atlas 2013 with new straps for $130. Is this a good deal or should I look at something of fresher years?
Hi Vlad
For $130, I think the 2013 Atlas are a great deal. There have been some improvements to the Atlas bindings since then – but not heaps apart from the straps – but if you’re getting new straps with it, then you’re onto a winner there, IMO. For that price, it’s a great deal.
Well straps are from same-year Atlas.
Thanks for the advise probably will put my hands on it. The other choice there are Nitro Team bindings 2017 for $180 and Salomon Alibi 2016 for $120.
Just worried about Atlas bein too outdated model.
Hi Vlad
I didn’t test the Atlas back then, so I couldn’t say for sure but from what I hear it hasn’t changed too much except for the ankle and toe straps. I don’t test Nitro bindings, so I couldn’t really comment on those. I quite liked the Alibis that I tested (2017 models) – just be aware that the 2016 models didn’t have a high-back lean adjustment, so if that’s something that’s important for you, then that might make them unsuitable.
Hi,
I’m considering buying Binary Boas, but after reading your review I’m not sure they would be OK for my needs. I ride on groomers most of time, but sometimes take basic jumps and flat tricks, like take side hits, if I can. I’m looking for an (AM?) boots with flex 7 to match YES The Greats ’17 and Flux TT’s (I think I will change them for something a bit stiffer like Union Atlas). I’ve been using Rulers for several seasons, but they lost much flex. I need somethong a bit stiffer then Rulers. So I was wondering if Binary Boas would be a good choice as they are rated flex 7. What you’re saying is they are flex 5?
I tried 32 Lashed Double Boas with flex 6, they felt really comfortable, but maybe a little under flex 6. I’m considering buying Burton Imperials ’14 (good offer on them, and they have articulated cuff, the new ones don’t have that feature) which are stiffer for sure (flex 7). I’ve also tried on Ride Lassos, but didn’t like their fit, and DC Judge Boas, great fit, but to stiff I think.
So, what do you think, would Binary Boas be good for my needs/expectations? Or are they really on the softer side of medium flex, softer then Rulers?
Hi Marboc
Thanks for your message.
To me the Binary Boas felt like a 5/10 – but the Lashed felt more like 4.5/10 – so they are a little stiffer than the Lashed, IMO. But I wouldn’t rate them a 7/10, personally. Where did you see that rating? Everywhere I look it just says “medium” flex for the Binary Boa. Unless you mean the 32 Focus Boa – that’s a stiffer flexing boot – but I’d say that’s more like a 8/10 or 9/10.
But to put that into perspective for your own flex feel – I felt like the Imperials were more like 6/10 – so if you feel them at 7/10, then the Binary Boa would be more like 6/10 to you probably. I feel the Rulers at a 5/10 flex – so very similar flex-wise to the Binary Boa, IMO. Though brand new Binary Boas will feel stiffer than your old Rulers, which will have softened up a bit over time.
To me the Burton Ions feel like a 7/10 – but you might feel them at an 8/10 maybe, so they might be a bit on the stiffer side for what you want. But they also don’t have the articulated cuff.
Just realized you mentioned 2014 Imperials – I’m not sure, but I think they might have been a little stiffer than they have been the last couple of years.
Also check out this list for some other options in a similar flex range:
>>My Top All Mountain (medium-stiff flex) Snowboard Boots
Hope this helps
Hi,
Thanks for your reply.
I think the difference is I was looking at 2018 model. Info on the tag says they are flex 7. I’ve tried them on and they are definitely stiff, stiffer then Burton Photons I’ve also tried at the dealer. So there must have been some major upgrade to them as far as flex is concerned. I think I’ll go for them as they will surely loose some flex.
Regards!
Hi Marboc
I haven/t tried the 2018 model, but according to 32’s website the 2018 Binary Boas are still medium (so I assumed they would be similar) – but maybe they have stiffened them up a little and they’re on the stiffer side of medium now. Interested to hear how they go for you (and yeah they will soften up a bit once broken in and then a little more over time).
Hi,
I took the boots to the resort last weekend. I can confirm, they are definitely stiffer then my previous boot, Burton Ruler, which had rating of 6/10. When you tighten the boas they get really stiff. I took me several runs to get used to they flex, they were really responsive, I could make really fast turns.
I’m not a park riding type, but these boots help me a lot in landing some smaller jumps through with their stiffness, so I could progress with it. At the same time I was able to ollie, do some 180’s, as they have enough flex even for making presses. The boa system gives you nice possibility to adjust, depending you want soft or stiff feeling.
It was really warm, like 15 Celsius, but the boots stayed dry.
Overall I’m satisfied with this purchase so far.
Hey MarBoc
Thanks for the update and sharing your experience. Boots are definitely at their stiffest first ride, but yeah definitely sounds like they’re a good match for you and a good choice all round.