In January I was lucky enough to receive a pair of Simon Chamberlain Thirty Two Team Two from the following year.
I have been riding TM-2 for the last three seasons, a new pair every year. They have always adapted very well to my footing and my riding style. I was only twenty days old on my regular TM-2s (2009-2010) when the new ones arrived; I had barely broken the old ones, keep in mind that most Mid-Atlantic “days” consist of a couple hours of grinding and a couple of hours at the resort bar.
When I first opened the box, I immediately noticed that the new boots had a much smaller volume and a slimmer profile than the 2009 model. I had to adjust my shorter tie-down straps so they didn’t bottom out!
The toe length to heal is roughly the same as the 09 ‘boot, but there was a major change to the sole construction. The new TM-2 has a skate-inspired flat vulcanized look outsole (think vans or Converse shoes with the white rubber wrap), though it’s not actually a vulcanized construction. Allows the lining and foot to sit lower and closer to the board than previous models, reducing the overall bulk of the boot. They also added 32 G2 gel to cure the sole to help cushion hard landings and prevent heel bruising.
I prefer lace-up boots, hey, I’ve been wearing laces since ’89. The TM-2 tongue tensioner lacing system works great. The laces go through the strap loops in three sections of the lower half of the boot. The strap loops are anchored to the tongue of the boot, so when the lacing is tightened, the tongue is tighter against the lining.
The top and bottom of the boot shell are articulated with an articulated cuff to smooth out flex and prevent bulging when the boot is flexed. The internal lace cuff that surrounds the lining is pretty standard, but 32 adds a single pull tab in the middle of the laces that really helps tighten the lower internal laces.
One of 32’s top selling points has always been their thermoformable liners. Heat molding expands the liner in void areas and shrinks the liner in areas with pressure points or painful hot spots. Mine fit really well out of the box so I didn’t heat mold them.
Of course, I replaced the standard “Level 3” insole with a pair of Shred Soles high performance snowboard insoles. They really increased the comfort level underfoot and improved the overall fit of the boot, eliminating the small heel lift that you had in the boot with the standard footbed.
The next big change was that the classic velcro shin strap around the top of the lining has been replaced with a velcro patch on the outside of the tongue and on the inside of the lining. I always took off the velcro strap anyway so I was excited about this change!
I put a full 40 days in the snow in these boots. From surviving the storm of the century here in the Mid-Atlantic to jumping all the bare patches in Breckinridge, finding Vail tree shelters, hiking Mt. Snow’s Jib Park, shredding Heavenly with good friends, and all the backyard sessions. in the middle. I must say that the boots have held up incredibly well. They have packed the fewest number of boots I have owned in the last 10 years! They are also in one piece; usually my boots get hit late in the season, whether it’s a bump to the toe or sole coming off the heel or a broken lace loop. Not this time, the TM-Two stayed perfect and still look great, I think they will even last until next season! I give you two thumbs up!
Disclaimer: everyone’s feet are different; I was hesitant to write a snowboard boot review because I know that the boot that fits my foot well may not be the best boot for you. In other words, “What is the best snowboard boot?” Answer: “The boot that best adapts to your foot”. Go to your local snowboard shop and try on several boots!