Profiled by
Steve Andrews
Products tested
3 so far (board, boots, bindings)
Using it since
About 25 years
Relationship
Free samples, no sponsorship
Updated
October 2026
In this profile
- The short version
- My relationship with ThirtyTwo
- ThirtyTwo at a glance
- What I’ve tested
- The interview
- Strengths and shortfalls
- Who it’s for
- FAQ
Alpine Islands is reader-supported: if you buy through an affiliate link on this page, Alpine Islands may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. ThirtyTwo supplied the gear reviewed here as free samples, with no sponsorship or contract attached.
I’ve been wearing ThirtyTwo boots for about 25 years, including a slog up Mount Logan, so I came to this brand as a fan, and I’ll say so up front.
This page is the hub for everything We’ve published on ThirtyTwo: a splitboard boot, a first-generation binding, a snowboard, and a conversation with their Director of Marketing. If you’re deciding whether the brand deserves your money, start here, then follow the links into the full reviews.
The Short Version
The boots are the strongest reason to take ThirtyTwo seriously: I’ve worn roughly ten pairs over 25 years, and the Jones MTB Lite’s walk mode made me noticeably more efficient on the uptrack. Each boot has intuition liners, in my opinion the best foam in the business. The T32M FASE is an excellent first binding that makes strapping in noticeably faster, and Lindsay Gough rated the Crucible a clear yes. Two of these categories (boards and bindings) are brand new, so the long term story is yet to be written.
My Relationship with ThirtyTwo
ThirtyTwo supplied the products reviewed on this page as free samples, through a longstanding relationship with the brand. There is no sponsorship and no contract, and nothing limits what I can say about them. They send me gear because they trust my judgment, and in return you get my honest read, weak spots included. Lindsay Gough wrote the Crucible review herself, and her board was a free sample too. But over the decades I’ve spent plenty of my hard-earned money on the boots because they were the best.
ThirtyTwo at a Glance
| Founded | 1995 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Lake Forest, California |
| Parent company | Nidecker Group |
| Known for | Snowboard boots and outerwear |
| Makes | Boots, bindings (as of last year), snowboards (as of this year), outerwear and apparel |
| Warranty / repair | ThirtyTwo’s warranty page 1 year warranty on boots and outerwear, case by case basis |
| Where to buy | Canadians: ca.thirtytwo.com, US: at thirtytwo.com Euros: eu.thirtytwo.com and The store finder lists authorized retailers |
Brand facts verified October 2026 against ThirtyTwo’s own site and press materials, and Nidecker Group’s site for ownership.
The ThirtyTwo Story
ThirtyTwo launched in 1995 and spent nearly three decades as a boot and outerwear brand. Its first bindings, the T32M FASE, arrived in the fall of 2025, and a first snowboard line followed. Along the way it became part of Nidecker Group, the Swiss company that also owns Jones, the brand behind the Mercury FASE bindings I compared against the T32M.
Their tagline has always been “Rider-driven snowboarding”. And for the better part of this century, they were THE boots to get for serious riders. Thankfully I was homies with one of their sponsored riders (Shoutout to Andrew Burns) who hooked it up on the regular.
What I’ve Tested from ThirtyTwo
Here’s everything we’ve published on ThirtyTwo so far, with a link to the full review for each. The snowboard review is by Lindsay Gough; the boots and bindings are mine.
| Product | Category | Flex (ThirtyTwo’s rating) | Price | Full review |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ThirtyTwo Women’s Crucible | Snowboard | Balanced | ~$449.95 USD | Read → |
| ThirtyTwo Jones MTB Lite | Splitboard boots | Stiff | ~$869.95 USD | Read → |
| ThirtyTwo T32M FASE | Bindings | Mid-Stiff | ~$349.95 USD | Read → |
Specs verified October 2026 against manufacturer pages. Prices drift by retailer and region.
ThirtyTwo Snowboards
ThirtyTwo Women’s Crucible
~$449.95 USD (check current)
Lindsay’s take: A fun, light and punchy women’s directional twin, holds up in all conditions.
Reviewed by: Lindsay Gough
| Best for | Riders who split their time between the park and the rest of the hill |
|---|---|
| Watch out | Not a powder board; Lindsay expects it to feel a little flimsy on deep days |
Permanent Vacation
~$499 USD
Steve’s take: A rippable all-mountain board that can hold its own on jumps and side hits, and can hold its speed while maneuvering quickly.
Reviewed by: Steve Andrews
| Best for | People who slay the whole mountain and dig quick rips and side hits |
|---|---|
| Watch out | More of a generalist than a specialist. |
ThirtyTwo Boots
ThirtyTwo Jones MTB Lite
~$869.95 USD (check current)
My take: A premium boot with a premium price tag. If you are serious about splitboarding, it’s worth it. But you’d better be logging in some miles to make it worth it.
| Best for | Big mountain splitboarding and technical ascents |
|---|---|
| Watch out | A long break-in and a premium price |
ThirtyTwo Bindings
ThirtyTwo T32M FASE
~$349.95 USD (check current)
My take: A fun, playful binding with premium components making entry and exit super fast.
| Best for | All-mountain shredding |
|---|---|
| Watch out | No long-term testing yet, and it’s an all-mountain binding rather than a specialist’s tool |
Behind the Brand: My Conversation with Brad Alband
I spoke with Brad this summer to hear his thoughts on returning to the brand after 15 years elsewhere in the industry. There have been many changes, including the Nidecker buyout and the expansion into boots and bindings.
The interview gave me (and you fine readers) a behind-the-scenes look at what’s happening at ThirtyTwo, and where they are going.
“They buy the brand, they invest in the people. And then it’s like, okay, you guys, here’s your runway, go get it.”
Brad Alband, Director of Marketing, ThirtyTwo
Full interview is coming soon!
What ThirtyTwo Does Well
Boots that last: The Jones MTB Lite is probably my tenth pair of ThirtyTwo boots in about 25 years, and I’ve had several pairs past 100 days. I can’t speak to the MTB Lite’s longevity yet, but that track record is why I expect it to hold up.
Fast entry that works: The T32M FASE is my favourite FASE system so far. The ankle strap is smooth and quick, and you keep the feel of a traditional two-strap binding.
A board that’s fun across the hill: Lindsay found the Women’s Crucible light, punchy and grippy on ice, and calls it a one-board quiver for park and all-mountain days.
Where ThirtyTwo Falls Short
New products, thin track record: The bindings and boards are brand new, and the MTB Lite was in its first season with me when I wrote about it. I can tell you how they feel; I can’t yet tell you how they age.
Premium pricing on the boots: The Jones MTB Lite is a premium boot with a premium price: about $869.95 USD on ThirtyTwo’s site. It’s a buy-once, cry-once purchase, and it only pays off if you log the days.
All-mountain, not specialist: The T32M FASE is built to take whatever comes its way rather than to excel at one discipline, so a dedicated park or powder rider may want something more focused.
Who ThirtyTwo Is For
All-mountain riders who hate strapping in: The T32M FASE is the one I’d point you to: responsive, durable and quick to get into.
Serious splitboarders: If you’re logging real miles on the uptrack, the Jones MTB Lite’s walk mode earns its price.
Riders who split time between the park and the rest of the hill: That’s the rider Lindsay says the Crucible suits best.
Skip ThirtyTwo if: you want a dedicated big-mountain board, a specialist freeride binding, or you won’t log enough days on a splitboard to justify a premium boot.
Final Thoughts
ThirtyTwo is a boot brand growing into a full hardgoods brand, and so far the boots earn their reputation while the bindings and board make a promising start. I’ll keep adding reviews as I test more of the line, and I’ll say plainly where the brand falls short.
Keep reading: Jones Mercury FASE Snowboard Bindings Review
Check out all of our gear reviews
Learn more about what sets Alpine Islands apart
Steve Andrews is a lifelong adventurer since before he could walk. A skier since age 2, snowboarder since 11, he began his guiding career in 2007. He has a passion for teaching people how to fish, and helping them discover their own power in the mountians. He started Alpine Islands to give people a different take on achieving mastery in the wild (hint: you’re never a master of Mother Nature). He lives in Horseshoe Bay, British Columbia with his partner and two kids.
