CONCLUSION

   The original Boost XT USB 2.0 became one of my favorite USB flash drives when i got to test it almost 3 years ago because it combined very good read/write speeds with a rugged rubber body which in many cases one would even call water resistant (dropped it into water quite a few times). Naturally 3 years later i expected the same results from the new SuperSonic Boost USB 3.0 flash drive when i saw the Patriot announcement shortly ago but judging from the performance numbers we got (especially write ones) this was not the case. Yes you do get good read/write speeds especially compared to USB 2.0 but even the quite older SuperSonic drive was a lot faster than the Boost although i have to say that the rugged body of the Boost may be important to some people (which brings about the question why they didn't use the same interior as the normal SuperSonic drive).

   With a price tag currently set at USD39.99 inside the USA (Newegg) and at around 35Euros inside the EU the SuperSonic Boost 32GB by Patriot is the cheapest rugged USB 3.0 flash drive in the market currently and that's perhaps the most important feature that may place it on top of the to buy list of some people. However if you just want a plain USB 3.0 drive with very good speeds, good build quality (aluminum) and an attractive price tag then the original SuperSonic USB 3.0 flash drive by Patriot is a much better overall choice. Bottom line the new SuperSonic Boost 32GB USB 3.0 Flash Drive may feature the same rugged exterior just like its predecessor (only smaller) but lacks the performance required to go up against even the previous SuperSonic USB 3.0 drive again manufactured by Patriot and so i can't really recommend it to people who don't require a rugged flash drive. However if you are in need of a cost-effective rugged USB 3.0 flash drive with relatively good transfer speeds (but don't need the best there is) then the Patriot SuperSonic Boost 32GB is certainly worth a look.

PROS

- Build Quality
- Rugged Rubber Exterior
- Design
- Size
- Price (For Some)

CONS

- Performance
- Only Available Up To 32GB
- Lanyard Not Included