A boom tube needs to be created by an external device, such as a Mother Box. The appearance of a boom tube is accompanied by a loud "boom" sound, hence the name.

The New Gods refer to them as 'boom lanes' and it has been stated that they are the only way to reach New Genesis and Apokolips. Also they are said to shrink or increase the size of those who use them so that they are closer in size to those in the dimension that they arrive in, as the New Gods are revealed to be giants but on Earth appear to be the height of an average human.