Common among freeride and all mountain snowboards, directional boards are designed to be ridden predominately in one direction. They are often stiffer in the tail and softer towards the nose to help maintain stability while carving at high speed. Typically, the binding inserts are set back (set closer to the tail of the snowboard) sometimes up to an inch.
Twin shape (also referred to as a true twin) is completely symmetrical with identical tip and tail measurements and flex pattern. Bindings will be mounted in the center on a twin tip snowboard. Often found in freestyle snowboards the twin shape is ideal for terrain parks because of the ability to ride in either direction.
A combination of a twin and directional snowboards, directional twins feature a similar size tip and tail but the tip is more flexible than the tail. Directional twins are most at home on all-mountain and freestyle terrain.
Camber vs. Rocker
Camber
Rocker
Flat
These three properties: camber, rocker, and flat are combined in a variety of ways to create an array of shape choices for riders. So what is better? The answer: no one shape beats the other and it really comes down to your personal preferences. Typically, camber offers better edge hold and stability on hard pack and at high speeds while rocker offers more float in the powder and catch-free edges for terrain park riding. The rockered snowboards can be great for beginners because they facilitate easier turn initiation. Advanced riders who like a loose feel may also enjoy riding a rockered board. Please review our
Rocker Guide for more information about rocker.
Flex
The amount a snowboard flexes varies significantly between boards.
Soft Flex
Softer flexing snowboards (typically freestyle and some all mountain snowboards) are going to be very forgiving and easier to turn. A soft flex is good for beginners, riders with lower body weights and park riders. Soft snowboards tend to be a bit looser at higher speeds but can also provide a soft buttery feel at slower speeds.
Stiff Flex
Stiffer flexing snowboards are usually built for freeride or backcountry use. They provide better edge hold and are more stable at high speeds. Stiff boards can be great for riders laying down high speed turns but tough for lightweight riders to flex properly.
Turning Ability
Snowboards make different sized turns based on their sidecut radius, waist width and rocker.
Sidecut Radius
Sidecut radius is the radius your board would create if the edge was extended out into a complete circle. Smaller numbers in the sidecut radius indicate a smaller circle. Imagine a smaller circle vs. a larger circle and laying your snowboard on edge to turn around that circle.
Waist Width
The waist width is the length of the snowboard at its most narrow point. It is typically measured in millimeters. Narrow waist widths can be rolled from edge to edge faster than wider snowboards. Snowboards are designed to be ridden with your toes and heels very close to the edge of the board so that you can apply pressure to roll the snowboard from edge to edge.
Rocker
Rocker in the tip and tail of your snowboard makes it easier to turn. Sometimes it is referred to as catch-free rocker because there is less of the snowboard edge to catch as you turn the board.
Waist width, sidecut radius and rocker are listed in the specs for each snowboard we sell. Here is an example.
Snowboard Hole Patterns and Binding Compatibility
There are four different snowboard hole patterns that you will find on conventional snowboards. The patterns include: 4x4, 2x4, Burton 3D and Burton Channel. 3D and Channel technology are specific to Burton Snowboards*. 2x4 is just a variation of 4x4 that gives a rider more mounting options.
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2x4 Insert Pattern |
4x4 Insert Pattern |
 |
 |
|
Burton 3D Insert Pattern |
Burton Channel Insert Pattern |
 |
 |
*Important note: Many 2011 Burton snowboards feature a new Channel design. Most non-Burton bindings will require special hardware to be used on Burton snowboards with the Channel.
Snowboard Hole Patterns & Bindings Compatibility Matrix
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4x4 hole pattern |
2x4 hole pattern |
Burton 3D pattern |
Burton Channel |
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4x4 Binding Disk |
x |
x |
|
|
|
Burton 3D Binding Disk |
x |
x |
x |
x |
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Burton EST Binding (no disk) |
|
|
|
x |
DISCLAIMER: THE FOREGOING GUIDE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT IS NOT INTENDED AS A "DO IT YOURSELF" GUIDE TO SNOWBOARD BINDING MOUNTING, ADJUSTMENT AND/OR MAINTENANCE, NOR AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR PROFESSIONAL ADVICE AND SERVICE. ALWAYS HAVE YOUR SNOWBOARD BINDINGS MOUNTED, ADJUSTED, SERVICED AND INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED SNOWBOARD BINDING TECHNICIAN.
Women’s Snowboards
Shrink it and pink it! For many years snowboard companies simply sized down men’s snowboards and applied pretty pink ooo ahhh dazzle graphics to them. Not anymore! Companies have created women-specific focus groups, beefed up their women’s pro teams and created snowboards specifically for women based on their feedback. Women’s bodies and preferences are different than men. Most notably women’s center of gravity, as a rule, is much lower than men so positioning on a snowboard and how the board responds to their movements is different than men. Women’s snowboards tend to have narrower waist widths to accommodate smaller feet, thinner profiles and flexes better suited for women. That said, there are plenty of hard charging women’s snowboards available.
Kids’ Snowboards
As much as you want to buy a snowboard your child can grow into, it is important to find a snowboard that will work for him or her now. Do you want your kid to love the sport? We thought so. The correct size snowboard will help your child progress faster and have a lot more fun in the process. Kids’ snowboards are typically softer than adult snowboards making it easier for kids to initiate turns and learn to ride.
Kids’ Snowboard Size Chart
Durability and Price Range
Price is almost always a consideration when shopping. At evo we are very selective of the snowboards we sell. There are lower cost boards out there but they often lack the quality materials, such as wood cores, proprietary design elements and other performance enhancing features that you will find in the snowboards available at evo. These elements enhance the performance and add to the durability and ride-ability of a snowboard. If you plan to ride your snowboard for multiple seasons consider spending a little more money for quality and durability.
Snowboard Terms Glossary
Core Material - This is the material that makes up the middle of your snowboard. Typically, core material is wood or a mixture of different types of wood. Foam and certain other materials can also be found in snowboard cores.
Effective Edge - The edge length of the snowboard that actually makes contact with the snow when the snowboard is on edge during a turn. The effective edge is shorter than the snowboard length. A longer effective edge will add stability and a shorter effective edge makes your snowboard feel looser and easier to turn.
Extruded Base - Extruded snowboard bases are made from polyethylene (often called P-Tex). They do not hold wax as well as sintered bases, and so they can be slower than a well-tuned sintered base. However, an extruded base can perform better than an unwaxed sintered base. Extruded bases have great natural glide. Extruded bases are typically less expensive; more easily repaired and require less waxing than sintered bases.
Magnetraction - Magne-Traction is a proprietary, serrated edge technology developed by Mervin Manufacturing found on Lib Tech, GNU and Roxy snowboards. Serrated edges are designed to cut into the snow like a knife and give you more edge hold and control than non-serrated edges.
Sidecut Radius - Sidecut radius is the radius your board would create if the edge was extended out into a complete circle. Smaller numbers in the sidecut radius indicate a smaller circle. Imagine a smaller circle vs. a larger circle and laying your snowboard on edge to turn around that circle.
Sintered Base - Sintered snowboard bases are designed for super-fast glide. Like extruded bases, sintered bases are made from polyethylene (P-Tex). But unlike extruded bases, sintered bases are very porous and absorb wax very well. As a result, sintered bases are much faster than extruded bases when waxed regularly. Often additional materials such as Gallium, graphite or Indium are added to the bases to provided increased impact resistance, durability and glide. Sintered bases are typically more expensive and can be more difficult to repair than extruded bases.
Tail Width - The tail width is the snowboard measurement at the widest point of the tail.
Tip Width - The tip width is the snowboard measurement at the widest point of the tip.
Waist Width - The waist width is the length of the snowboard at its narrowest point. Snowboard widths - tail, tip and waist - are typically measured in millimeters.
