2026 Arbor Kuro Neko Snowboard Review

The Lowdown

The Arbor Kuro Neko is the board we’ve been waiting for in the Arbor women’s lineup, and another heavy hitter in the women’s freestyle category. The Kuro Neko is one of the newest additions to Arbor’s range and exactly what park riders have been hoping for.

A true twin, full-camber board that’s no fuss and ready for rails and jumps. It’s stable where you need it, has a satisfying amount of pop, and stays fast and nimble. They don’t call it the Black Cat for nothing; this one always lands on its feet.

Part of the Candle Collection, it’s freestyle-focused, progression-driven, and inspired by a stacked athlete team pushing a new-growth vision for the series.

The Kuro Neko is a new board ready to take on all the freestyle terrain thrown it’s way.

Ride Impressions

I was really anticipating this addition to the Arbor lineup! My daily park board has been the Arbor Cadence Camber, and riding a larger, higher-speed park (Whistler, BC) every day, I wanted something a bit more powerful and poppy. I’ve ridden boards like the Salomon No Drama, Salomon Sleepwalker, Capita Birds of a Feather, and the Ride Zero, and I always come back to a precise full-camber or camber-dominant hybrid as my favourite type of park board. I like something that allows for presses and creative riding with equal parts precision and control. 

My first impression was how at home this board felt right away. Hopping onto steel with a full-camber new board can sometimes feel like a lot, but this one felt perfectly balanced, responsive and powerful while still keeping some playfulness. It pops and reacts exactly how you want it to. It’s not too damp or overpowering. 

In its category, it offers a lot of stability, especially compared to how pressable and playful it still feels. That balance is hard to find, and this board nails it. I would like to compare its sizes. I rode a smaller-than-usual model for me, and I think going a size up would even add more stability, especially when cruising around the whole mountain. 

It’s great for riders who want to hit rails just as much as they want to hit jumps.

It’s also a great option for anyone riding a Cadence Camber who wants to level up to something more capable or is at home on larger park features.

The main downside is the limited size range, topping out at 149, which may not work for taller riders. For my height and weight, the 145 I demoed was great for spinning, pressing, and a more playful feel, but I could also see the 149 being beneficial without sacrificing maneuverability, given how precise and nimble the board rides.

Overall, it’s best suited for a confident intermediate or advanced rider who’s lapping the park all day and wants a board that can handle every feature—presses, jibs, jumps big and small. A no-limits park board. A rider with clean style who also likes to play around on their board.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Who Is It For?

The Arbor Kuro Neko is made for the confident intermediate to advanced rider who’s always lapping the park but can also take on the whole mountain. They want pop, stability, and a fast, nimble board, while still getting stylish and playing around in the park. It’s the perfect board for everything from small creative features to the biggest jumps.

Riders who enjoy performance-focused, true-twin, camber-dominant boards will feel right at home. It’s ideal for a powerful rider who still loves to play.