2025 Arbor Metal Machine Snowboard Review
By: evo Employees | Last Updated: April 26th, 2024
Review Summary
Avg. Tester Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆ (4.67/5)
The 2025 Arbor Metal Machine snowboard has garnered acclaim from our testers, standing out as a versatile board suited for both the park and all-mountain riding. Kyle Wood, an expert freerider, was pleasantly surprised by its all-mountain capability, noting the board's substantial weight when paired with Hemlock bindings contributed to a stable and chatter-resistant ride. Despite its weight, the board delivered exhilarating experiences on rock drops and kickers, with exceptional pop and stability on landings, though Kyle recommends detuning the factory edges for freestyle pursuits.
Elise Harris highlighted the board's playful yet stable nature, ideal for riders who enjoy high speeds and smooth handling. She appreciated the full camber profile, which, despite lacking Arbor's typical grip tech, still maintained excellent edge hold and agility.
Dustin Condon's review described the Metal Machine as a true twin with traditional camber, offering a fun and responsive ride across skill levels. The board's medium stiffness provided a stable feel at high speeds, yet it was playful enough for leisurely rides and tricks.
Overall, our testers agree that the Arbor Metal Machine excels in providing a reliable and fun experience, whether carving down groomers, freestyling in the park, or tackling more challenging mountain terrain. Its performance in various conditions instills confidence, making it a top choice for diverse snowboarding styles.
Technical Details
"As its name suggests, the all-new Metal Machine is built to beat down the spot. True twin, pure camber, and bad attitude - this new model refocuses on the core basics of park and street snowboarding wiht a low-tech approach to clean lines and simple geometry. Call it a normal snowboard, call it a popsicle stick, but don't call it on a pow day cause it's still lapping the park."
| Available Sizes (cm) | 150, 153, 156 |
| Shape | True Twin |
| Rocker/Camber Profile | Traditional Camber |
| Flex Rating | 5 (1 Soft - 10 Stiff) |
| Core | Highland II Core |
| Laminates | Mixed Glassing |
| Binding Compatibility | 2x4 (12-Pack Inserts) |
Expert Testers & Methodology
Why should you trust evo's Field Tested Reviews? Great question! Over this past winter, evo employees from our various locations across Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado and Whistler were selected to provide long-term testing of next year's hottest new skis and snowboards. Employees were also invited to attend exclusive multi-day demo events where brands — like Arbor — showcased their upcoming products for the 2024/2025 winter season. By collecting unbiased, in-depth reviews from our most experienced skiers and snowboarders, we hope to help you find the best gear to maximize your fun in the mountains!
Testing the 2025 Arbor Metal Machine Snowboard:
In assessing the 2025 Arbor Metal Machine, we enlisted three of our evo employees: Kyle Wood, Elise Harris, and Dustin Condon. Their experiences range from intermediate to expert, with styles spanning all-mountain, freeride, freestyle, and groomers/carving. These evaluations unfolded at three notable locations: Loveland, CO; Brighton, UT; and Mt Hood Meadows, OR, challenging the board across a spectrum of conditions and terrains. The varied board sizes tested included 156 cm, 150 cm, and 153 cm, accommodating different heights and weights of our testers. This diversity in backgrounds and testing environments ensures our review encapsulates a comprehensive and unbiased perspective, making it a reliable resource for potential buyers. Read on for each tester's detailed perspective.
Kyle Wood
Customer Care Lead, Warranty
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Expert
Size Tested: 156 cm
Testing Location: Loveland, CO
Classic park board with better-than-expected all-mountain chops
"As a freerider whose bag of freestyle tricks is pretty slim, I expected to dislike the Metal Machine. Its marketing aimed at park and urban riders could not be any further from my style. Even still, I wanted to get a look at what this board had under the hood, and whether it had the all-mountain chops to work outside of the world of metal and concrete. Long story short: it super does. The Metal Machine was heavier than expected when combined with the Hemlock bindings. This resulted in a heavier swing weight than expected, but also gave the board a surprising amount of chatter resistance. Hucking rock drops, kickers and rollers was a genuine joy on the Metal Machine, and even landings in chunder fields didn't buck nearly as much as expected. The board has great pop, which really pairs well with the stability on landings to give a rider confidence in sending it big. Word of warning: Arbor's factory edges are super grabby on butter spins and carves. I'd HIGHLY recommend a detune if going freestyle with the Metal Machine."
Elise Harris
Store Supervisor - Salt Lake Store
Tester Rating: 4-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Advanced
Size Tested: 150 cm
Testing Location: Brighton, UT
Fun ride for park or charging runs.
"Great full camber board for riders that like to crush it in the park or cruise the mountain in style. It doesn't have the grip tech like a lot of the other Arbor boards but you wouldn't notice with how smoothly it handles and how well it holds an edge if you want to go fast. The Camber makes it stable at speed but it's got a lot of playfulness to it making it fun to butter around on."
Dustin Condon
Sales Associate - Portland Store
Tester Rating: 5-Stars
Tester Ability Level: Intermediate
Size Tested: 153 cm
Testing Location: Mt Hood Meadows, OR
This board is a simple true twin shape with traditional camber which makes for a very fun ride for any skill level.
"My overall consensus of this board is that it rips. I am 5'9" about 130lbs and rode a 153cm which felt great but could have ridden a bit smaller of a size. This board felt like a great all mountain board with a focus on freestyle. The traditional camber and medium stiffness made for a stable feel when bombing down groomers but still plenty playful enough to take things slow and mess around without much consequence."
Pros
Stability and Pop: The Metal Machine's weight adds a surprising level of chatter resistance and stability, especially during high-impact landings. This makes the board reassuring for riders looking to push their limits in the park and even beyond.
Edge Hold and Playfulness: Despite lacking Arbor's grip technology, this board impresses with its edge hold and smooth handling. Its camber profile balances stability at speed with a playful nature, ideal for both cruising and freestyle riding.
Versatility: Praised by all testers, the Metal Machine excels across different mountain areas. Its true twin shape and traditional camber offer a joyful and responsive ride suitable for a wide range of skill levels and snowboarding styles.
Cons
Weight Considerations: The board's heavier weight might be a downside for some, especially for those who prefer a lighter setup for more effortless freestyle maneuvers.
Factory Edge Sharpness: The factory edges come quite sharp, which could be a concern for those looking to perform butter spins and carves. A detune might be necessary to adjust the board to preferred freestyle settings.
Who Is It For?
The 2025 Arbor Metal Machine is best suited for riders who appreciate a true twin board that offers both park-focused fun and reliable all-mountain performance. This board will appeal especially to those who enjoy a mix of freestyle and freeride activities, thanks to its strong pop and stable landings, which boost confidence in varied terrains. It's a great choice for experienced riders due to its full camber and responsiveness, yet its forgiving nature makes it accessible for intermediates looking to advance their skills.
While the Metal Machine excels in freestyle-oriented versatility, it may not be the best fit for absolute beginners or those who prefer an ultra-lightweight board for more technical park riding.