Best Snowboard Reviews 2018

Extreme sports are gaining popularity because of heightened safety standards and better technology, and snowboarding is one of the most popular. Over the years, boards have been carefully assessed and developed, using the needs of the enthusiasts to make them better while still meeting safety standards. Whether you’re on the mountain or at the park, the best snowboard brands we have picked out have something to get your adrenaline pumping with every trick you perform.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Style

Size

Weight Range

Design

Target users

Our Top Choice

Jones Mountain Twin

Jones is a relatively new company that has risen quickly in the ranks thanks to its dedication to growth and innovation in function and design while still being eco-friendly.

Varying widths. Mellow Magne-Traction.

N/A

Freeride

151 Centimeters

49-73 Kilograms

Full Wood Core/Triax Fiberglass

Professional

Best Value

Burton Déjà vu Snowboard

Burton played a large role in helping Snowboarding become as wildly popular as it is today by building snowbreaking products and supporting the best riders for the last 39 years.

SqueezeBox Technology. Pro Tip. Infinite Ride.

Costly.

All-mountain

146 Centimeters

50-64 Kilograms

Triax Fiberglass/Sintered Glass

Women

Rossignol One Magtek

Rossignol has been making mountain sport gear and equipment for over 100 years. Before the snowboard even came on the scene, they were a big name in skis and mountain equipment.

Radcut.

It may be difficult For first time users to get used to.

All-mountain

153 Cemtimeters

54-74 Kilograms

Lite Frame/Magne Traction/Kevlar

Professional

K2 Carve Air

The CarveAir is simply built for speed and style. What it lacks in size, this little wonder makes up for in pop and ease of control.

Easy carve. Flexible. Light. Balance.

One boarder reported some issues with stability on rails.

Freestyle

149 Centimeters

59-95 Kilograms

Ollie/Bambooyah/Hybritech

Intermediate

The Villain

Salomon is a member of the Amer Sports group. The Salomon Villain is unapologetically edgy, and balances pop with control to make for a slope versus Villain battle.

Medium Flex. Sintered finish. EQ Rad.

No Magnatraction.

Freestyle

147cm

45 – 65kg

Rock Out Camber/Fiberglass

Intermediate

(Updated April 10, 2017)

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How Do I Choose the Best Snowboard?

Snowboarding is increasingly gaining popularity as an exhilarating and challenging recreational activity. Whether you’re looking to buy a snowboard for cruising around on groomers, park jibbing or park riding and doing tricks, you need to find one that perfectly fits your riding style and personal preference.

With the huge variety of snowboards available, narrowing down your options can be a daunting process. The three basic types of snowboard for you to choose from include:

All-MountainThey are the most popular and are best suited for mountains and parks. They are perfect for all rider levels because of their versatility.
FreestyleThey're stubby and shorter than other boards, and they feature a true twin shape. You can use them for halfpipe tricks and parks.
FreerideFeature a directional shape and are designed with a stiffer flex. They are most suitable for terrain parks and jibbing.

With the right board, and protective gear such as a snowboarding helmet and goggles, learning can be pretty fast. Consider buying the board that best fits your desired terrain, and that will facilitate enhancing your skills. While you’re out shopping for a board, don’t forget to get yourself a pair of snowboarding boots to help you measure the width of the board.

This guide is aimed at helping you understand the different types, sizes, and shapes of snowboards, so you can find the best snowboard out there for you.

Price

When it comes to choosing the most suitable board, you have to take price into consideration to make the smartest buying decision. The price of your snowboard will vary depending on several factors, such as the type of construction material. Good snowboards come with prices ranging from $200 to $500. There are cheap snowboards available, but their lack of quality makes them not worth considering.

As price increases, so does the quality of the materials and features. These technologies and advanced features are usually engineered with advanced snowboarders in mind. If you’re a beginner, it’s essential to find a snowboard that fits your ability level and needs, meaning you might consider buying some of the most affordable snowboards available.

Features

With the wide range of snowboards on sale today, getting the right one can be pretty challenging. But if you’re equipped with the right information, finding the best won’t be a worry. Here are some important features to look for on snowboards, to ensure you get the best quality for your money:

Length How do you know the appropriate length for your snowboard? Your snowboard’s length is mainly determined by the kind of riding you plan to do, as well as your body weight.
Rider weight Most snowboard manufacturers specify the appropriate rider weight range. Check to make sure that you get the right board size for your weight.
FlexSofter boards are more flexible, making them easier to navigate and best on powder, while stiffer boards work better on icy terrain and are best suited for pro snowboarders.
WidthYou can get the right board width by trying to fit your snowboard boot in the binding. Ensure that your boot’s edges don’t overhang too much.
SidecutsThe sidecut refers to the snowboard’s curve at the edges. A shallow sidecut means high speeds and more power through crud, whereas deeper sidecuts allow for quicker and easier turning.
ShapeDifferent types of snowboards typically feature certain board shapes, such as directional and twin. Choose the appropriate shape based on the riding terrain.
Base MaterialsSnowboards' bases are built with polyethylene. Extruded bases are less costly, durable and easy to repair. Sintered bases are faster, lighter and sturdier, but more costly.
ProfileA board’s profile refers to how it rests on the snow. You can choose either a camber or rocker profile, depending on how each suits your unique needs.
Skill LevelA board should match your ability level, whether beginner, intermediate, or advanced.

Finding the right snowboard isn’t rocket science. However, you need to gather as much information as possible to help you eliminate guesswork and make the right decision.

Construction and Design

Most snowboards are constructed using wood cores. You will definitely want a board made with top-quality, durable material. Boards made of wood and a fiberglass wrap around the core are more durable, and more stable at higher speeds.

You might consider getting either a triaxial or quadaxial board, because they include more layers of glass, which makes them more stable and sturdy for use in almost every terrain. Many snowboard companies have a wide-ranging selection of colors and designs to choose from. Other companies allow you to customize your boards by letting you design your graphics. However, you should consider the type of graphics design you want after you’ve found a board with the right features.

Performance and Ease of Use

Advances in technology have allowed for the construction of snowboards with superior features that improve performance and minimize maintenance costs. Some of the boards feature aramid technology that helps in absorption of shock and vibration, preventing you from injuries. Lifted is another tech employed in most snowboards to give you a smooth, uninterrupted ride.

Boards that include medium flex features improve your riding experience by giving you comfort as you shred. If you are mostly concerned about maintenance costs and ease of use issues, you can consider snowboards with extruded bases. They are less expensive, easier to repair, and require little maintenance.

What is the Best Snowboard?

The choice for the best snowboard is a matter of preference. Enthusiasts will compare plenty of general features before settling on the snowboard they would like to make a part of their memories. Design and finish feature heavily in how snowboarders rank their boards. Other factors include the intended terrain and the snowboarding style. However, after all that fussing, choosing the best board eventually boils down to you, the user. This review puts each snowboard on equal ground, so you can decide what board and brand best fits your style and budget.

Our Top Choice

Jones Mountain Twin is a top rated freeride board that doesn’t compromise on the features that make a snowboard unforgettable. It’s a strong contender if you are in the market for a wide, twin directional board. However, if you prefer a single directional board, the Jones Mountain Surfer Snowboard holds up its own.

Jones Snowboards Mountain Twin w/ Triax Fiberglass

Jones Mountain Twin 2017 – Snowboards

Features

Jones Snowboards is the 2009-founded brainchild of Jeremy Jones. Backed by a history of snowboarding, Jeremy founded the company to provide the ultimate board that stood out in design and functionality. Thanks to that dedication and intimate knowledge with a snowboarder’s needs, The Mountain Twin made it to the top 5 best boards in 2015-2016.

Mellow Magne-traction and a blunt nose give the Mountain Twin incredible speed while minimizing the resistance.
To make sure this board serves you for a long time, it has been made with oversized recycled edges for longevity.

Here are some features that earn this board five stars on Amazon.

Progressive sidecut – The side cut radius increases as it narrows the distance towards the contact point to give you smooth turns and controlled stops.
Mellow Magne-traction – Maximize your grip as you glide on the surface edges.
Factory Tuning – You don’t need to make any more tweaks on the board. You can head straight to the mountains after you get it.
Wend natural wax – This wax gives the board an attractive glossy finish so you can use it right out of the shop.
Triax Fiberglass – The fiberglass laminate makes sure you can use this board on all terrains.
7/10 stiffness – This board is structurally strong enough to shred the mountain side the way you like.

Take the speed to the mountain side with Jones’ snowboards and accessories.

Best Value

The Déjà vu is a Burton technology masterpiece. Loaded with patent pending or exclusive tech, the Déjà Vu offers female snowboarders the thrill of speed and the comfort of ingenious design. It is a freeride board that packs a whole lot of punch. For the outdoor snowboarder who would like an all-mountain board that retains all the technology, the Burton Custom Flying V Snowboard 156 is an excellent choice for $90 more.

Burton Déjà vu Snowboard with Dualzone EGD and Squeezebox

Burton 107081-000

Features

In 1977, Jake Burton started what would become a world-renowned brand. Like so many revolutionary US companies, Burton’s full potential was fanned in a barn, and the flame that is Burton is now a permanent fixture in snowboarding.

The Déjà Vu balances speed, balance, and smooth design to give you velocity, safety, and comfort as you unleash your inner speed demon.

These are some of the features that give the Déjà vu its superboard status:

Flying V Bend – Shred through the snow with ease and make taking turns look easy.
Triax Fiberglass – With the Triax fiberglass, the Déjà vu is ideal for any terrain you want to conquer.
SqueezeBox – SqueezeBox is one of Burton’s technologies that allow you to control your board better.
Overbite FrostBite Edges – Icy terrain has never been so easy to board through. With this technology, your grip is enhanced for smoother rides.
Scoop – You can perform all those tricks and turns without worrying about picking up any unwanted debris.
Infinite Ride – Through stringent quality control measures, the Infinite Ride feature is a guarantee that your board will serve you for a long time.

Check out Burton’s products on Amazon and unleash your inner Kjersti Buaas.

Rossignol One Magtek is one of Rossignol’s finest boards. It packs technologies that make your landings smooth and your corners seamless. For all-mountain riders, the One Magtek is the ultimate shredder. However, it’s also a board designed mainly for men. The Rossignol Myth Amptek is an equally robust board made for Rossignol’s female customers. Furthermore, it’s more affordable.

Rossignol One Magtek w/ Lite Frame

Rossignol Snowboard Rossignol

Features

A company surviving changing dynamics for a century is no mean feat. Rossignol has stamped its credentials as a world leader in mountain sports by both developing new equipment and fostering new talent.

Take a look at the features that make this board a number one pick for all mountain lovers:

Thermoplastic Polyurethane stripes – TPU technology enables the most vigorous of riders to stick their landings like professionals.
Lite Frame – This technology is a Rossignol first, enabling riders to have fun while still riding like a seasoned pro.
Magne Traction 5S – Mountains can be rough. The Magne-Traction 5S gives you a smoother ride and easier control of the board.
Radcut – The board’s sidecuts are designed to adjust to your ride, giving the boarder more fluid turns.
ABS – ABS technology guards your board’s core from accumulating moisture, thus giving you longer life.
Aramid – Aramid technology absorbs most vibration making your landings more cushioned.
7/10 Flex Rating – An ideal balance of structural strength and adaptability when freeriding.

Draw one slope closer to conquering the mountain with Rassignol’s quality mountain equipment.

The Carve Air is a small but exceptionally balanced snowboard. Its size doesn’t disqualify it from holding its own on the mountain sides or at that park. However, girls have got to have fun, too. For the ladies, the K2 Women's First Lite Snowboard is a superb choice for all-mountain snowboarding.

K2 Carveair with Ollie Bar

K2 Carve Air

Features

K2 Sports was founded in 1962 by Bill Kirschner. Although the company underwent changes, it wasn’t until 1994 that K2 Sports moved to a new factory and produced its line of snowboards. Since then, the company has made a place for itself in snowboarding.

The Carve Air is fast becoming a favorite among riders for its lightweight design yet notable suitability to many surfaces.

Here’s a preview of some of the Carve Air’s features.

Ollie Bar – Combined with the Precision Lifted Baseline, the CarveAir redefines edge control for the rider.
Volume Shift – Be the master of the curves. Volume Shift gives the ride an insane level of maneuverability.
Lifted – Lifted is a technology that raises the nose and tip for a smooth, uninterrupted ride.
Hybritech – With Hybritech, you can initiate all your turns just at the right time.

Upgrade your board catalog with K2’s full equipment line. Check them out on Amazon today.

Salomon’s The Villian is the true definition of a battle between good and evil. Battling the mountains does come at a cost, though. If you intend to get a board, but want to play it safe with your finances, you should consider the Salomon Pulse.

Salomon The Villain w/ Popster Booster

Salomon – Snowboards – L37570800147

Features

When the Salomon Group was started in 1947, it was a saw blade manufacturer. 50 years later, it had branched out into ski equipment and apparel. So impressive was the company that Adidas broke the bank for it. Currently, it is a subsidiary of Amer Sports, a group determined “to be one of the world leaders in sports and outdoor products...”

Salomon the Villian is a bold incorporation of art and speed to make this board a true work of art.

Here are some of the impressive features that make this Villain a true gem.

Aspen SLCT – With this, you can be sure your board will have a long lifespan.
Popster Booster Construction – Get the most out of your ride by getting maximum pop.
Sintered EG – You get the smoothest ride as you glide easily across surfaces.
Royal Rubber Pads – These rubber pads absorb the impact of your landing.
Edge Bevel – Get a maximum grip on your edges as you ride.
Medium Flex – To give you utmost comfort as you shred.

Soar over the slopes at an affordable rate with Salomon’s mountain sporting gear and accessories.

Get the Best Snowboard of 2018!

If you’re a snowboarder, your board is an extension of your lifestyle. The board you pick says more about you than you can ever say. The purpose of this review is to present to you the best, most highly rated boards on the market right now, and we hope we’ve helped you find the one that fits you best while helping you to remain safe. So go on, take on those slopes, and start carving your own snowboarding legend.

Our Top Choice

Jones Mountain Twin

Best Value

Burton Déjà vu Snowboard

Rossignol One Magtek

K2 Carve Air

The Villain