6 Best Freestyle Snowboards In 2020

How To Choose A Freestyle Snowboard – Buying Guide

As we’ve mentioned in the intro, park boards have a different design compared to regular alpine snowboards. This is the secret that allows you to play on the snow and execute all types of tricks. Take a look at what makes them different and learn how to recognize a good freestyle board.

Jibbing

Jibbing is a snowboarding term that means sliding a snowboard on different surfaces (for example boxes or handrails). It’s a big component of freestyle snowboarding and one of the most interesting things to do in the park. If you want to master jibbing snowboards, you need a board that will make the task easier.

When you jib snowboards, it’s the base of the board that does all the work. Unlike carving groomed slopes, the edges of the board aren’t active here. This is why you need a model that has the ability to jump on an obstacle and slide on it without losing balance. Many people who like jibbing choose boards that have a flat underfoot to give them a better slide.

Jump And Pop

A pop is a push that your board gives you when you jump. In relation, a good pop is required to get more airtime and perform tricks. It definitely makes using the freestyle board a lot more exciting. The best freestyle snowboards need to have a good push so you can perform different types of jumps.

Unfortunately, not all boards are equally able to perform jumps. This is one of the reasons that park snowboards have a softer to medium flex. Compared to firm boards that can even be too stiff, softer boards give you a better push and give you more control over the jump itself. If you like jumping around, it’s a big plus if the board has rocker ends – slightly lifted ends make it much easier to get off the ground.

Flex

As you probably know, a board’s flex shows you how much the board bends. As a rule, terrain park snowboards have a softer to medium flex. This type of flex allows you to practice tricks and your snowboarding technique. To begin with, a softer board makes it easier to do nose and tail presses. In addition, freestyle boards feel softer on landings when you jump, allowing you to retain your balance.

On the other hand, softer boards also have their downsides. They can be a bit slow downhill and don’t have the same stability at speed as firm boards. However, they are a much better choice for the park, because a firm board significantly reduces the number of tricks you can successfully do.

Shape

Most top freestyle snowboards have a twin shape, meaning that the left and right sides of the board are identical. This is important because it allows you to ride the board both regular and switch (where your non-dominant foot is forward). You’ll often be in this situation when jumping and making turns, so the board should feel the same either way.

A twin shape can either be a true twin or an asymmetrical twin. In a true twin, there are no differences between the sides or between the nose and the tail. An asymmetrical twin has the same sides, but there are slight differences between the nose and the tail, in order to make turning a little bit easier. Unlike freestyle boards, many all-mountain and powder boards have a directional shape (designed for riding one way).

Profile

The profile you choose when buying a board largely depends on your personal preferences. This being said, a typical freestyle snowboard is cambered or flat between the feet and rockered at the ends. A camber gives you better balance when landing and holds the edge when carving the snow. If you like jibbing, a flat middle section is the way to go.

On the other hand, some snowboarders like a full or hybrid rocker profile. This type is a good choice if you like jumping and sliding on rails. Bottom line, the best park snowboard is the one designed for your favorite tricks and this is up to you.

Length

Freestyle boards are generally shorter than alpine boards. This is a common pattern in both mens and womens freestyle snowboards. A shorter board gives you better maneuverability, making the board more playful and better at performing tricks. It’s also more convenient because a shorter board fits in a snowboard bag more easily. The downside is the decrease in speed when carving and going downhill.

Width

The width of the board has a huge impact on its overall performance. When compared to regular boards, the best freestyle snowboards have increased width. This is actually a good thing, as it improves the balance when jibbing. It also makes it easier for you to nail a tough landing.

On the other hand, they are less responsive than all-mountain snowboards and take a larger effort to go from edge to edge. Also, a board that is too wide can be very slow downhill, so be careful not to go overboard with the width.

Stability and Versatility

Because of their construction, park snowboards are less stable than all-mountain boards. Those who snowboard free style like it when the board feels alive, but this is achieved at the expense of downhill stability. Park boards often feel too soft, causing stability issues at higher speeds.

However, many of these boards are fairly stable in the park. Their design places the bindings and the stance exactly in the middle, allowing you to maintain balance when jumping. Still, if you want to do both downhill and park riding, you should go with a hybrid (an all mountain freestyle snowboard). These are usually camber-dominant with a medium flex, so they perform well in both settings.

FAQs

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If you want to bring some excitement to the snow this year, try a freestyle board. It’s fantastic for park riding, allowing you to conquer rails, boxes, and jumps without breaking a sweat. Park boards have a softer flex and a stronger pop, so it’s easier to perform the tricks that you always wanted to. Now that you know how to pick the best freestyle board, we’re sure that you’ll enjoy your time on the snow even more!