Thu, 01/14/2010 - 3:08pmEverything you needed to know about buying a snowboard: shape

Check out the main different types of shape on snowboards and why they make a difference to your ride

True Twin

Totally symmetrical as viewed from above. A characteristic of jib and freestyle boards, so that they can be easily ridden switch.
 

Directional Twin

Slightly longer in the nose compared to a true twin and with a different shape up front too. This pattern is probably the most common out there. The different shaped nose helps with any powder riding and controlling the deck at speed on piste, as does the slightly set back bindings. The design still allows enough tail for switch riding.
 

Directional

Totally asymmetric. A big long nose that is usually wider than the tail, with binding set way back towards the tail. Geared for floating in the powder, riding switch is not particularly practical. 
 

But there's more to it that that, check out sidecut

Radial Sidecut

The simplest type that produces the most predictable type of performance. Imagine the arc of a massive circle cutting into the edge. The shorter the radius of that circle, the snappier a board will be on the turn in. A larger radius will create a smooth, slow turning board that will perform better at higher speeds.

Progressive sidecut

This where the radius of the sidecut arc changes along the length of the board. This allows designers to manipulate the turning properties of the deck. A mellow sidecut at the nose-end gradually becoming more severe towards the tail makes for a stick that will turn-in easily whilst allowing you to power out at the end. Typically used in the more freeride directionally shaped boards.

Multi Radius Sidecut

Similar to the idea of progressive radius in that it uses different radii along the length. Essentially, it means board designers can alter board performance at different points of a turn. For instance short radii at the tip and tail will make for a board that will snap into and out of turns. Add that to a smoother mid-section radius and you should have a board that is more stable at speed, yet still quite aggressive in the turn.

Pintail

Narrower in the tail than the nose section. Used in freeride powder boards. The wider nose section creates float in the soft stuff, the tail sinks to reduce back leg burn, by allowing for more even weight distribution.

Swallowtail

Only found on true powder boards. The idea is that the split tail causes the back of the board to sink slightly into the powder and so reducing the amount of back leg burn, by allowing you to apply equal pressure to both feet. On top of this the increased effective edge in contact with the snow at the tail allows for a smooth, surfboard kind of feel, bra.

Back to Document's Gear Finder

Related stories:

Snowboards

• An intro to buying a snowboard
• Jib snowboards
• Freestyle snowboards
• All mountain snowboards
• Freeride snowboards
• Backcountry snowboards
• The shape
• The topsheet
• The base
• The sidewall

Boots

• Buying a set of boots

Bindings

• Buying bindings

Back to Document’s Gear Finder