Have you ever heard of snowboard shapes and wondered which one would be the best for you? Whether you are a beginner or an experienced snowboarder, the perfect snowboard shape can make all the difference.
In this article we will cover everything related to snowboard shapes. In particular, their features, their adaptability to riding styles and skill levels, and their pros and cons.
What are the different snowboard shapes?
The main snowboard shapes are:
- Directional shape
- True twin shape
- Directional twin shape
- Tapered directional shape
- Asymmetrical twin
- Volume Shifted shape
Understanding the importance of snowboard shape
The shape of your snowboard can make a huge difference in your ride experience. There are many different snowboard shapes, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, making it important to understand what works best for you.
What makes one shape different from another is the combination of these elements in a different way:
- Size of the nose and tail
- Binding stance
- Flex
Each combination varies the following factors:
- Stability
- Versatility
- Flotation
- Ease of switch riding
- Maneuverability
Snowboard shapes
Now it is time to look at all the snowboard shapes in detail. Remember that many manufacturers offer variations of the standard shapes.
That is why in the guide we have used words such as always, and sometimes (and synonyms); so that we can give you an idea of the common features of each shape.
Directional Shape
Snowboards with a directional shape are built to be ridden in one direction, either goofy or regular.
Nose and tail width and length: this shape has a longer nose and a shorter tail, making it perfect for carving and high speed riding. Instead, the width of the two parts is the same.
Bindings stance: directional snowboards have the bindings set back toward the tail to increase stability and flotation.
Flex: this shape is often more flexible in the nose area to aid directional riding and promote flotation (Progressive flex).
Sidecut: progressive sidecut.
Camber: snowboards with this shape have always directional camber as well.
Styles and skill level for directional boards
Style: Directional snowboards are suitable for freeriding because they have high flotation, but also stability during turns. They can also be used for all mountain, but that depends a lot on the camber.
Skill level: Directional snowboards are not suitable for beginners because it forces directional driving, something a beginner has not often developed. For intermediates and experts, the choice of snowboard shape depends only on personal preference.
PROS:
- High flotation
- Ideal for carving and high speed riding
- Stability and control
CONS:
- Unsuitable for switch riding
- Not versatile
True Twin Shape
One popular snowboard shape is the True Twin Shape, which is symmetrical. With an identical nose and tail, this shape allows riders to land easily and ride switch, making it a great option for those who enjoy jumps, and park riding.
Nose and tail width and length: the nose and tail are always the same sizes.
Bindings stance: directional snowboards have centered stance, plus the waist width is always in the middle since the nose and tail have the same length.
Flex: the flex is always the same in the nose and tail (Continuous flex). This allows for a balanced snowboard, especially on jumps.
Sidecut: radial sidecut.
Camber: true twin snowboards can have a wide range of camber profiles.
Styles and skill level for directional boards
Style: True twin snowboards are perfect for freestyle and park riding because they are stable, especially when landing from jumps, but also because they make switch riding easier. In addition, with the right stance, they can be perfect for all-mountain.
Skill level: True twin snowboards are perfect for beginners. Take a look at our guide to find out all the features a beginner’s snowboard should have.
PROS:
- Stability
- Best for riding switch
- Balanced
CONS:
- Less flotation than other shapes
Directional Twin Shape
The Directional Twin Shape is one of the most versatile snowboard shapes on the market. It incorporates features from both the directional and true twin shapes. This makes the board great for both directional and switch riding.
Nose and tail width and length: the directional twin snowboards have a slightly longer nose than the tail, making it easier to ride in directional stance as well as in switch.
Bindings stance: the binding stance on these snowboards is usually set back from the nose.
Flex: directional twin snowboards often have a stiffer tail to promote flotation.
Sidecut: progressive sidecut.
Styles and skill level for directional boards
Style: Like all directional snowboards this shape is perfect for freeriding. This is because the smaller tail, lower flex in the nose and set back stance allow for excellent flotation and maneuverability.
The combination of the directional shape and True twin shape makes it also suitable for all-mountain.
Skill level: The directional twin shape is recommended for beginners, as it is very versatile and does not oblige directional riding.
PROS:
- Ideal for directional riding
- Good for riding switch
- Versatility
- Flotation
Tapered Directional Shape
The tapered shape, as the name implies is tapered. So the contact points in the nose (widest point) are wider than the contact points in the tail. This creates a directional shape that tapers from the nose to the tail.
Note: Do not confuse this shape with the directional one, as the directional one has nose and tail contact points of equal width.
Nose and tail width and length: Snowboards with a tapered shape have a much longer nose than tail.
Bindings stance: this shape has always has a setback stance. This allows for easier flotation and maneuverability.
Flex: snowboards with this shape are less stiff in the nose and stiffer in the tail. This allows for more flotation in powder snow, as the nose flexes more easily.
Sidecut: progressive sidecut.
Camber: tapered snowboards usually have directional camber.
Styles and skill level for directional boards
Style: Like all directional snowboards, this shape is perfect for freeriding. Indeed, its features allow for excellent flotation and maneuverability.
Skill level: This shape is built for directional riding, so it is not recommended for beginners.
PROS:
- Ideal for directional riding
- High flotation
- Maneuverability
CONS:
- Unsuitable for switch riding
Asymmetrical shape
As the name implies, snowboards with this shape are asymmetrical. The main factors that are made asymmetrical in boards of this type are:
- Sidecut
- Flex
- Contact points
The combination of these elements aims to overcome our body’s asymmetries so that we have a board that is perfect for us.
To find out everything you need read our guide about asymmetrical snowboards and how they work.
Volume Shifted shape
The volume shifted shape is one of the most distinctive. Its main characteristic is that it is very short but wide compared to other boards.
Nose and tail width and length: Snowboards with this shape are shorter than other shapes but much wider. This allows for excellent flotation and speed during turns. Another feature of this shape is that the tail has almost always a different shape than the tail.
Bindings stance: Volume Shifted snowboards always have a setback stance, which allows for more flotation in powder.
Sidecut: progressive sidecut.
Styles and skill level for directional boards
Style: This shape is built for freeriders. In fact, the high flotation, speed in turns, and changes of direction make it perfect for freeriding.
Skill level: This shape is not recommended for beginners.
PROS:
- High flotation
- Maneuverability
- Speed in turns
CONS:
- Unsuitable for switch riding
- Not versatile
Like every snowboard part, the shape affects the behavior of the board. After reading in detail everything there is to know about snowboard shapes, you can make a more informed decision and choose the right for you.
As always, we recommend that you try different shapes to find the one that best suits your body and riding style.
If you’re looking for help choosing the right shape for your needs, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us! Just shoot us an email at support@adventurerhub.com, or leave a comment at the bottom of this post.
What to do next…
Now that you know all the snowboard camber, there are other important things to know to take your riding to the next level:
- Best beginner snowboard picks.
- What is snowboard flex and how it works.
- What is snowboard waxing and why should I do it.
FAQs
What are the best snowboard shapes for beginners?
The best snowboard shapes for beginners are the true twin shape and the directional twin shape. This is because they are very versatile, stable, and easy to control even in a switch stance.
Does every snowboard shape have the same flex?
Snowboard shapes have different flex based on the style they are built for. For example, snowboards with a directional shape have a more flexible nose to provide more flotation.
Instead, snowboards with a true twin shape have an equal flex throughout the board, so they provide more stability.
