For each style of snowboarder, there is an ideal snowboard, the perfect tool to allow you to ride your best. Whether you like charging down groomers, playing in the terrain park or anything in between, there is a snowboard catered to that riding style. In our men’s snowboard buying guide, we’ve compiled a list of some of the latest and greatest snowboards to help you sift through the options and find that perfect snowboard. Before we get into our snowboard recommendations, let’s break down some need-to-know info when shopping for a new snowboard.
Snowboard Sizing
Getting the right snowboard size is imperative when shopping for snowboards. Snowboard length is loosely based on the weight of the rider; i.e. a 160-pound snowboarder will want a 154-162cm snowboard. However, the length of the board will also come down to preference. A longer snowboard will control better at high speeds, but be a little less maneuverable and agile than a shorter board.
The width of your snowboard is also important and depends on boot size. Snowboarders with longer feet will need a wider board so that their toes don’t hang too far off the edge and drag in the snow. On the flip side, you also don’t want a board that is too wide, as it will be very difficult to control. Use OnTheSnow’s snowboard sizing guide to find the right snowboard size.
Snowboard Styles
In-bounds snowboard styles can generally be broken down into the following categories: All-mountain, freeride, freestyle, and powder. The stiffness, shape, and rocker/camber of the boards are the factors that determine what style of riding each snowboard is best for.
All-mountain snowboards are the multi-tool of the snowboard world, designed to perform well in any terrain on any type of snowpack. If you like to ride everywhere on the mountain, from groomers to glades to park, all-mountain snowboards are for you. As such, all-mountain boards are a good starting place for the beginner and intermediate rider in particular.
Freeride snowboards are built for riders who spend most of their time off the groomed trails, charging hard through the sidecountry, backcountry, and varied terrain. More experienced and aggressive riders will usually desire freeride snowboards. They are typically on the stiffer side and ridden in longer sizes for better control at high speeds through choppy snow, and have a cambered profile for responsive carving.
Freestyle snowboards are usually built with a softer flex and ridden in smaller sizes, optimal for lapping the terrain park or bouncing through the trees. Freestyle snowboards generally have more rocker for more playfulness and are appealing for their maneuverability. Newer snowboarders may lean toward a freestyle snowboard as they are more forgiving and easier to control.
Powder snowboards are designed for surfing through deep snow. They tend to have a wide nose for maximum surface area which facilitates floatation, and the bindings are generally set further back on the board to keep that nose on top of the snow and to have the steering generated with your back foot. Much like freestyle snowboards, powder snowboards are built with rocker to be extra playful in the deep stuff.
Now that we’ve gone over the basics, let’s check out some of the best gear available this season.
Top Men’s Snowboards
Jones Mountain Twin (All-Mountain)
MSRP: $550
The Jones Mountain Twin all-mountain snowboard is where freestyle meets freeride. It’s a playful ripper for the park, yet a do-everything board for taking things outside the park. A CamRock profile and mid-stiff flex make it perfect for park features, while it’s easy to turn and maneuver in tight terrain. Completing the package are freestyle and freeriding inserts to change up your stance as conditions vary. As Jones writes on its website, “It’s built to shred the whole mountain like it’s an endless skatepark without sacrificing float in pow.” For an all-mountain snowboard that can do it all, and not break the bank, the Jones Mountain Twin is hard to beat.
Capita Mega Merc (All-Mountain)
MSRP: $900
“Behold,” declares Capita, “The consummate anytime, any-place, all-terrain, snow-slaying device: The Mega Merc.” The Mega Merc is a top-of-the-line all-mountain snowboard that can rip through everything. Its mid-level flex handles well at high speeds, while still being playful enough for bouncing off jibs and side hits. Capita’s Mega Merc has a positive camber underfoot for responsive carving, with a reverse camber at the tip and tail for surfing through powder. For the insatiable rider who loves tearing up any terrain, the Capita Mega Merc is the machine for you.
Burton Custom Camber (All-mountain)
MSRP: $670
One of the longest-running models in the Burton snowboard lineup is the Custom Camber, which originally debuted in 1996 and has undergone many updates since. It is without question one of the most popular and versatile boards from Burton. The camber underfoot allows for a strong grip on groomers and ice, while the slightly set-back stance makes the board a bit easier to turn. The Custom Camber is a medium-stiff model that is a true, well-rounded all-mountain board. The Burton Custom Camber has a classic directional shape with a twin flex that allows you to ride regular or switch. Powerful, precise, and poppy – this is a well-rounded all-mountain snowboard from Burton.
Ride Moderator (All-Mountain/Freeride)
MSRP: $600
Based on the same shape as the Ride Deep Fake, the new Ride Moderator is a lighter and more playful board built for all-mountain shredding. The Moderator is softer and snappier than its predecessor, and great for those looking for a lighter, all-mountain snowboard. The tapered, directional shape and camber underfoot help it maneuver through more technical terrain while still being able to pack a punch on a groomer. It’s not the stiffest board available, but its more forgiving feel makes it approachable to a wider range of riders. The turn radius is quicker and more lively and it has a smooth edge-to-edge feel.
Capita Aeronaut (All-Mountain/Freestyle)
MSRP: $650
The Capita Aeronaut is a directional board designed in collaboration with pro rider Arthur Longo. It boasts a traditional sidecut and progressive camber that makes it feel poppy and snappy but with a strong edge hold. The Aeronaut isn’t the stiffest snowboard on the market, yet it’s a great daily driver. Its medium flex makes it super versatile and able to handle any resort and any condition. “Designed to charge the resort and sidecountry hits like Arthur,” write the experts at Capita, “this series combines a lightweight and extremely durable Panda Hover Core™ with CarbonFlax ™ Amplifiers for tons of pop.” Upgraded for 2025 is a HyperDrive ™ ADV XT base for more solid high-speed performance. It’s the perfect board for those looking for something floaty, energetic, and effortless.
Jones Tweaker Pro Snowboard (Freestyle)
MSRP: $600
While Jones isn’t entirely known for their freestyle boards, the updated Tweaker Pro model should not be overlooked. Expert freestyle riders will appreciate the full camber profile that holds up well at high speeds and in variable snow conditions. This true twin board is ideal for people hanging out in the park or lapping tricky lines. A Koroyd wood core improves dampening and adds a slightly stiffer flex for that high-speed performance. Check out the regular Jone Tweaker Snowboard for something with just as much pop but a smidge less stiffness.
Never Summer Proto Slinger (All-mountain/Freestyle)
MSRP: $650
The Proto Slinger snowboard from Never Summer is a great choice for a freestyle board or for those looking for a fun, smooth ride. It has a soft flex for playfulness and forgiveness when throwing tricks in the park or offside hits. The Shockwave Rocker Camber makes this a flowy board, and the asymmetrical edge holds on hard carves. The Proto Slinger is not a one-trick pony, however. “Not only is this board the end-all-be-all of freestyle snowboards,” Never Summer boasts, “it also excels where a freestyle snowboard isn’t supposed to – everywhere else on the hill.” Intermediate and advanced riders alike will enjoy this board.
Bataleon Surfer (Powder)
MSRP: $1,000
It’s all in the name: Surfer. The updated Bataleon Surfer snowboard was designed for those who like to surf through deep powder. “Its wide, hull-like nose offers an unmatched lift for deep snow, slush and bumps,” write the board-smiths at Bataleon. This is a really soft-flex powder board that makes it easier to press and maneuver through powder. Despite being a powder hound, the Surfer still performs all over the mountain. The aggressive side-cut and deep swallow tail maximize edge grip over hardpack.
Lib Tech Golden Orca (Freestyle/Powder)
MSRP: $850
The Orca series is a known and loved series from Lib Tech. Enter the Golden Orca, a do-it-all, high-performance snowboard that loves finding stashes of powder. The medium-stiff flex and reverse camber profile help propel it as a versatile weapon that loves exploring off-trail. It feels at home in soft snow with a floaty nose and tail that feels poppy and powerful. The Lib Tech Golden Orca snowboard can crush a groomer but definitely shines more off-piste maneuvering through trees. This Lib Tech snowboard is built for a more advanced rider, while other Orca series boards are more tailored towards beginner and intermediate riders.
February 16, 2025
