Choosing The Right Board

Finding the right snowboard shape is not always straightforward. Height, weight, boot size, riding style, experience, and terrain choice all influence how a board feels once it is on snow.

SHAPES

All of our snowboards are designed to carve on hardpack, while floating effortlessly in deep snow. Within that shared foundation, small differences in outline, width, sidecut, and profile affect how the board feels. Generally, all of our shapes have a wider width when compared to most other traditional snowboards. This allows the rider to experience a unique turning sensation without boot drag (which is when your toe or heel hangs over the edge of the snowboard, and drags in the snow while it's on edge).

For an overview of all of our shapes, we recommend that you watch our tech talk video below, where Nicholas Wolken walks through the full KORUA Shapes lineup, explaining what each board is designed for and the kind of riding it is best suited to. If you'd like more specific information on each shape, checkout all of our Product Overview videos.

SIZING

A common misconception is that riders should size down when riding our boards. However, at KORUA, we recommend newer boarders to ride our boards true to size, and intermediate/advanced riders can size up by 2-10 cm depending on the shape, your riding style, and preference. With the exception of some shapes – the Otto, Transition Finder, and Dart which ride more true to size. Board length plays an important role in how a shape flexes, floats, and carries speed, and reducing length too much can change the intended feel of the board. 

For additional guidance, we suggest visiting our size guide page, sending an email to info@koruashapes.com, or sending us a message on Instagram.

PLUS vs CLASSIC

A number of our shapes come in the tried and proven Classic version, as well as the premium Plus construction. While the shape outline and specs remain the same, the materials used differ which offers a very different riding experience. Generally speaking, the Plus boards are lighter and more responsive/reactive, while the classic are more dampened. The Plus boards are also torsionally stiffer due to the hybrid carbon fiber and blended paulownia and poplar wood core. Where the Classic shapes are a bit more forgiving. Tip to tail to the Classic and Plus boards have similar flex, with the exception of the Bullet Train Plus and the Cafe Racer Plus which have a layer of Titinal in them. This aluminum alloy sheet absorbs high speed vibrations, increases edge hold, and provides extreme stability while carving on hardpack.

QUIVERS

Across our offering, you will notice that the graphics remain consistent over time. Rather than updating graphics each season, we focus on gradual refinements to our shapes and construction, guided by ongoing feedback, in order to provide the best riding experience possible. This approach allows riders to build a quiver of shapes over time without any board feeling outdated. Considering this, we recommend choosing a shape that feels comfortable for your riding experience and style, and building a quiver from there! If you are looking for a great all around board for all conditions, we recommend starting with the Pencil or the Transition Finder.