2011-2012 Boards Boards Reviews

Snowboard Review: 11-12 Flow Era

Location: Mammoth, CA

Snow Conditions: Hardpacked groomers to softer slushy runs.

Setup: I rode the Flow Era with my Union Team and Flow NXT-AT bindings and Vans Veil Boots size 8.

Size: 155cm.

First Impression: Easy does it, that’s the Era just relax and enjoy the ride

Weight: average

Flex: I felt that the Era was a softer flexing park board from Flow, softer flexing torsionally between the bindings with a stiffer flex from the bindings to the nose/tail.  Overall on the softer side.  Flow describes is as a 2.5 from 1-5 on the flex scale, I felt like it was more of a 2 personally.  The Era features I-Rock reverse camber which is combined with a convex base, camber starting before the binding area.

Turning: The Era was incredibly easy to engage into turns and the I-rock helped make turn initation super comfortable.  Once in a carve, you could turn it more aggressively but for the most part an all around easy to ride board.  I never felt the edging wasn’t in control and it felt fine on long and short radius turns but the shorter radius were smoother on the board.

Stable: When spring conditions come out, the bumps and slop are part of the riding day.  The Era rode like a looser soft board over the chop, it didn’t absorb but got bounced around more often.  On the hardpacked mornings, it was fine on the groomers.  But for speeds, the softer flex didn’t make it as stable for handling.

Pop: Definitely a softer playful board with decent pop on it.  Very playful and easy to butter/press.  It is definitely suitable for park laps.

Switch: The era is a true twin and felt the same riding switch as it did regular.

Overall Impression: The Era is the softer park stick from Flow that’s a very easy to ride, forgiving board.  It would be a good board for someone just learning to snowboard or those wanting to switch into park riding.

Shay’s Honesty Box: I ended up riding the Era a good amount which is a good thing, rode it with two bindings and got a good amount of time on it.  For the spring park laps, the board was a good fit and just all around easy riding.

Ready to buy? Head over to evo for the Flow Era or shop their full line of Flow Snowboards

On Snow Photo

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Flow Era description

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Review Disclosure: Flow is loaning me this snowboard to demo/review.  I have every intention of returning it to Flow Snowboards after reviewing it.

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