Comments on: Snowboard Review: 11-12 Arbor Draft

By: C-Mo

C-Mo — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 21:10:11 +0000

What would be a good board for the big jumps and more stable at high speeds but still have that nice soft flex like the draft. I really like how it is for the park, sounds like I couldn’t go wrong with the draft there. But does the draft handle mammoth runs well from the gondola all the way through the park well? Also I was stuck on what size, I was debating on getting the 150 just to be able to throw it around a bit easier or is that not smart since its already so soft and should I get the 153? I have a size ten boot and I’m 511 165. Any recommendations?

By: Shay

Shay — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 18:47:32 +0000

In reply to C-Mo. The Cadence is the women's version of the Draft. So it's going to be narrower and softer than the men's Draft board. It's a park board so it'll be soft, not as stable on big jumps. For bindings, depends on your preferences, boot size and style.

By: C-Mo

C-Mo — Sun, 19 Aug 2012 02:48:23 +0000

Hey so it sounds like the Arbor Draft is the way to go for a park board no doubt. However I checked out the 152 Cadence and that board seemed almost as soft as the draft. What are the main differences between those two boards? Would the Cadence have more stability through the big jumps and hold up better for powder riding? I mostly ride at Bear and Mammoth about two or three trips where I ride consecutive days, so there’s not much powder riding for me but what board would you say is better? Also which binding is the lightest and best park binding?

By: Shay

Shay — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:56:03 +0000

Trevor, congrats on your new board, so out and ride it! You are the best judge of what boards you like.

By: trevor

trevor — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 07:12:17 +0000

hey so the arbor draft is not that good for speed and hard with carving because i just bought the draft black/red and i love it for park freestyle just wanted to know how it held up every ware else

By: 2011-2012 Snowboard Review – Shayboarder.com

2011-2012 Snowboard Review – Shayboarder.com — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:41:01 +0000

[…] 11-12 Arbor Draft […]

By: Shay

Shay — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 07:28:07 +0000

Madeenz. Thanks! I haven’t ridden the artifact rocker so can’t give you any comparision/idea on that board. Draft and horrorscope are soft boards, I’ve ridden the draft on jumps and seen it ridden on the bigger jumps…but it’s still a softer freestyle board. Horrorscope is the same. If you want more of a jump board, then maybe the artifact or something a bit stiffer.

For bindings, 390 bosses were a favorite this year, Rk30’s are always a comfortable binding. I’d see which one you like better and which one fits your boot better. Contact Pro’s I haven’t tried yet.

By: Medeenz

Medeenz — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 19:04:21 +0000

Shay,

Thanks for the reviews and keep doing what you’re doing. It helps to get your opinion for the gear year after year.

I was wondering what you would choose, 2012 draft vs horrorscope vs artifact rocker. Right now I’m thinking Artifact bc I heard that it is a little better for jumps than the other 2. What do you think?

Also I’m stuck between 2012 390 bosses vs Contact Pro vs RK30. What would you choose for a park rat that rides at bear mountain?

Thanks!

By: Shay

Shay — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 23:09:18 +0000

Kat,

Definitely had a discussion on the Flight. The Flight is based off of the Cadence which means the flight has the same true rocker parabolic arc, same full wood topsheet and FSC Certified Poplar Core, same 2×4 14-Pack Inserts, Recycled Steel Edges and all the same System set of technologies that are available in the Cadence. However there are differences, most notably is the cadence comes with a sintered base and the flight’s extruded, the cadence has a deep shadow flex in the core and the flight has a medium (the shadow is a thinning of the core profile between the bindings). So the flight is going to be a touch stiffer than the cadence and more suited to all mountain performance. The graphics are a result of the REI/Arbor art contest from last year.

Here’s the review where we discussed the flight in the comments.

http://www.shayboarder.com/2010/05/snowboard-review-10-11-arbor-cadence.html

By: Kat

Kat — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:38:41 +0000

Hi Shay,
I love your site and stlye of reviewing! I was wondering if you knew anything about the Arbor Flight? It is a special collaboaration board with REI and is only available through REI’s website. I love the graphics and the price, and the specs sound good, but I am having a really hard time finding actual rider reviews. I currently ride the 09-10 Arbor Push 152 and I love it for steeps and powder but I am looking for a shorter, softer, rockerd board for a little more playful park action. Any insight would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks