Differences Between Free Ride & Free Style Snowboards

As with many sports and recreational activities, equipment develops in a number of directions as the sport branches out into different areas. Snowboarding is no exception to this rule. Add to this the inevitable development and progression of manufacturing techniques, and the availability of new materials, and soon enough there is a plethora of different products for the newcomer to choose from. It's all a matter of understanding what tool is best for the job.

  1. Purpose

    • Freeride boards are geared toward being "All-rounders." They're designed to be versatile and user-friendly. As a result, they're popular with new riders and account for around half of the total snowboards sold. Freestyle boards are more focused toward air and tricks, so their design includes elements that strengthen them in those areas, though these elements can make the board less usable for high-speed carving.

    Construction

    • Both types of snowboards are constructed of a number of different materials- -- epoxy, resin, fiberglass and wood, layered together like a sandwich. While the exact order and number of the layers vary by manufacturer. Freeride boards are generally stiffer than their Freestyle counterparts. Freestyle boards tend to have more flexibility for absorbing landing impacts and preserving momentum up curved ramp transitions.

    Thickness

    • Freestyle boards are thinner than Freeride ones, the benefits of this are debated by snowboarders. Some say that the extra thickness of a Freeride board provides extra stability and offers a more predictable ride. Others say the added lightness and flexibility of a thinner Freestyle board allows for easier turning and error correction.

    Shape

    • Freeride boards have an asymmetrical shape and are specifically intended to be ridden in one direction. The tail is shorter and fatter than the nose, and the rider's weight is positioned over the back foot. Freestyle boards come in a variety of shapes, but are commonly symmetrical with the rider positioned directly over the center, allowing for easily moving between regular and switch stances.