Snowboard Camber Explained
bengal
- October 21 2009
- 3,735 views
- 22 comments
In just three years,
our Gear Guide has gone from having zero to now 170 different boards that feature some sort of alternative camber design. The reason? Different bottom contours and board shapes react differently to riding styles and terrain—they’re something new and different. But really, their sweeping popularity can be attributed to one thing: it can make snowboarding easier. Powder float, butters, and jib mobility are achieved with less effort while the chances of catching your edge is minimized. However, precision, snap, and reactivity may feel compromised in the wake of some designs and their overall forgiveness. So before you jump on the bandwagon, ask yourself what you want from your new ride—consult this brief breakdown of current camber options—and remember, the best way to cut through the chaos is to demo the boards you like (or rely on the proven Good Wood results). All this rhetoric can be explained in just a few runs.
Traditional Camber
To better clarify the camber distinctions of today’s boards, it’s crucial to first understand traditional camber. Before reverse camber mania struck, boards only had traditional camber—a mellow convex rise from the contact points of the tip and tail inward with an apex at the midpoint. A rider’s edge hold and pop derive from the pressure exerted and expelled when camber is flexed under a rider’s weight. This downward pressure—the flattening of camber-initiates lively turns and provides continuous edge contact with the snow. Alternative cambered boards produce differing amounts of edge contact and pressure on the snow depending on the model/technology, which changes how a board turns, snaps, and feels underfoot. Now that you know what’s up when it comes to camber, read on.
Rocker And Reverse Camber
Rocker is a subtle concave or arcing profile that curves upward. Essentially it’s the opposite of camber. Many boards contain multiple arcs rather than a single, smooth arc—every model is a bit different—rocker is built into multiple zones and in varying degrees and all placed in critical areas of the board for an enhanced ride. Picture a mildly kinked U or V shape when the board is laid on a flat surface. Keep in mind, each brand is trying to make their technology distinct, hence the camber party. Boards featuring rocker from the bindings outward to the tips are also labeled as having flat-kick or skate-style kicks (tips)—the nose and tail being more elongated and elevated (e.g., Salomon’s RLNK—Ridiculously Long Nose Kick), allowing more float and a looser ride. Rocker and reverse camber boards are sick for powder float, presses, and a forgiving ride. The design essentially reduces pressure at the contact points by bringing it inward and closer to your feet. Forum’s Chilly Dog, Mervin’s Banana, and Ride’s Low Rize all represent examples of reverse camber technologies.
Flat Camber
Like the name says, this design is devoid of camber. A board with flat or zero camber will lay flush atop a level surface and distribute pressure on snow in a neutral fashion. Some brands claim this creates a “loose” and “catch-free” ride similar to reverse camber while remaining relatively more stable and predictable. These boards can also feel more broken in, requiring less ollie force to get it in the air compared to a traditional board. Flat camber exhibits traits from both sides of the camber spectrum with an overall balanced feel. K2’s Flatline Technology in the Slayblade board and Capita’s Flat Kick Technology in the Horrorscope FK board (both 2010 Good Wood winners!) are examples of this design.
Cambered Medley
This is the catchall category where the majority of reverse camber design is situated. A whole slew of boards employ some combination of camber, reverse camber/rocker, zero/flat camber throughout the length of the board. Such blends utilize the best qualities of each design and implement them to create a more encompassing and versatile ride or to excel in a specific style of riding. Lib Tech’s C2 Banana Technology, Burton’s Flying V-Rocker, and Rome’s S-Camber are all prime examples of what happens when the camber array is melded. A powder-specific reverse camber may have a boat hull shape, while a jib rocker design might have a super soft reverse camber for accentuating presses, or a mix of all the above might make for a board that excels in all conditions.
Illustrations by John Antoski
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October 21st, 2009 at 9:53 pm
traditional camber FTW
October 21st, 2009 at 10:36 pm
Mervin's Banana For The Win!!!!!!!!
October 21st, 2009 at 10:38 pm
hehe
October 21st, 2009 at 10:38 pm
probably haven't rode a board with camber yet
October 21st, 2009 at 10:46 pm
yes that is the best
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:39 am
traditonal
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:57 am
burton p rocker is the way
October 22nd, 2009 at 5:46 am
SNOWBOARDING FTW
who gives a Sh#T what shape boards are, just ride and enjoy………….
i love all my RC, FK, and rest of my traditional camber boards…
October 22nd, 2009 at 6:47 am
You would think most people especially those who write these articles know about TBT by now. But then you read another one of these….
You know there is another way to bend your board then just lengthwise / tip to tail. Bataleon's Triple Base Tech bends rail to rail while keeping camber. We know its hard to make a drawing of that with just a side view but that is not a good reason not to mention it in this article
ah well. more here on that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmAK2eyOP-E
I will stop whining now…
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:57 am
Nice article.. They however forgot option 3!! Bataleon’s Triple Base Technology. In my humble opinion the perfect mix between reverse and traditional camber!
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:07 pm
I agree, Bataleon started that whole camber shit way back, where will these "innovations" end? Consumers market tho, snowboarding being 98% consumer whether its camber on boards or the cut of you're pants…… Im old and have only ridden traditional camber, im not to fussed about tryin the new stuff, as long as i can just roll around and have fun-snowboarding, right?
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Yea man Bataleon's base keeps it a smooth transition from rail to rail and keeps those edges up enough to keep some of those hideous edge catches/hang-ups at bay. That totally flat camber made me laugh, fuck if u ride a board hard for a while it will end up like that anyway, push it a few more seasons and leave it in the sun it may go reversed! Money saver!
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Forgot to say, ive never worn tight pants either, it's all about letting ure bollocks swing free-right!?
October 22nd, 2009 at 2:41 pm
Rocker is good for pow thats it really. Rocker on hardpack is not as good as camber because camber acts like a shock in those flat landings. My heels were sore from one day of minishred flat landings on the rocker board. Also the rocker board spins off the lip very well but washes out or reverts in the landing. So them back 540 s easily revert into 720s .
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:35 pm
Bataleon DID NOT start the "camber shit" A lame company named Inca did about 12 years ago. I can't wait for baseless bindings to come back….so everyone will think that its a "new innovative technology"
October 22nd, 2009 at 4:41 pm
also don't forget about the 4 edged snowboard from Hobie snowboards…maybe someone should combine 4-edges technology with reverse camber…HAHAHAHAAA!….Reverse camber is a fad and will disappear in 3 years.
October 22nd, 2009 at 7:42 pm
burton est is kinda that deal.
October 22nd, 2009 at 11:59 pm
the burton dominant slick has double edges too
October 23rd, 2009 at 1:59 am
flat
October 23rd, 2009 at 3:00 am
I personally think that burton has the highest quality rocker boards. The only problem is the sacrifice of graphics from model and size, I FUCKING need the 2010 Eaay livin Flying V! But the fucking largest size they make is a 155. And that is the only board that i am will so switch to rocker technology from my Uninc.
EST bindings the best no question.
October 23rd, 2009 at 4:00 am
heck yeah so much fun to ride
November 13th, 2009 at 1:37 am
rocker is for begginers, camber all day baby never summer camber+rocker is decent.