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Just taking a guess, you’re reading this article because you want to know the best snowboard brands in 2024/25. I know, you’re wondering “how do they know that?”, you can call it a hunch. There’s big players, like Burton and Lib Tech, who are staples in the snowboarding world for good reason, but sometimes we can get curious whether we’re paying for performance, or we’re paying for brand name. Are these brands still worth buying today, or are the lesser-known names pushing innovation which should catch your attention? What are the best snowboard brands nowadays?
Here, we give you a breakdown of some of the bigger, and some of the lesser known, names in the snowboarding world. Looking into how the brand has become what it is today, and whether they are worth considering today.
Martin Rulsch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Burton
No list is complete without mentioning Burton, the OG of snowboarding. Founded in 1977 by Jake Burton, they have been one of the most influential brands in the sport since their first days. They basically built what we know as modern snowboarding, from board design, to the development of gear.
While they are known as being a pioneer in the sport of snowboarding, they are not just a tale of old. As they continually innovate the sport we love, they have also continued to offer a large range of versatility in their gear. For beginners, options like the Instigator or the Good Company exist, making your start in the sport less troublesome. For more seasoned vets, options such as the iconic Burton Custom or the Deep Thinker exist, giving you top of the line performance depending on your needs. If you are looking for new gear, make sure to check out Burton. The brand continues to live up to its name, providing innovative tech and reliability to all its riders.
Lib Tech
Lib Tech has been a reputable player in the game for quite some time. Sticking true to their roots, they are still manufactured in Washington, where they were founded in the early ‘90s. They have been known for their crazy designs, and their even crazier riders, with notable athletes like Travis Rice and Matt Cummins. While making great snowboards, they have also ventured into the world of surfboards, wakeboards, and snowboards. So if you are a fan of board sports in general, Lib Tech is a great company to check out.
With each board coming from Mervin Manufacturing, all the boards are built with eco-friendly materials, and with a zero hazardous waste process and power. For those of you looking to keep the mountains around longer, for all generations to shred, look no further than these eco friendly boards. Check out the Cold Brew or the Skate Banana if you are looking for a beginner board, and if you are looking for a more advanced board check out this Double Dip or Lost Rocket. Lib Tech is an awesome brand, one of our personal favorites, and delivers quality gear to their customers.
P.S. if you want to try out a Lib Tech before committing to purchasing one, check out our app to rent one, with no long term commitment, today. Click here to download.
Nathan Searles, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Arbor Snowboards
With a few of these companies, we mention sustainability being an important part of their business philosophy. But nobody has sustainability written in their DNA like Arbor. Founded in 1995, ever since their birth they have been looking for ways to reduce plastic use in their products, pioneering the use of wood veneer as their top sheet. Committed to not only reducing the use of plastic, but also improving our earth, they donate a portion of every sale to the restoration of Hawaii’s Koa Forests.
That being said, Arbor is not just some hippy movement company which makes low quality products. Arbor makes some of the best snowboarding gear in the world. With dedicated customers, and passionate sponsored athletes, the company has a satisfied following who not only appreciates the company’s ethics but pushes their products to the limits. Be sure to check out the Formula for an easier ride, and the GPS if you’re looking to get the most out of your abilities.
Jones Snowboards
Jones was founded in 2009 by mountain rider Jeremy Jones. After over 25 years of being immersed in the sport, he founded the brand Jones Snowboards. Along with the brand, he is also the founder of POW (Protect Our Winters) foundation, which gives you insight into why Jones is becoming an emerging name in the snowboarding world.
Jones believes in creating gear in a sustainable manner. Their snowboards last long, their gear can be used for many purposes, and they produce responsibly without sacrificing their performance. They have even gone as far as switching their snowboard production to 100% solar energy. Beginners can check out the Stratos, and more advanced riders can check out the Rally Cat, or you can take the quiz to find your perfect board.
Martin Rulsch, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
CAPiTA
If you are looking for a high quality board, there are few names that can compete with CAPiTA. Since its founding in 2000, the company has maintained a solid presence in the snowboard world. Known for their creative designs, and high performing gear, they keep customers coming back time after time. They are an American company with all of their boards being handcrafted in Austria, and while that may sound discouraging to someone looking for a made in the USA product, this location allows them to test and innovate their products to the max since they are surrounded by the alps. This has led to CAPiTA being a company with some of the most advanced gear since their inception.
They are known to be a brand that absolutely delivers on their promise of delivering highly performing boards. Beginners can check out the DOA, and more experienced riders can look at the aeronaut. Or, for better and more specific suggestions, fill out their board finder quiz to find the perfect board for you.
Salomon
For those who like to purchase from long-standing, prestigious brands, Salomon is the right choice. The company was founded in 1947 by Francois Solomon. He got his start by producing ski edges with his wife and son in a small workshop, and eventually became a premier choice for those looking for all sorts of snow related gear. While they are the only company on this list who did not get their start as a snowboarding focused brand, don’t let that fool you. Their quality matches the best in the industry.
Beginners can take a look at the Kickback or the Sleepwalker. Experienced riders can check out the Huck Knife or the Highpath. Their great quality does come at a price though, so for those looking for a more budget friendly option, this might not be the best option.
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Korua Shapes
Definitely the least recognized name on this list is Korua Shapes. Founded in 2014 by a group of riders from Europe, Korua has built a name for themselves by focusing on the art of the “turn”. Most other brands cater to the group of freestyling snowboarders, but they choose to focus on those who like to carve and make smooth turns. They might not be the most well-known company, but they are a beloved company for their devoted followers.
The brand is for “purists” of the sport. Focusing mostly on developing innovative board shapes for a better carving experience, they don’t even feature graphics on their boards. Each year, the boards feature a white top and a red bottom, or an all-black board, moving away from the idea that you must purchase a new board each year based on graphic updates. This brand might not be for a beginner looking for a versatile board to find their riding style, but if you are an experienced rider who likes carving and “surfing” in the snow, you need to check out this company. Check out their snowboards page to see all their different offerings.
Additional Brands to Check Out:
Want to try out a few boards before you buy?
We know that the price of entry for snowboarding gear can be intimidating. Whether you are a beginner trying to see if you want to even get started in the sport, or you are a seasoned vet who can’t decide which board to buy, don’t leave your decision up to reviews from people you don’t know. Before you buy, download our app to try any board or gear you are considering. And if you have any extra gear lying around the house unused, why not list your items and make some extra cash for your next purchase?
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