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The Good Ride Take

The Salomon Mans Board Review by The Good Ride

Board 159
Boots- Burton SLX and DC Status  

Bindings- Burton Diode and Union Force SL

Riders- 5'10" 195lbs size 9 shoe, 5'11" 175lbs size 8.5 shoe

 

There are many hybrid camber boards out there but the Salomon Mans board is unique.  It lives on the side of the mostly camber hybrid camber but has more rocker in it than some. It's a pretty cool design for those that love camber and want a little more float in powder than a traditional board can provide.   For us the 159 rode bigger than it's size but both of us have smaller feet so that is expected. If you are more in the Size 10 to 11 range the 159-165 size Mans Board might be a great call.

 

A quick look at the 2012 Salomon Mans Board

   

 

Groomers/Turn Initiation/Carving- The Man's Board is a very fun groomer board. It was one of our favorites here when it came to this.  It had that camber feel that is so awesome on groomed runs. In chewed up and slightly rutted sections that require you to slow down and make good turns the Man's board did better than we thought.  It didn't get as cranky as the Salomon Official and create that reverse chatter at lower speeds in bad conditions. We liked laying into a carve and the Making quick tight turns took a little work but it was still very responsive for a board this aggressive. We had more fun picking up speed and making bigger turns than playing around but that is what men do right? 

 

Powder- While the Man's board feels like a camber board when it's not dumping it has a unique feel in powder.  The big nose/tail and little bit of rocker after the binding section makes the Man's Board more than a camber board when it gets deep.  It has a good float in powder that isn't effortless but it's much better than a camber board of the same shape.

 

Speed- The Man's board is closer to the border between good and excellent but it's a fast board.  We had no problem at any speed and like most high end Salomon Boards the Mans Board is happier at high speeds.

 

Weight- We didnt really notice it as super light or heavy on the chair lift so it's nothing to talk about but it's also not a tank either.

 

Edge Hold- The edge hold is good but there isn't that limitless feeling of grip like you get with some boards.

 

Flex- The medium to stiff flex is no butter board. 

 

Switch- The Man's Board has a good feeling switch and we had difficulty noticing the difference between regular and switch.

 

Rails/Jibbing- The rails and jibbing world is not that open to the Man's Board.  It's a pretty stiff board so we wouldn't go there.

 

Pipe- If you like a stiffer board in the pipe the Man's Board will do a great job here. It has enough edge hold to get up and down an icy pipe wall without too much sketchyness.  The little bit of rocker in the nose/tail also helps make the mans board a little more forgiving than an all camber board of the same shape.

 

Jumps- Again this is a stiff board but it has a lot of pop and can spring up pretty easy. If you like going big in the park the Man's board will help you do that.  Even though this is hybrid camber it requires a technical approach like you are riding a camber board.  If you are ok with that you will like the way the Man's Board hits big kickers.

 

So in conclusion this isn't a man's board in the way a small guy buy's a big truck to comphensate.  It just is a good aggressive hybrid camber board that will appeal to a relatively small but very loyal group of riders.

 

The Good Ride Take on Hybrid Camber
For the most part there are two types of hybrid camber that we see out there these days.
1. Mostly Rocker Hybrid Camber
This type of ride, like many boards, has camber and rocker but unlike other rockered boards the center has a mini camber. This is usually 1-3mm high, sits only between the bindings and then curves up right after. From a distance this board looks like a rocker board but when you look closer you see the little camber between the feet. This is not as loose as hybrid rocker but it’s very close. It is very stable between the feet and easy to one foot or flat base in any condition out there. Mostly Rocker Hybrid Camber is very versatile. You will see this design on anything from Freestyle to Freeride style snowboards. This will work well with all ability levels and riding styles.

2 Mostly Camber Hybrid Camber
There are all types of designs but this type usually looks like a Camber board and rides much closer to an old school Camber board.  ONe thing you will notice is usually when you step on the board the tip and tail rise up a lot more than a normal camber board will.  Some are mostly camber and others have a bit more rocker but you will always notice they have camber.  This allows for a stable, fast carve friendly feeling you get with camber but also makes it more catch free and floaty in powder.  This doesn't float effortlessly like hybrid rocker, mostly rocker hybrid camber or flat to rocker but it does better than camber.  You will mainly see this on aggressive freestyle to all mountain to freeride style snowboards.

 

The Good Ride Take on Salomon

Boards
Salomon is small compared to some companies but they have the complete line up and a very strong following.  You will either love or hate a Salomon board.  Salomon makes a very fast and damp all mountain to freeride board that seems to feel best at high speeds.  It is really scary how fast it is.  They have also made a solid effort to make some pretty good park boards as well and won some Good Wood Award's in the park and pipe.  If you are looking for something a bit off the beaten path Salomon might work for you. 
Boots
It is almost undisputed amongst most knowledgeable riders that Salomon has some of the best boots out there.  They have spent a lot of time making a boot that fits well and that won’t pack out much.  Even though there is a semi-traditional lacing system it still has a speed lace tightening system and it can lock at each rung on the upper part of the boot.  Some complain that the Salomon boot runs a bit narrow so if you have wide feet think twice.  Also others complain that it can take longer than some boots to make them comfortable for your feet. 
Bindings
Salomon’s bindings are not as popular as their boards and boots but still do a good job competing with the other big name brands. They are reliable and well made and have a more traditional old school feel compared to the leading companies.  That being said the turn initiation and general feeling is good so these could work for you.

 

Company Information

Salomon Mans Board 2012

Man's Board

 

Brewed With Tradition & Common Sense

The pop of bamboo and the bomb-proof strength of basalt; The Man's Board with ABC Green Roll Construction is a backcountry bully, with the biggest balls in the room. A quick-turning shape, perfectly balanced with Cross profile for stable response and rock solid landing and take-off tracking. Step back, step up, or step aside, and let Bode and Taka show you how it's done. FEATURED ARTIST: DAVE BANKS Dave worships Batman, almost never wakes up before 2pm (except to go snowboarding) and lives on a strict diet of pizza, Cheetos, chocolate milk and beer.

 

 

Specs

Salomon Mans Board 2012 Specs

Board Size	Contact Length	Effective Edge	Max Stance	Waist Width	Tail Length	Nose Length	Set Back	Sidecut Radius
( cm )	( mm )	( mm / cm )	( mm )	( mm )	( mm )	( mm )	( mm )	( mm )
153	1035	1155	606 (23.9)	249	240	250	10	7.8
156	1060	1185	621 (21.4)	252	245	255	10	7.8
159	1080	1210	636 (24.9)	256	250	260	10	8.1
162	1120	1250	646 (25.4)	258	250	260	10	8.6
165	1150	1280	656 (25.8)	261	250	260	10	9.3

 

Pictures

Salomon Mans Board 2012

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