Onboard Snowboarding » product of the week | Onboard Snowboarding

Product of the Week: Skullcandy Navigator

Youri Barneoud — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 14:17:39 +0000

Danny Kass rocking the new Skullcandy Navigator.

This month, Skullcandy is officially launching the new Navigator headphones. The Navigators are a smaller take on last year’s well-received Roc Nation (Jay Z’s label) Aviators and a truly perfect balance of performance and style. So let’s take a closer look at this bad boy.

Yes, spring is officially here and most of us are already switching to summer mode. This, added to the recent launch of Skullcandy’s brand new baby, made it obvious that the Navigator is the new ‘Product of the Week’. But first of all, let’s speak about Skullcandy, for those who’d still have their products to discover – you never know…

Founded in 2003 by Rick Alden in Park City, Skullcandy has been pushing the boundaries of how we listen to music on the go, and especially on a board, whether it’s on concrete or snow. Now the company is registered on the Nasdaq, the most dynamic stock market in the world. This fact only, make Skullcandy a brand part from the rest, being at the crossing of two industries that are close to our (and your) heart: action sports and music.

Kazu Kokubo, also part of the Skullcandy snow team.

Ok, that being said, let’s take a closer look on the product itself. These days we use headphones so ubiquitously that they can be as much of a style statement as the trainer brand you are loyal to – and the Navigators are here to earn your headspace. The highly researched ergonomic design means that, put simply, they are designed to be put on, and to stay on. You don’t even have to take them off to take a phone call, as the Navigators have that all-important built in Mic3 technology, allowing you to change volume, talk to your friends and pause tracks at the touch of a button.

The Navigator in white.

Like all new Skullcandy headphones, they are designed with the company signature’s ‘Supreme Sound’ – created by Skullcandy’s very own Golden Ear, Director of Electrical & Acoustical Engineering, Dr. Tetsuro Oishi – attacking bass, diamond clear vocals and crisp high ends are integral to the Navigators. They have been designed to sound great across all genres, so whether you want to listen to bass driven dubstep, heavy rock or uplifting folk, they have it covered.

The Navigators hold so much bespoke technology inside them that it seems impossible that it could all fit into such a compact size – barely the size of a pair of sunglasses when folded. The highlight being the finely tuned 40 mm REX40™ driver, custom designed by Skullcandy to deliver extremely smooth sound with near-zero distortion.

The 40 mm REX40™ driver, custom designed by Skullcandy.

To be complete on the subject, check the presentation video that Skullcandy posted to launch the Navigator.

In short, the Navigator have it all – comfort, modern dynamic style and awesome sound. Trust them to steer your course, whether you’re trotting the globe or just on your way to work and want some great headphones to listen to your tunes on. Quality audio performance, with distortion-free deep bass response at high volumes. Cool design emulates Aviator sunglasses, includes inline microphone and remote for phone calls and controlling playback. The detachable cable is also something to notice, and make it, for less than 100€, one of most stylish piece of gear you could rock this summer.

On top of these product specifications, you can also go further and find out more on the Navigator facebook app.

Also visit skullcandy.com, or join facebook.com/skullcandy or on Twitter @skullcandy.

Finally, check this tag to see our recent Product of the Week reviews.

Product Of The Week: Forum Shaka binding

Youri Barneoud — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:55:11 +0000

The Forum Shaka binding.

Seeing as they’ll shortly be closing their factory doors for ever, we thought it would be good to present this week a product that has been one of the best evolutions lately in the Forum product range. RIP Forum… and perhaps worth noting that the customer service and warranty will still work for the next year.

The Shaka binding was a huge hit straight as it came out, thanks to it bendability and adaptability. With its disk in two parts and the flexible base – tech composite mix of 30% glass fibers and high-grade nylon, the binding bend under your feet to the flex of your board, and it make a very good natural flex feel on any terrain, on any turn or landing you can make. This is what make the Shaka binding stand out from the rest especially: the continuous flex feel of your board. But the rest of the features are pretty top level too: the customizable freestyle strap allows maximum freedom and provides adjustable increased medial/lateral support so you can decide how you feel your strap’s vibes. Using the tool-free adjustment, remove the straps and put the right on the left and vice versa. As the toe strap is design to fully cover the tip of your boot in order to maximize the support and response.

A tech composite mix of 30% glass fibers and high-grade nylon allows for maximum power transfer while still providing underfoot feel and dampening.

The clever Shaka disk that comes in two parts.

The Simmer Down foot pad and adjustable spoiler.

On top of this, you get all the customization possible: adjustable baseplate,forward lean, spoiler and heel hoop. Connectivity between your binding and your board has never been so high, this is the ‘good vibes’ feeling Forum is talking about in their product presentation. But after trying it, it really does work! And this is why it’s our Product Of The Week!

Overall flex range: 4. Oh, and if you don’t like orange, the Forum Shaka also comes in black and in white. Get one pair while you still can!

See the Shaka binding and it’s video here. And don’t miss the über tech Honeypot technology informative clip by Pat Moore. Unless you prefer the Good Vibes feeling explained by Nic Sauve and his pretty toit friend.

Product of the Week: Volcom Ekin jacket

Youri Barneoud — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 15:53:35 +0000

The Volcom Ekin jacket for the flash lovers.

Since 1991, Volcom has been producing top quality gear for all the snowboarders out there, keeping the same moto – ‘Youth Against Establishment’ and the same cutting edge approach to tailor all its garments. In other words, a strong image, backed with super tech products.

As a new proof of this heritage, Volcom has presented this winter the Ekin jacket. The men’s Ekin Jacket serves up solid weather protection to keep you dry when you’re lapping the park or searching for untouched stashes around the resort. Zip up in this gimmick-free shell when you want all-around awesomeness that will keep you feeling good from first chair to last lift. Sometimes, technicality rhymes with simplicity, well it should be like that most of the time! And in that case, it also rhymes with competitive pricing – around 200€ retail.

10K waterproofing, and 10K breathability, the Ekin jacket comes in a wide variety of color and features all the details you might need: the famous Volcom Zip Tech® interface, critically taped seams, 2-way adjustable hood and cuffs, under arm zip vents, super suede chin guard, pockets galore – goggle, MP3 pouch, and more…

Fabric

V-Science 2-Layer Shell
*V-Science Oxford
Critical Taped Seams

Features

Zip Tech® Jacket to Pant Interface
2-Way Adjustable Quick Cinch Hood
Super Suede Chin Guard
Mesh Lined Zippered Vents
Stretch Adjustable Powder Skirt w/ Stash Pocket
Powder Skirt Jacket to Pant Interface
V-Science 2 Way Cuff System
Brushed Tricot Lined Handwarmer Pockets
Pocket Access Hem Cinch
Google Pocket
Noise Pocket
Stone Ticket Ring

And since a video often worth a long explanation, check how professional Dan Brisse is at explaining all the features on his jacket of choice.

You can choose your color and read more about it here.

Product of the week: K2 Kwicker splitboard system

Youri Barneoud — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:00:23 +0000

Over 25 years ago K2 was born in the backcountry of Mt Baker and the Pacific Northwest. Focused on innovation and a passion for performance gear, K2 has been pushing backcountry innovation ever since. This year K2 take one of its biggest innovation leaps in their history, and go back to their roots. Not only one, but 3 products presented here, that make the K2 Kwicker splitboard system.

Check the video at the end of this article to see how it all works.

The Kwicker Backcountry System is built on a new generation of K2’s proven Clicker binding interface, and enhanced with breakthrough technologies in splitboard and boot construction they left nothing untouched in this totally new system. The Result: 3.9lbs (1.8kg) lighter than the industry standard, 50% faster transitions, and you don’t even have to take your gloves off on transitions, thanks to its pinless design, low friction puck fit – binding plate slides quick an easy, and lock paw – locks plate in place.

The board

The board is only the Lightest splitboard in the world as we speak. Split Bambooyah core – bamboo of response, durability and strength. No topsheet – lightweight. Split Track mounting – infinite stances. 2-point Z-Clips– ultra secure skin attachment. here’s the Ultrasplit! With Bamboo core for strength and confidence, patented tip and tail skin attachment and unlimited Split Track stance options, this is the new standard for splitboarding’s new (or old) addicts.

C13 K2 Ultra Split 161

Tech details:

Baseline: All Terrain with Tweekend

Damping: Standard

Construction: UltraTech

Shape: Backside Hyper Progressive

Stance: Setback 3/4” (19mm)

Core: Bambooyah Split

Glass: ICG 20 / Biax

Additives: NEW Carbon Wing™ II

Base: Sintered

Base Bevel: 1°

Split Track Binding Mount

K2 UltraTech

Z-Clip Skin Attachment

Sizes: 155, 158, 161, 164, 165w

The Boot

The boot proposes great comfort, support and walkability: Conda – replaces ankle strap; Endo Construction– replaces highback; Kwicker outsole plate – bombproof attachment with snowclearing; 360^o tuned flex – same feel as traditional boot/bindings.

K2 Standard Stark with Double Boa

Tech details:

Lacing System: H3 Boa® Focus

Liner Lacing: BoaÒConda™

Liner: Intution Pro Foam 3D

Outsole: NEW! Kwicker Light

Footbed: 3D Formed Dual Density EVA with HarshmellowÔ

Liner fit: Moldable Internal J Bars, Integrated Power Strap

Details: Dual Density 3D Formed Tongue

Sizes: 8-12, (1/2 sizes 8, 9, 10, 11)

Colors: Black

The binding

The Binding featuring the Kwicker attachment is functional and efficient. Neutral skinning stance – no bow legged walking; Harshmellow – reduced shock, vibration & fetigue; Cored T6061 Aluminum desing – lightweight.

Kwicker binding.

Additional material: Skins and crampons

K2 skin and crampon.

To have a better idea on how things work, here the K2 Kwicker video:

Product of the Week: Lib Tech Jamie Lynn Phoenix Classic Series C3 BTX

Youri Barneoud — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:00:10 +0000

Mervin has been of the forefront of snowboard technology for a very, very long time and continues to develop numerous innovations that make you ride better. There was no question about having one of their iconic products of the season in this Product section!

Although Mervin always kept it original ‘human size’, the different brands under the Mervin umbrella have been making a lot of noise through the years with its two innovative snowboard brands sharing the same technology – Gnu and Lib Tech – and its binding brand, Bent Metal. This original snowboard company based in the North West of the US have seen many world class riders help them develop their products, from Jamie Lynn to Travis Rice. Jamie Lynn is and always been ‘Lib Tech’. This is why we decided to take the example of Jamie’s 12/13 model to go through the latest technology that Mervin has been busy with lately. And at the same time you’ll know everthing about Jamie’s board, you will also find out what exactly means ‘Magne-Traction, Banana or C Power…

Lib Tech Jamie Lynn Phoenix Classic Series C3 BTX

LIB TECH – Jamie Lynn Phoenix Classic Series C3 BTX

Ok so here’s the beast. Not only one of the best looking boards that Jamie has drown himself, this is a concentrate of what kind of tech Lib is capable of. As it says on the paper, “Jamie ripped on old ski camber, Jamie rips on banana and C2, and for this season he’s been shredding the latest what-Lib-calls ‘experiMENTAL division project’ known as C3 Banana Camber Jamie “Classic”. What is this mish-mash? “It’s a dominant camber with a submissive banana”, and can’t really be explained in a better way… This board features a trapezoidal camber and rocker between your feet. Trapezoidal camber straightens the camber curve out as it approaches the contact points spreading tip pressure creating a broader tip hook area up and turn initiation you can count on. The Banana rocker between your feet gives killer edge grip at and between your feet in hardpack and ice carving situations, provides float in the pow and catch-free jibbing. The combination of these two concepts results in a really even pressure map, tons of pop, rock solid stability, power carving and one of the best camber board we’ve been lucky enough to ride.

Check all the details and Jamie’s explanative video here.

A little more info about the different technologies squeezed into that bad boy:

C3 CAMBER DOMINANT BANANA (C3 BTX)
As we said, it’s a Camber enhanced with Banana Tech made for “aggressive new traditionalists and 90’s camber studs”, in case you recognize yourself in those categories… Focuses a mild amount of pressure between your feet for carving, edge grip on ice, float in powder and our maximum amount of pressure out to the tip and tails for super power, end-to-end stability, pop and control in critical situations.

MAGNE-TRACTION
Magne-Traction serrated edges is design to cut into the snow like a knife (imagine a bread knife for example) giving you more edge hold and control. Magne-Traction features 7 strategically located and sized bumps along each side of your sidecut. The biggest bumps are at and between your feet where your balance is centered adding maximum control and power where you need it most. The bumps outside your feet are smaller and less aggressive providing tip and tail control but maintaining freestyle freedom.

H-POP CORE
Wood Alloy Core. Experimental new dead tree with the highest compression response ever used in a snowboard. It has half the glue weight and absorbs less resin weight. Another industry first for Lib Tech.

DIRECTIONAL TWIN
Effortless freestyle and freeride geometry. Twin chassis (from contact to contact) but with an ever so slightly longer nose than tail. Floats on powder and blasts thru crud, a Twin with an advantage.

BIO BEANS TOPSHEET
As many others – that we salute here – Lib Tech has grown an eco conscience and try its best to minimize its impact on environment (check this funny shit). One of the solutions brought by Mervin is this new generation topsheet made out of beans, water based inks or wood core made out of fast growing renewable trees.

TNT BASE MATERIAL
Fast and low maintenance dual layered fluoro base material. Wax it or maybe skip a day, no biggie.

TECH RECAP:

• C3 Power Banana / Camber Combo Tech
• Magne-Traction
• Basalt / fiberglass combo
• Bio Beans Topsheet
• H-Pop Core
• Directional Twin Geometries
• TNT Base
• Flex: 5.5 – 6.5 (depending on size)
• Art by Jamie Lynn

Check also the whole shabang on:

Mervin webiste
Lib Tech website
Gnu website
Bent Metal website

Product of the Week: 686 PLEXUS STORM THERMAGRAPH JACKET

Youri Barneoud — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 11:48:31 +0000

One of the colors available on that puppy.

Sitting at the very top of the 686 range this winter, the PLEXUS STORM THERMAGRAPH™ JACKET is specifically designed for the snow-savvy shredder who pushes limits outside resort boundaries in quest of pristine powder.

It’s Infidry-20 fabrication (20,000mm, which defines a tech, top of the range outerwear piece, really) and the fully taped seams take you from cliff lines to pillow drops during any kind of weather. Breathability levels reach a pleasant 15,000g too. Strategically insulated with 160 gram polyfill Infi-loft™, the lining panels keep you warm while unzipping body vents will quickly release excess heat – ‘strategically’ meaning that this Thermagraph trade-marked technology allows more insulation to critical zones though material and cut. The oversized chest and hand pockets fit nicely between your backpack straps and the Recco component helps you feel secure either on or off-piste.

Shell: 100% poly horizontal black slub yam

Insulation: 100% nylon taffeta / 100% poly brushed and peached tricot / 100% poly mesh

To all this, you can add the legendary 686 attention to detail, such as the nice little grid that comes in place right in front of your mouth as you take your pow runs. Pretty nice! And all this at an decent price: 280€.

686 team rider Patrick McCarthy won’t stop praising his jacket of choice:

“The Plexus Storm jacket is the stay dialed in any type of conditions piece. In sleet, snow, rain or sun your going to be able to layer properly to make this jacket work for you out on the hill. With the 20,000 mm waterproof shell and the internal heat mapping, layering with under layer on the cold days or running a t-shirt in the spring this jacket will keep you dialed. I work hard to product test the Plexus line to give tech snowboarders the first line defense in what mother nature brings you way.”

Patrick McCarthy all in.

A video detailing all the tech features on this jacket is watchable on 686 website right here.

Product of the Week: Anon M1 Goggle

Youri Barneoud — Fri, 30 Nov 2012 10:21:28 +0000

Sometimes, the best part of technology is in the simple solutions it can offer. This is exactly what the Anon M1 goggle is about. If you haven’t heard of this revolutionary piece of equipment yet, it’s about time you did!

The M1 was presented at last year’s trade shows and immediately captured a lot of attention. The principle is a fully magnetic lens to easily clip to the frame of the goggle. The M1′s design has 6 magnet connection points, and when all are fully bonded, the combined retention can hold up to 20 lbs, so it doesn’t come off on the first face plant. Actually, as with every other goggle out there, you would have more chance of breaking the lens than losing it. The magnetic lens system is called Magna-Tech, and it’s just as easy as a push and a clip. No more hassle changing your lens on the mountain with cold hands and annoying plastic snicks to line up, no more dark lens on a whiteout day and vice versa – yes, sometimes swapping lenses can be such a hassle that you’d prefer just make the most of your day riding with the wrong lens, rather than spending time and nerves changing an old school lens. No more…

Other key features: Anon’s Spherical lens construction combines decentered technology with a lens curvature that mimics the curvature of the human eye for superior optics in all directions. Anon lenses get laser etched graphic treatments, and the straps feature a spectrum of advanced applications including suede, leather,emblems, and badges. Anon’s Triple Layer face foams utilize a moisture wicking fleece that provides a perfect goggle-to-face fit, sealing out the elements while providing hours of riding comfort. And Anon’s Dual Lens Construction ensures proper climate control between the lenses and your face to keep vision clear in all conditions. For doubly clear performance, all lenses are treated with Anon’s premium anti-fog coating.

Helmet Compatibility: All Anon frames are engineered with helmet compatibility as an integral design consideration. They work to create a proper fit, eliminate gaper gap, and maximize ventilation airflow for the goggle/helmet interface, so you can ride on without looking back.

Ok, now you know all about the M1, here’s a very cool App to go with it: download onto your smartphone and you’ll be able to test on snow all the different colored lenses, just as if you had them all with you on the mountain for a test. With this feature your iPhone will use the camera lens as a view finder to capture actual surroundings. Then, you can point the phone at whatever you want (say the base lodge or the mountain) and see how it would look under any Anon lens tint. The tool allows you to swipe from the darkest to lightest lens tint so you can see which color lens you prefer for the day’s conditions. Probably the best way to make sure you have the right equipment for the right conditions.

Check the Anon M1 link here, and the Anon App here.

Product of the Week – Forum Scallywag Snowboard

Tom Copsey — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:38:50 +0000

For our latest Product of the Week, feast your eyes on what we made of Forum’s Scallywag – a park-friendly jib stick.

No one’s gonna miss you on this bad boy, that’s for sure. You’ll have fellow pirates calling ‘Aaaarrrgghhh!’ at you as the distinctive base gets flashed when you pull your knuckle stunts. But beyond the look of the topsheet and base, is this the weapon for you and your riding? Read on…

FORUM SNOWBOARDS

Scallywag

Lengths: 151, 155, 158

Tested Length: 158

Forum claim their Scallywag to be “more durable than any other, and will allow your park pillaging to go on all day.” Aimed at park freestyle, the shape is a true twin as you’d expect and now has a ChillyDog with Pop base profile that allows it to be soft enough to butter your muffin with, yet with enough wang on it to deal with the bigger kicker line.

Our English Ed took one for a spin at the end of last season and dropped this review: “Fun. Nuff said… The Scallywag is perfectly suited to jibbers or anyone wanting to mess around on a fun-flexed soft shred stick. Not for aggressive shredders but anyone after a fun-ass freestyler for the park or dome would find this 100% PERFECT. I noticed I wrote the word ‘fun’ in there 3 times which, while being bad writing sums up this board to a tee.”

If this shivered your timbers, you can buy the Forum Scallywag from Blue Tomato or HotZone.TV, or hunt down your nearest Forum dealer to scope it in the flesh.

Product of the Week – Ride Bandita Contraband Womens

Tom Copsey — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:41:52 +0000

This week our product spotlight falls on this women’s quick-entry freestyle binding from Ride Snowboards – the Bandita Contraband. Find out what we made of it.

RIDE SNOWBOARDS

Women’s Bandita Contraband Bindings

Intended use: All Mountain Freestyle, Park & Pipe
Colours: Black, Purple
Sizes: S, M

Yes, the spider web where you’d think the toestrap would be looks a little unusual at first, but it’s there to enable these Bandita Contrabands to be entered and exited using just the ankle strap ratchet therefore saving time strapping. Built for freestyle ladies wanting to send it, these features the all new SlingBack highback for premium flex, and the ultra secure V-Grip™ strap system. Also kitted with Wedgie 2.5 footbeds and Urethane Rollbar™ to provide an added dose of comfort and boost of ollie pop.

Here’s what our editorial assistant, Anna, made of them as she tore them through pre-season Saas Fee: “Though the unique strapping system is a little fiddly to adjust to fit your boots the first time (you should definitely take the time to do it properly at home rather than on the mountain), once you’ve adjusted them they’re really great to ride with. As for the rest of the binding, everything is real easy to tweak how you want it. Of course, the Contraband system means they’re super fast and easy to use as you have just the one ratchet to contend with – they might not be faster than a rear entry binding but there’s not a great deal of difference in strapping time. The large mesh toe holder really eliminates any weird pressure points over your foot and with the ankle strap it holds you just as secure as a two-strap. Over all it’s middle-ish on the flex/response-ometer meaning it won’t kick your ass but still gives you power. Overall definitely good for girls who like the park and want to get in as many laps as possible.”

€189.95

Should these women’s bindings sound like your cup o’ tea, you can buy them online from Blue Tomato or pick ‘em up at your local Ride Snowboards dealer.

Product of the Week – Head Force i. KERS Snowboard

Tom Copsey — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 09:39:20 +0000

The planet has turned a further seven times on its axis, allowing us to bring you another Product of the Week. This time round it’s Head Snowboards’ freestyle slayer, the Force i. KERS. Peep the review.

Head have been quietly building impressively technical snowboards for several years now. If you’re looking for quality performance at a decent price point then you should certainly have a gander at their range as in terms of what you get for your greenbacks, they’re hard to beat. They’ve also recently been growing their team to include some fine shreds on their roster, including Norwegian Fredrik Evensen who you’ll have seen sending it in Isenseven’s movies, Christophe Schmidt (who also is an Isenseven alumni and one of Germany’s finest pipe dudes), and Shayne Pospisil whose riding you’ll have seen in the tasty Smith Prospecting Idaho clip we posted last week. All three of these guys were instrumental in developing the Force i. KERS. Here’s the skinny…

HEAD SNOWBOARDS

Force i. KERS

Lengths: 149, 153, 156, 159, 162

Tested Length: 156

This is Head’s top-of-the-line freestyle machine that has its sights trained on park and pipe domination. Its twin shape with directional flex means switching it up is no problemo but maintains the directional-flavoured power and pop for when you’re sending it riding regular. An boy does this have some power and pop thanks to the Kevlar/Carbon jacket wrapping the full wood core, and inclusion of some crazy-ass tech. Said ‘crazy-ass tech’ is the Intellifibres, which react to how your ride to stiffen up or soften depending on how hard you’re pushing it, and the KERS chips in the nose and tail that harness piezo-electric energy created from vibrations and direct it back in to the board to give more power to your turns. Head even got Fredrik, Shayne and Christophe to hand finish every board so if the one you get looks graphically different to the picture above, it’s ’cause these dudes been getting involved.

Our Finnish photo ed Sami, a man who’s rather particular about his funsticks and prefers for them to be powerful without being doors, had this to say when he took one for a spin: “A very good all-round freestyle board with great edge control. The Force has traditional camber and provides a smooth and comfortable ride with great pop. Apparently this is a team favourite and it’s easy to see why – if you know what you’re doing you won’t be disappointed.”

€499.95

If after reading this you’re all like, “Right, sold. This is the bad boy for me!” you can buy the Head Force i. KERS from The Snowboard Asylum, or head on down to your nearest Head Snowboards dealer to get your mitts on one.