The Official quiver thread

[Vanni]

I have the first Nitro Squash, never had an issue with the base drying out. If I have any criticism with the board is that it's lost its flex, but it's also what, 5 seasons old for me now?

thoughts on the HPS - WOLLE NYVELT FISH, that might be worth looking into if you've had good experience with their boards. I like the K2 Instrument a lot, but it isn't setback as far as the Squash or Fish

I have a snowboard buddy that had a nitro with the same sintered base as the squash, and he also his base dried out on the sides... I don't know, maybe it is the south europe snow
Also we use different wax. I don't know, maybe I can try with another wax, if it makes a difference.

The Salomon you suggest me, is a little bit too wide. I had another board with that kind of width and at slow speed it was difficult to turn, I didn't have the edges under the boots

K2 instrument is almost there besides sidecut

Yes, the sidecut plays a big part, for me. I have a turny board that I love, which is the Super 8, but again it would be perfect with 8m sidecut

[Vanni]

So, right now I'm looking for a replacement board with these kind of specs:
mid stiff (around 7)
118-120 effective edge
250-255 waist
around 8 sidecut
Camber or early rise
a bit of taper is preferred, but not much, 5-10mm
15-20mm setback
and of course, with a good sintered base

I had the baby blue first year Squash and hate myself sometimes for selling it, was a great board. I also have 7.5 boots, not that easy to find boards with smaller wws these days...

It is still a mid wide board, for nitro standard, at least.
I don't like too narrow boards, even with my small boots, under 250mm they are generally too sharp to turn, I prefer a more relaxed, more smooth, a little bit slower board to turn.

With the squash I had some of my best riding days (I have also a Kazu that takes the other best riding days), so that board with a capita, salomon, etc base, would be perfect for me

I was looking for something with similar specs, but a bit less directional nose/tail. Off the top of my head, these might work:
Korua Pencil - they added a 153 that looks nice from the specs
Amplid SG 53 - I had the 57 but that was too stiff for me
K2 Alchemist - prob 57 though for the sidecut, but might be too stiff
Stranda Shorty 59 - nose is very soft though & huge rocker section. I wish he would make a Shorty/Descender mix with slimmer waist
Tur Buteo 52 - might be too stiff

Of this list of boards, the Shorty 59 might be the one that tickles all the boxes, but I don't know if I want to spend that amount of money.
Let's see at the beginning of the season...

[McK21]

@Vanni I had in the past some Nitro, Misfit Supra and Pantera and all of them had the same issue with the base wich dryed out and whitened very easy, only other board that it had this problem was one of the first versions of the burton dominant.....and my very first snowboard wich I didn't even remember what it was

If you like the super 8 I think that in the Salomon line you should look at the Highpat, looks like an interesting upgrade from the super 8.

[benjinyc]

Highpath is middle flex, softer than super 8

I have the predesssor, the speedway which was on the stiffer end, not sure why they changed it

[McK21]

I never ridden it but, by the specs, I really dig it, my doubt actually it's only about the rock out camber, I like more the seatback camber...or, at least, I can't say that I will like rock out camber because I never tried it, to me looks like a nirmal camber, but.....
Anyways salomon site says that the highpath is on the stiff side, I don't really trust what the brands says about their products, but seems strange that it's softer than super 8, makes me more curious about trying it.

[Vanni]

wow, these Nitro should have a better base than the Squash, I'm a bit surprised. The Squash has the standard sintered, the pantera and the supra should have a better base.
Too bad, I love everything else about the squash.

The worst sintered base I had, was on the Gnu Mullair. But after a base grind and structure, it became noticeably better (still not on capita, burton, salomon territory)
The base grind on the Nitro didn't make any change.

The highpath is narrow, and has a tiny sidecut... also, I don't love that kind of camber. Anyway I'm sure it's a great board, never had issues with salomon quality

[Spenser]

Weird, OG squash was one of the best bases I've had.

I would not recommend the shorty for what you're looking for, despite how it looks on paper..

[G.D.]

Totally recommend the 57 Passport. Think would fit that slot well. 7/10 flex (at my weight), and solid as a DD, do everything. That blended(?) sidecut is fun for most turns, whether relatively drawn out or medium/quick turns, more than capable. Was my go-to during last winter's banked slalom race we have here annually. Highly recommend, can't wait to get back on it.

Screenshot_20230930-074842_Chrome.jpg (209.88 KiB) Viewed 1199 times

[Vanni]

I would not recommend the shorty for what you're looking for, despite how it looks on paper..

You don't recommend the shorty because it is too soft? or for other things?

[benjinyc]

The Salomon Highpath is softer (especially torsionally) than the Super 8. It uses some eco-friendly resin that breaks in a lot faster. I was able to demo it at the Salmon sponsored banked slalom event and was feel the difference

The same can be said with the k2 passport compared to the instrument.