Snowboard Flex Ratings Explained | Snowboard Buying Advice
Snowboards come in all shapes and sizes, so it makes sense that their flex would also vary. Snowboard manufacturers rate the flex of each of their snowboards from 1 (soft) to 10 (high) which shows a large variation in flex scores. Snowboard flex is an important factor in how a snowboard performs different tasks and it is important to understand why specific snowboards retain certain characteristics and how it affects their performance.
SNOWBOARD FLEX RATING SYSTEM
Snowboard manufacturers rate the flex of their snowboards across a scale of 1 (soft) to 10 (stiff). Sadly there is not a defined standard across all manufacturers however the scale should help you in rating where a snowboards flex sits within that brands line up. It is rare to find snowboards that are rated at the extremities of the scale as a board that is rated as a 1 would not be very stable at speed and a 10 would be too stiff for most people to enjoy and press.
WHAT FLEX IS RIGHT FOR ME?
Depending on your style of riding and what you want to do you will need to look for a snowboard within a specific flex rating. Below are suggestions for beneficial flex patters of; Freestyle, Freeride or All-Mountain snowboarders
FREERIDE
If you like to go fast, ride steeps, and dig trenches with your carves then you will need a board that feels reassuring. By opting for a board with a stiffer flex you will benefit from greater stability and edge hold at higher speeds. A softer flexing board could be prone to ‘washing out’ through a more aggressive turn. True freeride snowboard will have flex ratings above 7 and will often use premium materials like carbon to ensure stiffness is maintained over time.
Due to the stiff flex of freeride boards, they are not recommended for beginner snowboarders.
FREESTYLE
Freestyle snowboards will come in a range of flexes depending specifically on the type of features you intend to hit. Mid flexing freestyle boards will offer a great compromise between being pressable and being able to support landings. A flex rating between 4-7 will be a good option for freestyle riders who want also want to make use of the whole mountain.
Freestyle snowboarders who want to make the most out of riding; boxes, rails, or street features will be better opting for a softer flexing board. But be wary the very soft boards will be great for butters but not a lot else. A Jib board rated between 3-5 should be very pressable but still have enough about it to leave the park and enjoy the rest of the mountains.
If you prefer jumps to jibs than moving towards the stiffer end of the board flex ratings may be beneficial. A stiffer board for hitting kickers will help you generate more speed by being stable on run in as well as more pop when you ollie. This will help you when hitting larger features where more speed is required. A stiffer board will also help you when landing too far back on your tail as it is less likely to wash out.
ALL-MOUNTAIN
If you are a snowboarder who likes to do a bit of everything then an all-mountain board may suit you better. Due to their versatility, most all-mountain snowboards will retain a medium flex pattern although could be medium soft or medium stiff.
MEDIUM
Medium all-mountain snowboards really will be the go-to boards for snowboarders who want to do everything. These boards will be stiff enough to hold an edge throughout a carve and hit kickers, whilst also retaining some of the playfulness of a more pressable board.
MEDIUM SOFT
Medium soft flexing snowboards will lend themselves more to jibs and rails but retain the stiffness to leave the park and explore the mountain. Medium soft boards are also great for beginners who will appreciate the non too aggressive nature helping them ease into turns.
MEDIUM STIFF
Medium stiff all-mountain boards will lose some of the playfulness of a medium soft flexing snowboard but gain further stability allowing the rider to charge harder and faster. Great for those who hit jumps but avoid rails a medium-stiff all-mountain snowboard is also well suited to the intermediate who is looking to progress their riding.
HOW DO SNOWBOARDS FLEX?
Snowboards flex in two main flex patterns; longitudinal and torsional, with both having an effect on how the board rides.
LONGITUDINAL FLEX
When we talk about longitudinal flex we refer to the flexibility of the snowboard from nose to tail. It is longitudinal flex that is referred to in manufacturer flex ratings which gives an indication of the overall flex of a snowboard. Longitudinal flex can run the full length of the board (continuous) or can be different throughout the board’s length (progressive).
These are some examples of snowboard flex variations.
TWIN PARK SNOWBOARDS
Some twin park boards will have a softer flex at the tip and tail whilst remaining stiffer under the feet and between the binding inserts. By having a softer nose and tail stiffness the board is more easily pressed into butters but still retains pop for ollies with the stiffer underfoot flex.
JIB SNOWBOARDS
Jib boards will have a soft continuous flex throughout the length of the board. This allows the tip and tail to be pressed whilst also allowing the centre of the board to flex ensuring a deeper press.
POWDER SNOWBOARDS
Powder boards tend to have a stiff flex from the tail through to the front binding inserts. Towards the nose the flex will soften allowing the nose of the snowboard to flex and raise above the snow. The stiffer flex towards the rear of the snowboard will help the board to be stable at faster speeds.
RACE SNOWBOARDS
Boarder X or Alpine race boards will have a consistent stiff flex running the length of the board. Speed is the aim of these boards so a stiffer flex will keep the snowboard stable at higher speeds whilst ensuring consistent edge hold.
TORSIONAL FLEX
Torsional flex refers to how a snowboard flexes from edge to edge. This is often seen when a snowboarder pedals their feet as they turn the snowboard. Torsional flex occurring across the width of the snowboard is important as it will affect how easily the snowboard turns. Although important, torsional flex is often ignored and is not rated on the manufacturer’s flex scale.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
ABILITY
Whether you are an experienced rider or this will be your first snowboard then ability should play a factor in your snowboard flex choice. Stiffer snowboards are harder to turn at slower speeds and this will make them a poor choice for beginner snowboarders. Beginners would benefit from a softer flexing board but if you think you will progress quickly then you could outgrow a softer board quite fast. A stiffer board is great for advanced riders but even experienced snowboarders don’t always like stiff snowboards. Ultimately the best way to find out if a stiff or soft board would suit your riding style is to get to a demo day and try them out.
ONE SNOWBOARD FOR LIFE
If you are a gear geek or like to refresh your quiver regularly then the next point may not apply to you, snowboards soften over time and with use. This means if you are going to be getting lots of use out of your snowboard you may want to consider choosing a board that is slightly stiffer than your preferred ride. This way when it softens up with regular use you will be left with a board that works well for you.
Worth Noting - Snowboards with premium materials like carbon stringers will soften less over time as these materials retain their original characteristics.
YOUR WEIGHT
Sorry I know nobody likes talking about their weight but when it comes to snowboard choices it is always an important consideration. So much so that snowboard manufacturers will add a recommended weight range for each size and model of the board they sell. In terms of flex, if you weigh more than the recommended weight range there is a danger that when flexing the board you may snap it. Alternatively, if you weigh much less than the recommended weight range you may struggle to flex the board to its potential making ground tricks harder to perform.
GET IN TOUCH
As always thanks for reading and if you are still unsure feel free to get in touch via the socials or the comment section. Make sure to check out our Snowboard Buyers Guide where you will find all the information regarding how to buy a snowboard.