Burton Forager Snowboard Review

[@benjaminsimolka7187]

Hey James, very good review. I enjoy your reviews for years now and love the good ride especially in summer for dreaming about winter :). Keep going. And greetings from Europe.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for the good words!

[@Nathan-B.]

Thanks for the review!

[@whoisthe1412]

Thanks for the review

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for the good words.

[@Migger_29]

Hey James, awesome review. I’m stuck between the Forager 160 and 165. I’m size 11.5, 225 lbs, 5’-11”, all-mountain & freeride/powder, advanced, currently ride on Bogus Basin and plan to visit Hokkaido, currently am riding a Custom X 162 Wide/ Step On X/ Ion SO. Previously rode a ‘09 Malolo 166/ Malavitas/ Shaun White Collection Boots (lace version).

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks! Rode that Malolo back in the day...fun board. You would probably be more than fine with the 160 since it is a lot wider than your old Malolo. This is a lot different/more aggressive but you might really like it. I would only go 165 if you want a super floater for your specs in the deepest of deep at the sacrifice of maneuverability in tight spots or when it gets tracked up and uneven.

[@Bohdisattva326]

nice dude..keep em coming.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks and you got it!

[@mebaoer]

Hi, James, sounds like this board fits my riding style very well. I ride in Japan. rode on the deep thinker, mega death and 23/24 nitro pow. I want a stronger board to replace my nitro pow. After doing some research, the Forager seems like a combination of all of the three together, but it's discontinued. Do you have a similar board to recommend? I like the no pressure on the back leg in pow, good pop, carve, and light weight.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Yeah that was a good board. Wish it wasn't a one and done and it's a good replacement to the Nitro Quiver Pow. Yeah you could go Korua Dart, Soul Shift, Soul Blower, or Weston Japow. Those are similar. If you want to get into it more and do this right, hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/

[@nathanbainbridge1464]

Great review. How does this compare to the Stright Chuter? Do they seem to have a fair bit of overlap? Also, with the Burton Fish in your quiver, is there any need for the Forager or Straight Chuter?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks! So they have some overlap but they are pretty different boards. The Forager is more turny and more directional. That swallow tail also changes up the ride. In deep powder I'd be fine with the fish over these two but both those boards are very competent in the deep stuff. What boards do you have now?

[@nathanbainbridge1464]

@@thegoodridesnow Half way through last season I switch my Custom Camber 158W for a Custom X Camber in the same size and loved it. I'm around 200lbs with size 11. But, just like your review, found it lacking when there's a bit of fresh snow. This summer I added a Fish 161 and then a deal popped up on the Straight Chuter 162 that I couldn't pass up. I've also added a Flight Attendant 162 to the quiver. I imagine I'll probably thin out the quiver once I start riding them all this year. I'm near Vancouver Canada, we have a few local mountains plus Whistler and Mt Baker close by and, the Okanogan within range for weekend trips. I've really enjoyed your reviews.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Oh you are set then! Yeah just try em all in different conditions and keep the ones you like. The only thing is thats a lot of Burton. Try some other brands too.

[@artemyevtushenko8722]

Fantastic review! I just purchased this in the 150 size during the major blackfriday sale. I'm concerned it will be too small for me and that I should ride the 155 given the wider waist, however. What are your thoughts? I am 170 lb, about 5'8, 9.5 thirtytwo spring break boot. I'm a fairly advanced free rider currently on the Jones Flagship 154 (I think) or 151. I live on the East Coast but ride a lot in Utah and Colorado and heading to Hokkaido in January.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks! Yeah the 155 seems to be a better fit for your specs but give me your exact size of your Flagship and I'll confirm.

[@timhunt7155]

Hey James I’ve been eyeing this for a long time and I’ve found a cheap version, two questions, with the short channel, do you think I can get to 22.5inch stance width on the 155 with est without compromising Performance? Also do you think it was stiff due to demo or just more stiff than what Burton says. This is for Japan , I need manoeuvrable board for long snake tracks back to lifts and deep snow trees. 185lbs 10.5-11us ride fuse. Was riding a 152 skipjack camber. Weight range was to 91kg though.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Hey Tim. That's a fun board and I think you can get the stance width's you want. I discovered after I reviewed it that it felt more stiff because Burton has a massive jump in recommended weight and its built thicker/stiffer in the 160 vs. the 155. The 155 is for 120-180lbs and the 160 is for 180-260lbs. Your 152 Skipjack was rated 150-200lbs so the 155 Forager will feel closer to your Skipjack but probably a little softer than what they say at 185lbs. It will be wide enough for your boots though and probably better than the Skipjack so that is good. I think I would have personally liked the 155 better as a daily driver but I would get the 160 if it's primarily for super deep mostly untracked pow.

[@li4mk3nny]

Been waiting on this one to drop since I saw it in the backdrop of the territory manager vid. With that stiffer swallow tail, how does it handle in the trees and tighter spots? Im coming off a bottom feeder as my pow board and, although its amazing in the deep stuff, it just cant hack the later day chunder. Hoping this will be the solution

[@thegoodridesnow]

Yeah it might be the other end of the spectrum from the Bottom feeder but you might like it. If you size it right it should turn pretty quick in trees and tight spots.

[@li4mk3nny]

I’m 5’9 and around 160lbs geared up so was looking at the 55. From asking around, it looks like the swallow trail accounts for nearly 25cm making the 150 a minute board

[@FWHadley]

Thanks for all your reviews, they are super helpful. I'm 6'6" 190 size 13 boots, currently riding a flight attendant 162W. Looking at the forager 160 for powder, and generally speaking, "something different". Do you think it's worth the price for me?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for the Good Words. I would probably go 165 for your specs but if the 162w works for you and you don't boot out you should be ok with the Forager 160. I think it will be a very different board and compliment the FA you have now very well. Better float and a different way to carve up groomers.

[@FWHadley]

​@@thegoodridesnow Awesome, thanks again! Went with the 160, in part because 165 was sold out.

[@nelisvanrompaey9307]

Hi, super detailed and interesting review as always! I’m really intrigued by this board, but i’m in doubt if it would make a big enough difference next to my 2019 skeleton key? Could the forager bring the same benefits as the SK mystery XX in comparison to the standard SK version?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Many thanks! I didn't try the Mystery version so hard to say how the construction feels on snow. Compared to the regular SK you are getting a stiffer and more damp ride for sure but the big thing is how set back and surfy this is compared to the SK. It also floats a lot better. The SK is no slouch in pow and a lot of fun but this Forager is another level of tapered/directional/set back float. That tail really sinks and the nose really floats. Much more like being on a surfboard. In groomers it carves very hard too and I would give it the nod over the SK but only if you like a very set back ride.

[@nelisvanrompaey9307]

@@thegoodridesnow great man, thanks for the advice! I do like a set back ride. And would the forager have the upper hand on hard pack or in icy conditions over the SK? Because that’s were the SK tends to have a harder time keeping control.

[@thegoodridesnow]

It would have a little advantage over the SK but Burton's directional camber edge hold is pretty similar across the board when comparing it to other brands. If you are looking for a good board for hard to icy snow I would look outside of Burton's line. I found that sharpening the edges helps but it makes the board feel locked in and a good bit more catchy/unforgiving. Hit me up here if you want some recommendations on better hard snow rides. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/

[@nelisvanrompaey9307]

@@thegoodridesnow will do, thanks!

[@lethbridgecarboot5388]

Hey James - I am similar specs to you (weight and foot size wise) and am really torn between the 160 Fish and the Forager (currently on clear out). I like that that Forager can carve and point groomers, but whatever the case either one would be my dedicated powder board. How much float and fun in the pow do you think I’d be giving up if I didn’t go with the trusty fish?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Tough call. Both are great boards in pow. I like the 3D fish a little better in pow but the Forager could easily be a dedicated pow ride just because of that swallow tail and how much further back it sits on the tail. It's even more like a surfboard than the 3D Fish. You also get a pretty fun groomer carver out of it. So if you don't have a big quiver this is the call but it's a shit ton less forgiving than the Fish so if you want an easier ride go 3D Fish. Hit me up here if you want to get into more detail. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/

[@lethbridgecarboot5388]

Thanks James I do have a few other boards that are pretty groomer specific, and I have compromised in the past on powder friendly boards that just didn’t have the ultimate float - think I’ll try the fish. Thank you sir!

[@SkipperSurfReview]

How would you compare it to KORUA Darts? Any thoughts?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Similar but far from being the same. In comparison to the Dart the Forager has less taper, less set back on board and that Burton style sidecut that minimizes the tapered feel.

[@SkipperSurfReview]

@@thegoodridesnow thank you. Great reviews!!! Love it!!!

[@watthemike]

Im 5 ft 8 wearing size 9s. Unsure if i should go with a 155 or a 160.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Weight?

[@watthemike]

@@thegoodridesnow weight is around 190. Would you say the forager is good for an aggressive ride, bombing runs from time to time?

[@thegoodridesnow]

The 160 will be fine for aggressive riding and bombing when conditions are good but I think the 155 would be a better all around choice. I'm a size 9, 185-190lbs and 5'10". Like I say in the review the 160 was a lot of board for me. If I were to own this I'd get the 155 because it would be better for riding in all conditions. Not just when it's clean.

[@watthemike]

@@thegoodridesnow thank you!

[@watthemike]

Just tried out the forager this weekend in mammoth. Was an amazing ride and the 155 was perfect. Thanks man!

[@thedude5510]

The trade off for an environmentally friendly base with horrible glide is not worth it. Any of these boards with this cranky base need to be significantly discounted. Real riders like boards like these as well, and we love to wax our boards accordingly to the conditions. The statement "wax it twice" just doesn't sound appealing. The average rider who might buy this board as well who knows nothing about tuning his boards will be very disappointed in base glide performance if they just let it be over the season. Burton definitely needs to consider this in their meetings.

[@thegoodridesnow]

I found this glide to be above average but just not exceptional like it used to be. Its better than what it used to be 2 years ago but still a deal breaker for many riders. When I say wax it twice I don't mean every time. Just the first time. Agreed. I hope this is still on the dry erase board in the meeting room.

[@thedude5510]

@@thegoodridesnow do you know of any specific years of Burton boards that had good base glide? I know they have changed factories a few times. Are the ones that say made in Austria better base wise? I would like to have a Burton board that I actually can shred.

[@thegoodridesnow]

I think they started using recycled sintered bases in 2020 but double check the company info to make sure. You also might want to look at Jones, Cardiff, Gentemstick, Season, Weston, Never Summer and Korua + boards. I'm probably missing some but that is a good place to start. Hit me up here if you want detailed advice. thegoodride.com/snowboard-binding-and-boot-advice/

[@thedude5510]

@@thegoodridesnow yup, I already have other boards. Nidecker and Jones to me have the best base glide in the industry. My buddy said Burton boards are the best. Never had one over the years and finally got the Double Dog. The 3D shaping in the board was sick as well. Just trying to figure out if I sold it if I would be able to score another Burton that's actually worth it, or just give up on Burton boards entirely.