2025 Favorite Freeride Snowboards - An Honest List Of The Best Boards After Extensive Testing

[@AndrewAtkinson1]

Love the commitment to unbiased and thorough reviews.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Many thanks!

[@seank1200]

Keep up the great work James. The good ride reviews are spot on for the normal human snowboarder. Thanks for being you in a world that's not.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Greatly appreciated @seank1200!!!

[@chesterfarrington9853]

I appreciate your definition of free ride board. I see people talk about their favorite free ride boards and it’s like powder boards or directional twins

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks!

[@Not.ed.sheeran]

The intro was great. Very understandable and easy flowing. Chills vibes are great.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Many thanks!

[@pholton3300]

Keep up the reviews. I picked up a K2 passport after watching your review back when you posted that video.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks and hope you enjoy it.

[@jaybartlett2561]

Incredible board insights as always man 🙏🏻

[@thegoodridesnow]

Many thanks!

[@Danilyn_Livao]

Awesome breakdown!👏 Your testing and reviews really make it easier to choose the right snowboard. Love the honest approach! 💯

[@Charlie666-]

Been watching your reviews for years here in the UK keep up the good work

[@thegoodridesnow]

Many thanks @Charlie666 and glad to have you here.

[@ExplodingCow49]

This is the video I was waiting for. Much obliged, thank you sir

[@thegoodridesnow]

Glad it helps!

[@calvinlikesbeer]

Love this channel! Thanks for all of your help over the years! Any plans to test and review Japan's - Death Label Kintone?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Many thanks for the good words. I'll reach out to them.

[@ChrisPitt-t3k]

Fantastic review, all the information needed to make a really well informed choice. Looking forward to your thoughts on the Taka e.p. vs regular Taka

[@thegoodridesnow]

Many thanks and sorry I'm soo behind. It's not a favorite but a very fun, soft, long easy riding board that is much better now that it has recycled ABS on the outside. I rode the 2024 and 2025 models and the review will address both.

[@ChrisPitt-t3k]

No worries James, quality over quantity! Thanks for the brief summary, sounds like the regular model would be a better option for me. 👍

[@marksantaniello2410]

Just picked up the Souly Grail after watching your videos. Can’t wait to get some carves in this year 🤙

[@thegoodridesnow]

Right on and hope you like it as much as I do. Cheers!

[@marksantaniello2410]

Im a size 7.5 riding the Salomon Dialogue double boa. Thinking about going with the Union Force size small. Anything you like more than those bindings?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Those are a great bindings for the Souly. So are the Nitro Phantom Carver. I like both with that board.

[@BackRoadsAndTurbos]

Thanks, legends

[@UncIe_Drew]

Love the channel. Thank you for comparing so many boards! Ha, glad my new board made the list!!

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks and hope you enjoy it!

[@rodrigormotta]

hey! thanks for the awesome reviews! are you making a splitboard video this season? passes are so expensive now that it is cheaper to buy a splitboard setup than a season pass!

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for the good words and yes. We have a new reviewer, Jay who has put together some reviews and they will be going live in the coming weeks.

[@Against417]

Picked up a 2025 Gril Master to pair with the new Genesis Step On EST. Last years final edition of the Skeleton Key kinda felt like it had lost the deep flex magic of the earlier models, so hoping the Gril will recapture better times! Keep on rockin' in the free world brother man.

[@salvm4715]

This is exactly the setup that I'm looking to go for. I have an 2017 Process that I want to upgrade from. I want to get the Genesis EST's with some Photons and the Gril Master.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks @Against417 and hope it works for you as well as those old SK's did. Those were special rides.

[@thegoodridesnow]

@salvm4715 if you want something that is more directional and tapered this might work but hard to say without knowing anything about you. If you only ride Burton go EST but if you aren't exclusive to Burton go Re:Flex so you don't have to buy a second pair later.

[@salvm4715]

@@thegoodridesnow I'm not specifically pro Burton but I've been eyeing step ons for quite some time. I don't ride a lot of park and really like going off piste / hitting some chunder. I was looking at going with the EST as they are supposedly more connected to the board and have a bit more lateral flex. I've never tried them though. I do have a Burton store close by. So first step would be trying on a pair of boots to make sure I have a good fit. I do want to have a do-it-all kind of board. Seems there are so many options at the moment. I'm 6'5 and 225.

[@thegoodridesnow]

I'd go Re:Flex then. I get soooooo many requests for advice where riders want a ride Burton can't offer a year or two after buying EST but don't want to buy new bindings so they ask me what Burton will work like the board they want and the answer is often none. So then they are stuck adding about $300 plus to the purchase of the board that works best for them. Yes EST feels a little better on Burton so only do it if you are ok buying new bindings or are committed to this board till you need new bindings as well as a new board. Also, I need boot size to properly help but also a lot more. 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/

[@jb-zr7nw]

Best reviews around! Currently riding a Rossi XV and was considering a Souly Grail or Descender. Is that too much overlap?

[@thegoodridesnow]

A little but the XV rides longer and has a different flex pattern. If you have the really old XV with Magnetraction then even more different. I'd still choose the XV for deeper days and the Descender or Souly would be a nice change up when you are in the mood for something shorter and a little less turny. Go Souly if you see a lot of uneven snow and like to drive more on your front foot through a carve and Descender if you want a super fast base and flex profile more similar to the XV but stiffer in the tail with a little more pop.

[@ManuelSimonato]

Amazing video!! Thanks for what you're doing! Are the setbacks you report measured from the center of sidecut or with respect to the centre of the effective edge?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks for the good words. The "setback on Sidecut" is the brands measurement based on the setback from center of sidecut. The "Setback On Board" Measurement is the difference between the nose to the second to last insert on the front foot vs. tail to the second to last insert and then divided by 2.

[@ManuelSimonato]

@thegoodridesnow thanks a lot! However now I'm a bit confused maybe you can help me out: why would it be relevant to measure the setback of the insert pack with respect to the length of the board? Different boards may have longer nose for example, but what I would think it's natural to measure is the setback of the (center of the) inserts pack with respect to the (center of the) effective edge, which goes from contact point in the tail to contact point in the nose when the board is tilted on the edge. That would describe more the "setback feel" when turning and carving on groomer I'd say, wouldn't it? Also, Burton for sure measures the setback with respect to the center of the edge: for my hometown hero for example the setback is stated to be -4cm. The sidecut is radial but the board is tapered: in this way the center of the sidecut is already moved back with respect to the center of the effective edge, naturally. Now, with such a setback for the inserts, the center of the inserts happens to be exactly on the center of the sidecut ( the minimum waist width). I think this is the reason why the HH is so versatile in riding switch, given how directional it is overall. For what I've seen, this is not the general case, and the center of inserts can also happen to be forward with respect to sidecut, while still being backward with respect to center of effective edge. That's why I'm doubting that brands are reporting the setback with respect to sidecut. But I would need to have the possibility to check them all😅😂 sorry for nerding too much, but I find it very interesting:)

[@thegoodridesnow]

Good question~ It's definitely worth it for me to put some time into this to clarify. 1. I measure the furthest you can set it back from the center of the board for easy directional float in powder because no one posts that. This is just to compare what they say the setback is on sidecut vs. what you can get on board for easy pow float, and I found that just measuring nose and tail length isn't the same. 2. Regarding your HTH, this is a unique case but I always address this. .Check my review, where I discuss what a Balanced Freeride Geometry Sidecut does in relation to its tapered directional shape. I say it differently than you, but we both say the same thing. It's usually addressed with Burton Tapered Directional boards in my review categories: "Shape" "Turning Experience" "Switch" I always talk about how a board feels on snow vs. its shape; in other reviews, though, which also addresses what you are suggesting. 3. In the reviews we are posting for 2026 and some 2025 we haven't filmed yet, I have added setback on reference stance from center of board to show where you are on the board for groomer days or if you ride on reference in pow for better landings when you get air. I've considered measuring the True Contact Length vs. the Effective Edge. For example, it would show how a board with a rocker before the nose will actually feel on snow vs. what they say the effective edge is on the specs. Many still measure like it's a full camber board, so an effective edge of 122cm is actually 114cm on groomers if you factor in the rocker before the nose, and it only feels like 122cm in powder or really soft snow. Then, throwing in where the reference stance sits in relation to this true contact location might help, too. So good suggestion! If you have any more questions or feedback, email me through thegoodride.com so I can send looms to save time if you want more explanation. I'm so behind right now.

[@ManuelSimonato]

@@thegoodridesnow Thanks a lot for your explanation. Indeed, providing the measurment of how much you can set the bindings back with respect to sidecut gives a good idea of how much more floatation one can get when in powder. Actually, I think this is one of the greatest feature of your reviews: you can provide measurements which are not listed on brands website, you can show us the real flex and esepcially the true flex pattern (tip, middel, tail) which is extremely relevant. Of course one has to really ride a board and experience it to tell how it feels, but reading the specs and combining with your precious review details already gives a good idea (beside the fact that it's really fun per se, at least for nerds like me lol). So all in all, please keep on doing it! :) One idea could then be to measure and tell us the distance between the center of sidecut and the center of the edge. In my understangin the sidecut determines how the board turns, while "setback feeling" depends on the setback with respect to center of the edge. Factor in the camber profile with rocker nose and flex patter and things get more complicated to simply hammer the board feeling into cold numbers. But it's a starting point :) I actually might send you an email, as I have some other interesting questions and feedback you may find relevant too :)

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks man! Got your email and gave you a response. I'll try but that's not that easy to do accurately. I will give more attention to sidecut design and why it works with the camber, flex, shape and other elements to make it turn the way it does in the review. Cheers!

[@montezwilliams5529]

Great timing!! First freeride board for me but rode park boards for 15 years. How should I size a set-back board? Longer or same size?

[@thegoodridesnow]

You want to go longer for sure vs. a park board if it was sized right. Size it by boots first, weight second and height 3rd. If you want to get into it more, hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/

[@drewcook355]

Hey James. I am 6ft 180lbs 12 boots. mostly ride in New England and few trips out west. I have a 2018 Arbor A-frame 165mw. love the board. wanted something smaller for trees and tight areas. tried the Annex 158w didnt like how it handled and felt heavy. i just tried the Yes PYL Unic 159 and get alot of ankle pain from it in my front foot. (Just isnt as damp as the aframe) looking for board recs in the 157-160 range. What would be most comparable to the A-frame? Looking at the Backwoods, Jones Freecarver 6000, possibly another Aframe im open to trying new stuff.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Yeah the A-Frame is pretty damp and pretty unique. The Backwoods might work but it's very different. The Freecarver is a better carver but isn't a well rounded ride like the A-Frame. Way more catchy, way less float in pow. Not a replacement but more an addition to the quiver for east coast carving. I'd check out another A-Frame or Nidecker Smoke or Amplid Surfari or Korua Cafe Racer

[@JorgeOchoa-h7j]

0:24 , What brand & model is the snowboard thats 2nd one from the left ? It says 157 and has the Indian with the flower of Life and the two frogs?? Im a Medicine Man who Works with Ayahuasca & provides ceremony’s for healing. The two frogs are Kambo frogs and i as well serve that medicine. This Board is Beyond beautiful. Its a direct reflection on My life. By any chance would you sell it to me? Thanks!

[@thegoodridesnow]

It's the PYL Uninc and cool to hear about what's on there. Sorry but not selling it. I need mine to test and compare against other rides. That graphic is 2 years old now so you might be able to find one used.

[@mateuszskorupka007]

Hi. Im at a point of changing my true twin volkl xbreed 2017 for some more directional charging board. How would you compare K2 Alchemist to boards from Your list? I like to go fast pretty much down the mountain short S turns. Sometimes carving but 0 powder/park/jumps/buttering thats not my style. I feel like my old board is not keeping with my style cause in higher speeds becomes unstable. I consider myself upper intermediate/advanced but for sure not an expert. Weight around 190-200lbs with 6,0' height boot size 10,5. I have bought and been using ride trident boots from last season. Also what bindings would you recommend? I was thinking about Burton Cartel X's. Keep up with good work!

[@thegoodridesnow]

I have a comparison tool up on the site If you want to get into it more, hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/ and you can read my review of the Alchemist there.. It was a favorite last year and it's comparable to the Flagship Pro. thegoodride.com/the-good-ride-2024-freeride-favorite-snowboards/. The Alchemist has a slower base, less grip and less directional float but it's stiffer, Carves a little better and pops a little better. You might like something like the Jones Mercury if you have boots with a stiffer sole, Nitro Phantom + or Rome Cleaver. If you want to get into it more, hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/

[@nicodemus1828384]

I can't freaking wait for some snooowwwww

[@boardhead6720]

Have you ridden the latest Banked Country? I hear there are some changes worth noting.

[@thegoodridesnow]

No I haven't but hope to ride it soon.

[@Rob-bl5ib]

What size Burton Gril Master would be best suited for me? Im 6'1, 205 boot size 12. I ride a Custom X 162W and want the Gril master for chill days and pow, a board to just have fun with. Would the 160 be a good choice you think?

[@thegoodridesnow]

You might like the 160 as it will have more control, better fit your weight and will be easier to turn. It's closer to the 162w Custom X. The 165 will feel like a lot more board than what you are used to now but it will carve harder/float easier.

[@Rob-bl5ib]

@thegoodridesnow thank you for taking your time answering, and thank you for the best review channel in snowboarding 🙌

[@thegoodridesnow]

Many thanks!

[@MarkHo-v1g]

Great channel that's been very educational for me. I'm thinking of getting the capita aeronaut but am unsure of sizing. I'm 185cm(6ft 1), 87kg (190 lbs) and wear size US 9.5 or 10 boots depending on model. Capita's website would recommend 161. However I'm an intermediate rider and not so much of a hard charger. given what I have read about the board's stiffness and your website, I am thinking if a 159 might be more suitable. Concerned that a 161 may be too much to handle. Would very much appreciate your expert advise.

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks! Yeah, I wouldn't go Aeronaut at all if you are an intermediate. It's almost full-camber and pretty technical. Sizing down isn't going to help as much as you think and being so light/poppy/bucky it might introduce other problems. I would strongly suggest not getting this board. Instead if you want to go Capita look to the Navigator if you want forgiving and directional or the Mercury if you want something more twinish and forgiving. Even the BSOD is more forgiving because it has a lot less camber. If you want to get into it more, hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/

[@MarkHo-v1g]

@thegoodridesnow sounds like good advice there. Was considering this board cuz I've ridden the burton custom for the last 2 seasons and felt fine on that. Think I'll look into BSOD more closely on your recommendation. Thank you once again.

[@thegoodridesnow]

This is why YT isn't a great place for advice. Knowing what you ride now and how you like it really helps and I don't always have time to ask. Go 161 if you are ok with the Custom Camber.

[@MarkHo-v1g]

@thegoodridesnow it's all good. I recognise the limitations of YT as a medium but given all your experience, your advice and suggestions are still very helpful in my considerations here. Thank you once again and keep up the great job you're doing

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks and if you ever want detailed in depth advice hit me up at the link so I get answers to all the questions I need to give good advice.

[@henrydegenry]

For weight charts, do I use what I get on the scale at the doctor, or my weight with all my gear on (boots, jackets, water bottle, helmet, ect)

[@thegoodridesnow]

I would just go by your weight in the morning and then only factor your weight with all your gear if you are at the limit of the recommended weight or well over. Also make sure it's just not about weight. Weight is very important but you need to factor boot size in first, weight second and height a distant third.

[@elte7226]

What is the reason, that there is so less content about the Salomon Super 8. I just bought ther 23/24 Version but i cant find any review about it?

[@thegoodridesnow]

I asked but Salomon didn't have one to send. I havent ridden one for a while. I think the shape/camber is the same as this old ass review but the 25 should have ABS sidewalls now so it should ride much better/smoother. Yours is most likely almost or the same in this old review. thegoodride.com/snowboard-reviews/salomon-super-8-2016-2019-snowboard-review/

[@emceeboogs6190]

You think the Gril Master is too much for the Rad Granddad? I’m currently on a 2022 Burton Custom, which I’m trying to get comfortable on, but honestly don’t like. I find myself grabbing my 2003 Burton Custom, which I’ll probably ride forever because it’s an easy board to ride for me.

[@morganverdure6116]

Customs are stiff boards...even some technical good riders don't necessarily like it. You can find many other boards wayyyy softer BUT very performant. An example Jones frontier (I am not Jones fanboy but let's admit it they make some very approachable yet performant boards) . If you want to stick with burton rail system there are also endeavor boards that are nice freeride boards without being stiff planks (scout legacy or appolo directors). I also own Burton board with est system, among other boards and bindings. I still prefer traditional inserts system. Yet I admit the way the boards flexes under the bindings is very unique.

[@emceeboogs6190]

@ Thanks for the insight and advice. I agree, the flex under foot is very unique. Hopefully I can demo some EST bindings this year and see what kind of a difference it makes.

[@thegoodridesnow]

@emceeboogs6190 What is your boot size, weight and height? Also what size 22 and 03 custom are you riding?

[@emceeboogs6190]

@@thegoodridesnow Boot: 10; Height 5’9”; Weight 220. The 2022 Burton Custom camber is 162cm. The 2003 Burton Custom camber is 163cm. I would classify my riding, now at the age of 54, as high intermediate.

[@thegoodridesnow]

You might like the 160 then as it's more forgiving and more fun to turn. Pow float is a lot easier too.

[@suneater8066]

Has the yes uninc greats changed in the past few years? I noticed you guys used to take about it much more.

[@thegoodridesnow]

No. It's still a favorite on The Good Ride and one of my personal favorites. When I get time to ride for fun and it's a groomer day I often take that out.

[@Garlander]

Is there a company that stands out as far as build quality and longevity? A deck that you just feel is top notch when you pick it up

[@thegoodridesnow]

Off the top of my head, Never Summer, Weston and Stranda and Capita's non super/mega/ultralight are making some really well built boards. Ride, K2, and Mervin (Lib/Gnu) do a pretty good job too but have slower bases. Jones Non Ultra/Pro Models and YES/Bataleon/Arbor do a really good job too.

[@shawnarmstrong6717]

Another great video, thanks for continuing to produce top notch content. Do you have a favorite favorite? I’m sure the choice would be biased by your local terrain/conditions, but does one of these boards put a slightly bigger smile on your face when you ride it?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks! Greatly appreciated. I'm coming out with an Editors favorites. Boards I would choose if I could only have one board from each riding style. From this list it would be the United Shapes Cadet for it's versatility and easy float in pow.

[@SafetZverotic]

Hei how could it not be YES PYL UnInc. DCP Xtrm 24/25 on the list?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Still a favorite but just moved that over to the Alt Freeride Favorites list coming up next. I just kept recommending it with boards like the Jones Mind Expander and Cardiff Powgoda so moved it over to that list. I think it fits better there.

[@SafetZverotic]

@ 👍👍

[@himboslice_]

Souly Grail vs Surfari?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Two very different boards. Surfari is wider, more set back, feels more aggressive/stiffer/faster. Souly Grail turns quicker, feels more centered and more like a daily driver for me but it really depends on your specs, riding style etc.

[@cloudsky-f6w]

Hi，My snowboard is flagshippro,which snowboard Binding is suitable for me?

[@thegoodridesnow]

The Union Force or Atlas or Jones Mercury if you have a stiff sole boot will work well. Just make sure the binding you buy is a full size disc so you can use the powder inserts.

[@cloudsky-f6w]

@thegoodridesnow Thank you very much for your answer. May I ask why you do not recommend high hardness products like JonesaplloPro and AtlasPro?

[@thegoodridesnow]

Well when you ask a question on YT I know absolutely nothing about you. The Mercury and Force are better daily drivers for most people including myself. The Stiffer ones are hit or miss. Some love em and some don't like the ridgid feel and it bites into their calves. Especially with the Jones because you can't rotate the high back. If you want in dept advice catered to you If you hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/

[@cloudsky-f6w]

@@thegoodridesnow Thank you very much for your answer.

[@Max21072010]

Burton fish > burton grillmaster

[@thegoodridesnow]

two very different boards. Gril Master is a Freeride Favorite. Fish is a Pow Favorite. Many questions can be answered here. thegoodride.com/snowboard-reviews/?mens=1

[@fuzzymuffinsthe3rd]

I have all i need for the season. Thanks for the honest reviews and breakdowns. I dont understand the hate. Do your thing man 🫡

[@thegoodridesnow]

Thanks