Camber vs Rocker Snowboards: Which is Best for You?
What is Camber vs Rocker Snowboard? They define the shape of your board’s bottom, making it suitable according to the terrain. If you are a beginner and looking forward to snowboarding, you must know their basic details and types. There is a difference in the type of snowboarding you will do in the mountains than in a terrain park. Hence, you will need different types of snowboards according to your preference and planning. Read more on Camber vs Rocker Snowboard below.
Snowboard Types camber vs rocker snowboard
Types of Snowboards
There are five categories of snowboards to find the right type of style of snowboarding.
- All-Mountain is considered best for any terrain.
- Freestyle is used mostly for the park.
- Freeride is best for ungroomed snow.
- Powder suits well for deep powder snow.
- Splitboard is best for backcountry riders.
Let’s see the camber vs rocker snowboard types that are preferred by many riders due to various reasons.
Camber Snowboard
Previously, only camber boards were available until rocker boards entered the market. But still, camber remains the preferred choice among many riders. The bottom shape of a camber board is concave in design. The midsection of the board is lifted, and the head and tail of the board touch the snow. The board is flexible. The concave design is present when there is no weight on the board, and it becomes flat once you put pressure on it. Camber allows the board to “pop”. It is beneficial for those who like jumping or carving high.
Rocker Snowboard
A rocker board is also known as a reverse camber board. It is exactly the opposite of camber in terms of design. The Rocker Board is convex in shape, which means it is low in the middle and curves up toward the front and the back. The middle edge of a rocker board contacts the snow. The name rocker resembles a “rocking chair”. You can learn the fundamentals on the rocker board without falling as much.
Cambers and rockers are suitable according to the terrain you prefer for riding. Camber boards are suitable if you like to ride on groomed slopes and parks. And if you like all-mountain terrain and powder skiing, choose a rocker board for the best experience. So now you know the basic information of camber vs rocker snowboard.
Is Rocker or Camber better for beginners?
As a beginner, a camber vs rocker snowboard, any of these suits you. What you must look for as a beginner are your interests and skills. Also, camber and rocker snowboards differ in design and are suitable for different types of terrains. Hence if you like groomed slopes and parks, then Camber boards will suit you. Rocker boards go well with all-mountain terrain and powder skiing. Some beginners opt for rocker boards and then go for camber-style boards once their experience level and skills are enhanced.
Traditional Camber vs Rocker Snowboard
The original board profiles were the traditional camber and rocker snowboard. It was the first attempt by snowboard makers to create a board that provided more flex. It allowed for easy mobility in a variety of terrains. It also allowed riders to add bends to the profile to have more board control without extra work.
- Many riders prefer traditional camber boards. The camber flattens when pressed and easily connects with the snow. Thus the camber profile is very stable and easy to control. Many terrain park riders like traditional camber boards as they have better balance on the rails. If you like to ride on groomed slopes, then a traditional camber board must be your pick.
- All-mountain riders prefer traditional rocker boards. It is considered a versatile board profile. You can easily move from powder to the terrain park with the traditional rocker board. It floats well through deep powder. You can maintain speed even when the snow is deep as the tip and nose of the board are turned up. You can also ride rails easily and stick landings out of the half-pipe.
What is the Difference Between Camber vs Rocker snowboard?
Besides having a difference in designs, size, and shape, other features also differentiate camber vs rocker snowboard as follows.
- Camber snowboards have a continuous edge and come in contact with the snow, thus giving stability on the slopes, mostly while making turns. You can take turns without fearing stumbling on your board at high speed. The more area of the board you have in contact with the snow, the more you will experience a tight grip on your ride. Camper boards allow the riders to grip tightly on hard snow. It enhances safety for the riders and especially for beginners.
- Rocker snowboards have limited surface contact with the snow. It helps the riders turn quickly, resulting in a thrilling wild ride. A rocker snowboard is quite beneficial if riding on soft snow or powder. Rocker snowboard has the floatation ability that helps to stay on top of powder snow. As it has limited contact with the snow and turns up heads and tails, riders get the best experience on soft and deeper snow. The edge of the rocker board doesn’t dig into the soft snow due to its concave shape.
Thus, the camber vs rocker snowboard has features that suit the rider’s preferences. Some find it helpful to start with the rocker board as it is forgiving and you won’t fall easily from it, while others love learning basic techniques by using the camber board first. Ultimately, it all depends on your skills and dedication to the game and having fun.
Camber vs Rocker Snowboard: FAQ
1. Is Camber better than Rocker for a park?
With a rocker board, you are less likely to catch edges and fall when you try to do any spins on the ground. You can control the board and have fun in the park with more flexibility and room for innovation as compared to camber boards. Hence, a rocker board is better for a park.
I’m Tami Thompson, the founder of HIR Adventure, my team and I are passionate about outdoor adventure sports. We’re committed to offering you the finest skateboards, longboards, and snowboards.