The right snowboard can make all the difference in your performance on the slopes. From popping to turning, having a well-tuned, professionally-constructed board is essential to advancing your skills and mastering the art of snowboarding. Humans are not made to glide on snow; if your equipment is not up to par, you will find it difficult to excel compared to those who have refined equipment. For those of you out there who are looking for a quality mid-priced snowboard with great aesthetics, there is a board for you.
The brand new Flow Drifter 2012 Snowboard offers an invigorating experience on the slope while sporting some serious style. Rated as a great “do-everything” board, the Flow snowboard will provide riders with the maximum amount of utility and flexibility one can expect from a single board. This board will ravage all the aspects of a mountain course and may be the best new release in terms of versatility. Let’s outline the specs, pros and cons of this Flow snowboard so you can decide if it is right for you.
Specifications
- Reflex core, utilizing maximum efficiency between strength-to-weight construction
- Convex base complete with I-ROCK reverse camber
- Dual Transitional Sidecut combines tight radius for carving and lax radius for high-speed and jump use
- Basalt plates, which redirects kinetic energy and adds to braking power
- High-speed forgiveness, coupled with rough terrain compatibility and smooth transitions
Pros and Cons of the Flow Drifter 2012
The first and best advantage to the Flow Drifter 2012 Snowboard is the versatility it can handle on any terrain. This Flow snowboard absolutely impresses in how it can transition from rough to smooth terrain and from pack to air and back again. The flexibility makes it a cinch to conquer park obstacles while the hole pattern accommodates the rider in freeride stance. This board features reverse camber, making butters and pow jumps with ease. It also has an excellent hold on edges in hard-packed conditions and steep terrain. The directional shape complements all of these areas, especially in freeride mode.
As with any snowboard, advantages in one area typically mean disadvantages somewhere else. The Flow Drifter 2012 Snowboard is for intermediate to advanced snowboarders; a beginner may find his or herself biting off more than they can chew with this Flow snowboard. The slightly setback hole pattern will take some time to master when riding switch and the stiffer than average build may not be for everyone. When it comes to butter, it performs very well for an all-purpose board but suffers due to the stiffness. Some of these concerns may be enough to turn away certain master snowboarders who prefer specific snowboards for specific occasions, but for an all-purpose snowboard it holds up really well in competition with others in its class.
Extreme Sports Final Thoughts
This Flow snowboard’s number one claim to fame is its ability to handle a series of different conditions in any given run. Beginners should take a look at a more basic, straightforward snowboard, perhaps with a lower price tag. This board is in the intermediate $350 price range, which is fair considering this is an intermediate board. Individuals with skill and prior investment in snowboarding should consider this board as a great, versatile addition to their collections.
