2013 Salomon Grip Used and Reviewed

Sunday, June 24th, 2012

Big mountain freestyle is one of those awe inspiring things to watch, but it’s even better to do. The Grip is designed for just that. Utilizing G.I.F.T. technology you would be hard pressed to find a more green snowboard.

Board: Salomon Grip

Size: 154

Camber Option: Pow rocker. Minimal flat zone between the feet into exaggerated rocker in the tips.

Bindings: Raiden Phantoms

Stance: 22.5 Wide 18 Negative 15 Goofy

Boots: K2 UFO Size 10

My Weight: 165

Resort: Breckenridge

Conditions: Sunny bluebird spring days with firm fresh corduroy and icy lips in the park.

Flex: Just a hair past the mid flex point for all-mountain versatility. Softer in the tips stiffer under foot.

Stability: For being as rockered as it is this board is stable when charging. Probably due to the involvement of Wolle with it.

Ollies: This board is meant to be mashed around in a pillow line so springing quick ollie poppers everywhere is a ton of fun. It’s not overly poppy but enough to leave it predictable.

Pop On Jumps: Pretty solid for sending a icy park jump of death. It’s got that snap that lends itself to get that added boost if a jump doesn’t have a lot of natural pop but not enough to make you go fuck I’m going to send it to the moon.

Butterability: It’s got so much rocker and a blunt tip what do you think it’s going to do. Pow butters for day could be had on this thing if we ever have a powder day this season.

Jibbing: The flex and the rockered tip lends itself to being OK at jibbing but this board is more at home outside the park.

Carving: Ice is this decks mortal enemy. The minimal flat zone between the feet coupled with the Equilizer just isn’t enough surface area to really dig in and hold itself if you’re on boiler plate sheet ice. Hero snow is this decks friend.

Rider in Mind: Pow freestyle slayer.

Personal Thoughts: In pow this board would be fun. I’ve owned this exact size of board and it’s predictable for the most part but it’s biggest downfall is the lack of surface area and edge hold. You have to be prepared on those shitty days where it’s extra firm that you might be riding a death sled.

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