Board: Arbor Element
Size: 157
Camber Option: The System. Center reverse camber.
Bindings: K2 Indy
Stance: 22.5 Wide 18 Negative 15 Goofy
Boots: K2 T1 DB Size 10
My Weight: 175lbs
Resort: Breckenridge
Conditions: Sunny blue skies, cold temps, and normal CO conditions.
Flex: Stiffer under foot and then progressively softening up in the tips. The torsional give is that right mix of snappy and responsive which makes it a versatile middle of the road all mountain deck.
Stability: The board is stable under foot which is where it really counts on a reverse camber snowboard. Never once did I find it wanting to wash out.
Ollies: The center reverse camber gives this board a more skate inspired pop. With this kind of pop it takes the work out of loading the tail up out of the equation.
Pop On Jumps: This board while designed for all mountain freestyle can handle anything from small to large jumps with ease, so push it to the limit and see what you can send.
Butterability: Think about this you have an all mountain freestyle board with progressively softer tips, reverse camber, and a weird tip shape. It’s going to butter and the harder you work for it the more you’re going to spread that goodness all over the slopes.
Jibbing: Much like the Coda or Westmark this board locks into presses relatively easily. You can really land on the tips and know that they won’t buckle or buck you out. Board slides do their thing as well, but don’t have that locked in feeling that you would get with something that has traditional camber.
Carving: Go fast, set an edge, get your back arm down low, and prepare yourself to enter the Euro carve zone. This board rips turns like all the other Arbors out there. You can do short quick mild turns or long drawn out hard carves.
Rider in Mind: The all mountain freestyle rider that has an even 50/50 mix of park to mountain.
Personal Thoughts: The versatility of this board is great. It can handle a day slashing pow just as easily as a day riding groomers with the family. If you want to go into the park, then do it. This is the quintessential do everything jack of all trades but master of none quiver killer.
Check out the past reviews of the 2012, 2015, and 2016 Element.
Comparable Boards: Niche Aether, Yes Typo, DC Echo
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This board was loaned to us for review from Arbor Snowboards marketing department.
*Disclaimer this board did not change for 2018 so we carried the 2017 review over.
69 Comments
Does the Grip Tech work as good as Magne-Traction?
Better in my opinion. It’s a different edge hold as it’s right under foot.
Trying to decide between the element and the coda to replace my freestyle board. I don’t see much difference between the two. I don’t spend as much time in the park as I use to, so I’m looking for a more all mountain freestyle. I’m also looking at the yes typo. I’m 6’4″,210 lb and looking for a wide board that’s skatey and fun, but won’t leave me wanting on powder days and in the trees if it’s the only board I bring. Also I do have a Ride Berzerk for when I want to charge and a Capita Neo Slasher for backcountry.
You want an Element.
What would be your opinion on this board vs the Jones explorer? Love the wood and grip tech in this guy. But the Jones has very good reviews. Will be able to demo the Jones this season but not this one.
The big difference is going to come down to the camber profiles. That effects the ride immensely.
Would you recommend the cambered or rocker version for this board
Depends on what you’re doing. Although I’m pretty sure the cambered version doesn’t come out till next year.
I’m going to be in CO this Thursday-Saturday. Renting a demo and debating between the Element and Flow Rider. I just turned 50 & haven’t ridden in a while. Basically want an easy board to get back into it for a few days. Mostly carving on groomers & some powder the gods are kind. Maybe some trees. Something easy on the knees. Which would you recommend?
Element.
I have the 2014 Arbor Westmark and love how it feels light in the tips for spins. Plus the Grip-tech is great. Would the Element be the next step up for All mountain in front of the westmark?
Pretty much.
Hi Angry!
How does the element behave at high speeds +80km/h?
Also element vs Rossi one LF, which one better for high speed and big kicker?
Thanks for the advice, great reviews as always!!!
The Rossi will be more stable under foot because it has a camber section.
Hi, Angry. May I ask you for advice? I am looking for a new board, let’s say something versatile, preferably freestyle all-mountain type. I am deciding between Arbor Element Black/Premium and Burton Trick Pony. What do you think? Many thanks.
Element if you want center reverse camber and play Trick Pony if you want more snap.
Great, thanks, Angry. And if you should choose, no matter what preference, which one would it be? One thing to mention – I can get a new Trick Pony 2016/17 around 300$ which might be equal in price to Element Black, but the former has sintered base. Your pick? Cheers.
Element Black.
Hey, I am a bigger guy, 6″3″ 235 lbs with a 13 boot. I am looking at a 164W for both the Bataleon Stallion or a Lib Tech Skunk Ape or the 166MW on the Arbor Element. I ride everything from midwest ice to summit county powder mostly just carving with an occasional down hill bomb. No park and rarely let my board leave the ground. Skill level is intermediate-advanced. Which of these boards would you recommend?
Thanks
Either the Stallion or Skunk Ape.
Thanks for the reply. Any preference? I’ve never ridden a TBT board and I’m old so dogs and tricks kinda thing or is it pretty easily picked up?
If you’ve never ridden one then probably Skunk Ape.
Thanks again
I’m 5’11 175-180lbs. I just bought a Jones mountain twin 157, but am double guessing my decision and considering the element. I’m on the east coast and mainly ride on groomers. I mainly freeride, but want to start learning butter tricks and hitting the park. Would the element be the better option? I’m open to other suggestions as well.
Thanks
You’re fine. You bought it, now go ride it.
Also considering yes typo.
How does it compare to the arbor wasteland?
It’s similar enough with the Wasteland being a bit wider and more playful like the Coda.
Hello Mr. Angry.
Im looking for a directional twin. I dont ride switch. It should be all mountain, I dont jib at all and have zero interest in that. I like jumping on natural features. It should still be playful, i dont charge hard. I take the lift have fun all the way down and it should be able to do offpiste (right next to grooemrs) and trees okayish. I ride in sweden and norway and I never get huge amount of powder.
What board would you recommend? Ill be extremely thankful if you could list a few options so I have some options as im a bit limited in board selection where I live.
You don’t need any form of a twin really if that’s what you’re looking for. Check out the reviews and see what stands out.
Been looking all day, you guys did a metric shit ton of work. Thanks.
So far what’s sticking out is, mountain twin, YES. standard, YES PYL, arbor iguchi, t.rice pro, slash brainstorm, niche story, gnu mullair (tho my feet are prob too big), kazu (TJ from snowboardprocamp says it’s great allarounder), libtech ejack knife, deep thinker and Lago open road. But no idea how to narrow down the field.
You’re still kind of all over the spectrum with your board choices. From stiffest to softest it goes Muller/Ejack, Brainstorm, PYL, Deep Thinker, T.Rice (pointy), Standard Iguchi,Kazu, Mountain Twin, Lago.
Like I said, I’m having a really hard time narrowing down the field, because almost no one agrees on snowboards. Procamp says the Merc is s freeride board, you say it’s freestyle.
But I want an all mountain freeride board I don’t have to bring my a game every time I ride. I want to be able to be lazy from time to time.
So: Arbor iguchi, niche story, deep thinker, mountain twin, kazu, PYL.
Standard, Merc, t rice are out cause they are twins and I want something directional. Could you throw in what you would suggest?
Mercury is all mountain freestyle. That’s what it’s designed for. Honestly most of these are bordering more towards all mountain freestyle. What camber profile do you want?
Bordering on freestyle is ok, aslong as it can handle some extent of freeride. I learned on camber boards and have never ridden anything else. But I hear good things about eg the niche with rocker between the feet and individual camber zones. Honestly I can go both ways – I don’t charge hard so camber isn’t exactly a must. At least I don’t think so. I’d love if you were gonna do top 5 of the following: 1. All mountain 2. All mountain freeride 3. Freeride 4. All mountain freestyle. Would love to hear your thoughts on what you actually prefer the most.
This board sounds great for the riding I like, but I’m wondering about the width for my boot size as it sounds a little on the narrow side. Size US11 on the 159, what do you think?
I think you’ll be fine unless you have one of those boots that’s just bulky as all hell.
Looking for a board I can do everything on, so this boards checks that. Im also looking for the board that will allow me to be as lazy as I want. Is this board forgiving enough for when you just want to explore and relax and be mellow as shit?
Yep.
Thanks my dude. Also just realized that Arbor has iguchi rocker. Is that an element in directional shape or any major differences?
Directional Coda.
Here’s my specs: 44 years old, 5’9″, 170lbs, wear Burton Imperials Size 8. Probably call myself a high beginner, low intermediate rider who’s working on good carves and to start buttering, but not much into park riding at this level. Might ride powder a couple times a year. Looking to upgrade from rentals to my first board purchase and torn between the 2019 Arbor Element Black Camber, Yes Basic, or Yes Typo. I’m really not sure if the Arbor and Typo will be too much board for me at my current skill level (I’m assuming the Basic is less catchy). Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
The Typo and Element are definitely not what you should be looking at. Go with the Basic you won’t regret it.
Awesome…I’m officially stoked! Cartels or Malavitas?
Get the Cartels it’s more of a work horse binding and if you outgrow the Basic you’ll be able to take them with you to the new board.
Definitely going with the Basic…155 or 158?
Get that 55 it will be easier to maneuver around.
Hey Angry,
trying to decide between YES Typo 158, Mountain Twin 154 and the Arbor Element 155 or 157 (all on sale at local store). Mainly a resort rider not much park, high intermediate looking to improve and have fun. 43 years old, 5’11” 180-185 lbs, DC Judge 10.5
Should I look for a shorter Typo or a longer MT?
Thanks and keep up the awesome work
Typo 58.
Thanks Angry. Is the 58 best size for me or should I look for a 55?
Hey Angry,
I recently busted my Arbor element up to the point where it’s beyond repair. I’m now looking for a new snowboard but i’m a little more short on cash now. Do you have any suggestions for snowboards that will perform as similarly to the element as possible for a cheaper price tag?
Ebay, craigslist, snowboard trader. All potential options to snag a deck for cheaper. https://www.ebay.com/bhp/arbor-snowboard depending on what size you’re looking for and what your price range is there’s some options on the first page alone.
Hi,
I am wanting to learn to butter/jib…I have an Iguchi Rocker but that seems pretty stiff for that. Is the Element a board I should consider for learning to jib? I can get a good deal on a Niche Aether and there is also a Rome Mechanic on sale as well. My quiver is full of stiff freeride and 2 powder boards so I don’t have any softer flexing boards. I weigh 210, am 5’7″ with a 9.5 boot….what might you recommend? Any of the boards I listed or something else?
I’d go with the Westmark or Formula rocker instead from Arbor. Mechanic might work for you. Wouldn’t waste your time with the Aether.
Thanks, really appreciate the advice and the reviews! I’ll chase either the Mechanic or a Westmark. I usually ride a 159 – should I size down for this? On the charts a 159 is usually a size under whats recommended for my weight but I haven’t had any issues with 159s. I ride here in CO, Loveland, A Basin.
Also – in regard to the Aether I am just curious as to why you consider that not good option for me? Is it because the board is more for other types of riding?
You should be fine on a 59 if you’re used to that, could probably even drop down to a 57 since you want to butter more and use your weight to your advantage. It’s just not a board that I would recommend for what you’re looking for.
Found a 157 on great sale. Is 10.5 Northwave legend boot and K2 Formula Large ok on this 251.5 waist? I’m just an intermediate, no carving demon…..
Should be fine.
Thanks AS!
Hi Angry
I’m up to a solid intermediate, and am looking to buy my first snowboard. I tried a friend’s burton process, and it felt alive and was easier to ride than I thought, but difficult to cross flat tracks with. Felt it was easy to turn and carve. I tried an arbor element over the weekend, which felt much damper, was easier in powder and chunder, and flat tracked great (although I have no idea how or why). Also turned well and I really liked how the board feels so small between your feet as the turn is initiated right around the toes and ankles.
Are there other boards a 40 yr old intermediate snow boarder should consider for their first board? Interested in groomers, a little back country, and keeping up with the kids (no park)? Other arbors I should check out (like the look, and how the board feels so little).
K2 Raygun
Thanks!
Hi,
Do You know if this board is the same as 2019 Arbor Element Black (rocker version)?
I can buy it really cheap, but have to be sure it’s more or less the same board.
Thanks in advance.
Yes.
Already bought one. I’m going to pair it with some mid/stiff boots and probably Now Pilot bindings.
We’ll see how it works.
Arbor boards are really masterpiece of craft from what I’ve seen. Hope it works as well as it looks 🙂
Thanks for quick answers in both topics.
160lbs, 9.5 boots so I’m guessing 153 since that’s the shortest option?
You could do the 55 as well.
Totally loving the ride of the westmark rocker but looking for something that can hold up a tad better in powder and feel a bit more stable hitting moguls. Was thinking of just getting another westmark but longer this time for the increased stability (got the 152 already), or getting an element. Is the ride on the element very different from the westmark?
Well your first problem is you’re riding moguls. Element is a bit stiffer.