Board: Nitro Dropout
Size: 156
Camber Option: Cam-Out
Bindings: K2 Indy
Stance: 21.5 Wide 15 Negative 12 Goofy
Boots: K2 Thraxis Size 10
My Weight: 195lbs
Resort: Arapahoe Basin
Conditions: Hot pow, mid day laps, slightly warmer than average temperatures, a mix of clouds and sun, and some wind.
Flex: This board has that playful middle of the road all mountain freeride flex. It’s fully directional so obviously softer nose into a slightly stiffer tail. There’s a lot of torsional flex to this board which makes it fun to twist and drive.
Stability: This board is moderately stable. There’s a little flap in the nose at speeds, but nothing that really stands out. You do feel some of that chatter under foot. In rutted out terrain the board rides over most everything in its path and doesn’t wash out.
Ollies/Pop: The snap from this board is superb. It’s easy to load the camber profile and the rebound is immense. This is a board from sending it off everything in your path. If you want to send a side hit go for it or if you’re hitting a natural feature and need some boost don’t worry.
Butterability: That nose is so easy to press into and stay locked in. This board just wanted to pow butter with the best of them. It’s a deck that takes little effort to press into and will hold till you want to release it.
Carving: Short and fast to long and hard. It has all the bases covered. It’s a blast to come in hot to a carve and center flex the board to drive it out of the turn. This is where this board shines as it turns everything into a banked slalom run.
Rider in Mind: Someone that wants a directional freeride board for getting wily.
Personal Thoughts: It says something when you don’t want to get off a board. This is one of those boards. It slashes amazingly, has great pop, and rips a turn. It’s a board designed for optimizing fun all over the mountain in a freeride capacity. This is one of those sleeper boards people need to keep an eye on.
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90 Comments
Any changes from last years model?
I don’t believe so.
I really appreciate the time you take for all your awesome reviews. Would you consider this a party board or is it too freeride oriented? Right now I have a 2020 153 degenerati model 1 I found for a great price which I haven’t ridden yet. Last season I had a 2019 Salomon Craft, which I loved, but would have preferred something more stable yet still playful. I’m a rad dad, so want something I can butter and play with, yet still be able to somewhat handle when on more advanced runs. Considering staying with the degenerati or perhaps picking up a Nitro Dropout. Thanks in advance.
Btw, my Salomon Craft was a 152. Considering a Dropout in 153. I am 172 lbs.
More party board than freeride board. Bump up to a 56.
Based on your review I picked this for the new season. love your no-nonsense approach to your vids btw, always makes me smile. Was going to order a 56 but got the 53. I’m 160lbs should I return for the 56 or In you opinion will I have a good time with the 53? My last board was a 56 rocker and always felt a little large. thanks bud
Nah you’re golden man.
Hey man, just wanted to say that I just copped last years model. Pretty excited to rip some turns with it this season.
Both of my other boards have plain radial side cuts so I am interested to see how the bumps under foot improve grip (I ride in New England).
Most likely going to get this board or the Kazu to add to my quiver as I want something more directional and pow focused than the board I already have (155 gnu headspace). If I go with the dropout should I go with the 159 or 156? 5’9, 200 lbs, size 9 boot?
59
Power Pods, more Arbor Griptech (good) or Burton PD Edges (useless)?
What?
Is the Power Pod edge tech comparable to the Arbor Griptech? i.e the 2 radii aren’t blended and form a point.
Burton came up with ‘Pressure Distribution Edges’ which built out edge bumps near the insert packs, which were useless.
Hope this makes more sense. Thanks.
Well there you go. Its way more comparable to Griptech.
Thanks big A.
Looking at this or the GNU Antigravity as a general Euro resort tomfoolery board with a throwback shape. What would you recommend for the older semi-rad dad, cruising about, on piste/groomer butters and the odd jump here and there?
I have a Sushi and 12/13 Greats for more specific needs.
Any advice much appreciated.
Antigravity will be noticeably softer. So you have to ask yourself do you want to charge a bit more or butter more. That will break down which you choose.
Thanks. I probably lean towards more laid back deck, so looks like the Gnu it is.
On the rad dad front, I’ve been through the top 5 you did. Not a fan of C2, so the Libs are out, the Iguchi is 50% more expensive than the Nitro/Gnu, and Lago haven’t made it to Europe. This leaves the Ravine.
Is this (in a 155) likely to be too gnarly for my intended use?
No.
Hello
Great test !
What is your favorite between the Nitro SMP and dropout ?
Dropout.
Hi,
Thank for your reply !
thanks for your answer but I can not see the difference between the two apart from the look of the shape because after nitro they have :
– powerpods
– all mountain ( oriented freeride)
– the same flex of 7
– the same radius
– directional shape
– the same wood core (powercore)
Your feedback please
Ah yes marketing the great disrupter of using logic to deduce one is different than the other.
Ok and for you the dropout is stiffer and solid than SMP?
I’m 5’7, 160lbs and I just bought the Nitro Dropout 2020 156cm. Figured I’d go more board and get directional!! Got a screamin’ deal on her and preordered it from Freezeproshop.com in UK and they were offering $50 off $400 (free 3 days shipping and no tax) Total was $356 for board + snowboard tool. Everywhere else has this board for $470 so I just snagged it. Downside is I gotta wait until December 1st for it to ship. Your review helped me big time though, cant wait to schralp!!!
Was thinking about Union Strata bindings for this beauty…thoughts on this and boots?
Yewww, thanks brah!
Well solid choice. Strata’s will pair nicely with it. Best boot is the one that fits your foot and fits your needs.
Hello
Your favorite between dropout and jones frontier for all-mountain ?
Thank
Dropout.
Hello
Ok thank you very much !
Finaly after a lot of research
I m hesite with 3 models of snowboards for an all mountain program with piste, small freeride, side hits
I want a board that is good on groomers and good grip on hard pack, good stability for speed
I have an intermediate level
– Nitro Dropout
– Jones mountain twin
– nidecker escape
Your opinion ?
Thank you
You don’t want the Escape it’s just a downgraded MT. Get the Dropout unless you need a more traditional shape, then get the Mountain Twin.
thanks a lot for your answer
For the dropout I have technical questions:
– Is it easy to ride a switch even if it is not a twin?
– I saw that dropout had a very short sidecut, I think it should be great for small turns but for long turns, what is the result and won’t it be a problem?
– The mountain twin has a longer side cut, will it be better for long turns?
– Which is more stable and better in speed and carving?
Can you ride switch? No? Well then guess you need to learn how. Yes? Then there’s your answer. They both turn, can you turn a snowboard? Yes, there’s your answer. Oh you can’t? Well time to learn how.
Hey man,
Thanks for the review. I’m looking for a surfy, directional board and I’ve found a pretty good deal on the Nitro Dropout ($400). Basically, I’m trying to decide whether to snap it up or pony up the extra $150 for the Korua Shapes Cafe Racer. Do you think it’s worthwhile to spend the extra dough?
Get the Dropout!
Much obliged!
Hello!
Thanks for the great review of the dropout. I just have one doubt, the 159 or 156. I am 1,77 m with 78 kg. Do you think the 156 will hpld or is too borderline?
Cheers
Should.
Thanks a lot. The 156 will be then.
Hi, thanks for the great review, it helped me decide to buy the Nitro Dropout 156.
I’m at an intermediate level, mostly riding on groomers and, when available, on powder. I’m 5’11”, 165lbs, boot size US 10.5.
Will the 156 work for me or would I really need the 159? How significant is the difference?
Thanks!
Get the 56 for sure.
Thanks a million!
Just to have a better understanding, what’s the main factor for your 156 recommendation? What makes it better in my case?
I bought the 156, thanks for the advice!
One last question – what bindings would you recommend with it?
I’m looking at the Nitro Team and Rambler, what do you think?
I currently have Burton Moto boots with (broken) Mission bindings.
Get the Teams.
Your weight.
I’ll get the Teams so, thanks for your help!
Hey Angry,
I appreciate all the reviews as they have been helpful in researching boards! I demo’d quite a few boards and keep coming back to the Dropout. I demo’d the 159 as that was the only option. They are recommending that I buy the 159 but I am debating going with the 156. I am in BC so mix of pow and groomers. I am an intermediate rider 5’11 170 lbs with size 12 boot. What are your thoughts on board size?
Thanks!
Either would work for you.
6′, 175 lbs. Do you recommend 56 or 59? What binding would you recommend with this and the K2 Maysis boots?
Also, how would this compare to Rome Ravine? Looking for 1 board to do it all, rad dad profile, like to go fast, have a tough time with moguls and steep ice in the NE.
The tip shape plays a part in how the boards funnel snow/slush, the pointy tip on the Dropout funnels it faster and rises up on it quicker, while the shovel tip on the Ravine plows it and also will climb over crusty snow a bit better. The flex is a tad bit softer on the Ravine but that’s negligible.
Dropout sizing — 56 or 59 for 175lbs?
Also, dropout vs rome ravine?
Hi man.
Im looking at nitro dropout, bataleon camel toe and capita mercury for hard carving and all around having fun on montain, some jumps and butters. Dampness (i’m old :)) and carving being priority. I have Arbor Westmark that i love but i want to expand quiver or mayby exchange it for something from above.
Could you help me with my question or point to some other boards that i should look into?
Thanks!
Man you’re all over the place with decks. Out of the three you have listed the Camel Toe will be the dampest then the Dropout and Mercury are kind of tied. If you’re looking for damp though you might like something more like a Mervin board maybe a Hyper Kyarve, Hot Knife (stiff but damp), or even a Fun Guy.
I’m 5’7 140lb do you think the 153 or 156?
53.
I live in Colorado, experience a lot of pow out here. Will this board be good for the deep stuff?
It didn’t suck for me on a 14 inch day at A Basin.
Compared to the K2 87:
-How’s the flex? which one is more torsional flexible?
-which one is faster edge to edge?
-which one has easier turn of initiation?
-which one has more of a stable/damp ride?
-Stiffer in the dropout, 87 is softer.
-Dropout
-Dropout
Avran, do consider this a “wide” board? Would a size 11.5/12 boot fit ok on the 159. My math with your formula (tip or tail width/2 + waist width) has the insert packs at 306
Also, how does this compare to a Yes The Y? There’s a screamin’ deal out there right now that compares to an Endeavor Scout at 1/2 price.
It’s 28 at the center of the inserts not accounting for sidecut. So theoretically should fit it. It’s more twinish in how it rides than the Y, it would be closer to the Scout if anything.
Yeah, I just realized my math was off. 280mm, as you said.
Hello Avran
What bindings would you recommend for this board? Cartel, mission, atlas, strata? How would you rank them?
Cartels are all you need.
I take it you would pick this or the Ravine over the Scout, but between this and the Ravine what would you pick?
Me personally I’d get the Nitro, but all three are solid.
Hey mate, gotta give a big thanks for your vids. Super informative and delivered succinctly. Much love.
I’m currently scouring the end of season sales for an all-mountain freestyle quiver killer. I’m an intermediate rider and spend probably 70% of my time off piste. I love forests, poppers, drops, big turns and soft snow. I also like to lap the park jumps occasionally, but I’m too old and shit to really grind hard there. Although, I’d love to get in there a bit more often and probably will.
I’ll be moving from a Burton Instigator and I’m hoping to get something that can give me some of the playfulness of the Instigator while handling landings better and providing a bit more power and carvability.
I’ve basically narrowed it down to the Nitro Dropout and the Salomon Assassin Pro. I’m probably leaning toward the Nitro, but I’d love some advice on which of the two you would recommend in this case. Or even if there is another board that stands out a bit more.
Cheers mate! I appreciate any thoughts you might have.
I’d say for what you’re doing just snag the Nitro, go shred, and be happy.
Thanks mate!
Hi Angry, would you recommend the:
– Dropout
– Basic Decade
– Jones MT
for a Low Intermediate for a quiver of one (or able to last multiple Seasons to come)
Mostly, the goal is to take a board on groomers (70-80%), pow and trees, carve, occasional side hits, small-medium jumps. And once attempt to learn switch (for purposes of occasional mistakes that require switch position to get myself out of falling).
Thanks again! And thanks for the amazing videos! You rock!
If those are your three choices, probably Basic Decade.
Thanks Angry for your quick response.
Those are the three choices I thought was good base off your video reviews, however at my describe level of experience and your amazing encyclopedia snowboarding knowledge, could you recommend some boards that would allow me to progress quick and also last me for many seasons to come for the intended kind of riding I would like to do as mentioned.
Thanks again Angry!
Get the Yes Typo or a Ride Algorhythm honestly. Better suited for you, you’ll be able to progress, and won’t outgrow it right away.
Thanks a lot angry!
Will look at the YES Typo or Ride Algorhythm.
Does it matter if its the Old typo profile of 4-4-4 in your review, or the new Typo of 2-4-2?
Cause if it’s the 2-4-2, then it is pretty similar to the Decade isn’t it? Typo rated at 6/10 flex and decade at 7/10 flex with the same 2-4-2 camrock profile.
Would you recommend any bindings to pair up with either the Typo/Algorhythm (or decade)?
Strata? Atlas? NOW? Malavita?
Thanks again Angry! Cheers!
So all those 242 or 444 numbers mean is the amount of camber in the middle. The 444 has more camber is all. But the flex rating shit means fuckall in the grand scheme of things. The typo is a softer flex and more in tune to what you need at your level. I’d go with the Now IPO/Brigade or the Malavita/Cartel probably more the Cartel.
Oh I thought the middle number is the camber and the first and last number is the rocker. The camber remains at 4mm, but 242 has less rocker than 444 which makes 242 more catchy?
But anyways, Noted! Will go for the Typo and Cartel!
Thanks a lot Angry!
Would this or a Ravine fare better in the trees for quick turn initiation and a bit of pow?
I know the Ravine’s nose feels particularly soft and I’m a bit concerned it might get bucked around
Thanks
Well you ideally want a softer nose in the trees so…
Bonjour Angry One. Thanks for all the hard work, love your site/content.
So I love my Salomon Assassin, the flex/sidecut/camber profile just feel great to me.
So should I buy the Dropout or a Sick Stick (or a First Call)? I have other powder boards (hovercraft, 2020) so I’m looking for more of a fun board that can handle smaller/heavier pow days and then be fun everywhere else (slush, banks, side hits, couple of park laps) when the pow is done: day after snow, spring powder day, that kind of thing.
Are those your only options?
No I’m open minded, are there other boards you think would be better?
I’m looking for cam-rocker, I’ve had rockered and tbt in the past (gnu park pickle, evil twin) and didn’t like them. And full camber is just a little less forgiving when inevitably screw up a spin/butter.
So a Ride Warpig or Superpig might fit the bill, maybe the Libtech Orca or Gnu Gremlin although Gremlin may be too stiff for what you’re looking for. Rome Service Dog or Stalefish if you need something a bit stiffer. And if you wanted to keep it twin the Marhar Lumberjack.
I had totally overlooked the warpig (I guess I rode some Ride boards 10 years ago that were pretty average).
It looks ideal though, thanks dude.
Any changes between the 2020 and the 2021 model?
Also any reason to size down on this? I normally ride a 159 but you’ve been suggesting the 56 for other people in my weight class (170-175lbs)
No change and at that weight I’d ride the 56, seems overkill to get the 59 unless using it as a straight pow board.
You tend to just ignore weight recommendations huh
Well do what you want you’re clearly the expert here that’s ridden it and knows all about it. No clue why you’re even wasting my time asking questions at this point.
You’re the angry expert, not me. I’m just looking to learn as much from your reviews as I can. I just noticed you tend to choose the smaller size when you do your reviews, for a 195 lbs guy. I wouldn’t ever guess to get the 56 based on Nitro’s weight recommendations, so I’m glad you opened my eyes to that. Do you think most brands don’t have the most accurate weight recommendations or just Nitro?
Sure.
Looking for a fun daily driver forst chair last call kind of thing… any reason to get this over the Nitro team? I like carving, hit runs, butters etc and I already have a pow board.
You want a weird shaped deck? Otherwise no.