Board: Ride Shadowban
Size: 157
Camber Option: Directional Twin Standard Camber. More rocker in the nose than the tail with a ton of camber between.
Bindings: Rome Black Label
Stance: 21.5 Wide 15 Negative 12 Goofy
Boots: K2 Thraxis Size 10
My Weight: 200lbs
Resort: Copper Mountain
Conditions: Sunny bluebird skies, cooler temps, sustained winds, ice, chop, chunder, and perfect hero snow.
Flex: This board just feels consistent from tip to tail with its flex. There’s some key flex points where the rocker zones hit the camber, but overall its so similar from the tip to tail. There’s a little bit of torsional flex but overall it seems somewhat rigid. Overall it’s a middle of the road flex.
Stability: This board is stable. It just dissipates kinetic energy underfoot and in the tips there’s next to no chatter. It’s damp yet lively but not overly reactive. This makes for just a smooth consistent ride.
Ollies: With this board having such an abundance of camber it’s got snap. You will feel the rebound from this board when you load up the camber section so prepare for that as it does take a little bit of effort to load it up. This is a slightly calculated pop engagement.
Pop On Jumps: This board is at home on jumps whether small, medium, or large. It snaps off the lip and just gets you up in the air with ease or it can be laid back and let the lip throw you.
Butterability: With the bigger rocker section in the nose that’s the ideal spot to press this board and it locks in but has some rebound which will fight you. The tail locks in as well but has a smaller sweet spot so you have to be a bit more calculated with it.
Jibbing: A little speed and muscle goes a long way with locking this board into presses. It just wants to jib and lets you know it. When it’s locked into a press you feel the flex point kick in and you can sit on or over it while the camber section will rebound and pop you out of the end of the feature. Going sideways it slightly flexes around the feature and locks you in.
Carving: Now here’s where this board just shines. The sidecut just smoothly flows from edge to edge. It’s uncanny how well this board turns from right underfoot. You can just maximize your turns with very minimal effort. When you crank it up to speed and drive a hard carve it locks in and lets you lay it over without any worries or hesitation. This is one of the best turning boards in this category I’ve been on and it blew me away with how well it handles itself.
Rider in Mind: All mountain freestyle guy that wants one board to do it all.
Personal Thoughts: Consistent. That’s the word I would use to describe this. From the flex, to how it turns, and how it engages its snap. It just feels like an old Ride DH2 so if you’ve ridden one of those decks you know what I’m talking about. This is possibly my new favorite board for 2023, within the first 400 feet on it I just knew this was the board for me and it did not disappoint.
Comparable Boards: Jones Mountain Twin, Capita Indoor Survival, Rossignol One
Binding Recommendations: Ride C-6, Rome DOD, Now Select Pro
104 Comments
Hey Avran,
I rode all of last season on a Mercury, but it was a little too stiff and aggressive for my riding style so I got an Algorhythm at the end of the year. I have not yet ridden it, but was wondering if I’m going to have the same problem or if I should sell it and grab a shadowban, which seems to better fit what I’m looking for. Is there that much of a difference between the Algo and the shadowban or should I just stick with the Algo? As always, thank you so much for all the time you put in to your reviews and comments.
If the Mercury was too stiff the Algorhythm is way too stiff and the Shadowban will feel the same as your Mercury. Might be time to down grade to something like an Outerspace Living.
How does this board do in powder?
About on par with every other all mountain freestyle board, lean back, feel the burn, and have fun.
Looking to buy a new board. I’ve been learning towards a Capita DOA OR Mercury , but just came across this board. I ride pretty hard, but also like to have fun with jibs and butters. Any suggestions on the above options? Would even consider upgrading to either the Super DOA or Mega models … But this boards seems super fun. I dont want to short change myself though on my new investment. Thanks for the help
Honestly any of those will work, don’t think you need a Super or Mega.
Hey Angry,
Just found your reviews and they are the best out I have seen.
I have a 162W hovercraft and I love it as all I do is carve, try to find powder and hidden spots but I’m looking for a fun board to ride when the pow isnt around, and to try and learn some tricks on.
I keep going back and forth on the Fun.Kink or the Shadowban with the Creamer from lobster as a 3rd choice.
Any tips are appreciated.
You’re down to commit to 3BT? If so get the Fun.kink. Otherwise Shadowban all day.
You got affiliate links for Fun.Kink?
Also thinking of staying with the 162w for the fun.kink as Im 6,4 and 210 and size 12. don’t want to max out the 159w but my buddy want me to get on a smaller board
And thanks for the help man.
You can do a 59w no problem. Here’s your link: https://bit.ly/3T4MPMI
Hi angry!!!!
I’m in between sizes , 154 or 157. I’m 5’10 and 155lbs. 10.5 shoe size (Salomon launch) riding a bit of everything, love the pow, but is not often we get fresh pow,
Also, burton cartel or union atlas?
Thanks a lot!!!
55 and slap the cartel on it.
Hi snowboard guru!
Thanks for doing real reviews instead of other shit channels.
I can get my explorer to kick out when I push it and it’s semi destroyed so need a new board to progress further.
I ride resorts, love carving, search for leftover powder and trees and jumping small natural stuff. Park Is not worth mentioning, i suck and am mid thirties.
Looking at shadowban, superpig, pyl unic and Rome national. 1 board quiver, any of these stand out?
175lbs, us 9,5
So you don’t want the Shadowban I think you’d really like that PYL UnInc since you seem to be more freeride.
Thanks, I am within weight limit for both 155 and 157. What should I get? Guessing 157 since its freeride focused?
Do you know if these are limited to this year only? or will they be part of their line? And also, do you know next weeks lottery numbers?
Yes, no, yes, 123456797978483736261515143647488r837oneoneoneonetwotwosixtysixtyfive64848
Thanks for the review! I’m leaning heavy towards this board, the other ones that are keeping me from pulling the trigger are the DOA, arbor element, and the Jones mountain twin. I’m looking for a board that I can learn with and progress (id consider myself a low intermediate rider) at having fun down the mountain (doing 180s, butters, side hits) with an occasional lap or two in the park to hit a box or jump, and the same number of times just charging down the mountain. Seems like the shadowban is that board, but was curious if you’d put any of the other ones I mentioned, or any other boards above the shadowban. Thank you!
Element for sure or even a Rome Warden.
Awesome thanks for the suggestion. An additional question, I didn’t really think of them due to not being twin shaped, but where do you feel a party board like the dancehaul compared to an element or warden for cruising and playing down the mountain vs going with an all mountain freestyle board
It’s going to be more playful and ride different than all of those.
So is the shadowban the old algorithm? And then they beefed up the Algo to compete with mega merc?
If you need a board that is a tad more all mountain than the shadowban what would you point me towards? My Rossi one LF is flat after roughly 100days of use. I go all over the mountain, but I don’t venture into park anymore, just silly box slides and small jumps. I do alot more carving on groomers, exploring, chase powder stashes and jump off natural stuff.
No. Algorhythm.
Currently riding a lib tech dynamo with Union atlas. Love how it carves but looking for something a little more freestylish and softer to add to the quiver. Would the Shadowban + Union ultra (or similar bindings) target that softer freestyle desire? Or is my stiffness going to be similar.
Lateral move. You’d be better off going to a Zero from ride with the Ultras.
yo, looking for a bit of direction for a new board
low intermediate – leaning towards something with good hold in the icy stuff but also a fun ride.
recommendations ive had so far, LibTech TW, YES Typo, Jones Mountain Twin – sizes between 154-156 were mentioned. Board i like so far is the LibTech Ejack but have a feeling the jump could be too big. prefer a stiffer board than the current one i have
weight 72kg, height 5’8
current board bataleon Evil Twin, burton cartel bindings
Terrain Wrecker is softer than the ET, Typo and MT are pretty similar. Ejack is stiffer. Low intermediate you probably don’t need any of those boards but the TW.
speedy AF reply! Third time TW been given, im sold. Have a great winter bro
This board looks awesome. I see it’s marketed as a unisex board… would you recommend it for a girl. My old board is a ladies choice but the shadowban looks like a lot of fun.
Realistically all snowboards are unisex, not like they know whether you have indoor or outdoor plumbing. It’s going to come down to your riding ability, what you want from the board, size options for your weight/boot size, etc.
Rode this board today in a 151… it’s fucking awesome. It’s fun, it’s super fun to carve, the pop is fantastic, I was flying off the side hits and jumps with minimal effort. So much fun
Thanks for the review, Avran. Would Bataleon Astros be too stiff or should I stick with something like a Ride C6 or Union Strata?
Astro Asym is fine, full wrap is a little overkill.
Great review – sounds perfect. I’m 195 lbs with size 11.5 button imperials. Don’t do any park – what size board would you recommend? Is the 160w too wide? Thank you.
Sorry – should add that I use Rome black label bindings in a large (on your recommendation btw – GREAT bindings!)
60w is fine.
Thanks for this.
Just did a double check on sizes & the 160w seems pretty rude – 264waist and 311 tail / nose width. My boots shrink to an 11 (in theory) so could I jump on a 157 – 254 waist and 300 tip /tail ? I’d prefer the 157 if there’s a chance I’d fit without heel drag
Thanks for this.
Just did a double check on sizes & the 160w seems pretty wide – 264waist and 311 tail / nose width. My boots shrink to an 11 (in theory) so could I jump on a 157
Happy New Year, Avran! Sounds like a great all around board. Is this Ride’s replacement for their Wildlife? I notice it’s no longer in their line up.
No.
I’ve been enjoying the Raygun based on your recommendation the last 5 seasons, but ready to step it up to something with a bit more oomph everywhere – bigger jumps, deeper carves, higher speeds, and (because I ride midwest hills) better grip on ice.
Considering either the Shadowban, Zero, and Mountain Twin. Assym would be completely new to me, but I’m struck by your review last year that the Zero just “grips and rips” which sounds attractive. All three have edge tech which I would expect to be helpful on my midwestern ice.
Any specific recommendations based on what I’ve described, or dealer’s choice? Not sure I’d really make the best use of a volume shifted board, so ruling out the Twin Pig or similar.
Get a Shadowban.
Awesome, thanks!
Thanks for all your expertise.
Looking for a board I can charge hard on, dip into trees, small to medium jumps and side hits, switch, and fast edge-to-edge. I mostly ride in Vermont. I’ve narrowed down to the Shadowban or Algo, Standard Uninc (worried about slower edge-to-edge), and Nitro Team/Supra (but their weight parameters put me at a 162??)
I’m 5’10’, 185 lbs., Size 10 boot.
Thanks again.
Probably just want a Shadowban.
Thanks for your site, it’s so good.
I wanted to ask for a few options that you feel might suit me well. I’m looking for a quiver of one that can handle the following well:
– carving and slashing
– has great pop
– can handle powder with ease
– can handle icy conditions as well
– good speed
– gets through chunder and chop
– has sizing to accommodate 11.5 US boot
– don’t care about butters, jibbing and park much. Maybe just to hit a couple jumps, side hits and small stuff.
– I’m advanced intermediate and progressing
I currently have a Yes Greats but it can’t handle pow and really doesn’t have much pop, tbh. Carves and rides switch like a dream though.
Thinking Golden Orca, Shadowban, Algorythym? Would you recommend any of these or another I’m missing?
Sounds like you need a freeride board.
K2 Passport?
Hi,
The shadowban ticks a lot boxes, poppy, good carves, we’ll build.
I like to ride the mountain like a park.
Which size do I need?
I am 82 kg, boots size 10,5 us and 187 cm tall.
Thank you
57 or up.
Hi angry,
I’ve a 148 warpig, great board really fun. Only problem landing switch fast I feel is tough so thinking of getting second board. Would the shadow ban compliment it or other recommendations? warpig for pow and shadowban for everywhere else.
If so help with size as stuck for 154 or 157,
I’m 85kg and size US 9 .
Thanks for all the great reviews
Forgot to mention … ride pow when lucky enough to get it, other wise side hits and park and jibs and butters . Solid intermediate
Get that 57 Shadowban.
Thanks for reply. Need your advice again.
Could not get the shadowban before my holiday.
So unfortunately snapped the nose of the 148 warpig. Still rideable but flappy.
I’ve seen my second choice a mercury in resort for sale it’s 155,
85kg us9
I’m more playful than charging . But like fair sized drop offs and jumps
3 days riding left
Help 🙂
I wouldn’t do the 55.
Hi Avran,
Looking to graduate from my Outerspace Living to something with more oomph as a mid to high intermediate. I generally like carving, small jumps, spins, side hits and transitions, buttering, and occasional boxes (In that order most days)
Shadowban sound like a good next board? Was gonna grab one in the 157. I’m 5’9”, 160lbs and size 10 in Vans.
Do it.
Board looks great, but I need some help with sizing. Im 5’8” 145lb with a size 10 boot. I would think the 151 would be best for my weight, but i feel like the 148mm waist is to small for my boots. Should I size up to the 154? Or look for a similar board with a wider waist?
Thanks for all the reviews, it’s really helped narrow down the selection process!
You definitely want something with more girth underfoot.
Hi Angry,
i’m in between shadowban 160w and typo 159w for sunday cruising in Europe. (found them at good prices) few side triks, bit of pow…hard carves … say hellow in the park…
Ex park rider, 25+ years snowboarding, never had a hybrid or rocker board…used to have a suprateam 159 20 years ago , and camber atomic park board 159 for the last 10 years…
looking for something still playfull, but not buttery…one board quiver…third choice bataleon whatever beyond medals…but don’t know if i’d like 3bt
185 lbs , size 11 us
Thank’s!
Shadowban.
thank’s Angry
Hey, was looking at this for a one board quiver. Mainly carving, some side hits, not interested in park. Not too much powder around me, but maybe an occasional trip. Intermediate looking for a board to grow into.
Specs: 5’6″, 185lbs, size 7 boot (tough finding narrower boards for my small feet). Also looking at the K2 Antidote or Passport, but open to other suggestions. Size 151 for any of these or maybe 154?
Why the fuck you riding something that small when you aren’t doing any park? Be a man and bump up to the 57.
Hey Angry,
I currently ride a 154 Yes. Optimistic that I’ve really loved but I think I’ve gained a few pounds since I’ve bought it. I’m 6’2″ and about 180 to 185. I can still ride the optimistic but wash out on my heel edge under hard carving. Been looking for a new all mountain board and your review of of the shadowban caught my interest. I’m looking for a poppy and and nimble all-mountain board I can do side hits with and still take into the trees and ride in soft stuff if thats where I end up. I’ve demo’d the Super DOA, Mountain Twin and Orca. The orca is almost similar to what I have now. Still don’t love any of them as much as my Yes. What’s your take?! Considering the PLY as well
PYL UnInc.
I get a lot out of your reviews. I’m 59 yr 185 lb rad dad. Skied for decades. This is my 5th season snowboarding all mountain. 24 days in the last 4 seasons on 157 NS Proto Type 2. This season and last I’ve been riding more and more switch, blacks, moguls, trees, pow, ice, small side hits. The Proto has been a great training board but now I need more glide, stability at speed, carving, snappy turns at speed, pow performance & pop. I’ve got demos reserved for Shadowban and Mercury next week. Shadowban will likely have Ride bindings. I’m thinking of asking for the A8. Mercury will likely have Union Force. What do you think of these board:binding matches? I’ll also probably ride both boards with my 2020 Union Strata. Please share any counsel that comes to mind.
The Force sucks.
Hi, i’m interested to buy this one but I have doubt about the size, I’m about 190lbs, 5ft 11 inches and size 10.5, should I buy the 155W or 160W?
Bindings are Rome Katana, still searching for boots 🙂 (advice?)
55w for more playing around and small resort riding, 60w for more charging and big resort riding.
Been riding a 163 cold brew a few seasons. Lower intermediate. Looking to make a jump into a truer camber from the c2. 164 a good choice? 6-4, 200 or recommend something else. All mountain, no park, groomers and side hits
You could even bump down in size.
Much apprechh hombre. I need the wide, 60 enough?
Should be. If you’re worried bump up to the Algorhythm as it’s stiffer.
I’m 5’9″ 160lb size 10 boot….154, 155, or 157???
Your call.
Do you have any preference between Rome DOD or Rome Vice on this board? I want to use this board mostly groomers, some park, some trees…side hits, trying to jump everything in sight.
Vice.
Thank you!
6’0, ~180lbs, size 11.5
I think the chart shows me at 160W, but I want to use the board for All Mtn Freestyle, some park, some trees, some powder. Also keep my bindings at 12-15 degrees duck stance. I want more of a playful ride than a charger.
Can I get ride the 157 w/o toe drag or do I need to be a grown man and ride the 160W?
You’ll need a wide.
DAAAAAAMMMMMNNNN!
Thanks Avran.
Hey Avran, I’m 6’2 175lbs size 12 feet, ride a 22.5 inch stance, would the 155W size work for me? I came from a 158W assassin and prefer something smaller so I can mess around in Park more and still be decently stable on medium/semifast speeds. Ride groomers and park 50/50. Considering Mountain Twin 156W as well. Really Appreciate your channel and website, thanks!
Should work.
Force or Atlas on this board? Thanks!
Neither.
Got a friend who works at Burton and can get me some ok discounts. Would you recommend anything from Burton for this board? Genesis or Malavitas?
No.
Hi,
How similar is this to Jones Frontier. For a pretty much strictly resort riding, groomers 90% of the time. Vermont or Lake Placid in NY, with an yearly trip out West. On paper the boards seem similar, even their price point. Having hard time deciding between the two.
Thank you, and Thank you for the reviews!
This is stiffer, more damp, engages a turn different, doesn’t have added contact points under foot so you have to maintain your edges more for that boilerplate ice you guys get, and has way better pop.
I’m 5’6″, 170lbs, size 10 boot. I ride everything, including mid size jumps and pipe. So I get the 154 or 155w?
Your choice.
Hi Avran,
Great review as always.
Strangely Ride website states identical specs for Shadowban and Algorythm.
Marketing magic or different boards? You mentioned the Algo being stiffer….
Don’t get to ride as much as I used to and look for something fun and friendly for resort riding, have a Tranny Finder for full throttle days. 5’11, 180, size 11 boots. Looking at 55w or 60w, which model/size would you pick?
Appreciate your opinion.
They’re the same board spec for spec, it’s the construction that’s different. The Algorythm has Slimwall, more carbon, and is just beefier. Sounds like a Shadowban 55w is what you want.
Fantastic, thanks Avran!
Hey Angry! I’ve been through so many of your review vids. Hoping to get your 2c before I hit the final buy on a purchase!
TL;DR- Shadowban vs Mtn Twin.
West coast, generally mellow rider, high intermediate. Ride mostly groomers of all difficulty, love hitting jumps of all sizes, learning more switch & butters. Rarely ride off-piste or jibs & already have a pow board on the way.
Other boards I considered: Yes Typo, Salomon Assassin, GNU RC C3, Lib tech TRS (though prob too stiff)
For sizes, I’m 155 lb, 5’9″; I figure I’m looking at a 154 shadowban or 154 mtn twin.
Thank you so much!!!
Just sharing for fun, I’ve been riding on and off the past 10+ years on a Skate Banana that I got in college before I knew anything about snowboarding, so I’m sure any of these boards are going to be a huge step up for all mtn riding and getting back into camber will take some getting used to! Thx!
Shadowban.
40+ years old. 82kg and 1,89m (180lbs, 6’2″).
Mainly groomers and some fun on the sides.
Like to get some speed and carve as well.
Was thinking about this board in 160W with Rome katanas.
Is this the way or should I consider other options?
Check the Cleaver instead, little more power out of the binding as it’s Full Wrap instead of Asym wrap.
Super! Thanks.
Will check that one out. Wasn’t on ly radar yet.
Also looking at the Mega Merc… What would be the main difference brtween the shadowban and the mega merc?
Never mind. Mega merc is all sold out in my size.
Hi Arvan,
Great video. I am torn between either thr Lib Dynamo or the Ride shadowband. I am a intermediate rider. Have been riding the GNU skidder 151 and the harpoo 148 forca couple of years now. I like to carve, side jumps, go fast, some pow but hardly at the park. Would like to get a board that could do quick turn thru moguls. Which one is better for my riding style and what size? I am 5’4″ 145lbs. I am thinking ride 147 or 151 and Lib 150? Thank you.
Dynamo.
Thank you.