It's important to understand there is no best camber profile. Each different profile provides various advantages, disadvantages, and riding characteristics. It really depends on the riding conditions and your particular riding style as to what suits you best. Maybe you're after stability and carving performance, maybe you want a loose park board for learning new tricks, maybe you want a versatile ride - there's countless options.
The following article will provide you with the basic characteristics of each camber profile. It's important to understand how they all work and how they ride. I'd also strongly recommend you try different camber profiles so you can feel the differences for yourself. If possible, try a range of boards at your resort's demo days.
I want to open up this article for discussion so we can improve it together. Please make comments, let me know if you disagree with anything, ask questions etc. Please feel free to ask questions and I will be happy to help you.
Please note: most of these diagrams have been exaggerated somewhat, to illustrate a point. In reality, the camber and rocker sections might be to a lesser degree or in a slightly different area of the board. The illustrations only portray the basic profile. There are combinations which haven't been covered in this article, i.e. flat between the feet, rocker nose and tail.
CAMBER:
Camber is the most tried and tested camber profile. Until a few years ago, nearly all boards were camber. Camber provides stability, edge hold, and pop.
Advantages: Stable at speeds, great for carving, more pop, lots of energy (rebound) out of turns.
Disadvantages: Less forgiving, more 'catchy' when compared to other profiles, requires more effort to turn.
ROCKER:
Rocker, also referred to as reverse camber, loosens the snowboard, giving it a 'skatey' feel. The first thing you will notice is they are much easier and quicker to turn. They are easier to press than cambered boards, so really good for learning flatground tricks. Another huge advantage is how well they float in powder.
Advantages: Easy turning, easy to press, forgiving (less 'catchy'), floats great in powder
Disadvantages: Less stable, less pop, washes out easier.
FLAT:
Flat camber, also known as zero camber, is the middle ground between camber and rocker. Combining the benefits of both, flat camber is a versatile option and often used in park boards. They are super stable for riding rails, due to the flat surface between the bindings.
Advantages: Versatile, excellent for rails.
Disadvantages: Some riders say flat camber has a 'dead' and/or 'damp' feeling.
HYBRID (TYPE A):
The hybrid camber profile seen below features rocker between the feet and camber directly underneath the feet. Many snowboard companies use this profile under various names, including Burton's Flying V, Lib Tech's C2 Banana, Nitro's Gullwing Camber, and many others. The benefit of this particular camber profile is versatility; it provides 'looseness' due to rocker between the feet and float in powder for the same reason. While camber under the feet gives edge hold and some degree of stability and pop, however not as much a full cambered board. Most riders say this particular hybrid profile feels more like a rockered board than a cambered board.
Advantages: Versatile, loose feel and easy turning, floats well in powder, provides better edge hold and pop than full rocker.
Disadvantages: Can feel unstable on rails, not as stable at speeds as full camber.
HYBRID (TYPE B):
The hybrid camber profile seen below features camber between the feet and rocker at the nose and tail of the board. YES Snowboards is one brand which regularly uses this particular camber profile in their range of boards, under the name CamRock. The benefit of this particular camber profile is versatility once again; it provides stability, edge hold, and pop due to camber between the feet. Rocker at the nose and tail brings in the contact points, making turn initiation quicker and easier than a full cambered board. The rocker also makes it easier to press and provides additional float in powder. Most riders say this particular hybrid profile feels more like a cambered board than a rockered board.
Advantages: Stability of camber between the feet, while still having a looser feel with additional float when compared to a full cambered board.
Disadvantages: Can feel 'washy' at the nose and tail.
POWDER / S ROCKER:
'Powder Rocker' or 'S Rocker' as it's commonly referred to, is often seen in dedicated freeride and powder boards. Most the boards utilising this camber profile have a setback stance, with the rider's stance being somewhat centred over the camber section at the back of the board. This provides stability underfoot, while the significant rockered nose provides excellent float in powder and quick turning (think tight powder lines through trees). As the rider exerts force through the board, the camber section flattens, causing the nose to lift up even further for increased float in powder. It goes without saying that this camber profile doesn't ride switch very well.
Advantages: Specialist powder profile for excellent performance in powder.
Disadvantages: Not versatile, doesn't ride switch well.
when they read something bad about their favorite camber.
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