A 3D snowboard is a board that has a pronounced edge-to-edge profile shape in contrast to the standard or more 2D shape. This shape has been around for a while but is gaining popularity because the boards can be a ton of fun to ride.
I’m a lifelong snowboarder who gets out in the snow as often as possible. I’ve used many different boards over the years and am familiar with many different shapes and profiles.
This post will explore 3D snowboards. I’ll explain what this means exactly and why or why not you might want to get your hands on a 3D board.
Let’s get rolling.
Contents
History of 3D Snowboards
Most snowboards you might be familiar with have a flat profile. If you flip your board over and look at the base, you will see it completely flat from edge-to-edge and nose-to-tail. This isn’t the case with 3D snowboards.
3D snowboards sort of pay homage to surfboards. Surfboards have different shapes to adapt to different purposes and water conditions. The first 3D boards had a similar kind of shape to help provide better float in the snow.
Once snowboarding really started to catch on, the trend for 3D boards sort of slipped away at first, and flatter profiles were all over the place. But 3D boards slowly came back because they offered better performance in deep snow and were preferred by some riders.
Today, many snowboard brands offer at least a few different 3D models. While they aren’t as well-known or popular as 2D boards, they have a place for sure. If you have never tried a 3D snowboard, I highly recommend it.
Benefits of a 3D Snowboard
3D snowboards are not for everyone, but they do have some advantages over standard options. The main one is that a 3D board is fantastic in powder. If you love to chase the deep stuff, having a 3D board in your quiver is necessary.
3D boards can push snow away and stay afloat better than boards with a flat profile. This increases the surf-like feel you experience when riding powder. And riding powder on a good powder board is one of the best feelings on earth!
The feel of a 3D board is also smoother than a standard board. Some riders might not like that, but if you want a laid-back feel that really lets you carve easily without catching an edge, 3D boards are worth looking into.
A 3D board isn’t ideal in every situation, and it does have a few drawbacks if you aren’t in the powder. You don’t really want to use a 3D board as your daily rider because it’s not as adaptable as an all-mountain option.
But if you are an experienced rider and want to keep some additional models in the closet for when the time is right, I highly recommend getting a 3D board. It’s worth exploring all this design can do, especially in the powder.
FAQs
Here are a few short answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about 3D snowboards.
What are the four types of snowboards?
The main types of snowboards include all-mountain, freestyle, freeride, and powder. Within these four types, there are also a variety of different profiles and shapes to keep in mind. And some boards blend the lines between these main types.
What are the three main types of snowboarding?
The main types of snowboarding are all-mountain, freestyle, and alpine. All-mountain riding involves going just about anywhere you want to on the mountain. Freestyle is park-focused with lots of tricks and aerials. Alpine is more technical and involves big mountain lines.
How do you wax a 3D snowboard?
Waxing a 3D snowboard isn’t that different from waxing a regular board, but you’ll need to tilt the iron to get the wax melted over any indents on the base. A 3D base won’t be as flat, so you need to ensure adequate wax coverage.
Conclusion
A 3D snowboard is a board that has more texture in its profile shape from edge to edge. This design feature can make the board really fun to ride, and it is a popular feature that has been around for quite a while.
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