A directional twin snowboard is a board that looks twin-shaped in appearance but actually has a bit of a directional shape. This is a common shape for all-mountain snowboards because it gives added performance while still allowing versatility.
I’m a snowboarding enthusiast who has been riding for decades. I used many different boards over the years and have first-hand experience with directional twin shapes.
This post will highlight directional twin snowboards. I’ll tell you precisely what this board is, what situations it’s suitable for, and answer a few questions relating to it.
Let’s get started.
Contents
Directional Twin Snowboards
Directional twins are a combination of two of the most common snowboard shapes – directional and twin. These two shapes are typically used for different styles and purposes, but a directional twin blends them together.
A directional twin will have elements of both a directional shape and a twin shape. If you look at the board, you might think it’s a twin, but directional twins are not entirely symmetrical like true twins are.
The blend of both a slightly directional and slightly twin shape gives the board a lot of versatility. That’s why many of these boards fall into the all-mountain category that is meant to be used nearly anywhere on the mountain.
Twin shapes are ideal for riding switch and in the park. You can bounce back and forth between riding regular and riding switch without noticing much of a difference.
Directional shapes cater to riding regular nearly all of the time. The board excels when it is ridden in the direction it’s built to be ridden.
By combining the advantages of both, directional twin shapes can go just about anywhere. You can still ride them switch, but they can also stand out in more technical situations where you want to go really fast or need to carve up big mountain lines.
Directional twins might have some drawbacks for true park riders or freeriders, but they work well for the average rider who wants versatility and effective performance all over the mountain.
Should You Get a Directional Twin Board?
If you are looking for an all-mountain setup, directional twin shapes can be ideal. Their versatility is good for riders of all ability levels and will give you decent performance in just about any type of condition.
If you are a beginner or intermediate rider, a directional twin is an excellent shape to get. You can challenge yourself to learn new tricks and techniques while having the ability to explore all the terrain that you love to ride.
If you are a really experienced rider looking for specialized performance, a directional twin might not be the best choice. These boards are more generalists than specialists and don’t offer the same performance as a full twin or full directional model.
FAQs
Here are a few short answers to some of the most commonly asked questions relating to directional twin snowboards.
Can you ride switch on a directional twin snowboard?
Yes, you can ride switch on a directional twin snowboard. While these boards are not true twins, they are pretty close and give you a mostly symmetrical feel when you want to ride switch. Just make sure to mount your bindings accordingly if you like to ride switch often.
What’s the difference between a directional and a twin snowboard?
A twin snowboard is designed to be symmetrical or nearly symmetrical. This means that the board will have similar performance riding regular or switch. A directional board is not symmetrical and is built to be ridden almost exclusively regular.
How do I know if my snowboard is directional?
If your snowboard is fully directional, it’s pretty easy to tell just by looking at it. If you have a rounder nose and a blunted or cutout tail, then it’s directional. You can also take measurements of the width at the nose and tail to see if they are different and thus directional.
Conclusion
Directional twin snowboards are a versatile shape that works well for all-mountain riding situations. They give you the ability to ride a lot of different terrains, and you can also ride switch pretty easily.
But these boards can be limiting for experienced riders who want a board that is more focused on a single riding style.
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