Splitboard news 2020/21

For the outlook for the coming season: Many product extensions from last season (carryovers), which are also justified by sustainability considerations. Other than that, minor differentiations in the already highly differentiated market.

Snowboards /Splitboards

Amplid has done really well this year and after the umpteenth repress, hopefully all splitboarders on this planet will be halfway covered. Their new development - the "stay-cool" stratospheric topsheet - has probably convinced everyone, at least they have this technology in use on all splitboards for the next season.

For the next season, they are continuing their classics and bringing two freeride solid boards into their line with the Morning Glory (revived) and the Souly Grail (completely new).

In addition, Amplid has the Freequencer, an affordable beginner or rental splitboard in its range, rounding off its line.

Burton now has a huge range of shapes and sizes when it comes to splitboards. For the next season, the counter stands at five different models. A new addition is the split version of the "Leader" board, which is designed to be harder and more alpine

Borealis - The French manufacturer has a new "Alpine Split" Pro model in addition to the older Koi Split (156/160). The latter is a further development of the Arcane splitboard (here in our review) - the focus here is on a board that is basically a big mountain board, but is also suitable for backcountry freestyle elements. (Comes in 162 and is also available as a solid)

Borealis - like Stranda - will be using Phantom hooks for the first time next season. Not a bad choice.

Changes at Furberg concern the weight on the one hand, the boards should be about 300 grams lighter, as well as a differently composed core, which promises even more durability, especially at the edges

Jones stays with the models from 20-21. There are some new graphics, that's it. In the future, it has been announced that 3D base technology will be used in more and more solids and splits

equipment

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Konvoi - was and remains good - no innovations in the setup for 21-22

K2 continues its line with the Marauder in many sizes this season. It comes in 5 normal sizes and 3 wide versions to suit as many people as possible. There is also a new model, which is a lighter version of the Marauder, at least according to the specifications: the Freeloader is said to be 500 grams lighter and comes in the same sizes as the Marauder.

mr.splitboards is the own brand of splitboards.eu, the largest and oldest splitboard store in Germany and PowderGuide partner.

Their line remains the same, but has moved its production site to the beautiful Ore Mountains. In terms of weight, at 2.9 kilos for a 165 cm board ("high mountain"), they are also at the forefront. You can read the detailed test here.

Nitro remains true to its wide range of splitboards. New additions are the Slash Split and the children's splitboard Minigänger (132).

Salomon remains completely with its model range of 20-21.

Stranda also remains with its models, but now installs the Phantom Hooks on its splitboards

If you're looking for short test reports on many of the new splitboards, you'll find what you're looking for at splitboarding.eu. They have done a great job in this overview article.

Bindings / binding systems

Much remains the same for both bindings and boots. Most manufacturers are carrying over their current line into next year. (Karakoram, Plum, Spark, Union)

Karakoram has no big news as far as splitboard bindings are concerned. However, they have now finally entered the solid binding marketn.

The next innovations for Spark R&D are not expected until the season after next.

There have been significant name changes at Union. They now call their split binding "Explorer. Union is also resurrecting a technology that was thought to be outdated: Union is producing short skis called Rover for next year.

Boots

Nitro is keeping the Incline and even bringing back another splitboard-specific boot that seems to be a bit softer. The "Skylab" is said to be particularly light and is a complete one-piece in the lower section - which is probably a technical innovation.