Korua Shapes Transition Finder Splitboard Evaluation

My first day driving the Korua Shapes Transition Finder splitboard was in a spot that we name the Honey Gap. It has dependable protection and predictable avalanche situations, making it our go-to spot for early-season excursions. The perfect half about this zone is that it’s riddled with small rollers, gullies, and options that invite you to take a playful method to your driving. This turned out to be the proper spot for the Transition Finder. 

I’ve ridden this zone dozens of instances on a variety of totally different splitboards — however that first day on the Transition Finder made me really feel like I used to be driving the zone for the primary time. This board made me wish to pop, slash, and float my method by the terrain.

I had an enormous smile on my face on the backside of the primary lap — I used to be experiencing this go-to zone with contemporary eyes — one lap shortly was three. (I may need missed one or two Zoom calls that day, however when terrain, situations, and gear align this properly — you gotta do what you gotta do.)

Briefly: After a season of testing, the Korua Shapes Transition Finder Splitboard ($799) is a confidence-inspiring board that’s extraordinarily playful. In reality, it was the one splitboard I saved after testing a dozen boards final season. Not solely is the tip end result an outstanding piece of kit, nevertheless it’s inexpensive, too: priced $100-300 decrease in comparison with many choices from rivals. And the broad width retains guys like me — with measurement 12 boots — from catching an edge.

Learn our full overview under or our GearJunkie Greatest Splitboard Purchaser’s Information to see how the Korua Shapes Transition Finder Splitboard stacks up.

Korua Shapes Transition Finder Splitboard Evaluation

Korua Shapes was began just a little over 10 years in the past, and ever since then, it has been craving for turning. Korua Shapes claims, “On the core of each KORUA board, is a sidecut that means that you can carve like no others on arduous groomers, and a form that allows you to float by powder with ease. They really are nice all-round snowboards.”

And, for as soon as, this isn’t simply advertising and marketing fluff. The Transition Finder can maintain an edge and float like a real powder board: It’s a unicorn throughout situations. 

Lately, the most important change that Korua made to the Transition Finder was to barely cut back the taper. This replace provides the board a greater really feel within the pores and skin monitor and makes driving change a bit simpler, too.

Nonetheless, it nonetheless has 15 mm of taper, so it excels in powder. The broad nostril and torsionally stiff tail present a tremendous platform for artistic backcountry driving in deep snow. 

One in every of my favourite issues about Korua is that it doesn’t replace board graphics yearly. All its boards have a pink base and a white or black prime sheet. They stand out in an trade that’s continuously upselling the newest and best. Korua builds boards which are constructed to final, priced competitively, and designed that will help you pursue the enjoyment of the flip for years, not only one season. 

How I Examined & Testing Grounds

I examined this board in myriad situations for a full season. I rode it in all the things from good mid-winter powder to sketchy sun-cups on the finish of a spring excursions. 

The take a look at board I obtained was beforehand used on a demo circuit at numerous splitboarding occasions. Despite the fact that it was beforehand cherished, I used to be instantly struck by the fantastic thing about this board. Merely put, it appears unimaginable. The shiny all-white prime sheet, the contrasting brilliant pink base — it’s a clear and timeless look. 

After I take a look at boards, I usually rotate boards out the identical day, or no less than each different day within the backcountry, so I can kind out what’s working for me and what’s not. I do that so I can spend sufficient time with a board to grasp the way it performs throughout a variety of situations, days, and circumstances. Should you get at some point on a board in blower pow, you’re going to love it. 

However how is it doing within the spring whenever you’re making an attempt to exit a line by mashed potatoes or up excessive after a wind occasion on bulletproof ice? After spending sufficient time with a board, I then attempt to isolate the “why” — I really like nerding out on all the things from specs, to supplies, to design ethos and intention (and we’ll get into all of this).

However on the finish of the day as a snowboarder, I’m leaning into what feels proper, for me. The perfect query to ask is at all times: What board will I’ve essentially the most enjoyable on? 

Supplies & Design

Sturdiness is baked in: As I discussed, this board was used once I acquired it, and after dozens of days of driving, it’s nonetheless in phenomenal form. And this features a few hundred miles of it being strapped on the again of my bike, too.

The wooden poplar core supplies a middle-of-the-road flex sample that has unimaginable pop because of its progressive flex: stiff within the tail, softening out towards the broad nostril (309 mm in measurement 157).

There’s additionally a biaxal fiberglass topsheet that ensures the board has a quick however forgiving really feel. The board is stout within the tail, which pays dividends on backseat landings and supplies a dependable flex level for deep turns.

The reasonable 8.2m radius sidecut falls within the Goldilocks zone, discovering a pleasant stability that excels at tight turns in bushes and lengthy, drawn-out activates open faces, too. 

On the uphill, the board feels mild, sheds snow properly, and has a wholesome dose of camber underfoot to provide you confidence on the sketchiest of sidehills. 

As I shared, the primary time I took this splitboard out, I had by no means popped and buttered off as many options on different rides — it was a transformational expertise for me. In my expertise, this board epitomizes enjoyable — pure and easy.

Dependable Efficiency Throughout Situations 

If situations are lower than best — assume a steep, agency, and wind-affected drop-in — this board’s substantial camber underfoot supplies confidence-inspiring edge maintain whenever you want it.

I weigh 180 kilos and have a measurement 12 boot, so I profit from the 264mm waist width. There’s no concern of toe or heel drag in steep terrain. The slight volume-shifted design of this board supplies ample floor space when issues get tremendous deep, too. 

When the season is coming to a detailed, and your exits from huge spring traces turn into lower than best — we’re speaking mashed potatoes or solar cups — the progressive and forgiving flex of this board permits for straightforward navigation by obstacles.

That is particularly useful on the finish of an extended day when all you may take into consideration is that celebratory car parking zone beer: The very last thing you need is an ultra-stiff board bucking you about when your legs are jello.

Qualms

One in every of my few qualms with this board is the Union hooks that come put in at tip and tail. I’m a giant believer in Union, so I used to be stunned by seeing a design flaw, particularly for the reason that Union clips outdoors of the bindings are my favourite design for splitboard attachment {hardware} in that location.

Sadly, the hooks at tip and tail don’t operate as flawlessly and infrequently turn into unlatched whereas descending. This can be a easy improve if it turns into an excessive amount of of a difficulty, however an unlucky oversight nonetheless.

Secondly, there are notches within the tail of the board the place Korua’s custom-fit skins connect. The steel fringe of the board doesn’t proceed on this notch — so that you’re continuously loading the bottom and edge materials below pressure with a steel hook. I’m involved in regards to the long-term sturdiness of this design. To be honest, apart from the highest sheet materials exhibiting a bit of damage, it hasn’t been a difficulty after 50+ days of driving.

Lastly, the Transition Finder Splitboard is just out there in two sizes: 150 and 157. I’d like to see a 153 or 154 out there for people who fall in the midst of that measurement vary.

Conclusion: Who Ought to Purchase? 

The Transition Finder is an extremely versatile and succesful board. It’s a dependable companion whether or not you’re hammering a pre-work daybreak patrol lap otherwise you’re on a multi-month expedition within the Karakoram Vary.

From first-season splitboarders, to veterans who’ve earned their turns for years, the Korua Shapes Transition Finder Splitboard is a superb choice for individuals who prioritize enjoyable and circulate. 

That is particularly a fantastic choice for larger-footed riders who’ve been trying to find a board that’ll cowl the bottom of their boots and forestall catching an edge.

For these prioritizing huge mountain efficiency and high-consequence traces, maybe the Weston Ridgeline could be a greater choice. For these seeking to prioritize uphill efficiency and premium supplies, the Stranda Descender Fjaderlatt Splitboard could be price , too. 

However in case you are searching for a board that excels in all situations — stiff sufficient to cost, flexy sufficient to pop off of something — then I’d take a tough take a look at the Transition Finder Splitboard. You’d be hard-pressed to discover a board that’s this succesful at this value level. 

I’m beginning my second season on mine, and it’s nonetheless the primary board I attain for when heading out into the backcountry.