Dupraz D1 5'5" 2017-2018 Snowboard Review - Whitelines Snowboarding

The Snowboarder's Bible - Est. 1995

Buyers Guide 2017/18

Menu

Share

Snowboards

Dupraz D1 5’5″ 2017-2018 Snowboard Review

  • Price: £479 / €549
  • Sizes: 165
  • Flex: 5
  • Profile: Setback Camber
  • Shape: Directional
  • dupraz-snow.com

UPDATE: Check out our review of the 2018/2019 Dupraz D1 5’5″ here

Serge Dupraz has been making snowboards since 1984, but there’s never been a better time to try out his wares. Long before the current fashion for directional shapes that hold a strong edge and accelerate out of the turn, the Dupraz D1 delivered all of that. He maintains a minimalist line, making incremental improvements to something that’s already been well proven as a snowboarder’s dream.

“The tapered shape and slightly setback camber profile of the Dupraz D1 5’5” make it a carving weapon”

If you’re wondering what 5’5” equates to in new money, it’s 165cm – so although this is technically one of Dupraz’s ‘shortboards’, it’s still pretty big from end to end. It’s not massive through the waist, though, so regular-sized humans won’t feel like they’ve got a door strapped to their feet.

The tapered shape and slightly setback camber profile of the Dupraz D1 5’5” make it a carving weapon, of course – it’s what the Dupraz brand has been synonymous with for so long. The sintered base and triax fibreglass (with added carbon) ensure that it’s both lightning fast and responsive. When it comes to getting your elbow down, nothing comes close.

What’s really interesting about the Dupraz D1 5’5”, though, is how tempted you’ll be to get it in the air. Its lightweight, lively construction is well suited to jumps, and while there’s much more nose than tail, you can still get enough pop to really make the most of any natural hits you come across. It’s a very different feeling to doing tricks and spins on a true twin, but one that you will warm to in no time – either just off the piste, or way out in the deep stuff.

“While there’s much more nose than tail, you can still get enough pop to really make the most of any natural hits you come across”

As well as this ‘Standard’ edition of the 5’5”, you can also pick up either the ‘+’ or the ‘++’, which boast progressively stiffer flexes. There’s also the ‘X Light’ which, for those with the dough, is about as premium as it gets.

If you live and work in the mountains, Dupraz also offer a pretty decent discount on an exclusive graphic – check out dupraz-snow.com for more details.

Tester’s Verdict

Ed Blomfield – whitelines.com

“Serge Dupraz has been perfecting this shape for over a decade – long before directional boards came back into fashion – and it shows. The Dupraz D1 5’5” holds an edge unbelievably well, encouraging you to launch huge, sweeping carves across the piste at Mach 10.

“A magical combination of sidecut and stance position provides epic drive out of the turn”

But this is no oil tanker that relies on pure length. Instead, a magical combination of sidecut and stance position (set slightly forward relative to the contact points) provides epic drive out of the turn. Fast edge changes are equally doable, making for a riding experience that’s something like stepping from a regular skateboard onto a longboard – you have so much extra speed available it is frightening!

Controlling that speed is where you need to adapt your style a little – with its stubby tail, this isn’t a deck for skidding about but rather painting smooth lines. Go with it, trust the board, and it will deliver you to the bottom of the mountain faster than you thought possible.
In a market of increasingly hollow hype, Dupraz are a true hidden gem, offering an authentic story and performance through design. As they say in France: surf le neige!”

Carving on the Dupraz D1 is second to none, thanks to its carefully refined sidecut.
The smooth lines of the Dupraz D1 continue right through that classic-looking tail.

Share

Topics:

Buyers Guide 2017/18 Buyers Guide 2017/18 - Snowboards Dupraz Reviews 2017/18 The Whitelines 100 2017/18 The Whitelines 100 2017/18 - Snowboards

Related Articles

Best Buys

Best Entry Level Snowboards 2017/18

Th best beginner-friendly snowboards of the year, as chosen by the Whitelines Team

Best Entry Level Snowboards 2017-2018
Best Buys

Best Shapes 2017/18

The most eye-catching snowboard designs of the year, as chosen by the Whitelines Team

Best Snowboard Shapes 2017-2018
Best Buys

Best Women's Snowboards 2017/18

Our favourite female-specific snowboards of the year, as chosen by the Whitelines Team

Best Women's Snowboards 2017-2018
Best Buys

Best Freeride Snowboards 2017/18

Our favourite freeride snowboards of the year, as chosen by the Whitelines Team

Best Freeride Snowboards 2017-2018
Best Buys

Best Park Snowboards 2017/18

Our favourite freestyle snowboards of the year, as chosen by the Whitelines Team

Best Park Snowboards 2017-2018
Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

production