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Snowboards

Nidecker Play 2021-2022 Snowboard Review

  • Price: £245 / €250 / $270
  • Category: All-Mountain
  • Sizes: 149M, 152M, 152L, 156L, 156W, 159L, 159W, 162W
  • Flex: 4/10
  • Shape: Directional Twin
  • Profile: Combo
  • 3D: No
  • Base: Extruded

The Nidecker Play is a lesson in the simple things done right. It’s a versatile shape that blends tried and trusted construction with a mellow flex to make progression as fun – and rapid – as possible.

“The Nidecker Play is a lesson in the simple things done right.”

MORE INFO:
NIDECKER.COM

Who Is The Nidecker Play For?

Entry level riders looking for a first board that’s easy to learn on, and won’t cost the earth.

Shape, Profile and Sidecut

To the naked eye, the Nidecker Play looks like a straight-up twin, but the stance is set back a touch to give you a little more nose to play with. That will help you to stay afloat in deep snow and improve the board’s ability to handle rougher terrain. At the same time, it’s still comfortable to ride switch, so when you’re ready to (ahem) play around in the park you won’t be held back.

The side profile is the most forgiving in the Nidecker line. The board is flat between the bindings, with rocker gradually extending into the nose and tail. That flat section will feel nice and planted when running in a straight line, while turns are smooth to initiate; together with the uplift near the wide points, there’s none of the twitchiness (read: scorpion potential) associated with classic camber. That comes at the expense of pure edge hold and ollie power, but when you’re learning your craft it’s better to have a board that builds your confidence and which allows you to practice butters and low-speed maneuvers without wrestling against a spring-loaded plank.

There’s a good range of sizes available, including two different widths at almost every length – so bigger/smaller feet are well catered to.

“The side profile is the most forgiving in the Nidecker line”

Construction and Materials

The core is constructed from poplar wood, with beech stringers. It’s a timeless combo that’s light yet strong. This is bordered with standard sidewalls, prioritising durability, and a biax weave topsheet that’s torsionally mellow so you can easily manipulate the board under your feet. An extruded base continues the bulletproof theme and doesn’t need to be waxed as often as more expensive P-tex to maintain its performance.

“A solid choice for any new snowboarder with ambitions on getting better, fast”

Roundup

The Nidecker Play is built to be friendly, first and foremost. It’s easy to learn turns on, or start to grow your trick bag, and with some quality materials in the mix you can rest assured it will last the distance. A solid choice for any new snowboarder with ambitions on getting better, fast.

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