• Price: £360 / €429
• Lengths: 147, 151, 154W, 155, 158W
• Flex: 5
• Profile: Hybrid Camber
• Shape: True Twin
• ridesnowboards.com

A long-serving workhorse, the Ride Kink had already garnered a sterling reputation amongst park fans, including most of Ride’s pro team. Nothing is unimprovable, though, and the 2017/18 edition has even more tech than before.

“If you like park boards that are mostly-cambered, with just a hint of rocker at the ends, this will suit you nicely”

It was always durable, with extra-thick edges and urethane slimewalls that are resistant to heavy impacts. Now it’s even more so, with dual-layer impact plates under the bindings, so you’re less likely than ever to end up with a snapped board.

The core has been upgraded from pure Aspen to a light-yet-strong blend of Aspen and paulownia woods, as well as bamboo. Furthermore, the base is now sintered rather than extruded. The Ride Kink can now carry more speed, but it’s not so fragile that you can’t still put it to work on the rails from dawn to dusk.

They’ve not gone overboard with the redesign, though; the Ride Kink still puts function before gimmickry, and this will continue to ride like the solid, dependable freestyle stick it’s always been. If you like park boards that are mostly-cambered, with just a hint of rocker at the ends, this will suit you nicely.

Now more than ever, you don’t need to be weird to have a Kink.