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Rome SDS

Our pick of this season's best Rome SDS snowboard gear

Rome SDS was founded by Josh Reid and Paul Maravetz who wanted to start their own snowboard company with the aim of improving on the mediocre stuff other companies were releasing at the time. Reed and Maravetz had worked together at Burton and left when they realised, they wanted to go it alone. From the beginning, Rome had an anti-establishment attitude as they felt that the snowboard industry was focusing too much on the Olympics and had stopped caring about snowboarding.

“Unlike other brands, Rome isn’t owned by a ski company, snowboarding is their only focus”

In 2001 Rome SDS was born and since then has helped define the core values of snowboarding counterculture. Unlike other brands, Rome isn’t owned by a ski company, snowboarding is their only focus, and they embrace the renegades, dirtbags and true characters that make snowboarding what it is today.

In 2020, Rome simplified their line back to the core: leaner and mercifully de-jargoned, but still featuring plenty worth getting excited about.

On their team, they have the likes of Ståle Sandbech , Rene Rinnekangas and Ivika Jürgenson riding their product and putting it through its paces. Their UK team is made up of similar larger-than-life shred heads such as Angus Leith who parties as hard as he rides in his own unique go big or go home style.

Boards such as the Agent and the Artifact have gone down in history as being iconic boards and year after year, they never fail to disappoint riders due to their technical, durable construction and awesome graphics.

 

SHOP ALL ROME PRODUCTS ON

Scroll down or select from the links below to check out all our reviews of this season’s best Rome snowboard gear.

Snowboards | Bindings | Boots

Snowboards

Rome Agent Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £420 / €500 / $500

The Rome Agent is the Mr. Brightside of the Whitelines 100. Each year other boards come and go, yet this one’s flag remains planted high in the charts. We’re not sure it’d go down quite as well at a wedding, mind.

So crucial to Rome’s early success was the Agent that it’s the only board the brand has honoured with a 20th anniversary graphic – an old favourite from the UK-based Neasden Control Centre. The standard red-and-black version will be easier to get your hands on, and both will deliver a top experience on the hill.

Who Is The Rome Agent For?

The catchment area for this board is, frankly, huge. It’s not too stiff, not too soft, ready for the park yet capable of so much more. The Rome Agent is a true all-rounder, and just such a blast to ride whatever the agenda.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Rome Agent here

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Rome Artifact Pro Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £420 / €500 / $500

Name a more universally beloved freestyle board than the Rome Artifact; we’ll wait. For years it has sat at the very top of the tree, rivalled by a tiny smattering of others – and we don’t expect that to change any time soon.

That being said, its fun-on-a-bun personality does make it a bit noodly for the biggest features in the park. Just a bit of extra stiffness, combined with a few other tweaks here and there, and it’d be a different story. Step forward the new Rome Artifact Pro.

Who Is The Rome Artifact Pro For?

Like we said, anyone who liked the original up to a point, but found it wanting when things got serious, will prefer this one. The dial hasn’t been turned up too far, though, so the Rome Artifact Pro remains accessible to a wide range of riders.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Rome Artifact Pro here

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Rome Heist Women’s Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £370 / €430 / $430

It’s oft been said that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts”, and the Rome Heist consolidates this concept completely. Separately, the materials aren’t the highest end options in Rome’s toy box but when you add them together and mix in all the features of the Heist you end up with a really versatile, confidence boosting snowboard that’s super fun to ride.

Who Is The Rome Heist For?

Any rider who’s got to grips with the basics and is looking to expand their bag of tricks without being confined solely to the park. There’s no upper limit on rider ability for a snowboard like the Heist, so, intermediate and advanced riders, fill your boots.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

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Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Rome Heist here

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Rome Ravine Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £470 / €530 / $530

Despite all the shapes on offer these days, few snowboarders actually load their bags with more than one deck – especially if they’re flying. The all-mountain, one-board-to-do-it-all quiver killer therefore remains the biggest segment in the market. In the past, these were almost indistinguishable from park decks, being twin tips with a stiffer, slightly directional flex and/or a subtly set back stance (see Burton Custom). But what the new wave of silhouettes has proven is that fully directional boards – done right – can still mix it on jumps while delivering proper, grin-inducing float in powder. Enter the Rome Ravine.

Who Is The Rome Ravine For?

Riders who don’t want the stress or expense of choosing from multiple boards, but who’d like something a bit more exciting than a bog standard directional twin. And these days, that’s most people.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Rome Ravine here

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Rome Freaker Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £400 / €470 / $470

Designed in collaboration with Rene Rinnekangas, the Rome Freaker got totally overhauled last year and continues to impress in its sophomore showing. All-mountain is a relative term, but realistically for the most part, the Freaker is a daily driver that’s just as at home lapping the park as it is laying into carves.

A versatile camrock profile is the calling card of most all-terrain snowboards, and here the Freaker doesn’t live up to its name but instead conforms to the norm. While you may notice the slightly directional outline, for all intents and purposes the Freaker will ride for the most part like a twin when you’re wanting to get creative and playful. You’ll be slightly more comfortable riding in your preferred stance when you want to charge though, thanks to the internal layup which includes Rome’s Bamboo Omega Hotrods. You’ll find these most prominently in the tail, supercharging the back foot for big slashes, stability through the whole arc of a turn and some extra ollie power.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

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Rome Stale Mod Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £530 / €600 / $600

‘Designed by Ståle, ridden by everyone’ is the tagline for Rome’s Ståle collection this season, and we can see why. The broad appeal of the boards covers a huge range of riding styles and abilities, and while we wouldn’t recommend the Stale Mod to a complete novice, anyone from intermediate all the way to pro level could rip on this thing.

Ståle’s slopestyle board of choice, this is slightly more freestyle oriented than the others in the line, with its twin shape and poppy camber profile on hand for big airs and butters. At a 7/10 it’s on the stiffer end of the spectrum flex-wise, but torsionally it’s a little more playful and forgiving thanks to the softer biax laminates. Rome certainly hasn’t skimped with the Ståle Mod, and as such it sits at a slightly higher price point than the OG Party Mod.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

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Rome Stale Crewzer Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £450 / €530 / $530

Most riders are lucky to get one pro model snowboard, but Ståle Sandbech? He gets three. The Stale Crewzer from Rome is his all-terrain destroyer, a board that’s built to handle every eventuality. A few nifty upgrades for 22/23 have taken the Crewzer to new heights and promise to turn the dial up to 11.

Rome have kitted out the Crewzer with their Fusion Camber profile, combining playful rocker in the nose and tail with a poppy and exuberant camber midbody. New for this season, the Crewzer uses Rome’s Flax Impact Plates for additional durability and some added shock absorption. The Crewzer is, by design, not targeted to any one specific area of riding, and as such that means it’ll probably get beaten out by something more specific when push comes to shove, but for a single board, it manages to do everything pretty damn well. If you’ve only got the space or budget for one deck, the Crewzer is a pretty neat option.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

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Rome Stale Fish Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £400 / €470 / $470

An institution unto himself, Ståle doesn’t just get one pro model, he gets a whole fleet and the Stale Fish is a powder hunting party wagon. Easily one of the most fun boards in Rome’s lineup, the Stale Fish is built for easy float in the soft stuff.

Short ‘n’ stubby decks have dominated the powder game in recent years, and the Stale Fish sticks with the status quo here, but with a few Rome specific twists to up the ante. The directional shape, 20mm taper, setback stance and 3D rockered nose will do the heavy lifting when you strike white gold, but also helps the Stale Fish to keeps things super cruisey when you take it on the hardpack. You’re probably not going to be lapping the park with this thing, but for stoke inducing pow runs, nipple tingling carves and slush slashin’ good times? Buckle up and hold onto your hat.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

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Rome Muse Snowboard 2022-2023

PRICE: £400 / €450 / $450

What’s in a name? Quite a lot, actually. The Rome Muse is pure inspiration, designed to let your express yourself no matter where you decide to take it. Although it’s a newer addition to the roster, the Muse has already picked up a legion of loyal followers and continues to impress a huge range of riders.

Versatility is the name of the game here, with it’s adaptable camrock profile, middle of the road flex and directional twin outline the Muse won’t be caught short whether you’re seshing the rail garden or sniffing out pow stashes. Rome have suped up the Muse with their Bamboo Omega Hotrods, these sit in the nose and tail of the board and add some explosive ollie power when you load them up, but also keep the boards extremities playful for pressing and buttering. Park, piste, pow- you name it, the Muse will handle it.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

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Bindings

Rome 390 Boss Snowboard Bindings 2022-2023

PRICE: £250 / €300 / $300

The 390 Boss has evolved a long way from the bubblicious designs of a decade ago. Today, it’s a refined and minimalist looking binder that benefits from some great tech while swerving the most expensive bells and whistles. Freestyle riders seeking solid performance and value for money can always place this one high on the list.

Who are The Rome 390 Boss For?

With its powerful FullWrap chassis design, the 390 Boss will suit park riders who like to go big and charge hard across the mountain – and who have one eye on their wallet.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.com

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Rome 390 Boss here

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Rome Black Label Snowboard Bindings 2022-2023

PRICE: £490 / €590 / $590

Imagine, if you will, being the person in charge of binding design for a major manufacturer. Much of your time is spent staring at CAD software, juggling existing components to fit the target customer’s riding ability, and of course their wallet. It’s an exercise in compromise. Then, one happy day, the boss comes over and says, “Lance – “ (I don’t know why but I figure binding designers are usually called Lance) – “Lance, it’s time to work on Project X.” Project X is the codename for their flagship model. Something a bit special. Something lightweight, and spaceage. Something high performance, beautiful, and eye-wateringly expensive.

Something like the Black Label.

Who are The Rome Black Label For?

Aggressive all-mountain rippers whose money don’t jiggle jiggle; it folds.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.com

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Rome Black Label here

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Rome Guild Women’s Snowboard Bindings 2022-2023

PRICE: £270 / €330 / $330

Mostly unchanged for the 2023 season, but with a few key upgrades to really cement it as a Whitelines favourite, the Rome Guilds are a mellow, budget friendly all-mountain option, that put the onus on comfort and performance.

Rome had a huge overhaul of the whole line a few years back, upgrading and updating their range of bindings to include 3 women’s specific models, and the Guilds sit at the top, as their premium offering. The Guilds have a middle of the road flex, sitting in that Goldilocks not too soft, not too stiff sweet spot. Enough juice to garner momentum and control when going edge to edge, but playful enough to lap the park.

Who are The Rome Guild For?

The Guilds will suit any rider who has progressed past their first few days on the hill, they’re not über stiff bindings that will punish you for every wobble or mistake, they’re for party laps with your pals and turning the mountain into your personal playground.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Rome Guild here

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Rome Katana Snowboard Bindings 2022-2023

PRICE: £350 / €400 / $400

Named after a Japanese samurai sword, the Katana delivers more crowd-pleasing slashes than Bruce Willis in Pulp Fiction. It’s the most premium freestyle-oriented binder in the Rome line, pairing the latest technology with a fit that’s made for surfy turns and boned out tricks. As a product it was near flawless already, but they’ve made a couple of minor tweaks to keep this perennial test team favourite firmly at the top of the pack.

Who are The Rome Katana For?

Want the best, but don’t want to go full stiff-tard? You can thank us later.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – take a closer look at the 2022-2023 Rome Katana here

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Rome DOD Snowboard Bindings 2022-2023

PRICE: £290 / €350 / $350
The D.O.D is a workhorse than you can saddle up for any day of the season, it’s a go anywhere, do anything binding that is as reliable as it is rowdy.

Rome’s FullWrap chassis allows for maximum energy transfer and increased lateral support- ideal for powerful riders who like to charge hard. For this year, the straps have been upgraded to use AuxTech, which utilises micro hinges built into each cell within the geometric mesh that allow the strap to expand uniformly (rather than stretch) around the end of your boot. The material is super tough and the surface is naturally grippy, so it stays locked in place through your whole lap.

One of Rome’s calling cards in their binding division is adjustability, they allow you to properly dial in your fit and tweak the performance depending on your personal preferences. Everything from baseplate sizing to highback rotation can be taken into consideration, so don’t be afraid to get creative with it.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

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Boots

Rome Bodega Snowboard Boot 2022-2023

PRICE: BOA £330 / €330 / $330 / HYBRID BOA £330 / €280 / $280

The Rome Bodega and Rome Libertine boots are Whitelines 100 non-movers. Both remain among the very best options for your feet, but differ in a few significant ways. We’ll get into the weeds in due course, but the main thing you need to know at this point is that the Bodega is the lower-spec, softer-flexing little sibling to the Libertine. It’s still a premium hoof, though, and certain riding styles – not to mention budgets – will definitely find this one more to their liking.

Who are The Rome Bodega For?

These are famous for delivering a softer feel on the mountain with zero compromise on quality and durability. Simply put, if you want a pair that you can absolutely rinse, especially in the park, then these will see you right from day one to 100.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – read our review of the 2022-2023 Rome Bodega here

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Rome Libertine Snowboard Boot 2022-2023

PRICE: BOA: £420 / €430 / $430, HYBRID BOA: £420 / €380 / $380, LACE: £330 / €330 / $330

While still best known for its boards, Rome also does a choice line of boots (and of course bindings). The Rome Libertine sits at the top of the brand’s small yet perfectly-formed range, and is a definite step up in clever tech from its nearest rival. We loved it last year, and it’s still as great as ever.

It still comes with a choice of no fewer than three different lacing systems – double Boa, classic lace with Boa inner harness, and just the lace – so there’s a style to suit every preference.

Who are The Rome Libertine For?

As is often the case with ‘flagship’ boots, this has been designed to cater for a wide range of riding styles (hence the mid-stiff flex, for one). However, don’t think that means it’s spread itself too thin; the quality on display here is irrefutable, and will please even the most demanding rider.

MORE INFO:
ROMESNOWBOARDS.COM

Selected for the Whitelines 100 – read our review of the 2022-2023 Rome Libertine here

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