The Details:

Stiff, directional and loaded with tech, the Salomon Man’s Board is designed for those who see freestyle as a chance to push physical limits. If you’re still not sure what we mean, think Bode Merrill – after all, he’s the man who brought this into the Salomon line back in 2011.

Like last year, this has a camber profile with rocker sections at the contact points, giving you plenty of snap but also a little more powder float and buttery forgiveness than the classic bend.

The slight directional shape makes crazy high speeds more manageable – as does the sintered base – but switch riding is still very much an option. Carbon built into the triax glass adds to the responsiveness when you’re riding aggressively, which you really had better be if you’ve picked this up.

Should you need something that’s stable enough at speed to shoot the Pyramid Gap one-footed, this’ll do you, but for most mere mortals the real benefit is a solid, comfortable ride in all conditions.

It’s got some green cred too, with specially-sourced wood in the core and cork dampeners (which are more environmentally-friendly than the rubber equivalent). There’s no compromise for performance, though, so expect this to really open up the able rider to bigger and better things.