Bryan Iguchi and Arbor continue their collaboration with the new Arbor Annex, an evolution in big mountain boards.
Snowboard Tested and Rider Specs:
- Arbor Annex 2019-2020
- Arbor Annex Size: 156cm (waist width 25.1)
- MSRP: $699
- Bindings: Arbor Hemlock (medium/large)
- Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV size 9
- Stance: approximately 22.5″
- Rider Height: 5’9″
- Rider Weight: 180
Conditions/Terrain Tested: groomers, some park, and all mountain terrain (carving)
Notable Features from Arbor:
- Inlaid Powerply Stringer
- Bio-Plastic Topsheet (sustainable, durable and water resistant)
- SC Certified Double Barrel Core (superb pop and board control)
- Sintered Base
- Mixed Glassing (versatile lay-up for a variety of riding)
- 2×4 14-Pack Inserts (wider stance range)
- 2cm of taper in the tail
- Cross Vector Netting (increased response and power from tip to tail)
- Fully wrapped sidewalls
- Recycled Steel Edges
- Wend Natural Wax
- Factory Tuned
- Recycled ABS
- Three Year Warranty
Review:
If you’re an aggressive advanced rider looking to carve and float through your resort or in the side/backcountry, the Annex will be a great addition to your quiver. I rode the 156cm Arbor Annex and it was evenly matched to the terrain at Copper Mountain Resort in Colorado. For big mountain riding you could size up (Board Sizes: 156, 159, 162, 163MW) to accommodate your riding style. It’s the newest high performance snowboard built with sustainable materials from the on going collaboration with Arbor and Legend Bryan Iguchi. Taking notes, and evolving from, the Iguchi Pro Camber. The Annex is a directional evolution with increased taper (2cm in the tail) and a longer nose for additional float in powder.
The Annex feels extremely solid underfoot and will easily and consistently take on every angle, transition, drop, pop, and carve you throw at it. This board is on the stiffer side (with a rating of 7 out of 10) but I felt for an all mountain and big mountain option it was about perfect for my riding style. Carving around on groomers is amazing on this board and turn initiation is smooth from your toe and heel edge. Even though it’s not a park board, it can handle your local park and will surely be incredible off of any backcountry pow day booter. The longer drawn out nose will float like a dream in powder and the stubbed out tail with its slight cut out will allow you to slash away with ease. The Annex will be a great addition to your quiver for an all mountain or big mountain ride.
Overall Impressions:
A big mountain board that will exceed your expectations in it’s carving and floatation, in powder, at your resort or in the sidecountry or backcountry. The Annex is for the advanced aggressive rider looking to add a technology packed high performance board to their quiver, and as an added bonus it looks like a piece of artwork under your feet, literally, since it features artwork from Bryan Iguchi’s Art gallery. Built with sustainable materials this high performance ride will allow you to take you riding to the next level.
Pros
- Visually stunning artwork on the base and unique topsheet graphic
- Incredible Carving Capabilities and easy turn initiation
- Float in Powder
- Sustainable Top End Construction
- Sintered Base (Fast and Strong)
- A Freeride/Big Mountain board that you’ll dream about
Cons
- None
| Price: |  (4.5 / 5) |
| Performance: |  (4.9 / 5) |
| Design: | (4.9 / 5) |
| Overall: |  (4.7 / 5) |