#8 on this list
Custom Flying V
Burton
The Burton Custom Flying V takes one of snowboarding’s most historic nameplates and pairs it with a hybrid rocker profile designed for approachable, all-conditions freeriding. While the traditional camber Custom is known for its rigid precision, the Flying V version is tuned for riders who want a more forgiving, surfy, and catch-free ride. It appeals to intermediate and advanced riders seeking a dependable one-board quiver that handles soft snow and casual cruising with ease. The Flying V profile places rocker between and outside your feet, with small camber zones underfoot. On snow, this translates to effortless float in powder and a relaxed, pivot-friendly personality when weaving through trees or traversing choppy slopes. Turn initiation requires very little muscle, making it much less fatiguing on long resort days than stiff camber alternatives. The board also incorporates Burton’s Squeezebox core profiling, which balances thin, flexible sections with thicker, powerful zones for natural flex. The inherent trade-off of the Flying V profile is edge hold on hard ice. Because the center of the board is rockered, it lacks the unbroken rail contact of a traditional camber board, meaning it can feel loose or skatey on bulletproof mornings. Aggressive carvers will find the edge washes out when driven hard on frozen surfaces. **Highlights** - Hybrid rocker profile offers catch-free turning and relaxed cruising - Exceptional natural flotation in powder without heavy back-leg burn - The Channel mounting system allows infinite stance micro-adjustments - Proven core construction balances light weight with durable pop **Watch-outs** - Edge grip can feel insecure on steep, icy hardpack - Lacks the high-speed drive and rebound of a pure camber deck
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#9 on this list
Ravine — Men’s & Women’s
Rome
The standard Rome Ravine stands out as an exceptional value for riders who want a progressive, directional all-mountain board without crossing into premium price territory. Tested and highlighted as one of the best values in the directional category, it provides access to advanced shaping concepts—namely 3D nose beveling—at a price accessible to everyday riders and budget-conscious enthusiasts. Featuring a medium flex and Rome’s directional hybrid camber profile, the Ravine feels lively, agile, and immediately intuitive. The rockered, spoon-shaped nose keeps the board surfing effortlessly through powder stashes and tracked-out soft snow, while the camber underfoot provides dependable grip and pop when returning to groomed runs. Its softer flex relative to the Ravine Pro makes it far more manageable in tight glades, bumps, and low-speed navigation, allowing intermediate riders to progress their off-piste skills without fear of catching an edge. The primary compromises come down to high-speed stability and materials. At absolute maximum speeds on firm snow, the softer nose exhibits noticeable chatter compared to stiffer freeride alternatives. Additionally, the base and core materials are slightly less sophisticated than those found on higher-tier Rome boards, requiring regular waxing to maintain top glide speed. **Highlights** - 3D-shaped nose profile provides effortless powder float and smooth entry - Accessible medium flex is forgiving and easy to maneuver in tight spots - Exceptional performance-to-cost ratio in the directional category - Energetic camber section provides reliable pop and groomer edge hold **Watch-outs** - Noticeable tip chatter when pushed to high speeds on frozen hardpack - Extruded or standard base material requires frequent waxing for glide
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Custom Flying V | Ravine — Men’s & Women’s |
|---|---|---|
| Bend Type | Flying V hybrid rocker | — |
| Shape | Directional shape with twin flex | Tapered Directional |
| Core Material | Super Fly II 700G with Squeezebox | — |
| Base Material | Sintered WFO | — |
| Mounting Pattern | The Channel system | — |
| MSRP | Approximately $680 | — |
| Riding Style | — | All-Mountain Freeride |
| Profile | — | Directional Hybrid Camber with 3D Nose |
| Flex | — | Medium (approx. 6/10) |
| Reported Sizes | — | 144, 147, 150, 153 |
| Base Type | — | Standard Sintered or Extruded Blend |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Custom Flying V
- Effortless flotation in powder without causing severe back-leg fatigue
- Catch-free turn initiation makes tree runs and moguls easy to navigate
- The Channel mounting system enables precise, micro-adjustable stance tuning
- Fast sintered WFO base maintains consistent speed across flat terrain
- Compromised edge hold and stability on bulletproof ice and firm groomers
- Tail can wash out under heavy, high-speed carving pressure
- High price point for an inherently forgiving, intermediate-friendly profile
Ravine — Men’s & Women’s
- 3D-beveled nose provides effortless powder float and smooth turn entry
- Medium flex keeps the board nimble and forgiving in tight glades
- Exceptional performance-to-cost ratio for a directional freeride shape
- Camber underfoot delivers reliable pop and groomer edge hold
- Noticeable tip chatter when charging through frozen chop at high speeds
- Base requires frequent waxing to maintain competitive glide speed
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.