#7 on this list
El Camino
Arbor
The Arbor El Camino is a dedicated speed-and-carve machine designed for riders who prioritize directional velocity above all else. Celebrated by test outlets for its all-around resort performance and hard-charging character, this board is built to point downhill and stay there. It targets advanced riders who spend their resort mornings laying down high-speed carves on fresh groomers and their afternoons powering through tracked-out chop. Under the hood, the El Camino uses a refined directional profile optimized for rail-to-rail transitions at speed. The core is reinforced to dampen vibration, giving the board a quiet, grounded sensation even when chattering across frozen morning refreeze. Arbor’s grip-enhancing edge contouring provides steady, predictable hold through the apex of every turn, preventing the tail from blowing out when loaded with heavy pressure. It holds its line with minimal rider micro-adjustments. The compromise is playfulness. The El Camino is not built for buttering, low-speed flat-ground tricks, or casual laps through the terrain park. Its stiff flex, directional outline, and aggressive camber profile mean it resists being driven lazily. If you get into the backseat, the board will quickly dictate direction, requiring strong technique to muscle back on track. **Highlights** - Excellent vibration damping provides a calm, chatter-free ride at speed - Camber-driven design yields deep, reliable carving performance - Directional flex delivers powerful drive through the finish of turns - Robust base material holds wax well for sustained glide **Watch-outs** - Very little playful flex for flat-ground freestyle or buttering - Punishing if your weight drifts back onto the tail at high speed
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#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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Specs side by side
| Spec | El Camino | Custom Flying V |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Directional All-Mountain Freeride | — |
| Profile | Directional Camber | — |
| Flex Profile | Stiff (8 out of 10) | — |
| MSRP | Approximately $650 | Approximately $680 |
| Ability Level | Advanced to Expert | — |
| Base Material | High-density Sintered | Sintered WFO |
| Bend Type | — | Flying V hybrid rocker |
| Shape | — | Directional shape with twin flex |
| Core Material | — | Super Fly II 700G with Squeezebox |
| Mounting Pattern | — | The Channel system |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
El Camino
- Damp, quiet ride with minimal tip chatter at high downhill speeds
- Reliable edge hold on hardpack and icy resort groomers via Grip Tech
- Punchy rebound through turn exits when driving into the stiff tail
- Durable sintered base with excellent wax retention and sustained glide
- Unforgiving flex pattern punishes lazy technique or backseat riding
- Lacks playfulness and flex for terrain park features or buttering
- Requires high physical commitment to maneuver at low resort speeds
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
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.