Borealis Drakkar Written Review Review by The Good Ride

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Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews and this is our unfiltered opinion. We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

Turn Ons/Swipe Right: Fast Base, Excellent Grip, Competent Float
Turn Offs/Swipe Left: Bad circle to wider radius carver. Only likes quick

How it rides and who it is for

How This Review Happened:

We borrowed this for an extended demo and sent it back.
Size: 156
Days: 5
Conditions: Hard snow, medium snow and a little bit of powder.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs),
Boots: Burton Kendo, Burton Ion, Burton Tourist, Burton Imperial, Burton SLX,
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles, F.I.T. Gamechangers, F.I.T. Gameghangers LP
Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Contact Pro/Union Superpro,
Jacket: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Tusk Jacket, Volcom TDF Infuse 3L Gore-Tex Jacket, Burton Banshee Gore-Tex Jacket
Pant: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant, Burton AK Gore-Tex 2L Swash Pant, Burton Gore-Tex Ballast Pant
Helmet: Smith Maze, Smith Vantage
Goggle: Smith IO Mag, Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Guide Glove, Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Clutch Glove,

Similar Boards (but not the same):
Korua Dart, Moss Jellyfish, Gentemstick Mantaray 156, Jones Hovercraft, Lib Tech Orca, Never Summer Harpoon, Niche Pyre, Lib Tech Lost Quiver Killer, Yes Hybrid, Cardiff Powgoda

Set-Up: 21.5”,  Wide. 21 front +3 back, 24 Front +6 back, 18 Front -3 Back.  Close to Reference and Set all the way back.

Approximate Weight:

(We don’t put in the exact weight because with wood cores there is no consistency in a boards weight)

The Borealis Drakkar felt pretty normal for a size 156 of this width.

Sizing

Here are some ideal US boot sizes for these boards. You can of course go bigger or smaller but these work best for not turning the board slower than it should be and not having the dreaded Toe & Heel Drag.
156: 9-10
The 156 Borealis Drakkar felt like the right size for my boots and my weight but I think a size 10 might be a really good fit. I was a little heavy for this at 195+. Damn I ate a lot during the holidays. As I write this I’m 177lbs and that would have been a much better weight for this board.

Shape/Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level

The Borealis Drakkar has 10mm of taper but you don’t feel it as much as you would think. The board rides much more centered than you would think for its shape. Then you factor in a very short/mellow camber that sits between the inserts that transitions into a good bit of rocker. The aggressive magnatraction makes the Drakkar feel a little more locked in than it’s mellow camber profile but it is overall pretty stable and forgiving. Pretty easy to skid your turns.

Flex Personality

The Borealis Drakkar has a pretty stiff flex from the tail to the front insert going to med/stiff in the nose. It can butter better than you would think because the rocker in the tip/tail gives you cheater leverage but it still isn’t that easy. The overall personality has good pop and a pretty lively feel.

Speed

There is a fat base and it helps the Borealis Drakkar keep its speed. It is pretty damp too.

Uneven Terrain

The poppy flex of the Borealis Drakkar doesn’t get to cranky in uneven terrain. I had a good bit of micro bumpy hard snow and it wasn’t the best I’ve tried but it is definitely a good all day ride.

Edge Hold

There is really exceptional grip between the feet with the Borealis Drakkar. It is great for east coast riders who often see hard to icy snow. It grabs a little in softer thicker snow but it isn’t terrible. It’s easy to get used to for most riders.

Turn Initiation

Really fast turn initiation but once you get it on edge the rather shallow sidecut just stalls out and the board seems to not want to keep turning.

Turning Experience/Carving

So the more you commit to the sidecut on the Borealis Drakkar the less it responds. It only really likes one kind of turn which is longer drawn out down the line kind of turns. If you want to lay into a hard across the groomer carve or circle carve it fights you and doesn’t want to do it. For a turny guy like me this is a deal breaker.

Powder

There is a good bit of rocker and directional float with the Borealis Drakkar. The 10mm of taper isn’t felt much on groomers but I felt it come into play in powder. Sorry but I forgot to measure the set back on board

Switch/Pipe/Jumps

I found the Borealis Drakkar to ride switch really well for it’s shape. I kept throwing it around switch without even thinking about it. Pipe might be fun but I worry about that sidecut and how it would interact with the pipe. The grip is there though. The sidecut does track well into a jump though and it is pretty forgiving on landings.

Conclusion

So the Borealis Drakkar wasn’t ideal for a turny/circle carvy guy like me but if you want lots of grip, competent float and live for shallow quick narrow radius turns this could work.