Cardiff Swell Enduro Split 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.

Cardiff Swell Enduro Split Board Review- How it rides and who it is for

How This Review Happened:

We borrowed this for an extended demo and sent it back.

Size: 160
Days: 4+
Conditions: Spring time corn, variable ice, and soft slushy snow.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs), Clint (Size 10, 175lbs, 5’11”)          

Boots: K2 Aspect
Insoles: K2 insoles
Bindings: Karakoram Prime Connects

Pant: Patagonia Pow Slayer Bib
Helmet: Poc Fornix

Goggle: Smith IO Mag, Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Kinco

Similar Boards (but not the same):
United Shapes Covert, Weston Backwoods

Set-Up: 21”, 21.5”, 22” Wide. 21 front -6 back. Close to Reference and Set all the way back.  22” Wide. 15 front -15 back.

Approximate Weight

The Cardiff Swell Enduro Split is a pretty middle ground board when it comes to weight.

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

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: 7-9
160: 9+

Shape/Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level

The Cardiff Swell Enduro Split is a tapered directional shape with a pretty pronounced side cut near the tip and tail. The hybrid camber felt locked in and stable at speed. A board that performed well at speed but not forgiving if you’re off your game. Not ideal for beginners.

Flex Personality

Lively board for the specs and stiffness. Pops well and butters well for the stiffness.

Speed

The Cardiff line has continuously shown that their bases are as fast as any splitboard on the markets. Holds wax well I would put Cardiff on the same level and Jones as far as base glide goes. This board held speed well, but it naturally wanted to turn vs straight lining down a run something that showed more in Cardiff Bonsai Enduro Split.

Uneven Terrain

The Cardiff Swell Enduro Split performs very well uneven terrain. Like all the Cardiff boards we have tried the construction of the Cardiff Swell Enduro Split has amazing stability in every PNW condition we rode them in.

Edge Hold

Felt very locked in the conditions I got it. May not as good in icy conditions

Turn Initiation

Was blown away how agile this board is when is come to turns. As soon as you pick up speed this board wants to start turning.

Turning Experience/Carving

Once you get that edge committed the Cardiff Swell Enduro Split really likes to lay out a hard across the groomer carve. Pretty tight radius carves. It wasn’t shy with some big hero turns either. Could carve through uneven terrain either.

Uphill/Side hill/ Kick Turns

In Spring you get a lot of icy conditions in the morning and soft slush in the afternoon and the Cardiff Swell Enduro Split perform tremendous on the uphill. Had no issues sliding out while side hilling on steep terrain and kicked turned with ease. It had descent spring on the way up and good edge contact on steep slopes. Swell provides the stability you want on the icy alpine spring tours.

Powder

We did not get this in any powder but based on the construction and taper on board I’d say it performs quite well.

Switch/Pipe/Jumps

Not the board I would ride switch with a lot. Definitely designed as a directional board. However, had some pop and was enjoyable in the air.

Conclusion

I got the Cardiff Swell Enduro Split in the spring and for the conditions I thought it was a really enjoyable ride. Stable on the uphill and the turny feel in the slush made for a very fun surfy ride. Definitely a slightly more aggressive ride so might not be for the beginner but for the rider who love to be on edge and constantly want to be turning at speed.