Korua Transition Finder Snowboard Review

The Korua Tranny Finder is Korua’s do everything board for those that want a very tapered/carvy/turny compared to most traditional freeride boards but also want some tail there for better landings.  The 2019 model has the same design except the flex is a little softer so we took it out again. The 2020 & 2021 Korua Tranny Finder is pretty much the same as the 2019 so this review still stands.

Ethics Statement: We don’t do reviews in exchange for compensation from the manufacturer.  No one is perfect but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders perspective. 

How This Review Happened:  We borrowed this for an extended demo and then returned it.
Size: 157 (In the past we rode the 2018 model in a 157 and 154)
Days: 5+
Conditions: Mainly good to messy soft snow groomers to some pretty deep powder to some really deep powder before the lifts opened on the Drift Boards.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-195lbs), Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs),Grant (Size 11 6’ 160lbs)
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles,  Footprint Insole Technology Gameghangers Low Profile
Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Strata, Union Falcor

Similar Boards, We Like That We Tested This Against:  Korua Dart, Korua Otto, Korua Tranny Finder Plus, Korua Stealth, Korua Pencil, Gentemstick Mantaray 156, Jones Ultra Mind Expander and a few others.

Set Up: 21.5″ to 22” 27 front +6 back Close to Reference and Set all the way back.

Approximate Weight: Feels a little on the heavy side but it’s well built and we didn’t really feel any extra weight on snow.

Flex/Buttering: So the 2018 Korua Tranny finder had a stiffer more aggressive flex that was more on the stiff to medium/stiff side but the 2019 is much more on the Med/Stiff side and it felt much better.  It’s not easy to butter off the tail but as this breaks in it might be.

Sizing: Last year we liked the 154 better than the 157 but this year we all liked the 157 better with the slightly softer flex. It was just enough of a change to make us like the more appropriate size for our specs.   Even though I’m a size 9, Peter is a size 8.5 and Grant is an 11 we all felt like the Korua Tranny Finder 157 was the right fit for all of us.  I’m not sure how they do that with these boards but it works.  The 154 could easily work for the specs Korua recommends as well if you want a faster turner at the expense of float and speed. Just remember there is a lot of taper in the tail so don’t just look at the waist width and say yay or nay.  Instead, check their sizing recommendations. I think they said it can work with everything from a size 8 to some 11’s and 12’s.

On Snow Feel: There a lot of camber from the tail to past the front bindings so it has a semi-locked in feel that is somewhat unforgiving.  It’s also got a lot of taper so the combination of those two things makes this a board that is not ideal for intermediates. I’m sure some could make it work but it’s best for those that are advanced to expert riders that know how to drive the turns through with a positive rear stance angle.  It’s a powerful board that likes a rider that understands how to turn really well.  It doesn’t need a back foot positive stance angle like some Korua boards but to us, it seems to prefer it a little more. It is closer to being more like a traditional freeride board than many of the other more directional set back rides in their line.

Edge Hold: The Korua Tranny finder holds well in harder snow but you do have to dial back the harder carving turns as it gets hard to icy.

Turn Initiation:  Both Peter and I were surprised that with 8.5 and size 9 boots we could get some pretty quick turns out of the 157.  It need responsive boots and bindings to turn quick but it did and you wouldn’t think it would for its waist width and nose width. It must be the narrower tail combined with the sidecut that makes the Korua Tranny finder turn this well for smaller boot sizes.

Turning Experience/Carving: We had a more unique turning/carving experience that had more drive and fun out of the turns with the Dart and Pencil but this is still no slouch by any means.  You can still get a

Skidded Turns: Not easy to skid turns.  It’s better than full on camber but it’s on the more unforgiving side of things.

Powder:  It floats incredibly well. With a 22″ stance set all the way back you have a 10.5″ difference between nose the nose and tail.  That means you can get 5.25″ back from the center of the Korua Tranny Finder. Add the massive taper and early rise before the big nose you have a lot of easy directional float.  It’s not the floatiest of the Korua line but it’s the best for those that like to get lots of air in powder because it has some tail for landings.

Speed: The Korua Tranny finder can bomb.

Uneven Terrain: Both Peter and I were really surprised how well this could weave in and out of bumps for our boot size.  I wouldn’t freak out if I had to weave through a massively long mogul run and it powers over uneven messy snow really well.

Switch: As far as Korua boards go (very directional) this is one of the better ones we rode for riding switch. The only better model would be the Otto which doesn’t have taper and as much set back on board.  It will take some work to get used to but it’s very doable.

Jumps: The Korua Tranny Finder can get air and it is the choice for those that want a tapered directional ride but still don’t want to be all the way back on the tail for better landings.

Jibbing: nah…..

Pipe: It carves a pipe wall pretty well and it’s very doable.

If you like the Idea of the Otto but want that Korua taper in your turns this could work. Or if you like the idea of the, Stealth, Pencil or Dart but want more tail this could be the call.

Size: 157 (2018) & 154 (2018)
Days: 8+ for me on the 154, 2 on the 157. Grant got about 8 on the 157 and about 2 on the 154
Conditions:   Wet warm Bachelor snow but soft and really fun in the morning one day. Some powder, good mid-winter snow and some choppy groomers.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-195lbs), Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs), Grant (size 11, 6’1″ 160lbs), Grant, Ty and Mason from Gravity Sports
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV, Adidas Acerra, Burton SLX
Bindings: Union Falcor, Union Atlas, Union Superpro with team ankle straps (similar to the contact but with taller straps),
Set Up:  22″ and 22.5″ wide Set back a bit 18 front -6 back and 22″ wide, set back, on reference stance, set all the way back, 21 front -3 back

Approximate Weight: Feels on the heavy side of medium but super sturdy and well built.

Flex:  Both were on the med/stiff side but the 157 we tried was brand new and that had a pretty borderline stiff flex but the broken in 154 was more bordering on the medium side.

Sizing: The 2018 Korua Tranny Finder 157 felt like it was a bit much for both Grant and I and we both like the 154 better.

On Snow Feel: Really stable and almost like a full camber ride.  It’s just a little less catchy in the nose but the tail is full on camber. It’s not a board for those who like to skid their turns.  This prefers a strong technical rider over anything else.

Edge Hold: Really strong edge hold for a sidecut like this and the Korua Tranny finder does a great job.

Turn Initiation:  The 154 was medium fast for us but the 157 was medium bordering on med/fast.

Turning Experience: Both really shine when it comes to turning but that’s expected since that is what Korua is all about. The spring out of both sizes was exceptional and it’s springy camber really powers you from edge to edge really well.  It needs a little back foot weight but not as much as boards like the Puzzle.  Conversely, it doesn’t drive off the foot well like Otto and it can get a little washy if you do. So it’s surfy/slashy/washy but not soo much that you are back foot paranoid that the tail will wash out.

Carving:  This is a dream carver and if you like a little back foot heavy laid out carve then the Korua Tranny Finder will work nicely.

Speed: Bombs! It’s a very fast board.

Uneven Terrain:  The Tranny finder is pretty good for uneven terrain but the 154 is the better for us of the two based on our specs.  It was soo much easier in the bumps. The 157 will power through a tracked up traverse area like a champ though.

Powder: There is lot’s of float here with the tapered tail, big nose with early rise rocker and pretty strong set back on board of about 7″ with a 154 and 11″ with the 157 so it will float well. We also had a little powder with the 154 and it floated super easy.

Buttering: Not too easy to butter but that’s expected with this flex.  Nose presses are the easiest but as it softens up it can work a little better.

Switch: Very doable compared to the Pencil and Puzzle but not quite as easy as the Otto.

Jumps: Great pop off the tail and the Korua Tranny finder really likes air compared to the more off the tail shapes in their line.  In terms of directional air, this is a 10 but the only thing that makes the rating what it is would be landing switch.  Still doable but not as good.

Jibbing: nope!

Pipe: Yeah this could work in the pipe well and it would carve walls really well.

So all in all the Korua Tranny finder offers up a pretty strong camber filled directional ride that can also float in powder.  It’s a solid all condition ride for those that want one board for mostly directional riding.