Nidecker Beta APX Snowboard Review

Nidecker Beta APX Written Review Review by The Good Ride

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Here we have the Nidecker Beta APX Snowboard Review from an average rider with extensive board knowledge and an objective perspective.

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.

A Breakdown Of How It Rides And Who Its For

How This Review Happened:

Borrowed this for an extended demo and still have it. I’ll be talking with Nidecker about sending it back but would love to keep it.
Size: 157
Days: 5+ but many more on the 162 and 157 Beta’s from last season.
Conditions: Mainly good spring conditions but got the Beta in literally every condition except block ice.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs)
Boots: Ride Torrent, Ride Fuse, Nidecker Rift Lace
Insoles: F.I.T. Gamechangers
Bindings: Union Atlas, Nidecker Kayon APX
Redunancy: Strapins in case boots or bindings break.
Jacket: Jones Mtn Surf Anorak, Jones Shralpinist Stretch Jacket, Jones Peak Bagger Jacket.
Pant: Jones Mountain Surf Bib, Jones Shralpinist Stretch Bib, Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant, Burton Gore-Tex Ballast Pant
Helmet: Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt,

Similar Boards We Like (but not the same): Korua Dart, Korua Café Racer, Weston Japow, Moss Jellyfish, Gentemstick Barracuda, Soul Shift, Nidecker Beta

James’s Set Up: 21.5” Wide. Sance Angles +18/-3, +18/+3, +24/+6. Close to Reference on groomers and if I got it I’d set it all the way back in powder.

How It Was Tested

I rode this often same day with other Nidecker boards like the Smoke, Mosquito and Megalight but often rode it solo.

Approximate Weight

The Nidecker Beta APX did not feel ultra light like the Megalight but felt on the lighter side of normal for sure. I think on average it’s lighter than the Beta but hard to say without having one here. (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 depending on your riding style and boot’s footprint, but these work best for not turning the board slower than it should be and not having the dreaded Toe & Heel Drag.
157: 9-10
162: 11-12
165w: 12-13

For weight if it comes down to boot size or weight, I would make sure it fits your boot first and then your weight a close second. This Nidecker Beta APX can handle a little extra weight and doesn’t feel like a typical high end version of a regular board.

Shape

The Nidecker Beta APX doesn’t have a lot of taper but its very directional and very set back with a quasi-swallow tail. It doesn’t feel that set back on groomers but sure does in powder.

Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level

There is a directional camber happening with the Nidecker Beta APX that is camber from the tail to a good bit past the front binding. Its got a lot of camber but there is a good transition before the spoon nose. It’s not as bad as camber but its more technical than many hybrid camber rides. It likes more of a front foot weighted turn but we will get to that more in turning.

Flex Personality

There is a softer flex in the nose but the flex stiffens up a good bit between the inserts into the tail. At the top of the quasi-swallow tail its softer and allows an easy tail butter. The nose has an easy flex for buttering but the spoon nose makes it washy on groomers but ok in powder. Ther is however pretty special pop and its not hard to access it on an ollie. You feel like you have more tail than you do as well so it’s not super light there on a landing.

Uneven Terrain

What I really liked about the Nidecker Beta APX is it wasn’t as damp as the Beta but it was close enough to be fun in more than just clean conditions. I would still get the Beta if you ride all day but if you mainly see good conditions but it’s not always perfect the Beta APX works.

Edge Hold

I really liked how this gripped in hard snow. Especially with a lot of front foot weight. It doesn’t grip as hard as full on disrupted sidecuts but it’s pretty competent in harder snow.

Speed

The Nidecker Beta APX likes a straight line but isn’t a full on straight liner. If you want a more damp straight liner go Beta but this is great for a high end version of the regular one.

Base Glide

You might not have as much dampness at speed as the beta but you get a little faster base with the Nidecker Beta APX which is appreciated.

Turning Experience/Carving

Edge to edge is pretty quick but once you get it on edge it doesn’t accelerate across the groomer or into a circle carve. It likes a more down the line front foot weighted carve. There is ample spring out of the turn though and it’s such a satisfying carver. I really enjoyed this turning experience even though I’m more of an across the groomer to circle carve kind or rider.

Powder

I didn’t get the Nidecker Beta APX in powder but sure did with the Beta. Having the same shape and set back on board I know this will be a very competent floater. Especially with that -6.75” set back on board with a 22” stance width. That is massive compared to most freeride boards and pretty competitive in the world of snowsurf. While it doesn’t have a lot of taper (only 8mm) it sure does have set back easy directional float and that spoon nose really makes turning fun in pow.

Final Thoughts

So the Nidecker Beta APX was a treat to ride and I just love the way this turns. It’s also got float to match.

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