Rossignol Krypto 2012-2019 Snowboard Review

Rossignol Krypto Snowboard Video and 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.  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.

Size: 163
Days: 3 with the 2017 and many other with older models.
Conditions: Everything from 2 feet of powder to pretty hard snow.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-195lbs), Jimbo (Size 11, 5’11” 160lbs), Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs), Zobel (Size 11.5, 6’ 180lbs),
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV, Burton SLX, Burton Rover, Burton Imperial, Burton Ion,
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles,  Footprint Insole Technology Gameghangers Low Profile
Bindings: Union Atlas, Burton Genesis X, Burton Cartel, Union Force,
Set Up: 23″-22.5” Near Reference stance to set all the way back 18 front -6 back to 18 front 0 back.

Approximate Weight: Feels normal for its size. Not too heavy or too light.

Flex/Buttering: The Rossignol Krypto is pretty stiff but not like super stiff like the old school freeride boards you would see in the 2000’s. It isn’t the kind of board you get if you like to butter.

Sizing: The 163 feels pretty big for me and my specs but not too big.  I think I would actually prefer the 159 instead of the 163 but both worked.  The 159 would be better in tight spots and be more maneuverable but the 163 is all about bombing steep runs.  Zobel would have been much better off with the 164mw for his size 11-11.5 boots.

On Snow Feel: The Rossignol Krypto feels like the kind of board that has more camber than it does and it borders on feeling semi-locked in.  It is very stable on a long flat cat track and it one foots very easy off a chair.  It has an aggressive feel to it while only being moderately unforgiving. It feels much more centered on board and doesn’t have that setback surfier feel that the XV does.

Edge Hold: Really strong almost overpowering edge hold that makes super icy snow feel like its way more fun than it is.  The Rossignol Krypto can grab a little too much in softer wetter snow though.  Some are ok with this feeling and some can’t get past all that grip.

Turn Initiation: It isn’t the kind of board that just flashes from edge to edge as the XV does.  It is more for those that like to make long drawn out S-Turns that are just shy of a straight-line.

Turning Experience: If you know what you are getting into the Rossignol Krypto is a very fun board to turn.  I found it most fun to make wider radius turns and the long drawn out s-turns I mentioned above.  The feeling underfoot is much different from the XV and because of the lesser taper, it doesn’t need all that weight on the back foot.  You can ride this much more centered weight wise like a double ender if you want or if the mood strikes you can lean way back and make more surfy turns.

Carving: The combination of the extra edge hold combined with a decent amount of camber makes the Rossignol Krypto very fun to carve and you can lay it out really hard in hard conditions that many boards could barely skid a turn on.

Skidded Turns: Not the easiest board to skid turns on but it works pretty well for what it is.  I think the 159 would be fine for me to skid my turns on.

Speed: The Rossignol Krypto can really bomb.  If you like to point it we actually prefer the Krypto over the XV.  It just feels more stable as you pick up speed.

Uneven Terrain: We prefer the XV over the Krypto here for sure.  It is much easier to weave in and out of bumps compared to the Krypto. However, the Krypto can hammer over tracked snow pretty well without bucking you around too much.

Powder: I have had the Krypto in some deep powder over the years and here is where I prefer the XV a little better.  It just has more float and more maneuverability in tight spots. Still, the Krypto had a pretty good directional float, a good bit of rocker in the nose and a set back on board of 4 inches with a 22″ stance width on the size 156 you see in the on the table review. It’s kind of on the lower side for the Freeride world of set back on board but its still more than most all-mountain rides. There might be more setback on board with the 159 and 163 but I’m not sure.

Switch:  Pretty doable switch but it is a long way from acting as a twin with a centered stance.

Jumps: The Rossignol Krypto is a very trustworthy board for getting air and it feels like it can go bigger than we would ever like to test.  There is a pretty stable platform underfoot that feels easy approaching and landing with the small to medium air we got. The pop is medium-ish but you can definitely feel the energy underfoot on an ollie.

Jibbing: no thanks!

Pipe: Maybe the 159 would feel more fun but the times I tried it with the 163 it felt like just too much board in the pipe. It gripped like a champ though.

So, all in all, the Rossignol Krypto is a nice change up from the XV that we love. If you want something that loves to bomb, grips hard snow and likes big wide open carves then you have the Krypto.