Soul Zen Written Snowboard Review Review by The Good Ride

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A Breakdown Of How It Rides And Who It Is For

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How This Review Happened:

I borrowed this for an extended demo and sent it back.
Size:
Days:
Conditions:  and an early morning slackountry time with Drift Boards & Union Rovers
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs), Davey (Size 12, 240lbs, 6’4”)
Boots: Ride Torrent, Ride Fuse, Nidecker Rift Lace, Ride Deadbolt, Burton Tourist, Burton Ion
Insoles: F.I.T. Gamechangers
Bindings: Union Atlas & a Spark with Surge Highback and straps
Redundancy: Strapins in case boots or bindings break.
Jacket: Jones Mtn Surf Anorak
Pant: Jones Mountain Surf Bib
Helmet: Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Mitt

Similar Boards We Like (but not the same):  Gentemstick Mantaray 156, Weston Backwoods, Cardiff Powgoda, Jones Mind Expander

James’s Set Up: 21.5” Wide. Sance Angles +18/-3, +18/+3. Close to Reference on groomers and Set all the way back in powder.

How It Was Tested

This is a unique ride and I didn’t have much to test it against.

Approximate Weight

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

Sizing

Sizing is all about balancing what fits your boot size and your weight for how you like to ride. Boot size is most important because if it’s too wide, you can’t turn it. If it’s too narrow, you get the dreaded Toe & Heel Drag. Weight is a close second and you should size up for more speed/float or down for more control. Height comes in a distant 3^rd.

Here are some ideal US boot sizes for these boards.
158: 9-10
164: 11-12

Shape

Tapered and directional but definitely on the more set back side of the freeride spectrum. You feel the taper but it feels about what most do for -15 mm of taper.

Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level

There is a decent amount of camber but a little bit of early rise before the long nose.

Flex Personality

There is a medium-stiff flex with the Zen, and it has good pop. It was easy to butter for this flex and popped pretty easily on an ollie as well.

About the Up

When in split mode, I felt this was a little heavier, but the spring on each step from the camber underfoot/flex tech made it much easier. I haven’t felt this spring out of most splits I’ve tried, and I’m at about 20+ splits now. The only one I felt that had a good bit more spring in the step was the Telos DST, but that had much more camber and had much less float.

Having Split and Resort Binding Mounts

I’ve never seen a board with dual mounts like this. If you want to stiffen up the ride and just ride lifts put on normal bindings. If you want to split, put on split bindings, and it will act like a split.

Uneven Snow

The Soul Zen is very damp and capable for riding all day. If you want to split up your local resort in the afternoon, this can handle it very well.

Edge Hold

Very competent edge hold. Sould does this very well.

Speed

The Sidecut feels more on the tiny side, but it does allow you to go straight with no problem.

Base Glide

Pretty good but not super fast. When well waxed, it will keep its speed and get you through long traverses.

Turning Experience/Carving

I really enjoyed how the Soul Zen Turned with Union Atlas mounted on them. It stiffened up the board and made it feel much more competent than a split. Turn Initiation was quick, and when I got the edge engaged, it had a very tiny but springy feel to it.

Powder

The Soul Zen has a really good float to it, and it felt very set back. I forgot to get the set back on board, but it felt more than most freeride boards. I would think it’s close to Tree D and is about 6″ back from the center of the board. You can do a lot worse here, and I really liked how this turned and slashed in pow.

Final Thoughts

The Soul Zen isn’t for everyone but it is pretty cool for those that can only afford one board and want to split. It’s pretty unique too. The only other alternative is going with Drift Boards or Union Rovers with split bindings or Drift Board Bindings. With those, you get to ride a solid, but you don’t have a board that is as good for long tours or for more technical ups. It’s great to see this option because those who are more split-oriented will appreciate this over the approach skis out there.