In our second instalment of QUIVERS: we cruise Perisher and Falls Creek to test & review 4 models from the eco-friendly NICHE Snowboards line...
Notes:
NEW for 2020, all boards in the line are Zero-Waste! This is made possible by a pioneering resin developed by NICHE, which allows the boards to be broken down, and their raw materials re-purposed into new boards, binding components, and other products such as surfboard fins at the end of the boards life.
Further to this, all boards in the 2020 line feature:
- Recycled base, edge & sidewall material
- Locally sourced sustainable wood cores
- Flip-Flop alternate colour scheme bases avoiding unnecessary plastic waste
- Digital print top sheets and water based inks
- Basalt and/or Flax stringers
NICHE have a driving focus of creating a more sustainable snowboard, but don't let the eco-friendly build fool you, these boards RIP too...
NICHE MINX: This is Niche's softer flexing Women's park & freestyle twin. Featuring a flat middle section and early rise rockered tips this board maintains stability through a turn, while also retaining a playful feel, and makes nose and tail presses a little easier on the legs.
Board Tested: 2020 Niche Minx as ridden by Niche Australia rider CAROLYN FENG AKA @carolynfeng
*Footage courtesy of Niche Australia and Adam Harris AKA @adam.b.harris
Available Lengths: 143cm, 146cm, 149cm
NICHE STORY/SONNET: We grouped these 2 together due to their similar shape, flex and profiles... These boards are Niche's more performance oriented all-mountain boards. The Story is the mens board, and the Sonnet is the Womens. A mellow directional shape meets a stiffer flex and hybrid multi-camber: Rocker in the centre of the board provides much better floatation in powder, coupled with a slightly looser feel when playing around on the flats. Traditional camber under your feet gives the rider stability during a carve, and adds pop and a lively feel. Niche have also added Magnetraction to the edges of these boards to give you increased hold in icy conditions. A perfect 1-board-quiver for the intermediate-advanced rider who enjoys the whole mountain.
Board Tested: 2020 Niche Story 162cm as ridden by: JAMES (85kg, 6'3, 11US boot)
Available Lengths: 156cm, 159cm, 162cm
NICHE PYRE: The Powder Nugget! Designed to be ridden 5cm shorter than your regular all-mountain snowboard, the Pyre is a directional, set-back and tapered floatation device for deep days in Japan, North America or Europe. What stands out about this board is the wider than usual waist width, which as well as providing epic and effortless float, let's you go balls to the wall euro-carving, with NO toe or heel drag.
Board Tested: Niche Pyre 150cm as ridden by: TOM (75kg, 5'10, 13US boot)
Available Lengths: 150cm, 155cm
Thanks to Niche Australia for the demo board hook-ups, and THANK YOU for watching! Hit the link below to SUBSCRIBE and stay updated as we release more...
FILM: Thomas MacDonald, Adam Harris, James Meade
EDIT: Thomas MacDonald
