I used to ride the softest park boards I could find. Now I spend my days chasing powder on something a lot stiffer. Both were right for the time. The trick is knowing where you are in that spectrum.
So instead of getting lost in BS marketing charts, here’s how I actually think about stiffness when picking a snowboard. It’s simpler than you think.
Understanding Snowboard Flex
Flex is just how much a board resists bending. That’s it. A soft board bends easily when you press on it, a stiff one barely moves. What that means on snow is the real story.
Soft boards feel easy and playful. You can butter, press and mess around without much effort. They’re forgiving when you mess up and make slow-speed riding feel fun. The tradeoff is they chatter like hell when you’re bombing a line or cutting through chopped snow.
Stiff boards are the opposite. They want speed and commitment. You have to put energy into them, but they pay you back with stability, precision, and pop. Medium flex lands in the middle — versatile, easy to handle and solid enough for most riders.
Soft Flex (1-3)
When I was riding park all the time, I loved soft boards. They let you butter down flat runs, press boxes and recover from mistakes without punishing you. You can really feel the snow under your feet and that connection makes them great for learning too.
But the same traits that make them fun at slow speeds make them sketchy when things get fast or steep. You’ll hit a limit where the board just can’t hold an edge or stay stable.
Example boards:
- Burton Process – super playful and loose, great for side hits and mellow laps.
- Capita Horrorscope – one of the softest boards I’ve ever ridden. Fun though.
If you spend your time jibbing, buttering or cruising small hills, soft flex is your zone.
Medium Flex (4-6)
Medium boards are where most riders end up. They’re stable enough to carve but still mellow enough to mess around. I ride a medium board when I know I’ll be hitting a bit of everything — pow stashes in the morning, park laps in the afternoon, groomers in between.
They give you some feedback without punishing you and they hold up fine at speed if the construction’s good. It’s basically the one-board-quiver range. You’ll find that our all-mountain recommendations are nearly all medium
Example boards:
- Yes. Standard – good pop, predictable flex, can handle powder days and groomers.
- Ride Warpig – technically short and wide, but flex-wise it sits right in the middle and can handle almost anything.
If you’re not sure what flex you need, start here. Medium does 90% of what most people want.
Stiff Flex (7-10)
Once I started spending more time chasing powder and riding big terrain, I switched to stiffer boards. They feel solid underfoot. No chatter and no surprise flexing when you drop into something steep.
The tradeoff is they take effort. You can’t half-commit to a carve or press. They’ll fight you. But if you’re an experienced rider who wants to charge, they’re worth it.
Example boards:
- Jones Flagship – absolute tank; stiff, damp and stable even in chop.
- Burton Custom X – a classic high-speed machine for riders who know what they’re doing.
If you’re a freerider, carver, big-mountain type, or just like to go fast, stiff flex will make your life easier.
Snowboard Flex Calculator
Find your ideal snowboard stiffness based on how you ride.
*This is just a tool I’m playing around with. Take it as a guide, not gospel.
Flex Ratings Between Brands
Here’s the annoying part. A 6 out of 10 flex rating from one brand can feel totally different from another. There’s no standard scale. Each brand uses its own testing method, and some flex ratings are more marketing than science.
For example, a “6” from Jones usually feels stiffer than a “6” from Capita. A “medium” Burton board might feel softer than a “medium” Nitro board. Even worse… a medium Burton board can feel softer than another medium Burton board.
The only way to really know is to look at what kind of riding the board is meant for and compare it to others you’ve actually ridden.
If you’re shopping online, use the flex number as a rough guide, not a rule. Read how the board’s described. If the copy says “aggressive freeride,” it’s probably on the stiffer side even if the chart says medium.
When in doubt, check rider reviews or demo a few boards. Your feet will tell you more than a flex number ever will.
Torsional Flex
Most flex charts only talk about how a board bends from tip to tail, but torsional flex is how much it twists between your feet. That twist has a big effect on how a board feels when you turn.
Boards with more torsional flex twist easily, which makes them quick to roll edge to edge. They feel forgiving and easy to turn, which is great for beginners, park laps, or mellow terrain.
Boards with less torsional flex stay locked in when you’re carving. They feel more precise and stable at speed. That’s why freeride boards feel so solid even if the flex rating doesn’t sound extreme.
The two types of flex don’t always match. You can have a medium board that’s soft torsionally and feels playful, or one that’s stiff torsionally and carves like a knife.
Example boards:
- Burton Custom X – stiff in both ways, built for power and precision.
- Yes. Typo – medium overall but twists easily, playful whilst retaining stability at speed.
When you see a flex number, think about how it twists too. That’s the difference between a board that feels alive and one that just feels… planky.
Final Thoughts
Your ideal flex changes as your riding changes. I loved soft boards when I was goofing around in the park, but now I want something I can trust in deep snow and steep terrain.
If you’re new or still finding your style, go with medium. Once you know what kind of riding you’ll mainline, the right stiffness starts to make sense on its own.
It’s not about charts or numbers. It’s about how the board feels under your feet when you’re actually riding.
Hope that helps!
