Snowboard Review: 10-11 Chemical Storm Rocker

Location: Steamboat, CO

Snow Conditions: Sunny bluebird with hardpacked corduroy snow, leftover powder and bumped groomers.

Setup: I rode the Chemical Storm with my Union bastardized bindings and Vans Veil Boots size 8.

Size: 155

First Impression: The shape of the Chemical storm’s nose and tail is getting too much attention but the ride of the board makes it worth the attention.

Weight: average

Flex: The Chemical storm rocker had a stiffer flex between the bindings that helped give it more stability down the mountain and on edge.  Overall stiffer torsionally and mid-stiff longitudinally.  The tad softer nose/tail were still butterable and could play around on.  I found the flex perfect for freeriding and when I took it into the park at the end of the day, could handle some park with the rocker.

Turning: With the stiffer torsional flex on the chemical storm, it required more effort to get from edge to edge. Once on edge it really held each turn and you felt most comfortable on the longer drawn out carved turns.  You never felt like the board didn’t take you into the full arc of a turn and even when I skidded out turns, it felt smooth and not hooky. I took the board out for a couple early morning corduroy laps and got shots where you can see the line down the mountain.

Stable: It didn’t ride like a 155 but rode like a longer length board in turns and handling.  The only so-so riding was on really choppy, cruddy conditions where it didn’t cut through as easily and I felt bounced around.  On icy terrain, it held an edge without slipping out.  In some leftover powder, it floated with the rocker but there wasn’t a lot of new snow to judge it on.

Pop: Despite being a rocker, it’s a stiffer rocker board so I found it slightly playful on the nose/tail and still capable of ollies off rollers.  I took the chemical storm in the halfpipe which actually impressed me with how easy it was to swing around and good pop off the tail of the board.  On the boxes was easy to maneuver and no catching.

Switch: I didn’t notice any adjustment in how the chemical storm rode in switch riding but I also spent 90% of the time riding regular on it and just cruising.

Overall Impression: This is one of the most interesting boards coming out, from a unknown company and yet the shape/graphic got the most attention on the mountain.  It was smooth riding on the mountain and in the park, it definitely won me over with how it handled for a variety of riding conditions.

Shay’s Honesty Box: Earlier this year Jeff from Chemical Storm mentioned trying out his new rocker snowboard they were producing, testing it and giving feedback.  By the time I got on it, it was already decided to keep it the way it was and I was given permission to review the board.  I have to say for a first time board, the chemical storm is something to watch out for…the design and shape people notice and ask about.  It’s the most popular board I’ve ridden this year and the graphics are the most commented on.  For a first time board, it can hold it’s own against the others.

Ready to buy? Head over to evo for men’s snowboards or shop their full line of snowboards

On Snow Photo

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Chemical Storm Rocker description

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Review Disclosure: This board was given to me from Chemical Storm.