Hello and welcome to my Arbor Element Rocker review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Element Rocker as an all-mountain-freestyle snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Element Rocker a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other all-mountain-freestyle snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Arbor Element Rocker
Price: $549
Style: All-Mountain-Freestyle
Flex Rating: Medium (6/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium (5/10)
Rating Score: 77.2/100
Compared to other Men’s All-Mountain-Freestyle Boards
Of the 33 current model all-mountain freestyle snowboards that we tested:
❄️ The Element Rocker ranked 30th out of 33
Overview of the Element Rocker's Specs
Check out the tables for the Element Rocker's specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | All-Mountain-Freestyle |
Price: | $549 - BUYING OPTIONS |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Chattery/Damp: |  |
Smooth/Snappy: |  |
Playful/Aggressive: |  |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | Continuous Rocker - but it's Arbor's "System Rocker" which feels more like a hybrid rocker than a continuous rocker. |
Shape: | |
Setback Stance: | Centered |
Base: | Sintered |
Weight: | Felt Normal |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
154 | 250 | 114-194 | 52-88 |
156 | 251 | 120-200 | 54-91 |
157MW | 260 | 122-202 | 55-92 |
158 | 252 | 128-208 | 58-94 |
161MW | 262 | 136-216 | 62-98 |
163MW | 263 | 142-220+ | 64-100+ |
* there have been sizing changes for the 2025 model, but the changes are all relative - the same dimensions essentially, but in slightly different lengths. There are now also a total of 6 sizes, where there were 8 sizes for the 2024 model.
Who is the Element Rocker Best Suited To?
The Arbor Element Rocker is best suited to anyone who is wanting a bit of a do everything board that's on the more playful side.
It is hard to find any major weaknesses in the Arbor Element rocker as it handles whatever you throw at it pretty well. But there's also nothing that exciting about it. But whether you want to spend the day cruising around the mountain slashing and carving or hitting the jump line and some rails, it will oblige - just maybe without you unable to contain yourself talking about the board or anything.
It's ideal for powder hunters but it can handle itself when asked, making it work well for those who enjoy powder days when they present themselves, but don't want a specialized powder board.
While I wouldn't say it's quite beginner friendly, the Element Rocker is a great option for any lower intermediate to advanced rider seeking a one-quiver style board.
The Element Rocker in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Element Rocker is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Arbor Element Rocker 2023, 155cm (251mm waist width)
Date: March 24, 2022
Conditions
Sunny with barely a cloud in the sky.
Temperature: 30°F (-1°C) in the morning, warming up to 36°F (2°C) in the afternoon.
24hr snow: 0" (0cm)
48hr snow: 0" (0cm)
7 day snow: 27" (69cm)
On groomer: Hard packed but not icy.
Off groomer: Icy and crunchy to start but softened up as the day went on.
Set up
Bindings angles: +12/-9
Stance width: 21.3″ (540mm)
Stance Setback: Centered
Width at Inserts: 265.5mm (10.45")
Rider Height: 6'1"
Rider Weight: 180lbs
Rider Boot Size: US9.5 Adidas Tactical Lexicon ADV
Bindings Used: Fix Yale: M
Weight: 6lbs 10oz (3000 grams)
Weight per cm: 19.35 grams/cm
Average Weight per cm: 18.59 grams/cm*
*based on a sample size of around 200 models that I’ve weighed in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023 models. The Element Rocker is heavier than normal on the scales but felt about normal on snow.
Powder
Unfortunately we had no powder to test in but the specs and getting a feel for the board suggests that it will be decent but not amazing in powder.
The parabolic rocker gives the Element a good amount of float in powder while the directional twin (even if still centered on effective edge) shape helps naturally sink your tail and raise your nose keeping it above the powder.
I wouldn't call it a powder slayer or anything but it should handle itself in powder when required.
Carving & Turning
Carving: Arbor's grip hold technology makes carving quite enjoyable as it creates additional contact points which helps lock and hold an edge, thus creating really smooth carves without any catchiness. That can't completely make up for it's lack of camber but I felt it carved better than I'd typically expect from an all-rocker board - so I imagine that's in part to do with the way they do their rocker and the grip tech.
Overall I preferred shorter carves with it but it's capable of any carve.
Ease of Turning/Slashing: I found it had a semi-loose feel and really didn't require much effort to kick out the tail and initiate a turn or slash at any speed.
Maneuverability at slow speeds: Really nimble and quick edge-to-edge at slower speeds.
Skids: Never noticed any catchiness when in a skidded turn. I'd say the parabolic rocker plays a large role in this.
Speed
The Arbor Element rocker has no camber in the profile, so it isn't made to bomb hills but it is still quick enough and decently stable for an all-rocker board. I barely noticed any chatter when pushing the board to higher speeds - definitely quite a damp board, which helped there. I would also say it had a average amount of glide.
Uneven Terrain
Crud: Smashed through it OK but it did have moments in really rough crud where it could get bucked around a bit. It was pretty manageable and easy to maneuver to make any necessary corrections though.
Bumps: Really quick edge-to-edge which made avoiding bumps pretty easy. I really enjoyed it in the trees as it was maneuverable enough to go through them with some speed. Only negative is it can be a little difficult absorbing bumps as it required you to get really low.
Jumps
Not my preferred size for hitting jumps but otherwise it handled them very well, without being terribly exciting.
Pop: Good amount of pop and it is pretty effortless to access it, helping you to really pop off jumps and get some extra air time.
Approach: Really smooth and nimble on the approach, allowing you to make last second adjustments when needed. And decently stable for faster approaches too.
Landing: I didn't find landings catchy whatsoever while the softer flex makes them really forgiving allowing you to not land perfectly and still ride out. But not what I would call a stomper.
Side-hits: Definitely one of my favorite things to do on the Element Rocker as it really excelled on any size side hit due to the pop, maneuverability, and great edge hold.
Small jumps/Big jumps: Pretty capable on any size jump but I liked it best on smaller to medium sized jumps.
Switch
Even though it's a directional twin it still has a centered stance, which makes switch riding really smooth as it feels really similar both ways. Also never felt catchy when transitioning to switch. Overall a really good board for switch riding.
Spins
Pretty good overall. Good for landing/setting up switch on jumps or flat ground with all the easy accessible pop. Felt normal in the air as it wasn't difficult to whip around but not effortless either.
Jibbing
Enjoyable on most features. The centered stance directional-twin shape is good for riding on boxes/rails switch while the easily accessible pop allows you to pop onto any feature with relative ease. Easy to maneuver on the approach/setup as well and no catchiness on the dismount.
Butters
Fairly easy to butter/press. Not without a little effort but it's not super difficult either. When you lean into it and commit some weight behind them would say its about a 3.5/5.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
| FACTOR | Rating (/5) | Weighted |
|---|---|---|
| Jumps | 3.5 | 14/20 |
| Carving | 3 | 6/10 |
| Turns | 4 | 8/10 |
| Switch | 4 | 8/10 |
| Speed | 3 | 6/10 |
| Spins | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Butters | 3.5 | 7/10 |
| Jibbing | 3 | 3/5 |
| Crud etc | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
| Trees | 4 | 4/5 |
| Pow | 3 | 3/5 |
| TOTAL (after normalizing): | 77.2/100 |
The Arbor Element Rocker is quite a versatile board that you can take anywhere on the mountain and have confidence it's going to perform well.
It's enjoyable for jumps, jibbing, and slashing around while also capable of being more aggressive for carving or powder making it just really fun to ride anywhere.
Overall it's more on the playful side, but it doesn't completely fold or anything when you want to get a little more aggressive on it. It doesn't have any really stand out features that you would be getting pumped telling your friends and family about, but no real weaknesses either.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Element Rocker, or if you are ready to buy, or if you just want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out some other all-mountain-freestyle snowboard options, or if you want to compare how the Element Rocker compares to other all-mountain-freestyle snowboards, then check out the next link.
I love the Arbor system and as an advanced boarder have no interest in shooting down in chambers. I’m looking to replace my current daily which is a 2016 Arbor Whiskey (rocker). I love the floatly surfy feel especially in the trees and even on the groomers (in Colorado). I’ll take side hits and jumps but don’t care for pop, more for play. Any recommendations to keep this same feel with an all mountain board. Just looking for an all day all mountain cruiser.
Seems like a Jones ME would have been good before they changed the rocker profile. Others I’ve looked at is the NS Instagator / Snowtrooper or Lib Cold Brew.
PS any place we can give dono’s? Your reviews are priceless and we appreciate it!
Hey Toby, thanks for your message. And apologies for the late reply – been working to get the 24/25 reviews out and updating stuff (super late this year!).
I never got on the Insta-gator before it got discontinued, so I’m not sure about that one. But the Snowtrooper would work well for what you’re describing, IMO. Haven’t gotten on a Cold Brew – they never seem to have it available to test – but on paper, that could definitely work too. The GNU Hyper and Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker would also be worth looking at. Or the Element Rocker here. The Shiloh Rocker too – but that’s been discontinued now as well – but if you could find a 2024 or earlier model, that would be worth looking at too.
Hope this helps (if not too late) – for dono’s you can check out this page or our Patreon.
Would this be a preferred board over the Arbor formula rocker for a beginning intermediate rider who is used to multiple rentals? Can run down blues fine; but purchasing my first board and making sure I have the right one.
Hi Austin
Thanks for your message. The Formula Rocker would be the easier board to progress on, but this would stay with you for longer. And I think it’s doable for your level and the better choice for the longer term. Unless you were going to be predominantly riding slow and playful, then I think you would outgrow the Formula Rocker pretty quickly.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hello !
I’m searching to transicion from rentals to my own gear. I´m a high beginner/ low intermediate rider. IM 6’1 (185 cm) and about 210lbs (95kg) and boot size US 12 (30cm).
After some research I decided to buy this board with the arbor hemlock bidings and the DC Phase Boa boots.
I really liked this board but it´s only MW so I’m wondering that it isn’t wide enough.
I don’t have defined riding syle yet, but I really want to ride switch and do some side hits, some park stuff and bombing sometimes. I tend to have the boots at angle, unfortunately I can’t recall especifically wich angle.
thanks in Advance,
Josemaría
P.S. thank you for your reviews they’re awesome.
Hi Josemaría
Thanks for your message.
I wouldn’t worry about their designation as “mid-wide”. I wish they wouldn’t use that term, as it’s confusing. Arbor’s midwide boards are typically as wide or sometimes even wider than other brands “wide” boards. So it’s just a confusing term that they’re using. In the 162W, which I think is the best size for your specs, the width at inserts is around 277.5mm (assuming a roughly 540mm (21.3″) stance width. With a wider stance width, this would be even wider. That’s at least as wide as the average wide board in this length-range. And with a 560mm (22″) stance width, you’d be looking at closer to 279mm. Which should be plenty for you, IMO. Even if you were wanting to ride a shorter size, the 158MW should still be wide enough for you, IMO. Particularly if you have some angle on your back binding.
Hope this helps with your decision