DC EMB Snowboard Review

Who is the EMB Most Suited To?

The DC EMB is for anyone looking for all-mountain board with some toned back freeride elements to it. More than capable of being that one quiver type board. 

While capable on any terrain the EMB is particularly good at riding in powder. It's naturally setback and has a profile capable of handling those deeper days. That being said, it is still a solid board for groomers and jumps.

Certainly not a board for beginners. I would recommend it to any experienced intermediate-advanced riders as it's profile is fairly aggressive even with the more forgiving flex pattern and longer contact points.  

Bindings angles: +12/-9

Stance width: 595mm (23.4″)

Stance Setback: Centered on effective edge. The nose is 40mm longer than the tail, so overall setback on board is 20mm.  

Width at Inserts: 269mm (10.59") at front insert and 268mm (10.55") at back insert. 

Rider Height: 6'1"

Rider Weight: 180lbs

Rider Boot Size: US9.5 Adidas Tactical Lexicon ADV

Bindings Used: Fix Yale: M 

Control Board for Control Laps: DWD Kwon

Weight: 6lbs 6oz (2900grams) 

Weight per cm: 18.59 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. So, the EMB was bang on average on the scales! On snow it felt normal in terms of weight as well. 

Powder

Unfortunately we had no powder to test in but looking at the specs and getting a feel for it should do well.

In terms of specs, the EMB has a tapered directional shape. The nose being longer and wider than the tail naturally sets back your stance helping sink that tail, and the nose and tail are also flat which will help give it some extra float as well. 

Not a Pure powder board but definitely more than capable of taking you anywhere you want to go on a powder day.

Carving/Turning

Felt pretty good overall. It did have some moments at both slower and higher speeds with some washy/catchiness. I think this is due to the contact points at the nose and tail both being longer than normal. That said, the more I rode it, the more I adjusted and noticed it less and less.

Turning

Ease of Turning/Slashing: I wouldn't call it difficult to turn/slash but I wouldn't call it easy either. The camber underfoot requires you to still lean into turns and slashes a bit more but those longer contact points give you some forgiveness after the turn or slash has been initiated.  

Maneuverability at slow speeds: Fairly quick edge-to-edge when riding slower but with that came some chatter/washiness.

Skidded Turns: Like stated previously it can unexpectedly be catchy at times but it still handled skidded turns ok. You just want to make sure your on top of your edge. 

Speed

The EMB had a solid amount of glide and speed. But it's a more soft/medium flex plus not a full camber profile so you can only expect so much from it. At higher speeds it doesn't feel as chattery but the tail could feel washy at times.

Uneven Terrain

Crud/Chunder: In an average amount of crud/chunder the EMB did just fine but a large amount did buck the board around some, especially at faster speeds. But you are able to still maneuver it decently. 

Trees/Bumps: Absorbed bumps with ease. Was pretty fun in the trees at moderate speeds and not too much chunder. 

Jumps

Had a fun time on jumps with it

Pop: Decent amount of pop underfoot. You need to load it up a bit to access it all but it will reward you when you do. 

Approach: Felt comfortable on approach, especially when you have some speed behind you as it forces you to be more on edge eliminating some of the chatter you get at slower speeds. 

Landing: Have to be aware of how you're landing you want to land as centered as possible as I found it to be a bit catchy if you land to tail heavy. But with the softer flex you could press out of them at times.

Side-hits: Enjoyable. Takes a little more effort than average as you need to make sure your accessing the pop. I felt landings on side hits were more forgiving partly due to the soft/medium flex.

Small jumps/Big Jumps: I preferred medium sized jumps on it but it is definitely capable of any.

Switch

Felt quite similar in both directions. The longer contact points and flat profile in the nose and tail allow for smooth transitions to switch without any catchiness or a washy feeling.

Spins

I found it spun nicely off of the snow weather it was a larger jump or a smaller side hit. It felt predictable and comfortable in the air. As far as switch take offs and landings the board performed well - felt locked in for 180s. 

Butters

Flex throughout felt consistent a bit on the softer side which really allows for easy nose and tail presses/butters. It also felt really easy to hold them in place once initiated.

Overall, the DC EMB is a versatile board for the right rider as it can be taken anywhere and excel in most situations.

It is fun in the powder, taken off jumps or side hits and can lay down a solid carve, once you are used to the flex and profile. It has a unique feel in some ways but fun overall.