Hello and welcome to my Arbor Draft snowboard review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Draft as a freestyle snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Draft a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other freestyle snowboards.
NOTE: The 2020 model was the last model of the Draft Rocker. There is now a Draft Camber in it's place. EDIT: The Draft Rocker returned for 2022, but with only 3 sizes now - a 148, 152 and 155W. This review has not been updated since the 2020 model.
Overall Rating
Board: Arbor Draft 2020
Price: $379
Style: Freestyle
Flex Rating: Medium-Soft (4/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium-Soft (3/10)
Rating Score: 78.0/100
Compared to other Men’s Freestyle Boards
Out of the 38 men’s freestyle snowboards that I rated:
Overview of the Draft’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Draft’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freestyle |
Price: | $379 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Turn Initiation: | Fast |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | ContinuousRocker Arbor's "System Rocker" |
Shape: | |
Setback Stance: | Centered |
Base: | Extruded |
Weight: | Normal |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
146 | 246 | 76-164 | 34-71 |
149 | 247.5 | 104-184 | 47-83 |
152 | 249 | 110-190 | 50-86 |
155 | 250.5 | 116-196 | 53-89 |
158 | 252 | 122-202 | 55-92 |
157MW | 260 | 120-200 | 54-91 |
Who is the Draft Most Suited To?
The Draft is a good option as a really reasonably priced park/jib specialist to add to your quiver. Best for playful, buttery freestyle riding rather than big tricks.
An easy to ride board, so good for beginners too, but something that you'd want to upgrade from in terms of all-mountain riding relatively quickly. But then it makes for a good option to keep as your specialized park/jib/street board.
The Draft in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Draft is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Arbor Draft 2020, 152cm (249mm waist width)
Date: February 28, 2019
Conditions: Fresh pow - 10cm (4") overnight.
Some harder spots on groomer but mostly soft-packed. Off groomer nice fresh powder with some dust on crust spots.
Overcast skies, but high cloud with good visibility.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 560mm (22″)
Stance Setback: Centered
Width at Inserts: 263mm (10.35")
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 185lbs
Rider Boot Size: US10 Vans Aura
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Weight: 2900g (6lbs, 6oz)
Weight per cm: 19.08g/cm
Average Weight per cm: 18.45 grams/cm*
*based on a small sample size of 51 boards that I've weighed in 2019 and 2020 models. So the Draft is just a little haevier than average.
Powder
Not something for deep pow. Would be pretty back leg burning. But also could get worse. And was OK in the depth of powder I had. It's all rocker, so that definitely helps in the pow, but other than that, there isn't really anything that's helping to keep that nose afloat in the deep stuff.
Carving & Turning
Carving: It's not a board for aggressive carves that's for sure. Can't get that deep on it or hold it that long before it wants to wash out. It's a more surfy feel than a carvy feel.
Turning: Easy turning board that's pretty easy to skid turns on. Still wouldn't say the easiest I've tested, but really easy nonetheless and just an easy turning surfy feel.
Maneuverability at Slow Speeds: Really agile at slow speeds, as expected. Especially so, given that I was riding the 152.
Speed
Gets pretty wobbly even at moderate speeds. Certainly not designed for bombing.
Uneven Terrain
Doesn't smash through crud or anything, but it's pretty good maneuvering through bumps.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
This video is for the 2019 model, but both models are very similar.
Jumps
Overall good for side hits, but not so much for bigger air.
Pop: Not a lot of pop. What is there is really easy to access, but just not heaps there.
Approach: Got pretty squirelly even on approach to smaller jumps, so not that stable - but really maneuverable.
Landing: Not that stable to land on. Not a stomper. Nice for coming off spins from small air, but not great for stomping big landings.
Side-hits: Nice and maneuverable for those trickier approaches and good for landing off spins. Would have preferred a bit more pop though.
Small jumps/Big Jumps: Definitely better for small jumps and side hits vs larger jumps.
Switch
Really good. Same both ways.
Spins
Apart from lacking in a bit of pop, the Draft was fun to spin. Really easy to get the spin around (made even easier from riding it in the 152) and good for landing and taking off switch. Not as good for larger tricks though.
Jibbing
Really suited to jibbing and a nice option for this. For me though, in some ways, it almost felt too loose, but that's something you'd probably get used to - or if you already know you like a really loose option for jibbing, then this will treat you well.
Butters
Really easy to butter. Just a soft/buttery, surfy feel.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
JUMPS | 3.0 | 12/20 |
JIBBING | 4.0 | 16/20 |
SWITCH | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
BUTTERING | 5.0 | 10/10 |
SPINS | 4.0 | 8/10 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
POWDER | 2.0 | 2/5 |
CARVING/TURNS | 2.0 | 2/5 |
SPEED | 2.0 | 2/5 |
PIPE | 2.0 | 2/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 78.0/100 |
The Draft is a great option for those looking to add a soft, buttery, surfy feeling ride for playful freestyle and jibbing, particularly for those starting out in the park.
Makes for a great addition to a quiver to have that soft playful option, but not for aggressive carving, bombing or anything like that, IMO.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Draft, 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 freestyle snowboard options, or if you want to compare how the Draft compares to other freestyle snowboards, then check out the next link.
Awesome review.
Are you interested in selling this board?
I had the same one and it was the favorite of my collection until it was stolen 🙁
Arbor has since changed the design of this board and it no longer has the squared off nose and tail.
The only one I can find is on eBay and they want almost $800 for it used. 😐
Anyway, if you would be willing to part with it I would be very greatful!
Feel free to reach out to me at (number removed)
Thanks!
Danny V.
Hi Danny
Thanks for your message.
I don’t own this board unfortunately. I typically get the boards on loan for anywhere from a couple of days to a few weeks to test – and then return them. So can’t help you with this one unfortunately. Sucks that your board was stolen.