Hello and welcome to my Ride Wild Life snowboard review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Wild Life as an all-mountain snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Wild Life a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other all-mountain snowboards.
DISCOTINUED BOARD: Note that the 2022 model was the last model of the Wildlife.
Overall Rating
Board: Ride Wild Life
Price: $459 (USD recommended retail)
Style: All-Mountain
Flex Rating: Medium-Soft (4/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium (5/10)
Rating Score: 82.1/100
Compared to other Men’s All-Mountain Boards
Out of the 41 men’s all-mountain snowboards that I rated:
- The average score was 82.3/100
- The highest score was 92.0/100
- The lowest score was 66.7/100
- The average price was $507
- The Wild Life ranked 28th out of 41
Overview of the Wild Life’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Wild Life’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style | All-Mountain | Flex | Medium (5 out of 10) |
Ability Level | Intermediate to Advanced | Feel | Stable |
Weight | Normal | Turn Initiation | Medium-Fast |
Camber Profile | Hybrid Camber | Shape | Directional |
Stance Setback | 20mm (3/4″) | Edge-hold | Medium Snow |
Price | $459 (USD) | Base | Sintered |
Sizing
Size (Length) | 151 | 154 | 157 | 160 | 163 | 158W | 161W | 166W |
Waist Width (mm) | 248 | 250 | 252 | 254 | 257 | 263 | 266 | 269 |
Weight Range (lbs) | 100-160 | 125-205 | 130-210 | 140-220 | 160-220+ | 150-220+ | 160-220+ | 170-220+ |
Weight Range (kgs) | 45-73 | 57-93 | 59-95 | 64-100 | 73-100+ | 68-100+ | 73-100+ | 77-100+ |
Note that the sizings changed for the 2018 model. The 2017 sizes are below, if you’re looking into that model. 2022, 2021, 2020 & 2019 sizes are the same as 2018.
2017 Sizes
Size (Length) | 151 | 155 | 158 | 161 | 164 | 159W | 163W | 167W |
Waist Width (mm) | 248 | 250 | 252 | 254 | 257 | 263 | 266 | 269 |
Weight Range (lbs) | 100-150 | 125-175 | 130-180 | 140-190 | 160-210 | 150-220+ | 160-220+ | 170-220+ |
Weight Range (kgs) | 45-68 | 57-80 | 59-82 | 64-86 | 73-95 | 68-91+ | 73-95+ | 77-100+ |
Who is the Wild Life Most Suited to?
The Wild Life is almost like an easy going freeride board in some ways – not enough so that it belongs in that category – but it does have a directional shape and a directional hybrid camber profile. There’s a good bit of rocker in the nose but virtually none in the tail. It’s otherwise camber.
So how does this affect who it’s suited to – well first of all, if you’re looking for a board that can do the things a freeride board can but in a more easy going, less aggressive way, then this board might be suited to you.
It’s also much cheaper than your average freeride board and a good bit cheaper than your average all-mountain board even, so if you’re looking to get this style of board but have a smaller budget, then it’s also a great option.
Whilst it’s easy going, it would be going too far to say that it’s suited to beginners. Certainly an intermediate rider can handle this board and would be great for an intermediate rider who wants to get into some freeriding but without the associated aggressive stiff board.
The Wild Life in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Wild Life is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Ride Wild Life 2018, 157cm (252mm waist)
Date: March 4, 2017
Conditions: Plenty of fresh powder around. Had been puking for a good few days leading up. Still bumpy and chundery in places as it was a Saturday but mostly soft good conditions on the groomers and plenty of powder off.
Bindings angles: +15/-9
Powder
This board has great float in powder – and that’s no surprise given the ample rocker in the nose, the directional shape and the ¾” (20mm) setback stance.
But it’s not as good riding or landing in powder switch – which is also no surprise given the lack of rocker in the tail and the directional shape and setback. If you only like to ride the powder in one direction you can up the powder score here.
Carving & Turning
I found this board really easy going. It’s got a medium flex (bordering on medium-soft) and that rocker in the nose does help with some smooth turn initiations. You can definitely get away with skidding your turns on this board, so if you’re technique is off or if you need to make corrections, you don’t get punished for it.
In terms of carving, you can definitely put a carve in. It’s not a super carver, but it’s not bad either.
Speed
This board is pretty stable at speed and pretty fast. One of the faster, more stable all-mountain boards I’ve ridden. Not to the level of a good freeride or aggressive all-mountain board but still really good and as good as it gets in this category.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Uneven Terrain
It’s pretty good in uneven terrain. It feels reasonably damp in general and when you get on the bumpy stuff that helps. I think the softer rockered nose with the stiffer, non-rockered tail might have helped this too – also the fact that it’s a forgiving not-too-stiff board.
Jumps
It’s pretty good on natural kickers and even for jumps in the park. It hasn’t got killer pop but it’s not dead either. Landings feel nice and stable.
Best for straight airs though (or 360s) but not as fun for landing or approaching switch than others.
Switch
It’s certainly doable and if you owned this board you’d get used to it to an extent of course. But it’s not perfect. That lack of rocker in the tail and that setback and directional feel does make it trickier riding the other way.
And turn initiations aren’t as smooth/easy going in the other direction.
Jibbing
Not really what this board is made for and certainly not it’s forte.
Changes from the 2021 Model
As far as I can see the 2022 model is the same as the 2021, 2020, 2019 & 2018 models, except for the graphic.
Changes from the 2020 Model
As far as I can see the 2021 model is the same as the 2020, 2019 & 2018 models, except for the graphic.
Changes from the 2019 Model
As far as I can see the 2020 model is the same as the 2019 & 2018 models, except for the graphic.
Changes from 2018 Model
Apart from the graphic the 2019 model is essentially the same board as the 2018 model, as far as I can tell.
Changes from the 2017 Model
The 2018 model changed a couple of things. Firstly, the sizings are now different (see size charts above).
Secondly, the 2018 model now has a hybrid camber profile where the 2017 model had a flat-to-rocker. The old profile was flat from tail contact point and all the way through towards the nose but with the rockered nose. The 2018 model has replaced those flat sections with camber sections.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
FACTOR | RATING (OUT OF 5) | CONTRIBUTION TO FINAL SCORE |
Powder: | 4.0 | 12/15 |
Carving: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
Speed: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
Uneven Terrain: | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
Switch: | 3.0 | 6/10 |
Jumps: | 3.5 | 7/10 |
Spins: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
Butters: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
Jibbing: | 2.0 | 2/5 |
Pipe: | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 82.1/100 |
The Wild Life is something of a unique board in this category. If you plan to use this like a forgiving, easy going freeride board (which is potentially a more accurate description), then it’s a great buy and at a really good price.
If you’re looking for the best do-it-all kind of board going around, then there are some better options – but the Wild Life is still a great option as an all-mountain board, especially for the price.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Wild Life, if you are ready to buy, or if you want to research current prices and size availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out other all-mountain options or see how the Wild Life compares to others, check out the next link.
>>My Top 10 Men’s All-Mountain Snowboards
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