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.
Overall Rating
Board: Ride Wild Life 2020
Price: $429 (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 34 men’s all-mountain snowboards that I rated:
- The average score was 81.8/100
- The highest score was 92.0/100
- The lowest score was 66.7/100
- The average price was $495
- The Wild Life ranked 21st out of 34
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 | $429 (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) | 100-150 | 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+ |
Note that the sizings changed for the 2018 model. The 2017 sizes are below, if you’re looking into that model. 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 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
Hello from Russian snow-kingdom!
Nate, I really need in your advice! I have been riding for last 8 years and I think that I’m someone between intermediate and advanced rider. I like freeriding and sometime high-speed runs. Usually I rent a big snowboards to get that lovely “ship-like” feeling. I’m 75kg and 191cm tall man with 12 size of boots. What would you recommend: k2 raygun pop (164) or ride wildlife(166w)? Also I thought about ride berzerker, but than decided, that I’m afraid of it XD
Thanks for your job, looking forward to your reply!
Hi Vlad
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t ridden the K2 Raygun Pop, so I can’t give you a direct comparison. But based on specs of the Raygun Pop vs the Wild Life, I would say:
– The Raygun Pop looks like it’s stiffer, so it will give you more stability at speed. Though going with those sizes, I don’t think that’s going to be too much of an issue
– The Raygun pop is better for harder/deeper carves, having more camber and stiffness to it
– The Wildlife would be better in powder
– The Wildlife is more easy going, and more maneuverable at slower speeds
– The Raygun Pop is likely more poppy (as the name suggests) and probably better overall for jumps
But yeah having not ridden the Raygun Pop, I couldn’t say for sure the extent of all this, but hope this helps a bit anyway
Hi
I’m looking to buy the 2019 edition of this board, but I was wondering about sizing..
I am 1m80, 95kg & my boot size is 10, 10.5 & I ride +15 -15
I was thinking about the 157 version..
What would you recommend?
Hi Matt
Thanks for your message.
Width-wise you should be fine on the 157, with +15-15 angles. Certainly with 10s. With 10.5s it adds a little overhang, but I’d say you’d still be fine.
But I think the 160 would be the better length for you. If you know that you like to ride a little shorter or if you are a beginner, then 157 is doable, but usually I would recommend the 160. The 163 would also be doable too, if you’re an advanced rider.
Hope this helps with your decision
I am 6’1 and 195 pounds. I like to ride groomers, dip into some trees for some fresh powder and hit natural kickers here and there. What size would you recommend?
Hi Trent
Thanks for your message.
Depending on boot size, I would look at the 160, or 161W (or possibly even the 158W). But if you could let me know your boot size and ability level, that would help in giving you a more educated opinion.
Hi Nate,
I have a size 9uk boot (thirtytwo team 2) do you think this would work with the 154 wild life with 250 waist width?
Thanks
Hi Tom
Thanks for your message.
It’s on the narrower side of UK9s, but it could work depending on your binding angles. I’m happy riding boards with a 250mm waist width and even slightly narrower than that (I ride US10s – equivalent of UK9s) but I mostly ride binding angles +15/-15. With a straighter angle on the back foot, it would be pushing it, in terms of being too narrow. You wouldn’t necessarily need a 15 degree angle on the back foot, but if you ride with something like 0-6 degrees it could be pushing it. Otherwise, I think you would be fine, width-wise.
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision
Nate,
Great site love your reviews but hate how hard it is too find a board! I’m torn between The Ride Wildlife, The Capita OuterSpace Living or the Jones Mountain Twin. I’m 6ft, 90kgs boot size 10UK Top end beginner but early intermediate.
Out of the 3 boards I mentioned, what would you recommed?
Thanks dude
Patrick
Hi Patrick
Thanks for your message.
As a high-end beginner/early intermediate rider, all 3 are options. I would say that the Outerspace Living would be the more beginner friendly option and the Mountain Twin the least beginner friendly. But the Mountain Twin is still doable for intermediate level, but it will be the steeper learning curve of the 3, IMO.
Between the Outerspace Living and Wild Life, one thing to think about is the style you see yourself riding in the future. If you think you’ll spend more time riding powder, off-groomer, and groomers, then the Wild Life would be a great option. If you think you want to learn some freestyle stuff – jumps, boxes, rails, butters, spins, riding switch etc, then the Outerspace Living would be the better option. But it’s also good for riding groomers Also doable for powder but not as suitable as the Wild Life.
Length-wise, I would be looking at something between 158 to 160.
Width wise minimum of 254mm at the waist, if you ride with +15/-15 binding angles. Minimum of 261mm if you ride with a back foot of 0 degrees.
Hope this helps
Hi, I’m 100kg at 180cm and looking at the Ride Wildlife 157 x 251mm with a size 12 boot. I’ve only done a few days boarding but want to do more. I rented a board which had 12 deg and 15 deg angle bindings. I’m just a little unsure if it will be too narrow for me. Most of my riding is on groomed runs. I’ve done alot I’d skateboarding and gave kicked snowboarding up pretty quick.
Hi Shane
Thanks for your message.
In my opinion the 157 would be too narrow for you. Length wise, as a beginner, I’d say something like 158 to 160 is probably a good length, so the 157 not too far off in terms of length, but too narrow for 12s, IMO.
I think the 158W would be a much better size for the Wild Life for you.
Hope this helps
Looking into this board but not sure what size to get.
I think this will keep me progressing for a long time, Im not into park and it will be mostly groomers
194cm
100kg
47 EU boot size
Intermediate(level 4/5)
Any tips on bindings to go with it?
Thanks for your work here its a great resource.
Hi Rik
Given your specs, ability and riding style, I think the 166W would be the best size for you for this board.
For bindings, I would check out the following:
>>Top 5 All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings
OR
>>Top 5 All Mountain Bindings
But for your specs, probably something with at least a flex of 6, would be a good way to go. Something 6 or 7 would work well, IMO.
Hope this helps with your decision
I can get this board for 233 euro so thats pretty good I think.
Will have a look at the bindings next.
Thank you Nate
You’re very welcome Rik. Yeah 233 euro sounds like a good deal to me.
Hi Nate,
Thanks for your overwiew, it helped a lot. I need your advice for the size. I’m 6,1 215lbs with boot size 11. Should I stick with 166w or it will be enough 161w?
I am affraid that I am a little overweight for 161w but from the other side I don’t know if 166w will be not to width for me?
Thanks for your reply!
Hi Mike
You should be fine on the 161W in terms of weight. No need to go the 166W if you don’t want to.
If you are an advanced rider, then anything around 163 is a good length for your specs, IMO, for this type of board. If more of an intermediate rider, then 161 is a really good size – and is still a good size if you’re more advanced. You could ride the 166 if you’re more advanced, but it is getting pretty wide for your boot size and is getting on the long side too.
I would say to go for the 161W.
If you ride binding angles like +15/-15 or similar, then you could even get on the 163 (257mm waist). But if you ride with a straighter back binding angle, then the 161W would be better.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate!
I love this site almost as much as i like this board: i really fell in love with this Ride Wild Life. I’m really going to buy it, but I’m very doubtful about the size: I’m 177cm x 65kg, and i don’t know which size pick between 154cm and 151cm. I would describe myself as an intermediate rider (level 4), and i never owned a board, but the last time i went snowboarding i had some great rides with a Burton progression 152cm (winter 2017). Looking forward for an advice! Thank you,
Daniele
Hi Daniele
Thanks for your message.
It’s a tough call, there. I would say you’d be around a 154, potentially 155 at an advanced level, in which case I’d definitely say 154. But as an intermediate sometimes it’s nice to still take a bit of length off – not as much as a beginner, but a little can be nice. That and the act that you enjoyed riding a 152. I think either one would be a good choice and you can’t really make a bad choice between them, but here are the subtle differences that you’re likely to notice between the 2 sizes, IMO:
1. The 154 will have better float in powder, and be more stable at speed, and better for long wide carves
2. The 151 will be a little more maneuverable/agile at slower speeds and better for spins, jibs, butters and in the trees
So it’s really what you value more of in terms of those aspects.
The other thing is, what’s your boot size? It might be the case that one or the other is more suitable width-wise.
Hope this helps
Well first of all thank you very much for your answer: this is the most exhaustive i could got.
Btw, I’m mostly an allmountain rider and i know no tricks, but i really want to learn some easy one and, as you said, a shorter lenght can help me. I don’t own any boot, I’ve always rented them and they were 42 EU size. I’m probably gonna get Burton Moto 42 EU.
So, after your help, I think i’m gonna go for a 151: do you agree?
Hi Daniele
Sorry for the late response – have been testing boards all weekend and today.
Yeah since you are wanting to learn some tricks, then the 151 would be the better option. And it would be a little better for your boot size too, IMO.