Hello and welcome to my Salomon Super 8 review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Super 8 as a freeride snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Super 8 a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other freeride snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Salomon Super 8
Price: $499
Style: Freeride
Flex Rating: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium bordering on Medium-Stiff (6.5/10)
Rating Score: 80.4/100
Compared to other Men’s Freeride Boards
Out of the 36 men’s freeride snowboards that I rated:
Overview of the Super 8’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Super 8’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freeride |
Price: | $499 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Turn Initiation: | Medium |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | Directional Hybrid Camber Camber to flat |
Shape: | |
Setback Stance: | Setback 15mm |
Base: | Sintered |
Weight: | Normal |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
151 | 254 | 110-154 | 50-70 |
154 | 258 | 130-165 | 60-75 |
157 | 260 | 130-185 | 60-85 |
160 | 264 | 155-195 | 70-90 |
163 | 266 | 165-230 | 75-105 |
166 | 268 | 175-230+ | 80-105+ |
Who is the Super 8 Most Suited To?
The Super is great for anyone looking for a decent freeride board at a really good price. Compared to the average freeride board, the Super 8 is considerably more affordable.
And it carves well, floats well in powder and is all round a solid performer.
Certainly not for a beginner - and even a little beyond an intermediate rider - high level intermediate doable - a more advanced level board but for a friendlier price. Not for any kind of playful freestyle riding either.
The Super 8 in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Super 8 is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Salomon Super 8 2020, 157cm (260mm waist width)
Date: March 9, 2019
Conditions: Sunny with some clouds and perfect visibility.
Snow was well groomed and soft on top on groomers and soft but quite tracked off groomer (but there had been quite recent snowfall and still some untouched pockets).
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 560mm (22″)
Stance Setback: Setback 15mm
Width at Inserts: 270mm (10.63") at front insert and 269mm (10.59")
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 185lbs
Rider Boot Size: US10 Vans Aura
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Weight: 2800g (according to Salomon - I didn't get a chance to weight this board)
Weight per cm: 17.83 grams/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. The super 8 is quite light, especially given that it's a little wider. That said, it didn't feel overly light on snow. Felt just on the heavier side of normal.
Powder
This board floats really well in powder. It's not a powder destroyer but it felt at home in powder. Going off-groomer into tracked powder and the occasional fresh pocket, it actually felt more nimble than it did on groomers.
No big surprises for how it performed in powder, given that it's got a tapered directional shape, a directional camber profile and 15mm of setback on effective edge. Whilst that's not a huge setback, the nose is also considerably longer than the tail (265mm nose vs 215mm tail on the 157), giving it a reasonable amount of nose to tail setback, which helps in powder.
Carving & Turning
Carving: Really liked to carve. Was definitely it's preferred method of turning and when it felt best on groomers.
Maneuverability at slow speeds: Not hugely maneuverable at slower speeds - not a sloth but not super quick edge-to-edge either. Somehow felt more agile in powder at slower speeds than on groomers.
Overall edge-to-edge speeds: Felt better and quicker edge-to-edge at faster speeds - definitely preferred to turn at speed
Skidded Turns: Could feel a little catchy when you got off your game and tried to skid a turn. Not hugely but not the best for skidded turns either.
Speed
Felt stable at speed and never really felt like it was going to wash out or anything. Definitely livened up in the turning stakes when riding it faster.
Was a little chattery when getting up good speeds in cruddy snow, but otherwise was a good board for speed.
Uneven Terrain
As above, it got a little chattery at higher speeds in crud. But overall it was pretty good in uneven terrain - especially when there was softer snow on that uneven terrain.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Jumps
Wasn't the best overall for jumps. Good stable landing and whilst there was some pop in there, but you had to really wind it up to extract it. Decent for jumps off lips etc, but overall not really a jumping board, IMO.
Pop: There was some pop in there but it wasn't that easily accessible. For ollies, it took a lot of effort and just felt a bit heavy to pop.
Approach: Really stable and that helps for larger jumps, but not overly nimble for trickier approaches.
Landing: Really solid on a landing. So when you're looking to do straight airs in the backcountry, this is the best jumping quality for this board.
Side-hits: Not nimble enough for my tastes for trickier approaches and the pop just took a bit too much effort. For easily accessible hits in the open it's fine though. Not a great spinner, so that takes off some side-hit cred too.
Small jumps: OK but not great.
Big jumps: More suited to big straight air than small jumps or spins.
Switch
Not hugely setback on effective edge but that taper (all be it not massive) combined with that setback and the directional camber profile (camber back to the tail and flat section on the nose) combine to make it feel a little weird to ride, land or take off switch.
Spins
Felt like it took some effort to get a spin around, pop wasn't that accessible for trying to get a quick spin off minimal air time, and landing and taking off switch wasn't the best. So not really a spinner in my books - and felt that way in practice too.
Jibbing
Nah- but not what it's designed for either.
Butters
There was some butterability there, not completely rigid but not overly buttery either.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
CARVING | 4.0 | 16/20 |
TURNING | 4.0 | 8/10 |
POWDER | 4.0 | 16/20 |
SPEED | 4.0 | 16/20 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 3.5 | 10.5/15 |
JUMPS | 2.5 | 5/10 |
SWITCH | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 80.4/100 |
Overall, the Super 8 isn't a top of the line freeride machine, but it's a solid performer and performs well where you want it most for freeride boards. And if your wallet is thin, then this is a live saver, if you're looking for a freeride board.
With the Super 8, you can get a freeride board for less than the price of an average all-mountain board - and that's pretty rare - in fact it's $97 cheaper than the average freeride board (of those I rated).
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Super 8, or if you are ready to buy, or if you just want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
- US
- UK/EUROPE
If you want to check out some other freeride snowboard options, or if you want to compare how the Super 8 compares to other freeride snowboards, then check out the next link.
Hi Nate, thank you very much for your reviews!
Could you help me to choose, pls)
I’m upper intermediate rider (at least i think so 🙂 who like to drive fast and going into pow fields & trees at powder days, plan to improve my carving and freeride skills, and may be a little of freestyle/switch, definitely no park. Now I’ve got Slash Atv and I like it, but it sink into powder.
So looking for a freeride all mountain board (more freeride, cause slash is pretty all mountain), yesterday bought k2 broadcast and rome katana bindings (l/xl) for my 10,5 old Burton OX (me 175lbs and 6″).
But checked some additional review and thinking may be exchange my wrapped k2 on Nitro Dropout / Salomon Super 8 / Yes PYL.
Is it make sense to get one this tree instead/additionally to k2 broadcast (and ATV) because of deep powder days or there is no much difference? Which one is the best in powder, based on your review it’s PYL, but it’s two times more expensive at the moment, what do you think if worth it?)
Much appreciated!
p.s. sorry for my english, I’m not native speaker =/
Hi Slava
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t ridden the Broadcast yet, but it’s certainly something that I would say is freeride, but freeride bordering on all-mountain. Perhaps ideally you would get something that’s more freeride oriented, so that you got a bigger difference to the ATV. But the Broadcast would certainly, based on specs, be better in powder than the ATV, so it’s going to give you an improvement there. So if you decided to keep it it wouldn’t be a waste or anything. But ideally, maybe something a little more powder oriented.
I haven’t ridden the Nitro Drop Out, but it looks more all-mountain than Freeride to me.
The PYL and Super 8 would be good compliments to the ATV, IMO.
The other option would be to go for something that’s more powder/tree specific. If most of your powder riding is in trees, then there wouldn’t be any need to get a powder/tree board as well as a freeride board. If you’d like some options for more powder/tree specialist boards, let me know.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate! Thank you for your answer!
Will be happy to hear your powder/tree recommendations, but often to get to the tree and powder it’s neccessary to get trough moguls & hard snow travers, so I preliminary declined mainly powder oriented options (i.e. YES Y, or bataleon surfer).
If I look for more freeride sticks at avaliable options and some preliminary research, it looks like:
Block 1 with 500$ (but I’m not sure that it worth it 🙂
Niche maelstrom 159 – 540$
Jones hovercraft 152/160 – 530$
Capita BSOD 159 – 530$
Yes hybrid 157 – 615$ (and of course a lot variants for 600$+)
etc.
I’ll be happy to buy something < 450$, but any opinion will be much appreciated!
Hi Slava
I think I would be leaning towards the Jones Hovercraft or YES Hybrid, just because they offer the bigger difference to your ATV – and they’re certainly still good at riding hard snow as well as powder. The Maelstrom too would work (in addition to the PYL and Super 8 mentioned before). The BSOD would be an option and it’s a great board, but it’s another that’s freeride bordering on all-mountain, IMO, so whilst it will still be different, and certainly better in powder, than the ATV, it doesn’t represent as big a difference as the others.
Hi Nate! Thank you very much! It’s helped! Found good deal on Hybrid and ordered it!
Can’t wait start of next season)
Cheers!
You’re very welcome Slava. Awesome that you were able to find a good deal on the Hybrid!
Hey, I go to college in Utah, fairly new to powder, I spend most of my time on groomers, going through trees, and bombing. Occasionally popping some small jumps here and there. I want a fun board that will be able to do all of this and also just cruise around. I would consider myself an intermediate rider. I just want to make sure this board isn’t going to be too difficult to maneuver.
Hi Thor
Thanks for your message.
It might be OK but I’d say it’s bordering on being a little too much, just based on how you want something that’s also cruisy at times and at an intermediate level. I would look at the following to see if there’s anything in there that might suit you a little better:
>>My Top 10 All Mountain Snowboards
>>Top 10 Surfy (mellow) Freeride Snowboards
Hope this helps
Hi,
How would the Super 8 163 (2019 – 2020) compare to the Bataleon Omni 162 (2019 – 2020) when it comes to 1. edge hold and 2. stability at higher speeds?
I will mostly spend time riding groomers and improve carves, however taking it for detours through powder would be a big plus. I am 6’3″, 196 lbs, and a 11-11.5 US boot size.
Would love to hear your thougts on how to decide which profile would suit me best. Any other noticeable differences to consider would be highly appreciated.
Thanks a lot!
Hi George
Thanks for your message. I don’t currently test Bataleon boards, so my comparison there will be limited.
The Omni looks to be full camber, but with their 3BT, curved base. No idea how this feels as I’ve never ridden a Bataleon board, but I imagine it would help for powder, but just guessing. Don’t know if that would take away from edge hold or not? In terms of stability at speed, assuming the 6/10 flex is correct, then maybe the Super 8, slightly better, just being a little stiffer – and again not sure how the 3BT affects that stability either – both have a good amount of camber by the looks of it, so there’s that. Similar effective edge on both too. I would say very close in that respect overall, but again, that’s a complete guess.
The Omni could be borderline too narrow, if you’re on an 11.5. But I’m not sure how wide Bataleon boards tend to be as the inserts vs the waist width. But that would be something to make sure of.
Sorry couldn’t be more help on this one.
Thank you for your reply, much much appreciated! Definitely important aspects to take into consideration.
Cheers building such a great platform!
You’re very welcome George. Happy riding!
Hi Nate. Great review. I’m 100% set on this board but between 2 sizes. I don’t ride park at all. Love to ride pow when availible but %90 of the time i ride groomers. Sometimes progressing my carving and sometimes I like to ride casual and just cruise as much as i like to bomb. My measurements are: 5,8 (175cm), 160lb(72kg), and size 11 boots. I would get 157 based on size chart but some people recommend to buy 1 size smaller since it is a wide board. So do you recommend 154 or 157 for someone who doesn’t ride park (no freestyle other than some sidehits) but also doesn’t have chance to ride big open bowls? SO mostly for groomers. Thanks in advance.
Hi Bora
Thanks for your message.
Definitely a tough call between those sizes, for your specs and based on how you describe your riding. So I can see the debate there.
I would be (just) leaning towards the 157, but the 154 certainly wouldn’t be a wrong choice. The reason I lean that way is that it is a wider board, but with 11s, it’s actually a really good width, IMO, for your boots. 11s are often on the cuff between regular and wide sizes and can sometimes be too wide for the regulars but the wides are sometimes too wide. The Super 8 hits that perfect middle ground for 11s, IMO. That said the 154 would still be a suitable width for 11s. But in the case of sizing down, you would only really size down for width, IMO, in the case where the board was a little on the wide side for your boots. In your case, it’s not wide for your boots, so that negates the need to size down.
So, if you think 157 is the length you would otherwise go for, I would stick with that, rather than sizing down for width in this case. That said, the 154 isn’t out of the range for your specs, so it wouldn’t be an incorrect size for you.
Some thing to consider:
– The 157 will give you a little more stability at speed and float in powder, and enable harder/bigger carves
– The 154 will be more maneuverable at slower speeds, more agile in general and better for things like side hits, butters etc. Just overall will feel a little more easy going and mildly softer flexing. Note, that the 157 is likely to feel a touch stiffer at your weight versus the weight I was when I rode it. So for the 154, I would be thinking around that 6.5/10 flex, but more like 7/10 flex or up to 7.5/10 flex for the 157 (hard to say exactly, but any given board will feel softer to a heavier rider and stiffer to a lighter rider to some extent).
Hope this helps with your decision
Thank you very much for detailed answer. I was leaning towards 157 from the beginning but wanted to ask anyways. I tried many boards with 260-265 ww and they were just fine without taper so as you said i think 154 might be too narrow for me. I’m glad you said i don’t have to size down because i just found 2020 157 for %40 off.
I have just one last question. Which bindings do you suggest for me considering i want someting on the responsive side. I don’t care about butterability so i want something mid-stiff. Atlas maybe? Thanks again for long response.
Hi Bora
In terms of bindings, the Atlas would certainly be a good match to the Super 8, IMO. Anything from the following, would work well too (which includes the Atlas):
>>Top 5 All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings
That list is soon to be updated, but most on there are still available (the Genesis X doesn’t have a 2021 model though – though there might still be 2020 models around).
Hi Nate, thanks for these really good reviews. I think the Salomon Super 8 suits me and my wallet. What length would you recommend? 151 or 154? My measurements are height 5’8″ , weight 150lbs, Boots US 9. Thanks in advance and Greetings from Germany, Marc
Hi Marc
Thanks for your message.
Those are the two sizes I would be weighing up for you as well. I think you could ride both, but I would be leaning towards the 151 for you. The main reason I would lean that way is that the 154 is going to be quite wide for your boots, and it’s at the longer end of your range. 151 is still going to be on the wider end of your width range, but the shorter end length-wise, so I think that’s the better combo of length and width for you.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate, yes, it helps. Thanks a lot for your advice and your time, confirms what I’ve already thought. Now i’m shure!!!
You’re very welcome Marc. If you think of it at the time, let me know how you get on, once you’ve got it out on snow. Happy riding!
Will be next winter, hopefully. Thank you and stay healthy!
Thanks Marc. You too!
Hello Nate!
I am choosing between Super 8 157 and 160. I am having 10,5 Burton Ruler and my weight is about 177. I want the board for carving and prefer longer boards. I have seen your previous advices, just wanted to know if 160 is out of scope or still doable.
Thanks, cheers,
Michael
Hi Michael
Thanks for your message.
Can you let me know your height also. Weight and boot size are the most important sizing factors, IMO, but I still like to take height into account. But just based on weight and boot size, I think you would be fine on the 160, given that you prefer longer boards and will be predominantly carving on it. But if you could let me know your height, then I can give you a more accurate opinion.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate, thanks for getting back! I am 182 cm high.
Michael
Hi Michael
Thanks for the extra info. Given your specs and that you prefer longer boards, I think the 160 would be a good choice for you.
Hi Nate,
thanks for your POV, all the posts about how to choose SNB equipment vere really helpful!
Enjoy the winter period,
Michael
You’re very welcome Michael. Hope you have a great winter too!
Hi Nate!
Great review about the Super 8…
What would be like the Super 8 but more poppy and stable at high speed?
Is the Explorer a better option? Why?
Thanks for advice
Hi Rob
Thanks for your message. They’re different boards for sure, but have some similarities too. I would say that the Explorer (renamed the Frontier if you’re looking at 2020 models) has a similar amount of pop overall, but it’s just a little easier to access that pop – you don’t have to load it up as much. I would say it’s similar in terms of stability at speed, not better.
The Explorer/Frontier, is a little more all-mountain oriented. It’s still directional but the Super 8 is just a little more directional. They’ve got slightly different camber profiles and the Super 8 is just a touch stiffer. But they are both on the freeride side of things and both not overly stiff compared to most freeride boards and are more resonably priced than most freeride boards, so they certainly have those things in common.
To get more stability at speed, you’ve typically got to go a little stiffer – with the Capita Black Snowboard of Death and Burton Flight Attendant being exceptions to that – but they’re also in a different price range, if that’s a factor.
Hope this helps
hello Nate and congratulations, make some beautiful reviews. I would like to buy the super 8 but I have a strong doubt whether 157 or 160. My measurements are height 5’9 or 180 cm weight177 pounds 80 kg not dressed, boots 10. Mostly I look for a track board, which makes nice curves in speed and that takes a minimum even on slopes with hard snow like artificial snow .. and of course to use even in fresh snow when it happens. What do you think, 157 or 160? I saw that as an effective edge it is not very long and I would not want to keep it on track. For this I would be more oriented towards the 160. But then? does it become very large? too much for me? I have been stuck with the purchase for days because of this doubt. Hi Nate and thanks a lot
first I meant that it could become not only long but also wide since from 260 of the 157 it would go to 264 of the 160.
Hi Christian
Thanks for your messages.
It’s a tight call between the 2, so I definitely understand that you’re taking a while to decide.
I would be leaning towards the 157 for you. Length-wise, you could certainly ride either 157 or 160 – and you would get that extra effective edge on the 160. But the Super 8 is a little wider than normal – so I would recommend going on the lower end of your range, rather than the higher end. I think the 160 would be getting quite wide for your boots.
I rode the 157 (6’0″, 185lbs, US10 boots) and I in no way found that it felt small in anyway. I like to ride slightly shorter boards than my specs would suggest, but even so, given your specs, I think the 157 would be your best bet.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hello and thank you so much for taking the time to reply, I’m grateful. At the moment I have a nitro team 157 year 2007, width 25 cm. I wouldn’t want the super 8 157 to be too much like the nitro team. would I find 2 identical tables? do you think the super 8 157 on the ice or on artificial snow could have problems? I wouldn’t want to start vibrating at speed, my nitro team at high speeds vibrates a bit, it’s not 100×100 stable. Another doubt, salomon puts the 157 from 60kg to 84 kg and the 160 from 70kg to 90 kg. Being 80 kg I look right for the 160. In your opinion these measures that are on the sites should not be taken literally but is there a bit of margin on the choice? I like the 157 but I fear that according to the weights described I have to take the 160..but the boots are only size 10 so small for the 160..boh, I’m messed up .. according to you salomon super 8 is more stable than nitro team year 2007? on hard slopes, artificial snow. Sorry if I’m stressing you and thanks again
Hi Christian
160 would be smoother at speed for sure, so if that’s your main thing, then that’s a possibility – but it is getting quite wide for your boots. The Super 8 will vibrate in uneven terrain at speed – it’s not ultra smooth, but it’s pretty good. More stable at speed than the Team Gullwing for sure.
In terms of on on hard/icy snow, the Salomon Super 8 and Nitro Team are about the same I would say, roughly speaking. In terms of being the same board, they are quite different. The Super 8 is a little stiffer and more directional – quite different boards. Not worlds apart, but different enough.
I take those weight ranges as recommendations and not hard and fast rules – and also the ranges are usually quite big for a reason – because there are other factors at play – like the rider’s height, the rider’s preferred riding style, the width of the board etc. So long as you’re within that range, I wouldn’t worry about it.
Are you set on the Super 8? If you were looking to go a little longer without having to go wider, there are some other great freeride options.