The 2013/14 Snowboard Preview & Trend Report

By Kailee Bradstreet
Mon, Feb 11 2013 12:45 am | Comments

As we embark into a new year, TransWorld Business has compiled the ultimate hargoods guide to help you understand where we’re at, where we’re headed, and how you can successfully navigate smarter buys from brands that are setting the trends. We caught up with the industry’s biggest players to pick their brains on how the landscape is changing, how the industry can emerge stronger, and what their lines and strategies will look like in 2013/14. Pull up a seat and get ready for some of the most insightful opinions about where this train is heading. We’re starting with boards and will be rolling out different categories each Monday.

2014 Snowboard Trends At A Glance:

1. Shape Stories—Whether enhancing float in powder, maximizing pressability on rails, or just looking good, board shapes are enjoying greater attention. Rounded tips and tails are the new old school.

2. Nailing the Niche—Manufacturers are tapping into new niches, resulting in increased offerings of pow surfers, premium ladies boards, and decks for little rippers. These niche products also include cambered decks, which are experiencing a slight uptick in demand.

3. Skate Technology—For street-driven jib sticks, brands are appropriating technology from skate decks. Look for stacked, wood ply cores and sidewalls.

4. The Whole Enchilada—Brands are continuing to emphasize how symmetry, shapes, camber stories, core profiles, and composite lay-ups interact to influence board performance. Consequently, brands and retailers can deemphasize camber stories on the sales floor in favor of focusing on a board’s intended purpose.

For an in-depth analysis of market and product trends be sure to pick up a copy of our Winter issue.