Nitro is a brand with a long and storied history. While the brand was officially founded in Seattle, Washington, its real birthplace is closer to the German mountains of Bavaria. Owner Tommy Delago, inspired by skateboarding and surfing, but unable to surf where he was from, first saw snowboarding in skateboarding magazines. Seeing photos from the early days of snowboarding, he felt it was his way to finally surf.
Born in the mountains of Bavaria, or Seattle, depending on how you look at it, the brand is one of the few in snowboarding that has maintained international appeal throughout its history. While not always the most popular brand in North America, Nitro has been a core brand overseas for years.
Nitro Snowboards is a fascinating and storied brand. Their product alone is some of the best in the industry, and their team, and the stories they tell with their brand are all amazing.
To quote Tommy Delago, “In a market that is increasingly characterized by anonymous brands owned by large corporations, an authentic and privately managed brand definitely has an advantage.” Nitro Snowboards is still 100% run by the people who started them, not some giant conglomerate, which is super rad.
Nitro founder Tommy Delago started out skating and always wanted to surf, but stuck in the mountains of Bavaria, it wasn't an option. That ethos, bringing the surf and skate style into snowboarding isn’t something unique to Nitro Snowboards. But what is unique is they way they’ve carried that forward. Especially in recent years with boards built for everything from winning X-games big air to putting down absolute top tier street parts.
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Speaking of home grown brands, Nitro Snowboards is one of the only major brands to have its distribution based right here in Edmonton. That means when your supporting Nitro Snowboards, you're supporting a brand that's putting its money and resources right back into our community.
There are a select few brands that make truly elite level products in Snowboarding Boots, Snowboarding Bindings and Snowboards themselves. Nitro’s boards are hands down some of the best in the business. They’ve built an incredible team around them, and the team riders actually ride the same boards you can buy off the shelf! While lots of companies out there will release a pro model, or have team riders ride certain graphic that they feel are the most marketable, nitro’s team actually rides the same production boards, not something specially cooked up for them. Another awesome feature they’ve implemented in some of their boards is the “Rail Killer Edge”. For all you jibbers out there, you might know the frustration of blowing an edge or sidewall out after knocking a rail or a rock too hard.
Nitro’s international recognition has brought them some of the worlds best snowboarders. Riders who are often quoted as loving the family vibes they get from riding for Nitro.
From the awesome hard charging power of the Nitro Cannon which comes in sizes from 173-203 cm down to the 149 Fintwin Nitros Quiver series makes a massive selection of different and interestingly shaped boards that stand out from the most of the market with interesting shapes, sizes and concepts.
Nitro bindings are some of the highest performance bindings on the market, with some amazing features. Designed with the philosophy that you shouldn’t notice your bindings, that they should be comfortable, and do exactly what you need them to do without ever getting in your way or changing how your board flexes, they bring together some amazing components to make awesome bindings. They were the first to introduce the mini disk system which reduces the dead spot created under foot where you board cant flex.
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Nitro makes by far some of the most comfortable, high performance boots on the market. Their high end boots have the unbelievably comfortable Cloud Nine liners which wrap and support the foot so so well. They also have the best internal lacing system on the market. Often times one of the challenges with internal lacing systems (the system that keeps the liner tight to the leg, not the outer boot tight) is that you cant quite get them tight, and even if you can, over a day of riding they loosen up a bit. This System is so freaking good!
Nitro Snowboard Models: A Closer Look
For winter 2018/2019, Nitro provided the goods with a killer Quiver Series line that features the powder savvy Cannon and the all-mountain ready Fusion. If you didn't get a chance to get your hand on a Squash last season you are in luck! The Squash has graduated out the Quiver Series and is now part of the complete Nitro Snowboards line. Ready for waist deep powder and crispy groomers, the Squash is the true definition of an all-mountain machine.
Here's a look at some standout models:
Nitro Dropout 2019 Snowboard Rider Review
The Dropout is an aggressive, all-mountain snowboard designed for intermediate and advanced level riders. Featuring a stiffer All Terrain Flex Pattern, this directional camber board offers stability and response for effortless transitions across any snow condition. The Cam-Out profile features a mellow, positive camber that grants reliable edge hold and loads of pop to the already responsive ride, while the Sintered Speed Formula HD Base ensures high abrasion resistance and increased wax absorption for faster, smoother gliding.
Nitro Quiver Series
Designed by Bryan Fox and Austin Smith, the Quiver Series is a collection of fun shapes that are ready to rip the whole mountain.
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Nitro Quiver Series Cannon Snowboard
The Cannon is an aggressive freeride, carving machine built for advanced riders looking for a fun board to spice up their quiver. Nitro calls this one the "Official Powder King" because of it's Tapered Swallowtail shape and the massive surface area achieved by the 173cm length that, all together, provides incredible float in deep powder. The stiffer, All Terrain Flex Pattern and Cam-Out Camber profile contribute to a high level of response, unbelievable pop, and controllable edge hold across a variety of different snow conditions.
Nitro Quiver Series Fusion Snowboard Rider Review
The Fusion is a powerful, all-mountain snowboard with a stiffer All-Terrain Flex Pattern designed to benefit more advanced riders seeking maximum response in all conditions. A favorite of Tactics and Nitro team rider Jared Elston, the Fusion handles its own in technical backcountry terrain as well as laps through the park. The tapered, directional shape offers excellent float in powder and the Cam-Out Camber profile gives you pop and control you need to conquer the park and the backcountry steeps. Top it off with a Bi-Lite Laminate, Sintered Base, and Progressive Sidecut and you have yourself an all-terrain, freeride machine that can handle everything across the whole mountain.
Nitro Squash 2019 Snowboard Rider Review
The Squash is an extremely responsive, directional snowboard with race-ready tech to help you squash the competition like a bug. A favorite in the 2018 Quiver Series line, the Squash has now graduated to an inline model for 2019. The unique, Tapered Swallowtail design provides effortless float in powder and superior edge hold on groomers. The Bi-Lite Laminate and Powercore II produce unrivaled strength, snap and response while the Trüe Camber profile and Progressive Sidecut increase the edge hold allowing you to accelerate coming out of your turns while maintaining a catch-free nose area.
Nitro T1 Snowboard
A staple in the Nitro line for a number of years, the T1 is a go-to park board that is built to handle all your freestyle needs. Cam-Out Camber provides a stable ride with camber between the feet and a slight rocker on the nose and tail to keep things playful.
Nitro Team Camber Review
The Nitro Team Camber is an aggressive all-mountain snowboard. It is a very versatile board. Carves really well and good at speed but isn't so aggressive that you feel like you have to push it hard all the time. Can slow it down and ride it too. Very quickly felt comfortable on it for speed, carving, riding more casually, taking into the trees and riding freestyle (be it in the park or on the rest of the mountain). A good do-it-all board, on the more aggressive side of the playful to aggressive scale. It's said to.
Overall Rating: 85.3/100
Style: Aggressive All-Mountain
Flex Rating: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
Price: $579
Compared to other Men’s Aggressive All-Mountain Boards:
- The average score was 85.6/100
- The highest score was 91.5/100
- The lowest score was 78.5/100
- The average price was $637
- The Team Camber ranked 10th out of 18
The Team Camber is great for anyone looking for a full camber board, that is great for carving and riding quite aggressively, but one that isn't overly taxing on the body. It's a nice mid-flex and something you can ride more casually too - and don't have to put your everything into it for every single turn. Not for the beginner, IMO, and even low intermediate might find this board a little too challenging, but a solid intermediate rider should be fine with it.
Is The TEAM PRO Right For You? Honest Board Review
Check out the tables for the Team Camber’s specs and available sizes.
Specs:
- Style: Aggressive All-Mountain
- Price: $579
- Ability Level: Intermediate-Advanced
- Flex: Medium-Stiff (7/10)
- Feel: Medium (6/10)
- Turn Initiation: Medium-Fast
- Edge-hold: Excellent
- Camber Profile: Traditional Camber
- Shape: Directional-Twin
- Setback Stance: Setback 15mm
- Base: Sintered (Sintered Speed Formula HD Base)
- Weight: Felt slightly lighter than normal
Sizing:
| LENGTH (CM) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 152 | 246 | 110-155 | 50-70 |
| 155 | 248 | 120-165 | 54-75 |
| 157 | 250 | 130-175 | 59-79 |
| 159 | 252 | 145-185 | 66-84 |
| 162 | 254 | 155+ | 70+ |
| 157W | 264 | 130-175 | 59-79 |
| 159W | 266 | 145-185 | 66-84 |
| 162W | 270 | 155+ | 70+ |
| 165W | 272 | 165+ | 75+ |
Demo Info
Board: Nitro Team Camber 2021, 157cm (250mm waist width)
Date: March 7, 2020
Conditions: Cloudy but still around 90-95% visibility. Groomers had a decent layer of soft with mostly a medium firmness under that layer, with some harder spots in patches. Off groomer soft with some overnight fresh. Not waist deep or anything, but a nice amount. Wind around 10-15kph (6-9mph). Temperature was -8°C (17.6°F) and with wind chill -11°C (12.2°F).
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 540mm (21.3″)
Stance Setback: 15mm (0.6″)
Width at Inserts: 259mm (10.19″) at front insert and 261mm (10.28″) at back insert.
Rider Height: 6'0″
Rider Weight: 175lbs
Rider Boot Size: US10 Salomon Lo-Fi
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Powder
It's not too bad in the shallow powder I had, for a brief time in there. But it's not that well suited to easy float, particularly when it comes to deeper powder and for longer periods of time in there. It does have a setback stance and a slightly longer nose than tail, which helps a little, but there's no rocker in the profile, no taper and overall is more of a double ender feel, to a directional one.
Carving & Turning
Carving: Really nice. Aggressive and in a snappy, easy way. Don't feel like you have to throw your whole body into getting it into a carve.
Turning: Just a really nice feeling board on a turn. Just felt natural and comfortable riding it from the first turn. It's easy enough, but also has a good amount of power that you can feel too.
Maneuverability
Maneuverability at slow speeds: Good maneuverability at slow speeds. Has that nice balance, where it doesn't feel like you're going to wipe out when riding faster, but doesn't feel like trying to turn a tank when you're riding slow.
Skids: Actually doable for skidded turns. It's not beginner easy, but it's not completely unforgiving of skidded turns either, despite being all camber.
Speed
Felt nice and stable and confident riding this board at speed. It rides slow well, but hums well at higher speeds too.
Uneven Terrain
Nimble enough for weaving through bumps and forgiving enough going over them. Handles crud well too. Not a crud crusher, but doesn't feel like you're getting bucked around too much or that it's so unmaneuverable that you can't recover if you get bumped about a bit.
Jumps
All round really nice for jumps a good balance of qualities.
Pop: Good pop and a lot of it is easily accessible - with just a little more when you're willing to put it in to get it out.
Approach: A good balance between being stable but also nimble.
Landing: Nice in between of being good and solid but not completely unforgiving if your landing's a little off.