New Graphics for the Arbor Swoon Rocker
In keeping with the general illustrative aesthetic of the original swoon, the latest iteration of this award winner debuts with new graphics. Aside from the style overhaul, nothing else had changed: it's the same floaty and forgiving powerhouse we originally tested. Check the two models below, with the new version on the left and the prior year's model on the right.
Hand's-on Review of the Original Arbor Swoon Rocker
This board pushes early riders to progress, and allows experienced riders to fine tune their skills. While the Swoon comes in both traditional Camber and Rocker profiles, we prefer Arbor's Rocker System for its float in powder and easy turning. Arbor's Rocker System features a parabolic design, which means it has a sharp rocker shape in the middle that gradually decreases towards the tip and tail. This tech works at reducing the leverage required to engage the boards outside contact points, giving you an effortless, intuitive ride in any conditions. Arbor also sustainably sources their materials, giving you a guilt-free conscience and a gorgeous, natural wood graphic.
Arbor's Rocker system, a parabolic rocker, gives a surfy feel to the board, while "Thunderhead Tips" minimize the plow effect as you cruise through powder. The Swoon is considerably flexible, scoring an impressive 9/10 in playfulness, outperforming the similarly powder-friendly Jones Twin Sister, which scored a 6/10.
The Arbor Swoon is an all-mountain dream.
Performance Comparison
This board outperformed in nearly every category. While the Gnu Ladies' Choice may be a bit more comfortable in the park, the Arbor Swoon handled everything we gave it with style and ease. It was our favorite powder board, and although it's springy and responsive, the Swoon floats through powder better than any other board we tested.
Edge Hold
Although the Swoon couldn't quite hold up to the Never Summer Aura (9/10) or the Jones Twin Sister(10/10) when it comes to edge hold, we found it soft and forgiving, and its powerful edge hold is that of a much more aggressive board, receiving a strong 8/10 rating in this category. The Swoon's Grip-Tech has a tri-radial side cut, creating two additional points of contact under each foot, moving the board's primary interaction with the snow to heal and toe contact points. This forms a more direct and responsive grip, allowing you to make hard, quick turns in icy conditions or dip and dodge between tight trees. Arbor's Grip-Tech also lifts the leading section of the board, reducing grab in powder conditions when you don't need it.
If you ride in icy conditions and need all the edge you can get, check out the Never Summer Aura, which received a 9/10 in this category. The Jones Twin Sister received a perfect 10/10 in edge hold, carving effortlessly through all varieties of conditions without sacrificing float in powder.
The Arbor Swoon Rocker floating on a powder day.
Float in Powder
The Swoon is a powderhound's dream come true. Scoring the only perfect 10/10 among the group, this board naturally floats through even the deepest snow. A "Mountain Twin" shape, the Swoon has symmetrical tip and tail, but has a 2cm setback. This keeps the board afloat even the deepest of snow, giving you a super-surfy ride in powder. Arbor's "Thunderhead" tips are blunted, providing extra speed in the deep stuff by reducing the plowing effect of the board.
Riding powder is truly effortless on the Swoon, whether it's fresh flakes or Sierra cement. This board was followed closely by the Jones Twin Sister and the Never Summer Aura, both of which scored 9/10s in this category due to their similar directional stance and blunted tips.
Stability at Speed
Falling behind in this category, the Arbor Swoon scored a solid 7/10 in the stability at speed metric. The Swoon's single-malt poplar core is super-flexible, yet provides a consistent and moderately damp ride at speed, gaining speed quickly without losing control or precision. The only flaw with the Swoon — it can be a little too bouncy on uneven terrain, and beginner riders may have trouble staying in control. If you want a damp board with high absorption, check out the Burton Lipstick, which scored an impressive 9/10, or the Never Summer Aura, which received a perfect 10/10.
The Arbor Swoon System Rocker belongs in the deep powder.
Playfulness
While the Swoon feels stiff and solid in powder, it transforms to a flexy, forgiving board in the park. Scoring an admirable 9/10 in this category, the Swoon's Rocker system makes for easy flat ground tricks and flawless turn initiation. This board makes presses clean and controlled. Lightweight underfoot, the Swoon is a natural for rotations and grabs. It put the comparatively powder-friendly Jones Twin Sister to shame in this category - the Jones scored a 6/10.
Although the Arbor Swoon is a directional twin, switch riding won't feel like a challenge to ladies who are experienced riding switch. Ladies who are just starting to ride switch should look into getting a true-twin or asymmetric twin, like the Gnu Ladies Choice, which scored a perfect 10 in this category with its effortless flex and seamless turn initiation.
The Arbor Swoon has no problem leaving the resort boundaries.
Pop and Jumping
Receiving a sound 8/10 in this category, the Arbor Swoon is poppy and powerful. This board is spring-loaded, launching off jumps with ease and stomping landings with stability and forgiveness. We were amazed to find this much pop on such a stable and stompy snowboard. The sustainably sourced (and gosh-darn beautiful) Bamboo Power Ply topsheet adds a little more snap while reducing weight, making the Swoon even more responsive. The Swoon was outperformed in this category by the Gnu Ladies Choice, which received a perfect 10/10 for its unparalleled lift and impressive stability when returning to the ground below.
Best Applications
Anything and everything. Although we'd prefer to take the Arbor Swoon out in feet of fresh powder, it is truly an all-mountain destroyer. The Swoon is flexible in the park, solid on icy groomers, nimble in trees, floaty in powder — what else could you possibly need?
Detailing on the Arbor Swoon Rocker.
Value
Winning our 2017 Best Buy Award, the Swoon is an unbelievable value. For only $450, you get a true quiver killer that can hang with the best of 'em. We wanted to take this board out every single day.
Conclusion
Easily one of our favorite boards to ride, the Arbor Swoon is an affordable, potent powerhouse with a whopping three-year warranty. Not to mention Arbor's classic wood-grain look, paired with the high-quality production we've come to expect from the California based company — the Swoon is a dream come true.
Fresh powder on groomers means a good time on the Arbor Swoon.
