The Shadowban is Ride's all-mountain directional twin. It is one of the most talked-about boards on Reddit, both by newer riders looking for their first board and by experienced riders looking for a daily driver.
This review covers how the Shadowban rides, the debate about its stiffness and who should look at a different board.
What It Is: A Camber Directional Twin
The Shadowban is a directional twin. The nose and tail are close to the same shape, and the stance sits slightly back. It uses a camber profile, which gives strong edge hold and pop. One owner said there is only a tiny bit of early rise in the nose.
Ride adds carbon strips to the board for snap and control, and uses a sintered base. A sintered base absorbs wax and stays fast when you wax it often.
On the Snow: Edge Hold and Stability
Owners say the Shadowban holds an edge. A rider moving from rental boards said they loved everything about it, including how well it holds an edge. Another rider said it feels extremely stable and can handle anything, and that they and their friends loved it.
One owner who also has a Capita Mercury and K2 Broadcast called the Shadowban their favorite of the three. They said it is a much more mellow ride than the Mercury, less aggressive and less locked in when you turn.
A rider who has been riding for 35 years said it is a great board to progress on, because it won't let you build bad habits with too much rocker.
Where It Excels
The Shadowban shines for intermediate riders who want a board to grow into. Several owners say a rider who can link turns and get on edge is better off with a board like the Shadowban than a soft beginner board they will outgrow. One new owner rode it and said it was very good for intermediates and a good upgrade.
It also suits riders who want one board for the whole resort. When a rider asked whether to get the Shadowban or the Capita DOA for groomers and trees, one reply said the Shadowban is more versatile, especially in the trees.
Where It Falls Short
The topsheet scratches easily. One owner posted photos of heavy wear after only seven days, and another had wear after four days, though they still called it the best board they had ridden. One rider said Ride's newer topsheets wear worse than textured topsheets from other brands.
It is too soft for heavier riders. One heavier rider sized up to match their weight, didn't like the longer length and sold it. Another reply pointed a rider over the weight range to the stiffer Ride Algorythm.
The "How Stiff Is It?" Question
You'll find this question in most Shadowban threads, and owners disagree. One rider called it pretty stiff and said it doesn't like going slow, though it rips and carves when you open it up. Another agreed it has good pop but said they wouldn't call it playful. A third owner said it is not stiff but stiffer than advertised, and still playful and easy to butter.
Here's the take from owners: the Shadowban sits in the middle. It is stiffer than a soft park board and softer than a charger, and how it feels depends a lot on your weight and size.
Pro tip: Size it carefully for your weight. Several owners say the size matters more than the model, and one owner who wanted it nimble said to size down.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Shadowban if you are an intermediate rider who wants one camber board for groomers, trees and side hits, and you want room to progress.
Look elsewhere if you are well above the weight range, want a soft and buttery park board or care a lot about how your topsheet looks.
Alternatives
The CAPiTA DOA is a popular all-mountain twin that is more at home in the park. Read our full CAPiTA DOA review.
The Ride Warpig is a short, wide Ride board that one owner recommended for heavier riders. Read our full Ride Warpig review.
The Burton Custom Camber is a classic camber all-mountain board that one rider recommended to anyone who wants full camber. Read our full Burton Custom Camber review.
Verdict
The Ride Shadowban is a stable, versatile camber directional twin that holds an edge and helps riders progress. Owners disagree on how stiff it is, heavier riders find it too soft, and the topsheet wears fast. For intermediate riders who want one board for the whole mountain, it is a strong choice.
