Korua Shapes Otto 2020-2021 Snowboard Review - Whitelines Snowboarding

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Korua Shapes Otto 2020-2021 Snowboard Review

  • Sizes:153, 157, 161
  • Flex: 6
  • Profile: Camrock
  • Shape: Directional Twin
  • Shape: €399
  • BUY DIRECT FROM KORUA

Every snowboard manufacturer worth their salt has dipped their toes into the market of weird and wonderful shapes – short ’n’ stubby pow specific decks and rocket missile-shaped carvers. KORUA have done things a little differently. The Otto stands out in the line as their most conventional, all-mountain shape. It’s the straight-laced brother of the family but still loaded with the DNA that’s given the red and white chargers their cult classic status. New for this year, they’ve added two new sizes to the line.

The Otto has by far the most freestyle friendly shape. Up until this addition, KORUA had broken their snowboard’s switch capabilities into three categories: Challenging; Doable; and No Problem. The Otto’s switch performance? “Hell yeah!”

“It’s the straight-laced brother of the family but still loaded with the DNA that’s given the red and white chargers their cult classic status”

It has the softest flex out of the line, with a symmetrical nose and tail, and only a slight setback. Clearly, it’s crying out to be ridden both ways. There’s plenty of camber running through the board’s length, with only a touch of rocker in the tail. But combined with KORUA’s wider than average waist width, the Otto still has a decent amount of float and stability to charge the morning hard-pack or power through freshies with the rest of the red and white brigade.

Freestyle and carving is definitely the name of the game here, though. KORUA’s carving specific sidecut gives the board all the agility it needs from edge to edge. With the more balanced and conventional shape, setting the edge isn’t just reserved for the piste, but off the lip of the jumps too.

The full poplar core, biaxl fibreglass and 2000 Sintered base all add up to making this the first genuine 9-5 daily driver and most accessible in the line yet.

Tester’s Verdict 2019/20

Mike Brindley – Whitelines

“If you’re looking to Korua to provide wild snowboard shapes for heavy carving, the Otto might not naturally be at the top of your list, but if you’ve come to love the brand and want something a little different to their usual offering, this might well be music to your ears.

“This thing is easily the most nimble number to come out of their factory to date”

This thing is easily the most nimble number to come out of their factory to date, and visibly the most all-mountain friendly – even opening up the park to Korua loyalists. In testing it was a blast to smash around the piste on, lending itself to tricks and fast turning alike; and though the shape might not turn as many heads as some of its siblings, the Otto’s versatility is more than enough makes up for that fact.”

Tester’s Verdict 2018/19

Sam McMahon – whitelines.com

“On paper this makes no sense: a park-orientated board from KORUA Shapes, the brand that came around to offer an antidote to twin tips by exalting the virtues of going one way, fast, and with style.

However, it’s a mistake is to think of it as KORUA making a park board. Rather, it’s a Korua that comes equipped with a proper tail. Whilst the rest of the range functions perfectly well without too much behind your back foot, this has plenty stashed away, meaning that you can get most of the elbows-down fun you could expect from the Stealth or the Pencil, but with a ton of pop and the ability to take it switch without too many problems. In short, it’s a KORUA you can take to the skies.

“I can’t think of another freestyle board I rode this year that proved quite as fun”

I rode it for most of a week on a summer glacier, taking it off side hits, into the park and through some wonderful naturally-formed snake runs. It holds an edge where you need it, but the slight rocker in the nose really helps mellow it out, inspiring butters for days. It retains a tiny amount of setback, but for me personally that’s just the way I like it.

Even though the white topsheet and red base is nothing new to me, it still feels novel, pushing you to keep everything nice and stylee whilst drawing approving looks. In fact, I can’t think of another freestyle board I rode this year that proved quite as fun, and that’s saying something considering that it had a lot to prove.

It’s up there with the CAPiTA DOA and Ride Helix, the kings of true all-mountain snowboards, but coming from the plucky group of Swiss flatland pioneers, this feels more than a little special.”

Topics:

Buyers Guide 2020/21 Buyers Guide 2020/21 Snowboards korua Korua reviews 2020/21

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