An in-depth review of the Arbor Kuro Neko snowboard for 2025-2026 – tested, tried and reviewed by the Whitelines test team.
Directly translated to ‘black cat’, the Arbor Kuro Neko is certainly an omen, but rather than a portent of doom, it puts the ‘super’ in superstitious.
While you don’t have to be bagging X Games medals to strap in, some experience riding a snowboard is definitely preferable here. With its freestyle-focused shaping and performance-oriented build, the Kuro Neko is a snowboard that allows confident riders to unlock their potential between the park ropes and beyond.
“Rather than a portent of doom, it puts the ‘super’ in superstitious”
Arbor sticks to the classic triumvirate for a modern park board- true twin outline, dynamic camber profile and middle of the road flex. Arbor aren’t reinventing the wheel here, they’re taking tried and tested elements and cleverly combining them to create an all-terrain ripper that excels wherever you decide to take it.
This is Goldilocks’ porridge in snowboard form, not too soft, not too stiff, juuuust right for freestyle domination. But that’s not to say it’s a one-trick pony, the positive bend found between the contact points is catnip for anyone who wants a dynamic and lively ride, ideal for blasting around resort. This thing doesn’t want to sit still ever, just load up the camber, and POP goes the weasel (or cat in this case). Not only does it want to get airborne, but the full camber profile offers bags of stability at speed, ideal for charging lines and munching miles on the corduroy.
A blended wood core with blunted tips keeps things footloose and fancy free when you’re throwing down aerial manoeuvres, whilst a high-end sintered base keeps things flowing underfoot, even in the late-season slush. Arbor beef things up with durable recycled steel edges and fully-wrapped sidewalls- a must-have when you’re throwing down in the park and want your board to last as long as you do
Tri-ax glass sits with bi-ax to create a stable and reassuring flex underfoot, whilst still offering a reactive and responsive feel when you want to push it. This goes perfectly with the blend of poplar and paulownia in the core, which not only shaves weight, but boosts response.
“This is Goldilocks’ porridge in snowboard form, not too soft, not too stiff, juuuust right for freestyle domination”
Ladies looking to unleash between the park ropes will find a consummate playmate here. The Kuro Neko is a live wire waiting for the chance to pop and lock all over the hill. There’s no bigger testament to the longevity of a snowboard than its ability to make snowboarding relatable, and more importantly, fun and the Arbor Kuro Neko delivers on all fronts.
“Just load up the camber, and POP goes the weasel (or cat in this case).”
“This board is targeted to a strong intermediate to advanced female freestyle rider. A bit stiffer, so it would be suitable for a smaller guy as well. Although a freestyle board, it railed turns and handled some light pow really well. Perfect for the girl who spends most of her time in the park but isn’t afraid to venture around the mountain.”
Buy the Arbor Kuro Neko Snowboard 2025-2026: from $519.95 at evo.com
Buy the Arbor Kuro Neko Snowboard 2025-2026: from €599.95 at BLUETOMATO.COM
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