Construction and Materials
In-keeping with its easy-going reputation, the Rome Agent has a fully poplar core sandwiched between layers of malleable biax fibreglass. It’s a combination that’s ubiquitous for a reason; it’s lightweight, predictable, and reliable. In short, it works.
There is one major additive of note, however; one that enhances the Agent’s pure pop power without making it hard to handle. Bamboo rods lie longitudinally under the board’s inserts, adding next to no grams to the total but offering some serious spring to your ollies. On top of that, they’re each enveloped in a carbon jacket that resembles the greek letter Omega. That unique shape is designed to deliver even more pop, and certainly more than you’d get with a more basic carbon stringer.
Underneath it all is a SinterStrong base, which isn’t Rome’s fastest but offers just the right balance of speed and durability. For a board that’s clearly designed with ‘grab it and go’ spontaneity in mind, it’s good to know that you won’t have to put too much thought into keeping the base in good nick.
“You can’t keep reinventing the wheel. It’s all about having solid foundations, and the Agent is just that”
Roundup
We’re delighted to see Rome make it to the two-decade milestone, and here’s to another twenty years. Longevity is hard-earned, though; you can’t keep reinventing the wheel. It’s all about having solid foundations, and the Agent is just that. Aside from a brief absence, it’s put in years of service – and in 2022/23, it’s never looked better.
Pros:
- The new nose and tail design make this even more freestyle-friendly without sacrificing its all-rounder status
- Clever additives deliver serious snap without overly stiffening up the ride
Cons:
- Park & pipe specialists will want something a bit more powerful
Tester’s Verdict 2022/23
Coming soon…
Trade Secrets
Matt Stillman – Marketing Manager / Team Manager, Rome SDS
“The 2022/2023 collection marks the 20th Anniversary of the Rome Snowboard Design Syndicate. To celebrate the occasion, we’re re-releasing one of the most iconic Agent graphics. With art from the Neasden Control Center, this design was originally a part of the 2005/2006 collection. When Rome was first started, the Agent was one of four boards in the original line and has been a staple in the collection ever since. New for this season, the Agent features a fresh new shape and the team favorite DoubleKick, in the nose and tail.
Fun fact: This board graphic actually graced the first major magazine cover Rome ever received. Featuring team rider and East Coast legend, Luke Mathison shot by a young Mike Yoshida, this graphic and moment in time really canonized the attitude and signaled the arrival of the brand.”
