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Snowboards

Sims Distortion 2020-2021 Snowboard Review

  • Price: £419 / $450
  • Category: All-Mountain
  • Ability Level: Intermediate, Advanced
  • Size: 149, 152, 155, 158, 161w
  • Shape: True Twin
  • Profile: Transform Camber
  • Base: Sintered

The Distortion was designed in collaboration with the Sims pro team to create a snowboard for them to use as their playful daily driver. Is it a park board? A powder ripper? Or a playful piste cruiser? Who knows… What we do know, however, is that it’s rad.

Many moons ago, back when mullets and fluoro-neon clothing ruled the snowboard scene, Sims Snowboards were the top dogs and after a brief hiatus they’re back to reclaim their throne. If you were a Sims kid back in the day, you already know what to expect, but if this is your first plunge into Sims then buckle up because you’re in for a helluva ride.

“If this is your first plunge into Sims then buckle up because you’re in for a helluva ride”

Shape wise, the Distortion sits around a blunted twin chassis, ideal for balanced freestyle riders and a myriad of snow conditions. The nose and tail are thinned out to reduce the swing weight and to keep those zones nice and flexible for flatland buttering and pressing. Positive camber features by the contact points, transitioning into flat between the inserts, the result is a lively and dynamic ride, with bags of stability for straightlining and consistent pressure down the edges when carving.

Sims may be bringing back old school vibes by the bucketload but their new age construction and ingredients are a stark contrast to days gone by. Sims use their Masters Core, utilising a dual blend of durable poplar and snappy bamboo. The two bamboo stringers run from tip to tail, and increase the performance through the body of the board and add some extra life into the nose and tail.

On top of these, you’ve also got two carbon stringers running vertically boosting the power and response. In conjunction with the Triax fibreglass weave, these deliver huge amounts of control and precision regardless of where or what you’re riding.

“Two bamboo stringers run from tip to tail, and increase the performance through the body of the board”

This is a heaping plate of nostalgia for those who’ve known and loved Sims before, and a steaming pile of ready to rip radness for those who haven’t. Either way, the Sims Distortion is primed and prepped for all-mountain action.

Tester’s Verdict

Rhys Jones – Independent Snowboard Coach

“Obviously, they’ve been a huge influence on snowboarding, but somehow this was the first SIMS board I’ve had the pleasure of riding. It was a bit of a blind test before taking it out, I didn’t know much about it. One thing I can tell for sure is that it rules!

I took it for a spin on the Tignes Glacier this summer and rode everything from bulletproof early morning pistes to midday mega slush and each time this board delivered, it seemed to deal with whatever I threw at it.

“The Distortion was solid at carving, I would put it over onto its edge and it charged, the more I bent it the more it performed”

The SIMS Distortion is a twin tipped camber snowboard, it feels lightweight and had a good amount of stiffness and flex all at the same time. It comes with SIMS Transform Camber, which Sims say is a combination of flat and traditional camber, giving a combination of great edge grip but also a fun loose playful feel.

They’ve hit the nail on the head with this one. The Distortion was solid at carving, I would put it over onto its edge and it charged, the more I bent it the more it performed. The flex from tip to tail felt just right as well. There’s plenty of pop and snap for side hits and hooning but a good amount of flex and softness for flatland tricks and presses.

The base was base on this board really fast and held the wax well, it’s got the classic SIMS logo which I think looks rad. It’s a shame the 158 Distortion doesn’t come in a wide as I felt I was on the borderline with my size 10uk boots and could’ve done with a bit more width, but that was only when I really tipped it over its edge

I would highly recommend this board to anyone who likes to charge the whole mountain but still enjoy riding at 80% when the legs of the head feel a little fuzzy. This is a board I would buy, for sure.”

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