The Details:

Like most of the sticks in Gigi Rüf’s quiver, the Brainstorm is designed for the backcountry. If you don’t like powder then don’t buy this, but you don’t need to be a purist either; this could suit someone who’s still quite new to that side of snowboarding, and needs something suitable for making the transition.

The camber section of the profile is closer to the tail than the nose, giving you a stable platform for the back foot and longer front end for an easier time in the deep stuff. There is a rocker bend at both ends, but the one at the nose is slightly more pronounced to further improve its powder performance.

The core is mainly a mix of poplar and beech, with spruce added to the nose and tail for added strength. Two Kevlar strips run from the bindings to each end, aiding stability at speed without giving you too much longitudinal stiffness.

Torsional stiffness comes courtesy of the triax glass, and you’ll be glad of that when you’re charging hard. And with the high-quality sintered base, charge you shall.

That’s also not a bad price to pay, so whether you’re an experienced mountain man or a powder newbie, this is definitely one to consider.