Snowboarder Benny Wetscher writes about sintered snowboard bases

WHAT is a sintered snowboard base?

As I already mentioned in my article about extruded rubber, most manufacturers use Snowboards two different materials - sintered and extruded bases. The production of sintered and extruded bases differs in both the materials used and the processing techniques used. Here, as promised, is some information about sintered snowboard bases...

The sintered snowboard base:

Similar to the production of an extruded coating, the sintered coating Polyethylen used - usually in the form of a powder. The main difference, however, is that the polyethylene used is not liquefied, but is simply pressed together under very high pressure. This may sound banal, but the result of this production process is completely different to the extruded coating. If you look at a sintered coating under a microscope, you will see that it has small cracks and pores everywhere. Through these pores, the Wax penetrates deep into the coating , the coating gets the ability to absorb wax and thus receives a very high sliding properties . The sintered coating is a very high quality product. The production is very complex and High-quality boards are usually "refined" with a sintered coating .

Advantages of a sintered coating :

+ Speed : A sintered base is just really fast. If you want a fast board in all conditions, you won't be able to avoid a sintered base.
+ Wax absorption: As mentioned above, sintered bases can absorb wax deep into the base. The wax can penetrate well through the pores and the base can also hold the wax very well. The base will be really fast not just for a few runs, but for a few days.

Disadvantages of a sintered coating :

- Care: A well-maintained sintered base promises speed and durability. However, in order for a sintered base to develop its potential and exploit its advantages over an extruded base, it must be regularly waxed A Ferrari needs a high octane fuel to reach the optimum speed and the sintered coating needs regular wax to be able to slide properly.
- Price: Sintered pads are complex to manufacture and have high production costs, which is why you simply pay more for a sintered pad than for a cheaper extruded pad. In addition, only high-end products are usually equipped with a sintered pad. So if you want a really fast board - e.g. for jumping from large kickers - you will have to dig a little deeper into your pockets.

Who needs a sintered coating:

Big Kicker Machine : A sintered base is worth its weight in gold if you want to jump the pro line in the park. On the one hand, you have a really fast base - no matter whether it's fresh snow or slush - and on the other hand, it gives you a lot of confidence when you know that you can rely on your equipment.

Speed ​​Racer : If you want to race down the slopes at high speed and leave a group of skiers in a dusty mess, you need a fast board. No, seriously, if you want to go fast, you also need a fast surface.

Pipe Rider: Unfortunately, there are no longer good pipes everywhere, but anyone who has ever had the pleasure of riding a freshly prepared pipe will know how much fun you can have there. No matter what the transition is - pipe, 1/4 pipe, corner, hip, kicker or side hit - with more speed you get more air time!

No matter what I do - kicker line, backcountry kicker or corner session - as soon as it comes to air time, I rely on a sintered base. On the one hand, there is nothing worse than crashing into the knuckle of a big kicker and on the other hand, it just makes me feel good to know that I have a fast board. Like everyone else, I regularly almost wet my pants on big kickers and a fast board is simply worth every cent. I love air time and my "kicker board" is of course equipped with a sintered base.

My board is of course available here , as well as the optimal wax for your snowboard with sintered or extruded base.