Review: Nitro Prime Raw Snowboard · 2024
Published on 06/20/2023 · 3 min readThis review is my own honest opinion of the snowboard, which I tested in March 2023. I am not sponsored by Nitro.By Snowboarding Expert
Matthew Kaminski
6 photos
The Curated Take
3.0/5
The Nitro Prime Raw, with its directional shape and flat profile with rocker at nose and tail, is ideal for beginners aiming to confidently explore different terrains. The surfy feel supports easy turns and floatation on fresh snow, while its extruded base and Powercore provide durability. While it's not suitable for high speeds, it's a good choice for new riders or seasoned snowboarders seeking a playful, all-around board.
Ideal for
- Easy to press and butter on
- Ideal for progressing and building confidence on the mountain
- Good durability
Not ideal for
- Not the most stable board for charging hard and riding fast
- Not ideal for carving with lack of camber on the board
- Not good for icy or hard pack terrain
Flotation
With a directional shape and a 15mm setback, the Nitro Prime Raw is ideal for getting into some fresh snow. A directional snowboard usually has a longer nose and shorter...Read more
Carving
A flat profile with rocker at the nose and tail gives the Nitro Prime Raw a more surfy feel instead of the locked in and responsive feel we look for...Read more
High Speed Stability
This snowboard is designed for beginner riders who are looking to progress their skills and grow their confidence riding the entire mountain. Typically beginners are not riding at the highest...Read more
Durability
The Nitro Prime Raw is built with a premium extruded FH base, which is one of the most durable and low maintenance materials for snowboard bases. Designed to hold wax...Read more
Turn Ease
One of the more approachable shapes, Flat profile with Rocker at the nose and tail allows the Nitro Prime Raw to turn with ease. This shape is common across most...Read more
Versatility
From riding through the park to entering the backcountry, the Nitro Prime Raw is designed to handle a little bit of everything. This snowboard is a true all-mountain machine that...Read more
Expert Reviews of the Nitro Prime Raw Snowboard
Matthew Kaminski The Nitro Prime Raw is perfect for the beginner rider who is looking to get a snowboard that they won’t progress out of too quickly. From learning to ride through the park to mastering the moguls, the Prime Raw is approachable by any level rider from experienced snowboarders looking for a playful board to day-one beginners who want a snowboard they can trust. Any rider looking to progress in their presses and butters, the Nitro Prime Raw is an excellent option to consider!
Review Ratings
Flotation
3/5
Matthew Kaminski gave 3 of 5 stars. With a directional shape and a 15mm setback, the Nitro Prime Raw is ideal for getting into some fresh snow. A directional snowboard usually has a longer nose and shorter tail, which helps keep the nose floating in powder and sinks the tail behind, driving the snowboard through soft snow. The flat profile with rocker at the nose and tail also keeps this board floating in any powder it encounters.
Carving
2/5
Matthew Kaminski gave 2 of 5 stars. A flat profile with rocker at the nose and tail gives the Nitro Prime Raw a more surfy feel instead of the locked in and responsive feel we look for in a carving board. That profile leaves this snowboard feeling less aggressive and more relaxed, which is not ideal for locking the edges in to carve. Ideally a carving snowboard will have camber for edge control.
High Speed Stability
2/5
Matthew Kaminski gave 2 of 5 stars. This snowboard is designed for beginner riders who are looking to progress their skills and grow their confidence riding the entire mountain. Typically beginners are not riding at the highest speeds, therefore the Prime Raw is not designed to ride at those higher speeds. It has a mid-flex that feels softer in my opinion. That softer flex creates more chatter and is less stable riding at higher speeds.
Durability
3/5
Matthew Kaminski gave 3 of 5 stars. The Nitro Prime Raw is built with a premium extruded FH base, which is one of the most durable and low maintenance materials for snowboard bases. Designed to hold wax and withstand abuse, the extruded base is more solid vs. a sintered base.
Turn Ease
4/5
Matthew Kaminski gave 4 of 5 stars. One of the more approachable shapes, Flat profile with Rocker at the nose and tail allows the Nitro Prime Raw to turn with ease. This shape is common across most beginner snowboards for its forgiving feel and because of how easy it rides. Adding in Nitro’s catchfree construction, this snowboard is designed to build confidence from day one. Rocker at the nose and tail allows the board to rock easily edge to edge.
Versatility
4/5
Matthew Kaminski gave 4 of 5 stars. From riding through the park to entering the backcountry, the Nitro Prime Raw is designed to handle a little bit of everything. This snowboard is a true all-mountain machine that can be approached by any rider. Also considered a mid-wide snowboard with extra wide options available, any larger rider can get on this snowboard and take it through all the fun zones they can find!
FAQs
What was your favorite moment with this gear?
Matthew Kaminski My favorite moment on this board was taking it out in some warm spring conditions. The board really handled the soft snow like a dream. It held a great edge and was playful down the entire mountain. I also took it on some easier rails that day and it felt good to lock in some mellow jibs. This might be my new go to board for those spring slush conditions.
Why did you choose this product?
Matthew Kaminski I chose the Nitro Prime Raw because of its approachable characteristics and versatility on the entire mountain. Any rider can get on this snowboard and trust that they have a durable and high quality option that will perform how they expect it to. I’ve been snowboarding for over 20 years and had a blast getting on something that was softer in my opinion. I wanted a snowboard that was easy to ride and would do well on all aspects of the mountain and the Nitro Prime Raw checked both of those things off.
What is the value for the money versus other options?
Matthew Kaminski The Nitro Prime Raw is one of the better priced snowboards on the market currently. In my opinion it’s hard to beat the quality and performance you get on the Prime Raw vs. some of the other budget friendly options that are similar. Most beginner options will have a similar profile, flat with rocker at the nose and tail. The price the Nitro Prime Raw is set at is very hard to beat.
What do you love about this product?
Matthew Kaminski I love how approachable the Nitro Prime Raw is. As an experienced rider I was able to have a blast on more of a beginner designed snowboard. I also love the versatility of this snowboard. It’s a true quiver killer designed to ride a variety of terrain. From taking laps in the park to navigating some technical terrain, I love that the Nitro Prime Raw can ride a little bit of everything.
4.98
Matthew Kaminski
Snowboarding Expert278 Reviews
4172 Customers helped
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