Tl;dr: For riders by riders, that's the mantra of Lobster Snowboards. Started in 2011, by professional snowboarders Eiki Helgason and Halldor Helgason, Lobster embodies the brothers’ fast and loose approach to life, with experimental designs aimed at pushing the sport in a more creative direction. If you’re looking for a board to help you progress your riding, whether you’re a beginner or a pro, Lobster has got you covered with a large line of feel-good boards that incorporate top-of-the-line technology.

I remember it like it was yesterday. The year was 2013. I was a year into discovering my love for snowboarding. Nike was the latest big name to toss their hat into the snowboarding ring. They had just dropped “Never Not,” their first compilation of video parts. And in that video, Halldor Helgason absolutely stomped a roof-to-roof gap, throwing a backflip between two buildings onto a barely there landing strip of slush.

I was awestruck. It wasn’t just the craziness of the trick. Here was a rider who, just a few years prior, had been one of the premier competition riders in the world (earning the X Games’ first perfect score in Big Air event) who’d left all that behind to do his own thing, push his riding the way he wanted to, and let his creativity flow. I realized then that snowboarding could be whatever I wanted it to be, and that, no matter where I did it, I owed it to myself to have a good time. And ever since, it’s been incredibly important to me to help others find their own good time on the mountain, whether that’s by driving novices up to the resort for the first time and showing them the basics or with the articles I write here on Curated.

So, without further ado, let’s get into what sets Lobster snowboards — and, by extension, the Helgasons — apart from just about every other major brand in the sport.

Who Are Lobster Snowboards?

Lobster Snowboards is the brainchild of Icelandic brothers Eiki and Halldor Helgason. Known for their unorthodox approach to the sport and unbound creativity when it comes to tricks, the Helgason boys founded Lobster in 2011, back when snowboarding seemed to be being pulled in two different directions. On the one side was the traditional competition circuit, with its focus on technical tricks, prize money, and rankings. On the other side was the core community, a group that felt the focus on spin-to-win and memorized runs was counterproductive to maintaining the soul of the sport.

Given these circumstances, we can look at Lobster Snowboards as Eiki and Halldor’s response to that divergence and a way to ensure that their "no rules” philosophy of snowboarding lived on. And what better way to do that than through creating freestyle-centric snowboards that are incredibly fun to ride?

Partnering with Bataleon Snowboards, Lobster boards utilize the same patented Triple Base Technology (3BT) that makes them forgiving without sacrificing pop or edgehold. They are good for beginners but also for freestyle riders who want a responsive board that they can tweak out and butter with zero issues. From their shapes to their topsheet graphics, these boards are made with rider expression front of mind.

What to Consider When Buying a Lobster Snowboard

What Is 3BT?

Triple Base Technology is the proprietary design approach utilized by Lobster and Bataleon Snowboards for their bases. Essentially, the base of the snowboard is characterized by three different contours or uplifts. While the board itself is built on a camber profile, these contours augment the overall characteristic in certain spots. For example, in between the bindings the board has zero positive uplift, keeping the base area between the feet flat with the snow for more stability. Outside the bindings, 3BT gradually lifts the contact points to reduce edge catch and allow for mellow turns. And finally, Lobster boards are lifted or rockered at the tips, which helps with powder and any kind of press (nose press or tail press tricks).

Are Lobster Boards Freestyle Snowboards?

While the Helgason brothers occasionally venture into the backcountry to shoot their video parts, they’re known for their boundary-pushing freestyle riding. As such, their board selection leans heavily towards the freestyle discipline, with much of the lineup designed to jib small, medium, or large objects. That being said, Lobster does offer some stiffer models that toe the line well between all-mountain and all-mountain freestyle boards. However, if you’re looking for a freeride or powder-specific surfer, Lobster isn’t the brand for you. The Helgasons know their bread and butter is park and freestyle riding, and they stick to it. However, our Curated Winter Sports Experts are more than happy to steer you toward a more suitable brand, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

Where Can I Buy a Lobster Snowboard?

While back in the day, it was possible to find Lobster Snowboards in a few local shops, that isn’t the case these days. This is due in part to some of the more … ummm … vulgar topsheet graphics employed by the brand. Eiki and Halldor have always done things their way, and that includes the art featured on their boards. With wild themes ranging from sex to drugs (looking at you, STD Jib Board), many shops refused to stock certain boards. So today, Lobster Snowboards is proudly direct to consumer, offering their boards with a 45-day delivery guarantee through their website.

Features to Look Out for When Buying a Lobster Snowboard

Flex

As we mentioned earlier, Lobster boards are heavily skewed toward the freestyle set, so the majority of the collection tends to have a very soft to medium flex. This makes them especially suited when it comes to things like jibbing, rails, and buttering by giving riders better boardfeel and making the boards easier to bend. However, the downside to this is that softer boards tend to be worse at dampening chatter, the vibrations that come when riding over rough, icy, and uneven terrain.

That being said, the brand does offer a few stiffer options, mainly the Airmaster and the Sender. These are more all-mountain freestyle boards designed for added stability at higher speeds.

Carving

We can’t mention 3BT without mentioning carving. Bataleon and, by extension, Lobster’s Triple Base Technology can be divisive. Some riders swear by it, while others just can’t come to grips. The lifted contact points are more forgiving, but they also give the boards a much different feel from more traditional snowboards, meaning that veteran riders will have to adjust their mechanics from what they might be used to. The lifted contact points also mean that, while it can be done, carving on these boards isn’t the most intuitive or best experience. It’s simply not what Lobster boards are made to do. So if your idea at the resort is laying slick eurocarves across groomers, doing it on a Lobster snowboard might present an unexpected challenge.

Price

Here’s where the “direct 2 rider” business model really pays off. While brands like Burton’s top-of-the-line snowboards can run anywhere from $600 to upwards of $1,000, Lobster snowboards rarely cross the $500 threshold. In fact, the only board that does is the Sender at $550. That’s still cheaper than what other brands might offer for a top-of-the-line board. So not only will you be saving some cash, but you’re doing so while getting a board that’s vouched for by two of the world’s most respected riders. As a freestyle rider who will probably put some serious wear and tear on the product, what more can you ask for?

How to Choose the Right Lobster Snowboard

So, given that Lobster snowboards are such a specific kind of ride, let’s get into what kind of riders might benefit the most from them.

Marc

Marc is a newcomer to the sport, having just completed his first season on a rental board. Coming from a working-class background, he wants to invest in a beginner board so he can save money in the long run. However, he’s also looking for something he can grow into.

Features Marc should look for:

• A board with a soft flex that will be stable and fun at slow speeds while forgiving skidded turns
• A medium-flexing, all-mountain freestyle board that he can grow with as he progresses and won’t feel out of place on tougher runs

Board examples: Eiki Pro, The Shifter

Eve

Eve is an advanced rider who loves to stomp big tricks. While she might throw in a park session every now and again, she really prefers to hit natural features on black and blue runs or in the side country. When she’s not launching herself off any snow-covered object in sight, she likes to charge hard down steep terrain.

Features Eve should look for:

• A camber board with good pop that will help her get extra oomph out of her jumps
• A stiff board that is stable at high speeds and can power through cruddy terrain

Board examples: The Airmaster, The Sender

George

George is a 22 year old looking to take his park riding to the next level. As he lives pretty far from his local mountain, rather than look for turns, George usually scopes out stairs, rails, and interesting objects around the city to jib and throw tricks off.

Features George should look for:

• A soft flexing board that will be easy to jib and press
• A durable board that can stand up to the concrete and metal features around his city

Board examples: Eiki Pro, Halldor Pro

Find the Best Snowboard for You

True to their creators’ vision, Lobster Snowboards represents a more niche experience than what you might get from the bigger snowboarding brands. And if you’re a dedicated freestyle or all-mountain freestyle rider, you really can’t go wrong with the quiver of boards they offer. It’s not small, it’s selective.

But, if you’re still unsure if a Lobster snowboard is best for you, head on over and speak to one of our Curated Winter Sports Experts. With thousands of hours on snow between them and their collective knowledge of boards and brands, they’ll analyze factors like your riding style, most frequented resorts, preferred terrain, and more to help get you the board that best suits your individual needs. And the best part about it is that it’s free, so don’t hesitate to reach out.

Until then, happy shredding.