ARBOR

Arbor: a brief biography

Originating as a snowboard designer and manufacturer in 1995, the Venice-Beach brand has always held sustainability as its core value. Originally launching the Element board, which is still in production today, the brand has since grown to include skateboards and apparel. The clothing range has been developed using bamboo materials, an option that was experimental when Arbor's manufacturing first began. Today, Arbor is increasingly recognised as a collective, bringing together artists, surfers, musicians, and snowboarders into a creative action-orientated company that aims to harness energy from a wide range of specialities.

The Gear

In the last twenty years, the number of global snowboarding brands has dropped dramatically. As one of the surviving fifty, Arbor has carved a niche for itself in combining ecological solutions with cutting-edge design. For the boards, this is represented in Koa topsheets and Bamboo cores, technologies in which Arbor is a world innovator. The product catalogue is extensive and ever-evolving, featuring a range of boards for different abilities, styles, and terrains, and includes splitboards.

The Parabolic Rocker

Arbor is particularly known for its Parabolic Rocker design. De-cambered boards are increasingly popular amongst snowboarders, but they come at a cost, easily losing control at speed or in the spin. Arbor's solution has been to add under-foot contact points for direct edge control and parabolic balance to access nose and tail cambering only in must-need situations. This alternative approach, described by Arbor as creating a “surfy ride with cleaner float and natural tracking,� has gained the brand a devoted following amongst freestyle enthusiasts. For those looking for more sharpness, control, and bite, the tri-radial camber system is also available.

Apparel

As a collective formed of creatives that include artists, Arbor has been able to put together an apparel range driven by cutting-edge design. The slick, stylish kit comprises tee-shirts, shirts, fleeces, hats, and beanies, all made from sustainable materials. Available in neutral colours inspired by the Venice Beach landscape of snow-capped mountains and golden sand, the men and women's ranges echo Arbor's ecologically driven philosophy. Arbour also offers a range of wood-wrapped accessories. These include bottle openers and flasks.