DC HKD - 2010

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High speed aggresive freestyling is where the HKD series is in it’s element. Technical corks and inverts off the scariest backcountry and park jumps and 10ft airs out of the pipe are all possible with the HKD. Carbon and Kevlar reinforce the triaxial glass and Aspen / Honeycomb core, making for a super responsive, explosively poppy and unbelievably light snowboard; effortless in the air and precise control on the snow. For advanced snowboarders with an aggresive riding style, into pipe, park and powder kicker focused riding terrain, but want a board versatile enough to be enjoyable on powder days.

Manufacturer's Description:

The HKD, our Honeycomb Kevlar Directional board, represents the pinnacle of the DC snowboard line - it’s the lightest, most responsive board available from DC. An all-mountain directional twin tip, the HKD is ready for all types of riding, from the halfpipe to the powder.

Recommended for park riding.

Recommended for halfpipe riding.

Recommended for freeride riding.

High cost $

Camber Construction.

Directional Twin Shape.

Year: 2010

Available Lengths (cm):
153, 156, 158, 160

Riding Style: All Mountain

Specifications:

Directional Twin shape
Direct Drive - 7 (stiffer flex between the bindings for improved edge hold)
Seven Radius Sidecut (7 blended radii)
Dual Radius Tip & Tail
Phantom Core (Aspen with Nomex honeycomb inserts)
Carbon & Kevlar reinforcement
Woven triaxial glass
7200 Sintered Supreme Optic Base
Setback stance

Similar boards: Signal OG - 2010 Nitro Prolight - 2010 Bataleon The Jam - 2010 Atomic Alibi - 2010

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DC HKD

Snowboard Review:

The DC HKD is a serious board for serious riders that want to go big and fast. Developed by the legend of backcountry booters Mr Devun Walsh the HKD is DC’s lightweight ‘top of the range’ board which is definitely won’t be the most playful or forgiving board you’re ever likely to ride.

On the Piste the HKD is stable but feels restless at low speeds, it’s clear that the HKD wants to be ridden fast and aggressively. Due to the ultra responsive Kevlar honeycomb core the HKD is twitchy at low speeds and consequently when jibbing around the slope and hitting small natural features the HKD feels a little unmanageable. Unsurprisingly the HKD has a fairly rigid flex pattern both torsionally and longitudinally which makes rails, flatland tricks and spinning off smaller jumps a little difficult, but not impossible.

If you’re a strong, confident rider and you enjoy hitting everything from natural hits to large kickers, in the park and on/off-piste, at lightening pace then you’ll absolutely love this board. As long as you ride this board aggressively and take it off bigger jumps every now and again then you really can’t go wrong with the HKD; it even performed superbly in the pipe, gripping well on even the iciest of walls.
If you’re more of a jibber or indoor/dryslope rider then I really wouldn’t consider this board; there are a number of other jib-friendly DC boards you should look at. Those riders who like to go big and are looking to step up there riding this season then there aren’t many boards that are tailored to such a high level of riding.

Posted by Tom Ewbank in • DC

User Snowboard Reviews

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What colour is powder?

Ed on July 15, 2009 at 01:17 PM

I’m not slim so every board I ride seems a bit sift; must have snapped a load of Burton’s in my time (warranty is fantastic). Although I’m a bit heavier do you think I can get away with riding a slightly shorter HKD?

Rich Ewbank on July 15, 2009 at 02:28 PM

Hi Ed, the HKD is a bit stiffer than the rest of the DC range so potentially it wouldn’t be as soft as some of the other boards you’ve ridden, but if I were you I’d go for a board which is meant to be ridden shorter, like the Lib Tech Mc Kink. Depends what you’re after, I wouldn’t suggest sizing down if you’re after a stiffer ride. Maybe try some of the Amplid boards they tend to be a bit more poppy, even the jib specific boards.

Ed on July 19, 2009 at 02:21 PM

Thanks Rich. I’ll have a look at the Mc Kink, never heard of Amplid where can I buy their boards in the US?

Rich Ewbank on July 22, 2009 at 01:02 AM

Yo Ed, It’s proven pretty difficult to find retailers of Amplid boards on the net based in the US, but there are a couple of independent snowboard shops selling some quality equipment. The link below is to a shop in Jackson Hole selling Amplid decks… looks like they know their boards! http://www.jacksontreehouse.com

Alex on July 30, 2009 at 01:16 AM

i’m a typical alaskan backcountry rider.  i like going big and as fast as i can, and i worry about landing second.  i’m gonna spend most of this season focusing on the biggest park jumps at tahoe to help my technique on the big backcountry booters.  i got an hkd at about chest height, which is my shortest board yet, and i’m gonna attempt to use it to work on my spins and flips, which is why i got it so short.  i’ve already got an amazing powder board in my forum seeker, so i really just want a good overall park board.  i’m used to stiff boards, but i’m worried about control in the park when the run ins aren’t steep enough for it to unleash itself.  think it’ll fit my needs the way i’m hoping?

Rich Ewbank on July 30, 2009 at 02:31 PM

Wow chest hight is small! Main thing I’d be worried about is whether the stance is big enough for a comfortable stance, I’m only 5’8” and I max out my 158 JDub which is nose height on me. For me riding a board thats much smaller kind of restricts the stability I get flying into kickers and holding an edge, you’ll definitely notice the reduction in grip and stability and you’ll miss that extra length when you’re hitting powder kickers. On the plus side it will be easier to spin, but the HKD has a pretty low swing weight which makes throwing down flips and spins pretty easy. For park it’ll be ok but because it’s an all mountain deck built to be ridden between nose and mouth height, it might behave a little strangely.. guess the only way you’ll find out is waiting ‘til November!

Stefan Peters on October 04, 2009 at 08:06 PM

I would not recommend any DC’s boards in their line up, reasons why? me and a few friends baught MLF’s and XFB’s out of DC’s line up last season, Their boards feel really nice and light and crazy forgiving, but at the same time it felt like we were riding wet noodles.. turns out we were after 2 weeks of my friend riding his XFB Lauri pro model he shattered the top sheet of his deck and snapped the middle core.. blowing out the ptex. as for me and my other friend we both had spider web cracks on the top sheets of are boards, after a few front flips and steezing rails within 1 month of the season the tendancy of the damage got worse, next thing you know my buddy snapped his DC and 2 weeks after that i broke mine, this was all within 2 months of riding. Now if you ask me throwing 500$ on a deck youd expect it to shred at least one full season even if the declares riding your ass off through powder kickers, to 50ft park jumps and jibbin up rails. But then again i was DC’s first line up in making snowboards so they have alot to learn. But as a core snowboarder i would not recommend any DC’s decks for another 2-3 years till they can figure out thier technology. If your looking for a fun board to ride for a full season i baught a Forum substance 156 that rode pretty well through powder and good for the park also, and the last board i rode and used the most last season was a 153 Lib Tech Travis Rice Pro Model which rode extremly well everywhere i went except for jibing and pressing rails it was alot more tricky but powders, parks jumps were a blast on that beast. I hope my feedback help someone, im not saying DC’s HKD is a piece of shit i have not tryed this model of board but from my experiences with DC i believe their are much better boards out thier that wont break and lose their pop after 30-50 days of riding.

Jon P on April 06, 2010 at 10:26 PM

I weigh about 195 and I’m a little over 5 10.. The dc hkd is not nearly as stiff as all these people are making it seem.  I was expecting much stiffer. It’s fine for butters and jibs and great for stomping big jumps.  The only thing I didnt like about it is the fact that the nose snapped after only 45 days of riding.. hopefully theyll send me a new one soon.

Keith on August 13, 2010 at 06:42 AM

I’m about 5’9” 150lbs and need a good park board. I have a Palmer Classic 161mm right now and that is just perfect for free riding and booking it down the hill but slows down my spin and doesn’t give me the right pop onto rails that I’d like due to it’s langth and weight. I was thinking a DC HDK 153mm might be better but may be too small and not get the proper stance. Any word?

Rich Ewbank on August 14, 2010 at 10:05 AM

Hi Keith,

Not sure a 153 in the HKD is going to be right, THis is an all mountain freestyle deck designed to be ridden at an all-mountain length. Around 158-160 for you. I’d look at other boards in the range at shorter lengths like the PBJ or MLF. These boards will combine wider stances with shorter running lengths.

Rich