Smokin Boards KT-22 - 2011
Were you looking for the all-mountain gun in the Smokin line-up? Well you’ve found it. Stiff and damp this cantankerous monster likes to eat up miles of groomers and powder steeps and isn’t even scared of straight lining formidable icy couloirs. If you’re a powerful and aggressive all mountain slayer you’ve found the snowboard in the Smokin line with your name on it.
Manufacturer's Description:
All mountain ruler, old-schooler, the original bad ass board from Smokin’. Directional shape and flex, you can go anywhere (literally) with. Since day one the ability to shred it all has been the mark of a well rounded rider, this board suits their needs perfectly. Now available with Clash Rocker, the KT-22 has upped the ante of what makes a great all mountain board. Effortless float in pow meets aggresive and precise edge hold on hardpack, there is nothing this board can’t handle.
Influences: First chair on headwall, hiking to get that extra untouched pow above the top of the lifts, straightlining KT-22, feeling confident in all conditions.
Recommended for halfpipe riding.
Recommended for freeride riding.
Recommended for big mountain riding.
High cost $
Rocker Construction.
Directional Shape.
Year: 2011
Available Lengths (cm):
154, 156, 159, 162, 166, 172, 159W, 162W, 166W
Riding Style: Freeride
Specifications:
Clash Rocker
Magne Traction
Directional shape
Urethane tips
Aspen wood core
Triaxial fibreglass
Rubberized Epoxy
Recycled UHMW sidewalls
6000 grade sintered base
Freeride Flex 9/10
Similar boards: Rome Anthem SS - 2011 Lib Tech Dark Series C2 Power BTX - 2011 Never Summer F1 Premier - 2011 Prior MFR Men’s Freeride - 2011 Endeavor Next Series - 2011
User Snowboard Reviews
Want some advice, or have a question about the Smokin Boards KT-22 snowboard, or whether it is right for you? DON'T POST HERE! Head over to our snowboard forums and our community will be happy to help.
Seriously - READ THE ABOVE..., the snowboard forum the best way to get your question seen by all of our community and an answer, rather than just those who happen to view this page.
However, if you have ridden this snowboard and want to share your feedback, then please add your experience below. It helps to add as much detail as possible, e.g board length you used, bindings, rider stats etc.
on February 18, 2012 at 04:40 AM
The 2012 Smokin’ KT-22? I hate it.
I’ve been snowboarding for almost 30 years, and I’ve ridden just about everything that’s come around in the past 3 decades. My objective is to capture the sensation of surfing on snow; I’m not interested in winterized skatepark moves. (Although I respect riders who pursue this approach.)
For the past 12-13 years I’ve been riding Glissade snowboards exclusively. These are very high quality ‘boards that were made in Chico, California since the 1980s. Since my Glissade ‘boards were getting up to 7-8 years old, it was time to start looking for replacements. Unfortunately, Glissade quit making snowboards around 2008 or so. I wanted to find another made-in-the-USA snowboard, and a few companies caught my attention, including Smokin’.
I contacted Smokin’ and described the Glissade snowboard I wanted to replace. The owner, I think, told me that he was familiar with Glissade, and that the Smokin’ KT-22 would be the perfect replacement. I ordered the ‘board based on his recommendation.
My one and only time that I rode the KT-22 was on fresh, groomed snow. Not fantastic conditions, but not too bad.
The board is skitterish at any high speeds whatsoever, and the “Magnesuction” mostly feels like boot drag. Since the ‘board doesn’t have traditional camber, loading it in a turn never feels very solid, and the tail especially had a tendency to slide out when carving on the firm, groomed snow.
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but this reverse camber or CTX or whatever you want to call it sucks for “all mountain” carving and blue run cruising. There may be advantages in the park or 1/2-pipe, but for those of you looking for that fluid, surfing sensation on a a snowboard, this is a stupid fad. And, sorry again, but “Magnetraction” is a dumb feature for intermediate or advanced snowboarders (but perhaps it’s helpful for beginners.) I predict that “reverse camber” and “Magnesuction” will disappear from all-mountain boards within a few years.
The KT-22 is nothing like my old Glissade Big Gun. (Other than the fact that the materials and construction methods at Smokin’ seem to be of very high quality). I contacted the owner with this complaint, and he has never responded.
In January 2012 I paid US$579 for the KT-22 (including shipping and tax). I literally took two runs on this ‘board and then put it away; I’ve never ridden it since. It is in absolutely flawless, like-new condition. I put it on eBay in February 2012 and there were essentially no interested buyers. Finally, someone gave me US$300 for this ‘board. I think that this speaks volumes.
