Wide, Playful, Economic Splitboard: Korua Shapes Transition Finder Splitboard Review

My first day riding the Korua Shapes Transition Finder splitboard was in a place that we call the Honey Hole. It has reliable coverage and predictable avalanche conditions, making it our go-to spot for early-season tours. The best part about this zone is that it is riddled with small rollers, gullies, and features that invite you to take a playful approach to your riding. This turned out to be the perfect spot for the Transition Finder. 

I’ve ridden this zone dozens of times on a number of different splitboards — but that first day on the Transition Finder made me feel like I was riding the zone for the first time. This board made me want to pop, slash, and float my way through the terrain.

I had a huge smile on my face at the bottom of the first lap — I was experiencing this go-to zone with fresh eyes — one lap quickly turned into three. (I might have missed one or two Zoom calls that day, but when terrain, conditions, and equipment align this well — you gotta do what you gotta do.)

In short: After a season of testing, the Korua Shapes Transition Finder Splitboard ($799) is a confidence-inspiring board that is extremely playful. In fact, it was the one splitboard I kept after testing a dozen boards last season. Not only is the end result a phenomenal piece of equipment, but it’s affordable, too: priced $100-300 lower compared to many offerings from competitors. And the wide width keeps guys like me — with size 12 boots — from catching an edge.

Read our full review below or our GearJunkie Best Splitboard Buyer’s Guide to see how the Korua Shapes Transition Finder Splitboard stacks up.

Korua Shapes Transition Finder Splitboard Review

Korua Shapes was started a little over 10 years ago, and ever since then, it has been yearning for turning. Korua Shapes claims, “At the core of every KORUA board, is a sidecut that allows you to carve like no others on hard groomers, and a shape that lets you float through powder with ease. They truly are great all-round snowboards.”

And, for once, this is not just marketing fluff. The Transition Finder can hold an edge and float like a true powder board: It’s a unicorn across conditions. 

Recently, the biggest change that Korua made to the Transition Finder was to slightly reduce the taper. This update gives the board a better feel in the skin track and makes riding switch a bit easier, too.

However, it still has 15 mm of taper, so it excels in powder. The wide nose and torsionally stiff tail provide an amazing platform for creative backcountry riding in deep snow. 

One of my favorite things about Korua is that it does not update board graphics every year. All its boards have a red base and a white or black top sheet. They stand out in an industry that is constantly upselling the latest and greatest. Korua builds boards that are built to last, priced competitively, and designed to help you pursue the joy of the turn for years, not just one season. 

How I Tested & Testing Grounds

I tested this board in myriad conditions for a full season. I rode it in everything from perfect mid-winter powder to sketchy sun-cups at the end of a spring tours. 

The test board I received was previously used on a demo circuit at various splitboarding events. Even though it was previously loved, I was immediately struck by the beauty of this board. Simply put, it looks incredible. The glossy all-white top sheet, the contrasting bright red base — it’s a clean and timeless look. 

When I test boards, I often rotate boards out the same day, or at least every other day in the backcountry, so I can sort out what’s working for me and what’s not. I do this so I can spend enough time with a board to understand how it performs across a wide range of conditions, days, and circumstances. If you get one day on a board in blower pow, you’re going to like it. 

But how is it doing in the spring when you’re trying to exit a line through mashed potatoes or up high after a wind event on bulletproof ice? After spending enough time with a board, I then try to isolate the “why” — I love nerding out on everything from specs, to materials, to design ethos and intention (and we’ll get into all of this).

But at the end of the day as a snowboarder, I am leaning into what feels right, for me. The best question to ask is always: What board will I have the most fun on? 

Materials & Design

Durability is baked in: As I mentioned, this board was used when I got it, and after dozens of days of riding, it is still in phenomenal shape. And this includes a few hundred miles of it being strapped on the back of my motorcycle, too.

The wood poplar core provides a middle-of-the-road flex pattern that has incredible pop thanks to its progressive flex: stiff in the tail, softening out toward the wide nose (309 mm in size 157).

There’s also a biaxal fiberglass topsheet that ensures the board has a snappy but forgiving feel. The board is stout in the tail, which pays dividends on backseat landings and provides a reliable flex point for deep turns.

The moderate 8.2m radius sidecut falls in the Goldilocks zone, finding a nice balance that excels at tight turns in trees and long, drawn-out turns on open faces, too. 

On the uphill, the board feels light, sheds snow well, and has a healthy dose of camber underfoot to give you confidence on the sketchiest of sidehills. 

As I shared, the first time I took this splitboard out, I had never popped and buttered off as many features on other rides — it was a transformational experience for me. In my experience, this board epitomizes fun — pure and simple.

Reliable Performance Across Conditions 

If conditions are less than ideal — think a steep, firm, and wind-affected drop-in — this board’s substantial camber underfoot provides confidence-inspiring edge hold when you need it.

I weigh 180 pounds and have a size 12 boot, so I benefit from the 264mm waist width. There’s no fear of toe or heel drag in steep terrain. The slight volume-shifted design of this board provides ample surface area when things get super deep, too. 

When the season is coming to a close, and your exits from big spring lines become less than ideal — we’re talking mashed potatoes or sun cups — the progressive and forgiving flex of this board allows for easy navigation through obstacles.

This is especially helpful at the end of a long day when all you can think about is that celebratory parking lot beer: The last thing you want is an ultra-stiff board bucking you about when your legs are jello.

Qualms

One of my few qualms with this board is the Union hooks that come installed at tip and tail. I’m a big believer in Union, so I was surprised by seeing a design flaw, especially since the Union clips outside of the bindings are my favorite design for splitboard attachment hardware in that location.

Unfortunately, the hooks at tip and tail don’t function as flawlessly and occasionally become unlatched while descending. This is a simple upgrade if it becomes too much of an issue, but an unfortunate oversight nonetheless.

Secondly, there are notches in the tail of the board where Korua’s custom-fit skins attach. The metal edge of the board does not continue in this notch — so you’re constantly loading the base and edge material under tension with a metal hook. I’m concerned about the long-term durability of this design. To be fair, aside from the top sheet material showing a bit of wear, it hasn’t been an issue after 50+ days of riding.

Lastly, the Transition Finder Splitboard is only available in two sizes: 150 and 157. I’d love to see a 153 or 154 available for folks who fall in the middle of that size range.

Conclusion: Who Should Buy? 

The Transition Finder is an incredibly versatile and capable board. It’s a reliable companion whether you’re hammering a pre-work dawn patrol lap or you’re on a multi-month expedition in the Karakoram Range.

From first-season splitboarders, to veterans who have earned their turns for years, the Korua Shapes Transition Finder Splitboard is a great option for people who prioritize fun and flow. 

This is especially a great option for larger-footed riders who have been searching for a board that’ll cover the base of their boots and prevent catching an edge.

For those prioritizing big mountain performance and high-consequence lines, perhaps the Weston Ridgeline would be a better option. For those looking to prioritize uphill performance and premium materials, the Stranda Descender Fjaderlatt Splitboard might be worth looking at, too. 

But if you are looking for a board that excels in all conditions — stiff enough to charge, flexy enough to pop off of anything — then I would take a hard look at the Transition Finder Splitboard. You’d be hard-pressed to find a board that is this capable at this price point. 

I’m starting my second season on mine, and it’s still the first board I reach for when heading out into the backcountry.