Weston Backwoods Splitboard Review: Specs, Sizing and Verdict
Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links below are affiliate links, see our full disclosure. This breakdown is based on our independent research of current-season specifications and aggregated expert and user feedback.
The quick verdict: The touring specialist: a tail-heavy balance built for kick turns, a full inner metal edge for icy skin tracks, 18 mm of taper for the reward, and the longest warranty in the class. ~$990
Overview
Weston is not a resort brand with a token split in the catalog; the Colorado company exists for the backcountry, donates to avalanche education, and shapes its boards with input from guides and avalanche professionals. The Backwoods is its flagship all-mountain split, pitched as one board to rule the trees, steeps and everything in between, and the third-party record is unusually strong: Backcountry Magazine has handed it an Editors' Choice award three separate times, most recently in 2024, and Outdoor Gear Lab scores it 9 out of 10 in powder.
What separates it from mainstream splits is how much of the design budget went to the climb. The weight balance is deliberately shifted toward the tail so the nose swings easily through kick turns, the touring brackets sit in an adjusted position, and a full-length inner metal edge (Weston's SplitTech) grips when the skin track turns to ice in ski mode. Clips are Karakoram's UltraClip 2.0 with Tip-Loc hardware at both ends, the tightest-closing system in common use.
Key Specs
Figures below come from Weston's product page and Outdoor Gear Lab's published review.
| Size (cm) | Waist (cm) | Weight | Rider weight (lb) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 157 | 25.6 | 3,100 g | 135-185 |
| 160 | 25.9 | 3,470 g | 150-200 |
| 160W | 27.1 | 3,660 g | 170-220 |
| 163 | 26.2 | 3,600 g | 165-215 |
| 163W | 27.4 | 3,780 g | 185-235 |
| 167W | 28.1 | 3,960 g | 215+ |
Profile: Tapered directional, camber underfoot with rocker nose · Taper: 18 mm, 10 mm setback · Core: Slayer Split poplar/bamboo with bamboo binding reinforcements · Base: Sintered DuraSurf 4001, holeless · Clips: Karakoram UltraClip 2.0 + Tip-Loc · Warranty: 4 years · Price: ~$990
Sizing, Fit and Compatibility
Weston publishes both weight and height guidance, and the spread is wide: a 135-pound rider fits the 157 while the 167W carries riders over 215 pounds, with three wide sizes at 27.1 cm waists and up for boots around US 11 and beyond. The 10 mm setback and deep taper mean you size it like a freeride board and trust the nose; there is no need to go long for float. Mounting is the standard Voile pattern, so Spark R&D, Union and Karakoram split bindings all fit, and Weston recommends a matching pre-cut skin size for each length (skins are not included). A lighter Backwoods Carbon version sits above this board in the line for riders counting grams.
Where It Shines
- Uphill efficiency: Outdoor Gear Lab singles out the tail-heavy balance for nimble kick turns and easy pivoting, calling it a go-to for longer tours
- Powder and storm snow: 18 mm of taper and the rockered nose earned a 9/10 powder score, with float preserved even in breakable crust
- Hardware quality: Karakoram clips pull the halves together tighter than standard hooks, and the holeless sintered base keeps water out of the core
- Ownership: a 4-year warranty, a durable castor-bean nylon topsheet, and a brand that repairs boards rather than just replacing them
Tradeoffs to Know
- Firm snow is its relative weak spot: Outdoor Gear Lab scores it 7/10 there, behind the camber-dominant boards in this guide
- It is not light: 3.5 kg in the 160 against the Jones Stratos's 3.0, which you feel late in a big day unless you step up to the Carbon version
- Switch riding and freestyle are explicitly not the brief; the deep taper makes switch landings awkward
- Stock moves in waves on the brand site, so some sizes spend stretches sold out
Who It’s For
Dedicated tourers: riders who measure days in vertical gained, break their own trail, and spend storm cycles in the trees. It is also the pick for buyers who value a specialist brand's support, because the warranty and repair culture are unmatched at this price.
Who Should Skip It
Skip it if your descents lean toward firm, fast and straight-lined, where the Burton Hometown Hero Split holds an edge better. If you want one balanced board that does everything respectably, the Jones Stratos gives up less on hardpack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Weston Backwoods come with skins or pucks?
No. The board ships with Karakoram clips installed but no skins, pucks or bindings. Weston's size chart maps each board length to a recommended pre-cut skin, and any Voile-pattern binding and puck set fits.
What is the difference between the Backwoods and the Backwoods Carbon?
The Carbon version swaps in carbon stringers and lighter laminates, cutting roughly 500 grams per board depending on size, per Weston's published weights. The shape and profile stay the same; you pay more for the diet.
Can you ride the Backwoods switch?
Not happily. With 18 mm of taper and a 10 mm setback it is built to travel nose-first, and reviewers note switch landings are challenging. Riders who need a twin feel should look outside the touring-specialist category.
How It Compares
See how it stacks up in our full guide: The Best Splitboards of 2026/27.
Choose the Jones Stratos Splitboard instead if you want better firm-snow manners and a lighter board without paying a carbon premium.
Choose the Burton Hometown Hero Split instead if the descent is the whole point for you: more camber, more snap, more stability at speed.
Choose the K2 Marauder Split Package instead if bundled skins and pucks matter more than touring-specific refinements.