At Stranda Snowboards, we primarily use Durasurf 4001 bases across most of our snowboard lineup, while selected premium models feature P-Tex 5920 Electra Graphite. The reason is simple: we prioritize glide, durability, consistency, and long-term performance. 

A snowboard base takes enormous abuse throughout its life. Rocks, rails, icy traverses, spring snow, dry midwinter conditions, repeated tuning — all of it affects how a board rides over time. Choosing the right base material is therefore not simply about top speed. It is about how the board continues to perform season after season.

Why We Use Durasurf 4001

Durasurf 4001 has proven itself to be one of the best all-around sintered base materials we have worked with.

The main difference most riders actually notice is:

  • excellent glide in varied snow conditions
  • very high durability
  • high core-shot resistance
  • strong wax absorption
  • reliable repairability
  • consistent quality from sheet to sheet

Most importantly, it maintains its performance over time. A good snowboard should still feel fast and predictable after years of riding, not only during its first handful of days on snow.

For us, Durasurf 4001 strikes one of the best balances between speed, longevity, and reliability.

Why our Highest End Models Use P-tex 5920

On selected premium models, we use the P-tex 5920 — a ultra-high-molecular polyethylene with high density, which has been made electrically and thermally conductive. A race base designed and manufactured in Germany by CPS Gmbh.

Compared to standard sintered bases, graphite materials reduces static friction and improve glide characteristics, particularly in colder and drier snow where many bases begin to slow down noticeably.

5920 also absorbs wax exceptionally well, allowing the base to maintain speed over longer periods between services.

The material is significantly more expensive and more demanding to work with during manufacturing, but on boards designed around maximum performance, we believe the added speed and feel justify it.

Why We Do Not Use Recycled Non-Traceable Base Material

In recent years, recycled snowboard bases have become increasingly common throughout the industry. While that may sound positive at first glance, the reality is more complicated. The issue is not recycling itself. The issue is consistency and traceability when using:

  • production leftovers,
  • off-spec batches,
  • reclaimed processing material,
  • or recycled scrap generated while manufacturing

When the source material changes, so can the performance characteristics.

We prefer working with virgin, fully traceable materials with known properties and consistent quality control. It allows us to build boards with repeatable ride characteristics and long-term durability — something we consider far more important than simply adding an “eco” label to a spec sheet. Because sustainability is not only about recycled content. A snowboard that performs consistently and lasts for many years is also a more sustainable product.

About Base Material Numbers

One thing worth understanding is that the numbers attached to snowboard base materials — such as 2000, 4001, 5920, 6000, 9000, and so on — are not universal performance ratings.

These numbers are simply internal product identifiers. They do not mean a base is automatically “faster” because the number is higher. Over the years, parts of the snowboard industry have occasionally leaned into these numbers from a marketing perspective, sometimes inventing high SKU numbers to create the impression of superior performance. A base named 12000 may in reality consist of recycled low grade plastic.

At Stranda, we focus far more on real-world ride performance and long-term durability than spec-sheet marketing language. That is also why we openly use traceable material brand names — so you know exactly what you are getting.