UNITED SHAPES SNOWBOARDS F/W 2025/26 PREVIEW
Retail Buyers Guide: Snowboards F/W 2025/26 Retail Buyer’s Guide
Brand: UNITED SHAPES
Interviewee: Gray Thompson, Brand Manager
E-commerce Vs. physical retail, how are you balancing both channels?
We’re stepping up our retail support as we bring in new reps/sales support in key markets. For E-comm we’ve just launched a new, robust website platform allowing fans across the globe to get their hands on our shapes.
How are you supporting retailers to sell this category?
As we grow we continue to invest deeper in sales support and for this season we are bringing in more reps to provide our key retailers with a closer and quicker connection to the brand than ever before.
What unique brand messages are you focusing on for the 2025/2026 snowboard season?
We will continue pushing our ethos of Simple for a reason. Producing snowboards with tried and true technology, classic constructions and materials you can trust; with an overarching goal of less distraction and more interaction on snow for the end-user.
SNOWBOARD SPECIFIC
What trends or developments are you seeing with regards to board construction, shapes, and general innovation? How is this shaping your 25/26 range?
Since our inception we have ensured that our product decisions are guided by experience, purpose and soul as we aim to avoid too much influence from industry trends. That said, for the 25/26 collection we are excited to tighten up the line positioning of some of our shapes in an effort to better support the end user’s experience both understanding and riding our product.
Anything new concerning sustainability and related products or construction you would like to highlight?
We continue prioritizing sustainable manufacturing processes as well as sourcing local and sustainable materials everywhere we can. We are rolling out a new 50% bio-based topsheet on both the Horizon and Covert shapes.
Are you using any new materials in your hardware for 25/26? If so, what and why? We’re interested in anything new in inserts / edges / cores / sidewalls / glue / resin/ wood types / base material / top sheet / wax / etc..
The 25/26 Covert splitboard as well as our all new, redeveloped Horizon are sporting a new 50% bio-based, structured topsheet that saves on weight while adding increased durability. The Horizon is also getting our new Energy Core – a blend of Poplar, Paulownia and Bamboo woods that bring a whole new level of excitement and response underfoot.
Are you planning to focus on a special product range or type of customers? What’s your newest range?
Freeriding remains our core focus however we see a broadening of this range as it truly encapsulates areas like Freestyle and Splitboarding.
Key Products:
Horizon:
The completely redesigned Horizon is the all-mountain catalyst between FreeStyle and FreeRide. Evolve your riding outside the boundaries of the park and play with the natural rhythm and flow of your local resort. Designed with playfulness at its core, the new Horizon turns every bump, sidehit, log ride and windlip into an opportunity for maximum enjoyment and expression.
_HORIZON
Cadet:
The ultimate in FreeRide precision, this timeless shape is reinvigorated with premium, sustainable materials and construction to meet the demands of modern riders. The Cadet catalyses highly active riding and inspires confidence across all terrain. By blending a FreeRide nature with a Freestyle soul, the Cadet is a shape that loves to turn and is ready to soar on command.
CADET
Covert:
From remote peaks to local tree runs, the Covert splitboard is designed for maximum versatility and performance. This all-mountain, all-conditions cruiser features a tapered, directional shape. One moment the Covert is a tool, whisking you far off the beaten track, the next it is a toy, enabling freedom of expression and engagement with wild nature in a style that is purely your own.
COVERT
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