In 2001 Burton veterans Josh Reid and Paul Maravetz  founded Rome SDS. Since then the Vermont-based company has flown an anti-establishment flag in the shadow of the biggest brand in snowboarding. In addition to the Agent and Artifact, the Anthem are staples in the line and the all mountain Anthem was replaced by the all new Rome Blur. Although it’s stiff when you push on it in the showroom, it doesn’t ride stiff, and that’s a good thing. 

The Blur is also light thanks to the use of plenty of carbon fiber as well Rome’s lightest core.  Carbon rods amplify pop, and the shape and stiffness practically beg you for deep carves. The Blur is one of the most responsive boards we tested—it’s almost a camber board. 

HANDLING
The directional deck is firm and loves high speeds. Rome claims “design features positive camber through nearly all of the running length of the board.” They’re not kidding. As much as the Rome Blur loves to carve it’s also great at holding an edge. Although you can ride it switch, it’s not designed for riding switch all day long. 

POP + ENERGY
Carbon rods matched with this aggressive camber profile translate into a board with lots of energy. With the high-tech mated with updated technology of yore, the Rome Blur is a fun board for riders who started snowboarding in pre-reverse camber age and love a side hit. 

VERSATILITY
Great for all mountain riding and good enough in powder, the Rome Blur is an all mountain board designed for minimal park time.

EDGE HOLD
A lot of folks call the East Coast the Ice Coast. If you’ve ridden there, you know why: they’re definition of “icy conditions” are much different than what’s dubbed “icy” in the Rockies or West Coast. Rome calls the Ice Coast home, and the tenacious edge hold of the Rome Blur deck proves it. 

SUSTAINABILITY + CRAFTSMANSHIP
Built overseas, Rome Blur’s craftsmanship is solid. Our quiver includes a few boards from Rome SDS and they wear well. But, they’re not a company who chats much about their environmental initiatives in either tech or manufacturing.

We tested these boards in the Eastern Sierra, in and around Mammoth and June Mountain. Testing began at a trade show in February, where we took about 15 boards. We rode each for about an hour. After that, we whittled the number down to the six tested riding all the way into August thanks to Mammoth record breaking season. They were open daily until August 6. We rode in all conditions from bulletproof hardpack to pow and everything in between.