7 Best Snowboards for Buttering: Improving Your Flat Ground In 2025 – 2026

Buttering is an entire category of flat-ground snowboard tricks where you balance on your board’s nose or tail, and try to spin or pivot into your opposite stance. The term “buttering” was originally coined by pro rider Craig Kelly in 1993 when he saw his fellow pro rider Mike Ranquet try to lipslide a curb-like patch of snow. Craig decided on the term “buttering” because it looked like the nose of Mike’s board resembled a knife spreading butter on a piece of toast.

Buttering is still incredibly popular today. However, buttering is the type of trick that can be ridiculously challenging if you don’t have the right type of board to help you hold it. With that in mind, we compiled the best 2025 / 2026 snowboards specifically for buttering.

Each of the snowboards on this list is designed to be easy to press and hold butters.

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Bataleon Disaster Plus

The Bataleon Disaster Plus is everything you could ever want in a snowboard for buttering. This board is designed for riders who wish to have a pressable board for jibbing in the park or buttering all over the resort. This board stands out above other boards in the flat ground category because of its higher-end base and stability while still being incredibly soft and flexible. To say it simply, the Disaster Plus has an exceptional blend of features that make it the ideal choice for riders seeking ultimate playfulness and control with their butters.

Additionally, this is a true twin park snowboard that was engineered to meet the demands of street and jib enthusiasts. With a softness rating of 3/10, it’s one of the softest flexing boards available. This remarkable softness translates into effortless presses and buttering, requiring minimal effort to achieve stylish, locked-in presses. If you’re transitioning from stiffer boards, you’ll find that shifting your weight forward or backwards is a breeze, allowing you to execute perfect presses with finesse.

The Bataleon Disaster Plus is the ultimate choice for riders who want to dominate the park and elevate their buttering skills. With its unmatched softness, Jib 3BT stability, camber profile, true twin shape, sintered speed, and surprising pop, it’s the perfect board for those seeking effortless presses, stylish buttering, and a whole lot of fun on the slopes.

Features That Make It Phenomenal for Buttering

• Spoon-Shaped Nose and Tail for Easier Buttering: The Bataleon Disaster Plus features the Jib 3BT base (Twin triple base technology), boasting the widest center base among Bataleon boards. This design provides a stable platform for presses, 50-50s, and flat base tricks. The wider base offers room for error, giving you the confidence to push your buttering skills to the limit.
• Camber Profile for Playfulness: One of the standout advantages of the Disaster Plus is its camber profile. Most of the other boards on this list are either flat or will have a reverse camber profile. This isn’t the case with the Disaster Plus. While it delivers essential edge hold, pop, and stability, the raised contact points ensure the board remains playful and loose when ridden flat-based. This feature alone makes this board an outstanding choice for buttering. It also helps you transition from edge to edge while maintaining a strong edge hold and easily transitioning to a loose and forgiving feel.
• True Twin Shape: With its true twin shape, this board ensures that riding or landing switch feels identical to regular riding. This symmetry is crucial for executing technical tricks and maintaining control in the park.
• Sintered Speed: The Disaster Plus has an upgraded sintered base, making it one of the fastest boards in the softer flexing buttering category. With that in mind, you will need to wax it regularly to keep it performing at its peak. The fast base will help you on the slower days in the park get enough speed to hit features most other riders won’t be able to.
• Surprising Amount of Pop: Despite its softness, the Disaster Plus surprises with a decent level of pop. Thanks to its camber profile and carbon beams, it offers more pop than many other reverse camber boards on this list. The regular camber shape contributes to this pop, making it a playful yet poppy board that can butter with ease.

Sizes: 148, 151, 153 Wide, 154, 156 Wide, 157

Flex: Soft (3 out of 10)

Full Review: Full Bataleon Disaster Plus Review

Gilson Undead (3D Base Version)

The Gilson Undead is the perfect board for buttering and jibbing, but there is a new detail to know about this board: It now comes in either a traditional flat snowboard base (which is great for park and carving the entire resort) or a 3D base version (which outstanding for buttering and jibbing). Both versions can butter, but the 3D based version makes it rediculously easier to butter.  

Here is why that 3D base works so simple to butter with: the steel edges of the 3D based version are lifted 1/8th of an inch higher than the base of the snowboard. This makes the board have an incredibly playful, catch free feel and allows you to butter without having to worry that your edge will catch into the snow and send you flying. Gilson calls the raised edge technology their ‘Soft Edge,’ and to my feet, it feels looser on flat sections, but the moment you need to engage your edge, it bites down. So, it’s there when you need it and stays out of the way when you don’t.

Another feature that makes this one of the most butter-friendly boards you can buy is the combination of its soft 3/10 flex and hybrid rocker profile. Because the board is primarily rocker (lowercase u-shaped) between your feet, holding a press is as simple as leaning back. That same profile also makes for easy turn initiation and a catch-free experience when jibbing in the park.

Overall, the Gilson Undead is a versatile snowboard that offers the perfect flexibility and profile for flat-ground tricks while performing exceptionally well as an all-mountain snowboard you can ride all over the resort.

Features That Make It So Simple to Butter With

• The “Soft Edge” Technology – There is a one-inch perimeter running around the edge of this snowboard where the edges are lifted up. Because the steel edge sits higher than the center of the base, you can drift and slide catch-free.
• The pressable flex pattern. This board has a soft 3/10 flex rating. 
• The hybrid profile – This board has a generous rocker section between your feet that makes buttering and pressing as simple as leaning back or forward.
• Its wider platform – The Undead is intended to be volume shifted (it’s a wider / shorter board). The wider nose and tail serve as an easier platform to balance your butters and presses with.

Sizes: 144 (150 equivalent), 149 (155 equivalent), 154 (160 equivalent)

Flex: Soft (3 out of 10)

Full Review: Gilson Undead Review

Pro tip: Use the coupon code boardoftheworld for a 10% discount on your order on Gilson’s website.

Ride Moderator

The Ride Moderator might look like a hard-charging directional board, but don’t let the shape fool you. It is a buttering machine disguised as an all-mountain board. While it is marketed as a quiver killer, I found it to be a playful, all-mountain freestyle deck that feels fast, surfy, and incredible for pressing into jib features and buttering.

What makes this board great for buttering is its unique flex pattern and hybrid rocker profile. It features a long, playful nose with a softer flex (rated 4.5/10 in the nose), which transitions into a slightly stiffer 5.5/10 flex underfoot and through the tail. This combination allows you to lean into the rocker-heavy nose and lock into presses with almost no effort, while the camber underfoot ensures the board remains balanced, stable, and controlled for carving.

Overall, the Moderator gives you the best of both worlds: the soft, pressable nose of a park board with the stability and drive of a directional surfy-feeling all-mountain cruiser.

Features That Make It Outstanding for Buttering

• The Directional Hybrid Profile – This board features rocker in the long nose, camber underfoot, and is flat through the tail. The rocker nose provides a catch-free platform for butters, while the flat tail adds stability on landings.
• The “Split” Flex Pattern – With a softer 4.5/10 flex in the nose and a 5.5/10 flex through the tail, you get a board that is easy to manipulate for ground tricks but stable enough to handle speed.
• The Tapered Shape – Despite being directional, the tapered shape aids in sinking the tail and lifting the nose, making powder riding and nose presses feel automatic.

Sizes: 144, 148, 151, 154, 157, 158W, 161W

Flex: Medium-Soft (4.5 in nose / 5.5 in tail)

Full Review: Ride Moderator Review

Capita Pathfinder

If you’re looking for a snowboard that’s as playful as it is versatile, the Capita Pathfinder deserves your attention. This board is on the cheaper side of the spectrum, and it has gained in popularity over the years. A few years ago, it used to go by the name the Capita Horrorscope, and now Capita calls it the Pathfinder.

The detail that makes this board phenomenal for buttering is that it has a softer flex, wider waist width, and a rocker profile that lends itself to getting the tips of the board in the air. This thing was made for taller presses and buttering.

Features That Make It Perfect for Buttering

• Butters and Jibbing Are the Focus: The Pathfinder is designed for urban jibbing and park laps. Its soft flex and flat kick profile allow for effortless buttering and jibbing, making it a go-to choice for freestyle fanatics.
• Durable Sidewalls: Capita’s innovative Fortress™ Kevlar-bound sidewalls enhance the board’s durability, ensuring it can handle the impacts of park features and urban terrain.
• Cheaper Price Tag While Still Very Durable: For the performance it offers, the Capita Pathfinder comes at a budget-friendly price, making it accessible to a wide range of riders.

Sizes: 147, 149, 151, 151 Wide, 153, 153 Wide, 155, 155 Wide, 157, 157 Wide, 159 Wide, 162 Wide

Flex: Soft (4 out of 10)

Burton Custom Flying V

The Burton Custom Flying V is a best-selling board that also can be perfect for learning your first set of flat-ground tricks. The Custom Flying V is a simple board to learn to ride that is designed with versatility in mind. If you’re looking for one board that can do it all and still butter, this will be the right option for you.

What Makes It The Perfect Beginner Board for Buttering

– Flying V™ Profile: The board’s Flying V™ profile combines camber and rocker for a balanced ride. It offers stability when carving and the playfulness needed for buttering tricks.

– Proven Performance: With a history of excellence, the Burton Custom Flying V has been a trusted companion for riders for decades. It’s a reliable choice for those who want a snowboard that can handle any terrain.

– Personalized Feel of Burton Channel Mounting: Burton offers custom options for mounting your bindings, allowing riders to tailor it to their exact preferences. This ensures that you get a board that feels like an extension of yourself.

Sizes: 150, 154, 154 Wide, 156, 158, 158 Wide, 162, 162 Wide, 166 Wide

Flex: Soft (3 out of 10)

Jones Mind Expander Twin

The Jones Mind Expander Twin is a board that combines freestyle playfulness with powder performance. While it may not be a dedicated buttering board, its versatility makes it suitable for riders who want to dabble in butter tricks while exploring the backcountry.

What Makes It The Perfect Powder Board for Buttering

Medium flex for versatility: Many boards designed for backcountry / big mountain riding are going to be stiff. That’s not the case with the Mind Expander Twin. It has the perfect middle-of-the-road flex that allows you to press and butter while still having stability to carve beautifully. 

A Lightweight / Durable core: This board has a Bamboo Surf Core that’s light, durable, and has loads of pop.

Surf-Inspired Design: The Mind Expander draws inspiration from surfboards, with a wide nose and a narrow tail. This design excels in deep powder and allows for creative buttering in softer snow conditions.

3D Contour Base: Jones’ 3D Contour Base enhances float and maneuverability in powder. While it’s not specifically designed for buttering, it offers a unique and playful experience.

Sustainability Focus: Jones is committed to sustainability, using eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes, making the Mind Expander an environmentally-conscious choice.

Sizes: 146, 150, 154, 158, 162

Flex: Medium ( 6 out of 10)

Lib Tech Skate Banana

The Lib Tech Skate Banana is a popular choice for anyone looking for a beginner friendly board that can butter and press like a dream. Its true twin shape makes it perfect for switch riding, allowing you to comfortably perform flat ground tricks with either foot facing forward.

This board has a hybrid profile with a rocker section between your feet. It looks like this.

This is a hybrid rocker shaped (V-shaped) snowboard with a rocker dominant section between your feet and two slight camber zones right under your feet to the nose and tail. This profile allows the board to butter easily while still delivering excellent performance both in the terrain park and the rest of the resort. The Skate Banana has a catch-free, playful feel to it that makes it simple to ride and very easy to butter.

The flex rating of this snowboard is on the softer side at a 4/10. You will be able to do butters and tail presses easily while still remaining stable enough for steeper terrain or hitting jumps. The Skate Banana’s core is made of 75% Aspen and 25% Paulownia wood. This combination of the wood used in the snowboard gives it its lighter weight while making it incredibly strong. The base of the board is a mix of a sintered and extruded base. It is fast base that will not require as much wax or maintenance as other bases on the list. If you are looking for an easy to ride, park friendly snowboard that can rip the entire mountain, then this board is for you.

Lastly, if you’re an East Coast rider like me, you’ll love that the Skate Banana also uses Magne-Traction edges to give the deck seven different contact points. This feature offers an additional level of grip on ice.

What Makes It The Perfect Beginner-friendly Board for Buttering

• Softer Flex and Rocker Profile: Its soft flex allows for easy board manipulation, while the rocker profile provides a forgiving and playful feel that will be incredibly simple for a beginner to learn to ride.
• The Twin Shape: The true twin shape ensures consistent performance, and the medium flex rating offers support for controlled and stylish butters.
• Superior Edge Hold: This board has serrated edges that provide additional grip and stability while buttering or carving around on ice.

Sizes: 150, 152, 153 Wide, 154, 156, 156 Wide, 159, 159 Wide, 162 Wide

Flex: Soft (4 out of 10)

What to consider when choosing a snowboard for buttering?

When choosing a snowboard for buttering, consider the following:

• The board’s flexibility – A soft to medium flexing board will make pressing into butters easier.
• The board’s length and width. – Look for a shorter length with a wider waist width. The wider platform will offer you more control while holding your butters for longer periods of time.
• The board’s shape. – The shape, like twin or directional twin, will enhance its maneuverability.
• The type of camber profile. – The type of profile, such as rocker or hybrid camber, affects smooth buttering ability because these profiles allow the nose or tail to remain in a lifted position more easily than a traditional camber profile.

Final Thoughts

It’s clear there are some exceptional options available for those who want the type of snowboard that excels at buttering. Each of the snowboards mentioned above have their own unique qualities that make them suitable for various riding styles, experience levels, and preferences.

Please remember that the best snowboard for buttering ultimately depends on your individual riding style, skill level, and the conditions you get to ride in most often. Before making a decision, we recommend trying to test ride a few of these boards to see if they can work for you.

In conclusion, whether you choose the Gilson Undead for its innovative design, the Never Summer Proto Synthesis for its durability, the Capita Pathfinder Reverse for its freestyle power, the Burton Custom Flying V for its versatility, or the Jones Mind Expander Twin for its powder performance, you’re bound to have an incredible snowboarding experience in 2026.

So, gear up, hit the slopes, and let your buttering skills shine with any of these decks.

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Steve Weber

Steve Weber is the passionate snowboarder, skateboarder, and author behind Board of the World. He understands that most gear reviews focus on having the perfect snow conditions, but his testing methodology is different. Living in Pennsylvania, Steve describes exactly how a board performs when the conditions aren’t perfect. His reviews cover performance on ice, hardpack, and flat-out brick conditions. In other words, he reviews boards for the conditions that East Coast riders actually face.
Bringing 27 years of East Coast snowboarding and 21 years of skateboarding experience, Steve is a 42-year-old intermediate park rider. His recommendations are informed by decades of battling icy conditions, ensuring every review accounts for the board’s performance on the roughest of terrain.
For the last five years, Steve has poured his passion into writing in-depth, unbiased reviews that help riders make informed decisions about the gear they’ll use. He also works part-time at a snowboard shop in Northeastern Pennsylvania, which gives him a direct line to learning about the new gear tech months in advance. When he’s not writing reviews, Steve is often found riding at Montage Mountain and testing out new boards.
Steve’s goal with Board of the World is simple: to help every reader find the right gear so they can have fun outside from the first time they use it.