Chimera Hermit 165W

A long edge, room for larger boots and a clear direction: the Hermit 165W is Chimera’s big-line option. If open faces and composure are your priorities, it offers a different concept from the short Shop Rat.

Is the Chimera Hermit 165W 26/27 right for your tours?

Alpine splitters and powerful freeriders may appreciate its 12-metre sidecut radius. This describes a drawn-out outline rather than a mandatory turning radius. Camber under both feet, a flat middle and 40 mm setback suit forward riding. If slow turns through dense trees dominate, deliberately compare the larger shape with shorter alternatives.

What should you consider on the ascent?

Length and a 268 mm waist accompany you on the skin track too. Check whether your boots provide enough lateral pressure and whether the length suits your kick turns. The special insert pattern supports different touring toe pieces; it does not establish blanket compatibility with every hardboot system.

How do you choose suitable length and width?

There is one size: 165W, with an actual length of 165.1 cm. Chimera lists a running length of 122.2 cm. Choose it for dimensions that suit you, rather than the W label alone.

How do boots, bindings and skins work together?

Start by matching boot fit, board width and lateral support. An oversized boot loses support before pressure reaches the edge. For the Chimera Hermit 165W, we would prioritise heel hold and a highback suited to your weight over choosing the stiffest possible binding. Playful downhill handling need not mean a setup that collapses sideways on a traverse. Practise both touring and riding modes with your actual interface and its specified screws. Plan suitable skins too: length, width and nose and tail fittings need to work together.

Read more in our Splitboard Gear Guide.

Which of our test experiences help you?

We have not yet tested the Chimera Hermit 165W ourselves. Our advice uses current manufacturer information and our Gear Guide principles. An older model introduction provides history rather than our own riding test. Manufacturer-shop customer ratings are not used as our editorial scores either.

For a demo, start with a suitable size and your own boots. Check whether you can apply pressure comfortably in slow turns as well as at speed. After a longer climb, consider whether width and flex still feel manageable. A consistent setup is more useful than comparing random boards with very different lengths or stance settings.

What has changed since 25/26 and earlier models?

Chimera Splitboards currently includes this model in its regular range. The manufacturer page does not identify a separate technical redesign for 26/27 or a complete change list from 25/26. This page is therefore our guide for the 26/27 season rather than a claim of a newly developed annual model. Compare the actual generation, length, width, hardware and package contents. A new graphic or different price alone does not establish changed tuning.

What is included in the price and what else do you need?

Budget for bindings, interface and suitable skins alongside the board. Check touring-toe compatibility particularly carefully for the Guide Series and Hermit. A regional euro display does not establish shipping and delivered costs for your country.

Which alternatives should you compare?

Compare Chimera Sceptre and Radical Rider Splitboard 4.0. The riding-style differences are discussed above. Use comparable sizes and your own boots on a demo where possible. A different stance or substantially softer binding can change more than a small dimensional difference between boards. Decide by how well the setup suits your usual tours.

FAQ: What should you know before the first tour?

Is the Hermit only intended for hardboots?

No. Chimera describes a combined pattern for splitboard touring toe pieces and many tech-toe systems. Check your interface’s hole pattern and specified screws. With softboots, the shape remains a question of appropriate sizing and riding style.

Which size and width suit me?

There is one size: 165W, with an actual length of 165.1 cm. Chimera lists a running length of 122.2 cm. Choose it for dimensions that suit you, rather than the W label alone.

Have you tested this model yourselves?

We have not yet tested the Chimera Hermit 165W ourselves. Our assessment uses manufacturer data and our Gear Guide; we do not assign riding scores to it.

Which boots, bindings and skins suit it?

Start by matching boot fit, board width and lateral support. An oversized boot loses support before pressure reaches the edge. For the Chimera Hermit 165W, we would prioritise heel hold and a highback suited to your weight over choosing the stiffest possible binding. Playful downhill handling need not mean a setup that collapses sideways on a traverse. Practise both touring and riding modes with your actual interface and its specified screws. Plan suitable skins too: length, width and nose and tail fittings need to work together.

What is included in the price and what else do you need?

Budget for bindings, interface and suitable skins alongside the board. Check touring-toe compatibility particularly carefully for the Guide Series and Hermit. A regional euro display does not establish shipping and delivered costs for your country.

What differs from the previous season?

Chimera Splitboards currently includes this model in its regular range. The manufacturer page does not identify a separate technical redesign for 26/27 or a complete change list from 25/26. This page is therefore our guide for the 26/27 season rather than a claim of a newly developed annual model. Compare the actual generation, length, width, hardware and package contents. A new graphic or different price alone does not establish changed tuning.

Which sizes and specifications does the manufacturer list?

Sizes: 165W cm. These are manufacturer specifications, not our own measurements.

Where do the data, images and tests come from?

Chimera Hermit 165W – manufacturer page. Checked 19 October 2026. Product photographs and size charts come from the manufacturer.