Powder with a playful streak: the Shop Rat combines a broad nose with a tail intended for natural jumps and creative turns. It is the obvious Chimera comparison when a tour means more than linked directional turns.
Is the Chimera Shop Rat 26/27 right for your tours?
Freestyle and freeride splitters get a distinctly directional take on a playful board. A 302 mm nose and 275 mm tail produce substantial taper, with a far-setback stance. The longer tail compared with a pure pintail is intended to provide support. It remains different from a symmetrical twin for frequent switch riding.
What should you consider on the ascent?
An early-rise nose, flat middle and small camber section under the rear foot define the profile. Skin contact and balance remain important uphill. If you prefer a relaxed downhill stance, take time to set up touring mode and boot support independently.
How do you choose suitable length and width?
155 cm is the only offered length. With a 255 mm waist and 69 mm setback, check fit against your boots and preferred stance. A short length label alone says little about usable area and powder suitability.
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 Shop Rat, 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 Shop Rat 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 Shop Rat Guide Series and Chimera Unicorn Chaser. 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 Shop Rat a touring twin?
No. It is a strongly tapered, setback board with playful intentions. Compare nose, tail and your own binding position rather than relying solely on the freestyle emphasis in its description.
Which size and width suit me?
155 cm is the only offered length. With a 255 mm waist and 69 mm setback, check fit against your boots and preferred stance. A short length label alone says little about usable area and powder suitability.
Have you tested this model yourselves?
We have not yet tested the Chimera Shop Rat 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 Shop Rat, 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: 155 cm. These are manufacturer specifications, not our own measurements.
| Size (cm) | 155 |
|---|---|
| Running length [mm] | 1118 |
| Sidecut [m] | 8.7 |
| Waist width [mm] | 255 |
| Nose length [mm] | 246 |
| Tail length [mm] | 185 |
| Nose width [mm] | 302 |
| Tail width [mm] | 275 |
| Stance setback [mm] | 69 |
Where do the data, images and tests come from?
Chimera Shop Rat – manufacturer page. Checked 19 October 2026. Product photographs and size charts come from the manufacturer.
What does the board look like? (1 photos)
