Lib Tech Short Wide 2021 Written Review Review by The Good Ride

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So as the story goes, Jamie Lynn tried the Yes 420 and liked it soo much, he then wanted a short wide for himself. From this came a board that is short and wide like the 420 but that is about it. So, it is a very short, very wide, slightly tapered, mostly camber, fast accelerating, aggressive ride that needs you to always be on your game…This is not an everyman’s type of ride and it didn’t match up well with Peter and Jimbo. Peter had some weird skitches and twitches at higher speed that sapped his confidence. For me I liked how hard this short little board carved but the minute I got off my game the almost full camber and insane acceleration straight up overpowered me. This board is made for always on point, powerful, technical riders like Jamie Lynn who know how to rip stiff full camber rides in all conditions…especially in powder.  If you are that kind of rider then this board is for you.

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews.  We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

How it rides and who it is for

How This Review Happened: had a few laps at a demo.
Size: 150
Days: 1
Conditions: Mainly soft micro bumpy snow that had some hard patches.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs), Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs), Jimbo (Size 11, 5’11” 160lbs),
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles,  F.I.T. Gameghangers Low Profile , F.I.T. Gamechangers
Bindings: Bent Metal Axtion

Similar Boards (but not the same): Prior Legacy, Yes 420 Plus (review coming) & 2021 Yes 420

Set-Up: 21.5” Wide. 21 front -3 back. Close to Reference.

Approximate Weight

Didn’t feel that heavy for how wide it was. The Lib Tech Short Wide felt pretty normal.

Sizing
150: 8-11 US boots. You can go wider as it is an Ultra Wide but because of its short length its best to keep it under 11. Also don’t go to heavy on this ride. We feel it is best to keep it under 200lbs.

Shape/Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level

Pretty much full camber and there seems like there is a debatable bit of early rise before the actual nose. It didn not feel chill and was very locked in. Not really ideal for beginner to advanced riders. It is best for experts that know how to skid a turn with full camber.

Flex/Pop/Buttering

There is pop there and it can pop hard it just needs a strong rider to access it. Same for buttering and none of us could really do it.

Speed

So the Jamie Lynn Short Wide is fast in some ways and sketchy in others. In good to perfect conditions it can feel like its 20 cm longer but this little sidecut can skitch and twitch you out of your line if the snow isn’t perfet.

Uneven Terrain

The Lib Tech Short Wide can bounce and buck like most short wide boards do but it isn’t as bad as some we tried. Being a little longer than the 148 Short Fat we tried a few years back should help but this isn’t the strong point for shorter wider rides like this.

Edge Hold

Not there with most Lib Tech MTX boards. We didn’t see any MTX at all and it looked like a sidecut from the early 00’s.

Turn Initiation

Even though the Lib Tech Short Wide is short, it is not ideal for weaving through tight bumps. It gets better turning through trees in powder but it still isn’t fast.

Turning Experience/Carving

The Lib Tech Short Wide is not an easy turner but this little guy can really spring out of a carve when you lay into it.

Powder

We had a foot to 1.5 feet of pretty decent PNW powder on the 2cm shorter Short Fat model a few years back and it had a good float to it for all that camber. That being said it caters more to the person that likes full camber rides in powder and knows how to handle it. If you are that type of person you will say it floats like a champ. If you are like us, who prefer lots of rocker and minimal camber in powder then it will be good but not unreal.

Conclusion

So all in all we love how the Lib Tech Short Wide springs out of a turn. We didn’t like how it would accelerate quickly into a skitch and twitch for Peter or make me feel a little out of control. We didn’t have that problem with other hybrid camber yes 420 Plus or the Prior Legacy and they matched up better with our ability level and riding style. That being said, if you like the idea of an old school almost full camber aggressive ride put into a modern short wide package this is the one for you.