2018-2023 Review

The 2020 Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker seems to have changed the camber profile from C2x to C2. It’s a subtle change as those two profiles are close to one another. In general, the C2 has a little bit more stable ride, but overall, it’s pretty close. Everything else is the same, though, but I’ll be expanding on this review more when the snow starts to fall. In the meantime, here is the on-the-table review so you can see the subtle difference between our old Terrain Wrecker and our new one. If there was one small complaint about the old one, is, we would like a little more stability, so this is a nice subtle tweak to the ride.

Update 2023: The Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker hasn’t changed much since I/we initially reviewed it, so this is still relevant. 

Ethics Statement: The manufacturer doesn’t pay us 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 rider’s perspective.

Size: 157

Days: 15+
Conditions:  some powder and mixed conditions groomers with some hard snow and some decent snow.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-195lbs), Jimbo (Size 11, 5’11” 160lbs),  Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs) Grant and Tim
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV, Adidas Acerra, Burton SLX, Burton Almighty
Insoles: Footprint Insole Technology Gamechangers, Footprint Insole Technology Gamechangers Lite,
Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Superpro, Burton Cartel, Salomon Hologram, Union Strata
Set-Up: 22-22.75” Centered 15 front -15 back and 12 front -12 back. Set all the way back 18 front 6 back.

Approximate Weight: It felt like most snowboards.  It’s not too heavy or light, but the weight varies from board to board with every board.

Flex: Feels medium-ish for sure.

Sizing

The Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker has a wider width underfoot that I’m normally comfortable with, but for some reason, it’s my size 9’s.  Peter felt the same way as I did, and it felt like a proper fit for our boot size without being slow or cumbersome. Some mid/wideish boards like this can be for our boot size. Jimbo (11) and Tim (11.5) had no problem with this board and didn’t notice much or any toe/heel drag on a carve.  I think the 160 would have been a better fit for them, but it’s still pretty good for their boot size.

On Snow Feel

It’s a little loose underfoot, but that’s what a hybrid rocker is all about. If it’s harder snow, it will feel a little like it’s going to want to spin on you, but when the snow is softer, it’s a bit more playful. It’s got a playful feel to it that doesn’t feel like there is much confidence if you get off your game.

Edge Hold

The Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker has excellent edge hold when out of the factory, and it’s got the kind of grip that can hang in everything from super-hard ice to soft, thick powder. It’s going to be a touch grabby in softer, thicker snow, but for us, it wasn’t too bad and very tolerable.  I’d personally rather have a little grab in soft snow over no grab in hard.

Turn Initiation

For a 25.7cm waist, I was expecting the Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker to be slow, but it turned really quickly for my size 9 boots. Same for Peter with his 8.5, so I don’t think it’s an issue for us smaller-foot guys.  The plus-size is if you are a 10-ish boot, it’s going to fit really well and not really have toe/heel drag in the steep stuff or on hard carves, which sucks really bad. Overall, it turns much quicker than you would think for its width.

Turning Experience

It’s a very fun board to turn, and you can have a good time making short to wide-radius turns.

Carving

Because of the more aggressive MTX side cut, it really holds the board in the snow well, so it can carve in conditions some boards can’t.  However, the hybrid rocker tech XC2 Rocker in the middle does hurry the board up out of a hard carve, and it’s not as satisfying as some boards that have C3 or boards from other brands with more camber. Overall, it’s fun to carve, but if you live to carve and want that rewarding spring out of the turn, you might want to look for something else.

Skidded Turns

It is super easy to skid turns and very good for that rider who wants something more on the forgiving side.

Speed

The Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker can bomb rather well, but it’s a little loose for that speed freak.  It has to be on edge at all times to make it feel more predictable.

Uneven Terrain

We didn’t have any trouble in bumps or messy snow but would like to compare it to other favorite boards to see just how well it did in the 2 days we rode this; it did well enough to say it can handle all-day crowded resort riding without falling apart on you when it gets messy.

Powder

So after a little geeking on the Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker with a tape measure, we found that set all the way back at a 22.5″ stance width, the difference between nose and tail is about 3.5″ with a set back on board of about 1.75″ which is pretty good in comparison to most all-mountain boards. That explained why it floated so easily when we had it. We weren’t all the way back, so if we did set it all the way back, it would be even better.  This makes the Terrain Wrecker such a better one-board quiver than rides like the TRS and other center-stance twins in Mervin’s line.  This will work really well for that person looking for a one-board quiver ride.  You can set this back and get some good directional float.

Buttering

Easy to butter and just the right kind of flex in the tip/tail for even riders like us.  As the board softens up and breaks in the ride will be even easier.

Switch

It’s not a perfect switch, but it’s pretty close.  It rides well either way, and it’s very doable for those who like to ride centered on groomers and take it switch.  The Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker feels like it’s a directional twin-to-twinish shape, and with a little time, you can get to know this really well.

Jumps

Very good pop underfoot and from the tip/tail for ollies, and it’s a good board to lap the kicker park with.  Same great Mervin pop as most boards in the line.

Jibbing

I think as the board softens up, the Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker will do a good job jibbing, but it’s not going to be a specialist here.

Pipe

We haven’t had any pipe time on this, but it seems like it would be like the TRS but just a little wider.  I’d probably like the TRS a little better because of the narrower waist but Jimbo and Tim would probably prefer this. Hoping to get more time on this board and compare it in the pipe to some of our other favorites.

So, all in all, Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker is a very recommendable board for those who see hard snow but want to have a good time with directional powder riding when that does happen.  It’s also a great all-rounder for those who can only afford one board and need it to do a lot of things.