YES Standard Xtrm Snowboard Review

An Un-Biased Breakdown Of How the YES Standard Xtrm Rides Review by The Good Ride

• User Reviews
• Product Specs
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How The  YES Standard Xtrm Was Tested:

I borrowed the YES Standard Xtrm for an extended demo and sent it back.

Size:156
Days: 3 but many with the Standard Uninc with the softer flex.
Conditions: Mostly varied but good spring conditions and one decent pow day about 1’ deep
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10”, 185-195lbs). I’ve tested and compared 800+ boards and close to
Boots: Nitro Team TLS
Insoles: Footprint Kingfoam Orthotic Elite
Bindings: Union Force
Redundancy: Strapins in case boots or bindings break.
Jacket: Skyline Fuse 3L Jacket, Skyline Fuse Light 3L Jacket
Pant: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant, Skyline Faze Pant
Helmet: Smith Method, Smith Scout, Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt,

James’s Set Up

21.5” Wide. Stance Angles +18/-3, +18/-9, +15/-15. Close to Reference on groomers and Set all the way back in powder.

Similar Boards We Like (but not the same):

Never Summer Proto Type 3, Never Summer Proto Type 3 Ultra, Korua Otto, Ride Algorythm, Ride Shadowban, Salomon Highpath, Yes Standard Uninc, Capita Black Snowboard Of Death, Jones Rally Cat, Cardiff Crane, Cardiff Lynx, Nitro Alternator, United Shapes Horizon, Gnu Antigravity, Lib Tech Dynamo, K2 Commonwealth, YES Standard

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Construction / Durability / Weight

The YES Standard Xtrm has a pretty durable overall construction even though the top sheet is prone to some light scuffing but not bad. Overall it’s very middle ground weight wise but durable and somewhat damp as a result. (We don’t put in the exact weight because with wood cores, there is no consistency in a board’s weight)

Sizing

When it comes to sizing, this 56 always feels a little too wide for my size nine boots. That being said, it turns a lot easier than it should for being this wide under my feet thanks to that indention in the middle. If I were a 10 to 10.5, the YES Standard Xtrm would just jam edge to edge and with the stiffer flex it’s a little harder to turn and this 156 is best for 10-11 size boots vs. the old Standard Uninc.

This year with the stiffer flex, I felt like it can handle a heavier rider this year, but it will be a bit more difficult for lighter riders to engage this flex.

YES is really good at posting width over the inserts which is super important in sizing a board but not good at suggested boot sizes.

Sizing is all about balancing what fits your boot size (most important), weight (second most important) and height (third most important) for how you like to ride. If it’s too wide and it’s hard to turn but too narrow and you might boot out which often slams you into the ground.

The Good Ride’s Conservative / Safe Recommendation
You can go smaller if you want a completely drag free carver.
153: 9.5-10.5
156: 10-11
159: 11-12
162: 12-13

There is often more than one size that will work for your specs. Size down for more control and size up for more speed/stability/carving power. Here are some ideal US boot sizes for these boards. If it comes down to boot size or weight, I would ensure it fits your boot first and then your weight a close second.

Shape / Setback

The YES Standard Xtrm is a directional twin with some cool features. The nose is the same length as the tail, the side cut is true twin, but the nose is a little wider towards the tip and the tail a little narrower towards the end. They are the same width in the middle.

On groomers, it feels almost like a true twin. In powder, the tail sinks a little easier than the nose so you feel more on a directional board. On reference stance, it’s centered on side cut and centered on board. If you want to set it all the way back for powder, you can get 2.25 inches back from center of board with a 21.5-inch stance width. That’s some good stance width versatility for a directional twin.

Camber/On Snow Feel

Looking at the camber profile, there’s a good bit of camber. You can lift it up without much effort, but it doesn’t go all the way to the tip and tail. There’s a smooth transition into a mellow early rise in the tip and tail. That makes the YES Standard Xtrm pretty forgiving and not that hard to skid turns with if you get off your game.

It’s a far cry from the technical, catchy, full camber rides of old. This year it feels a little more on the committed intermediate to expert side than it used to.

Edge Hold

The YES Standard Xtrm grips very well. It has a mellow indention right after the inserts that helps initiate a turn faster and also grips really well. Combined with the mostly camber profile, it works great in hard to borderline icy conditions.

I often recommend this for people who ride out on the East Coast or in harder areas that also travel to good snow. This board handles both very well.

Flex Personality

The YES Standard Xtrm has stiffened up compared to the Standard Uninc. It has a medium to medium stiff flex, but the tip and tail are noticeably stiffer. This stiffer flex doesn’t butter as easily, but it has more pop. You just need to put in more work to get it to pop, but when you do it rewards you well.

Uneven Snow

In uneven snow, the YES Standard Xtrm does very well. It can handle soft uneven snow and chunder much better than the regular Standard. It’s not amazing and will still buck you in hard uneven snow, but overall it’s a very good all-day ride.

Switch & Park

Riding switch on the YES Standard Xtrm is super easy. It feels like a true twin on side cut. Only some riders will feel the difference in swing weight between nose and tail. This is an excellent jump board for going big, especially centered up. Small to medium hits are also very doable.

It’s a great pipe board with good grip, quick turn initiation, and drive. For jibs, the regular Standard is better, as the stiffer flex of the YES Standard Xtrm feels a little more bucky on technical rails.

Turning/Carving

The YES Standard Xtrm initiates a turn pretty quickly for its width. With the right size boots, it would be even faster without feeling twitchy or hooky. The side cut allows for any kind of turning radius you want.

The stiffer flex holds better and drives harder on a higher-speed carve than before. It’s not as good at slow speed carving, but riders with the right boot size will appreciate the new flex and extra spring out of turns.

Base Glide

The base glide is pretty good. It’s not the best of the best, but it’s upper tier for sure.

Powder

In powder, I liked the older board better because the softer flex allowed me to wheelie up easier without much rear leg burn. The YES Standard Xtrm takes a little more work in the back leg, but it’s still very good for a directional twin. With setback inserts, it has easy directional float. The regular Standard floated a bit better this year, though.

Final Thoughts

Overall, while I personally liked the softer flex of the old Standard Uninc, the YES Standard Xtrm finally matches its flex rating listed on YES’ site. It’s now more accurate and most riders with the right boot size will really enjoy this stiffer flex in everything except buttering.

So there you have it—the YES Standard Xtrm is a versatile, hard-charging, and reliable directional twin that works well for a wide range of riders.