Yes The Y 2020-2022 Snowboard Review

Yes The Y Snowboard Review and Written Review Review by The Good Ride

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Ethics Statement

We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews and this is our unfiltered opinion. 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.

YES Y Snowboard Review- How it rides and who it is for

How This Review Happened:

We borrowed this for an extended demo and liked it so much we asked to keep it (we only do this with our favorites).
Size: 154 & 157 from past seasons with the same design.
Days: 10+ and more coming
Conditions: Everything from good spring snow to hard weird spring snow. In past seasons good mid winter snow.
Plan to do some an early morning slackountry time with Drift Boards next pow day.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs), Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs), Grant (Size 11 6’ 160lbs)
Boots: Burton Kendo, Burton Ion, Burton Tourist, Adidas Tactical ADV, Vans Infuse, Vans Baldface
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles, F.I.T. Gamechangers, F.I.T. Gameghangers LP
Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Strata, Union Contact Pro/Union Superpro, Union Falcor, Union Force, Burton Genesis X,
Jacket: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Tusk Jacket, Burton Banshee Gore-Tex Jacket
Pant: Burton AK Gore-Tex Pro 3L Hover Pant, Burton AK Gore-Tex 2L Swash Pant, Burton Gore-Tex Ballast Pant
Helmet: Smith Maze, Smith Vantage
Goggle: Smith IO Mag, Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Guide Glove, Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Clutch Glove, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Burton AK Tech Glove, Drop Cascade Glove, Drop Web Glove,

Similar Boards (but not the same):  Gentemstick Mantaray 156, Yes Hybrid, Endeavor Scout, Prior Legacy, Jones Hovercraft, Lib Tech Orca, Never Summer Harpoon, Niche Pyre, Lib Tech Lost Quiver Killer, Yes Hybrid, Yes Y, Cardiff Powgoda

Set-Up:  21.5” Wide. 18 front -3 back & 21 front +3 back. Close to Reference and Set all the way back

Approximate Weight:

The YES Y felt pretty normal and maybe a touch on the light side.

(We don’t put in the exact weight because with wood cores there is no consistency in a boards weight)

Sizing

The YES Y is a hard board to size up. You want to ride it shorter and wider than you normally do but don’t go too long and wide because it will be really hard to turn in tight spots.

Here are some ideal US boot sizes for these boards. You can of course go bigger or smaller but these work best for not turning the board slower than it should be and not having the dreaded Toe & Heel Drag.
151: 8.5-9.5
154: 9.5-10.5
157- 10.5-12
161- 11-12

Shape/Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level

The YES Y has a pretty directional shape but not too much taper so it doesn’t need as much back foot weight to keep this from washing out. When riding it you don’t feel as far back on board as you are.

Then you throw in the mellow camber between the feet transitioning into mellow rocker you have a pretty stable ride. It doesn’t feel locked in but the wider nose/tail feel a little hard to skid turns for it’s length. Its best for advanced to expert riders but a strong intermediate could handle it too. This stable feel underfoot is the same in all conditions and it one foots/flat bases incredibly well.

Flex Personality/Uneven Terrain

The YES Y has a pretty medium/stiff feel between the feet but it is pretty medium in the nose and to a little lesser extent medium in the tail. It butters pretty easy and I actually had fun with it. There is a rubbery feel to it for being this stiff and while it pops well it doesn’t pop as hard as many of its peers. The rubbery feel does come in handy in uneven terrain and makes for a really good all conditions ride. It’s just not fun/easy to turn through bumps but it sure is fun in a banked slalom.

Speed

The YES Y isn’t a bomber with a super-fast base like the Jones Hovercraft but it does really well for this price point and this kind of sidecut. You would think this would get a little twitchy but you can pick up pretty good speed. The base keeps its speed really well too.

Edge Hold

The YES Y has amazing grip that rivals full Magnetraction but doesn’t grab as hard in softer snow. This is an excellent hard snow carver. It actually grips a touch harder than the lighter/poppier Optimistic because the damper flex allows you to hold your edge better in a turn than.

Turning Experience/Carving

So getting the YES Y to turn quickly edge to edge doesn’t happen but it’s predictable. Once you get it on edge though it comes alive and really creates a super fun turning experience for those who like across the groomer carves to circle carves. It does better with down the line/longer drawn out turns than you would think but it really shines with tighter circles. It gives a lot more spring than you would think for this mellowish camber.

Powder

So we all really like the Y and the Optimistic for powder. You have a lot of rocker in the wide big nose, a nubbin for a tail with a little taper and a very good set back on board. With a 22” stance width you can go -4” all the way back on board or -3.125” back on reference. You put all this together and it adds up to being a really floaty pow board that can hang with some of our favorite pure powder rides.

Conclusion

So if you are on a budget and don’t want to compromise your carving in all conditions and float in powder the YES Y is one of our top recommendations.