2020 Lib Tech Snowboards Overview

Comments

1. Scott says

   February 10, 2021 at 10:20 am

   Any review on the Skunk Ape

   Reply

   • Nate says

     February 10, 2021 at 2:00 pm

     Hi Scott

     Haven’t ever got on the Skunk Ape, unfortunately. Mostly because of how wide it is and I tend to not get on with wide boards, so I don’t feel I could give it an accurate review as there isn’t a size that really works for me.

     Reply

2. Alan Liang says

   October 19, 2020 at 11:11 am

   Out of curiosity, do you have any reviews for the Box Scratcher 2020?

   Also, just wanted to say that all of your responses are so great and thoughtful. Even when I don’t post a comment or a question, all of your answers help for more context. Thank you so much! It’s so hard to find a consistent reviewer site. I’ve highly recommended you to all my friends.

   Reply

   • Nate says

     October 20, 2020 at 10:24 am

     Hi Alan

     Thanks for your message.

     Don’t have a Box Scratcher review unfortunately.

     Thanks for the recommendations, really appreciate it!

     Reply

3. Adrian says

   February 8, 2020 at 11:10 am

   Hey Nate, thanks for your site and all the useful info.
   I currently have the Orca 153 which I love as an all-rounder. But am looking to learn more buttering tricks, park jumps and general spins etc. I’m not interested in rails and boxes etc – just a fun board to compliment my Orca to make this stuff as easy to learn as poss and also to mess around on side hits etc

   I was eyeing up the Box Scratcher but also not ruling out the skate banana. I’ve not tried either though. I’m 6’0, 180lbs and size 12US. what would you suggest?

   Also re sizing, I’m torn between 153W or 156W on Box Scratcher. I used to ride 159W TRS prior to Orca but keen for this to be a ‘play’ board to compliment the Orca. 153W sounds short but contact length is still 5cm longer than the Orca, so I was leaning towards this one.

   Any thoughts and suggestions very welcome. Thank you!

   Reply

   • Nate says

     February 10, 2020 at 4:13 pm

     Hi Adrian

     Thanks for your message.

     Both those boards are very easy going and I think they would suit what you’re describing. They’re both also good for rails/boxes as well, but they’re good for what you’re looking to do as well.

     Size-wise, I would usually say go 156W for your specs, but the 153W is doable and you might lean that way for a couple of reasons. Firstly, if it’s going to be a strictly play around board for freestyle stuff, and you’re not expecting anything out of it in terms of carving, speed or powder, then that size could definitely work. Secondly, like you say, you’re on the 153 Orca, which has a shorter contact length. I would possibly have leaned towards the 156W Orca for your specs, but given that you like the 153, then that, like you say, might make you want to lean towards the 153W Box Scratcher/Skate Banana. The Orca is wider overall vs the 153W of either of those – and of course stiffer – so the 153W Scratcher/Skate Banana is going to feel like “less board” to throw around vs the Orca for sure. The 156W probably too – but even more so for the 153W. The 153Ws will be easier to butter and spin but will sacrifice in terms of speed & stability.

     Between the 2, I’d say the Box Scratcher is softer flexing (3/10 vs 4/10 on the Skate Banana) and a little more buttery (but both are very buttery). The Skate Banana is a little better for jumps, IMO – and a little better when it comes to riding faster (though neither are that great in that area). So Box Scratcher a little more playful, but they’re both very playful.

     Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision

     Reply

     • Adrian says

       February 14, 2020 at 11:11 am

       Thanks for such a detailed response Nate! I’ve weighed up your suggestions and just put an order in for a 156W Box Scratcher – I reckoned that would give me a little more all-round performance around the pistes when needed. Thanks again for your help and advice, I cant wait to try it now!

       Reply

       • Nate says

         February 14, 2020 at 3:11 pm

         You’re very welcome Adrian. If you think of it at the time, let me know how you get on, once you’ve had a chance to get it out on snow. Happy riding!

         Reply

4. Colton says

   October 10, 2019 at 5:48 pm

   Hey Nate,
   I am also looking at the lib tech orca. Again I am 5’7 and weigh 143 lbs. I am a 8 to 8.5 in U.S. men’s boot size. What size would be good for me in your opinion?

   Reply

   • Nate says

     October 11, 2019 at 11:42 am

     Hi Colton

     The Orca is a short/wide board, so definitely something you’ll want to size down for. So it’s between the 144 and 147, for you, IMO.

     The Orca isn’t a board I’ve ridden and I don’t have a lot of experience with short/wides – I’ve ridden a few of them, but not as much as I’ve ridden other types of boards. But I’ve found that sizing down quite a bit has given me more enjoyment than just sizing down a little bit, so I would be leaning towards the 144 for you. It’s going to certainly feel like a different ride to a more traditionally shaped board. You drop a lot of effective edge vs a non short/wide option. If it’s the kind of feel you’re after then that’s fine, but just so you know it’s quite a different prospect to riding something like the Team Gullwing or Slash Brainstorm.

     Reply

     • Colton says

       October 11, 2019 at 12:10 pm

       Thanks for the help again Nate.

       Reply

       • Nate says

         October 12, 2019 at 9:32 am

         You’re very welcome Colton

         Reply