Hello and welcome to my YES Standard Uninc review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Standard Uninc as an aggressive all-mountain-freestyle snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Standard Uninc a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other aggressive all-mountain-freestyle snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: YES Standard Uninc
Price: $649
Style: Aggressive All-Mountain-Freestyle
Flex Rating: Mid-Stiff (7/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium bordering on medium-stiff (6.5/10)
Rating Score: 91.5/100
Compared to other Men’s Aggressive All-Mountain-Freestyle Boards
Out of the 12 men’s aggressive all-mountain-freestyle snowboards that I rated:
* Based on 2022 rankings (which the Standard Uninc didn't come into as 2023 is it's first model). This will be updated once all of the 2023 rankings have been updated.
Overview of the Standard Uninc’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Standard Uninc’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Aggressive All-Mountain-Freestyle |
Price: | $649 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Smooth/Snappy: |  |
Dampness: |  |
Playful/Aggressive: |  |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | |
Shape: | Directional Twin (YES's "directional volume twin") |
Setback Stance: | Centered |
Base: | Sintered |
Weight: | Felt normal |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
153 | 253 | 130-190 | 59-86 |
156 | 258 | 150-200 | 68-91 |
159 | 263 | 160-210 | 73-95 |
162 | 268 | 180-220+ | 82-100+ |
Who is the Standard Uninc Most Suited To?
The Standard Uninc is essentially a traditional camber version of the Standard - though it is also a little stiffer. But that camber profile (as well as the stiffness) does change the personality of the board quite a bit. Essentially very similar to what the YES Ghost used to be before that was discontinued.
It's the kind of board that's best suited to someone looking for a board that's aggressive but not overly aggressive - you don't have to be on your game 100% of the time - you can get a little lazy on it. But it's more aggressive than average and when you want to ride it aggressively it complies.
Apart from powder and jibbing (both of which it's still not terrible at), it's a really well rounded board that can do a bit of everything and go anywhere. In powder, it wouldn't be great (we didn't have any to test in) but would hold its own in shallow powder.
Not for a beginner or lower intermediate rider, but good for solid intermediate rider's and up, IMO.
The Standard Uninc in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Standard Uninc is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: YES Standard Uninc 2023, 156cm (258mm waist width)
Date: February 23, 2022
Conditions
Sunny with cloudy periods. 100% visibility.
Temperature was pretty cold, ranging from -10°C (14°F) to -12°C (10°F) through the day. -13°C (9°F) with wind. Wind pretty much non existent though.
24 hour snow: 0cm (0")
48 hour snow: 0cm (0")
7 day snow: 8cm (3")
On groomer: Hard pack with icy patches for the most part. But mostly hard pack until we got lower down the mountain and then it was really icy.
Off groomer: Crunchy and icy for the most part. But still doable higher up the mountain.
Set Up
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 550mm (21.7″)
Stance Setback: Centered
Width at Inserts: 273mm (10.75")
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 180lbs
Rider Boot Size: US9.5 Adidas Tactical ADV
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Weight: 3140grams (6lb 15oz)
Weight per cm: 20.13 grams/cm
Average Weight per cm: 18.59 grams/cm*
*based on a sample size of around 200 models that I’ve weighed in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023 models. The Standard Uninc is one of the heavier boards on the scales that I've weighed, in terms of grams/cm. However, it is a wider than average board - and I don't calculate grams/surface area, which would be more ideal. And more importantly, it felt like a really normal weight on snow, which was surprising but welcomed.
Powder
We didn't have any powder to test in on the day but based on specs it wouldn't be amazing, but a little better than the average traditional camber board.
It's got a couple of things going for it for riding powder.
Firstly, the directional volume twin shape gives it just a little more powder performance versus a true twin shape. Secondly, it is a little wider than normal, giving it a bit more surface area to work with. Though, if you size down the length because of that width, like I did, this is largely cancelled out. And lastly, it has YES's "slamback" inserts, which is an extra set of holes behind the main insert pack, which allows you to set the board back further for powder days.
But it's pretty close to being a centered twin and it has a traditional camber shape, so never going to be amazing in powder.
Carving & Turning
Carving: Really nice on a carve. You can get deep and it holds on to a carve really well. A good balance between nice long drawn out carves and shorter/sharper carves.
Turning: Turns with very little effort for its flex. Which impressed me, given the width at inserts is 273mm, which I'd typically find wide for turns. But there's something about that mid-bite that makes turning easier than you'd expect.
Maneuverability at slow speeds: Again, impressively nimble when riding slow given its flex and width. Though, when I say given its flex, it's not super stiff - just a little stiffer than medium. But it is more agile than I was expecting all the same.
Skidded Turns: You can't get away with everything, but it's not super catchy or anything. There's quite a bit of forgiveness and allows you to skid or slash your turns most of the time.
Speed
Felt really nice and stable at speed. Could open it out to a really decent pace without getting the wobbles.
Was a really fast conditions day when I tested it, so it was hard to get a read on how good the glide is for flat sections - but felt really good on the day.
Uneven Terrain
Crud/Chunder: Not a lot of it to test in, but doesn't feel like it would get easily bucked around (something that extra weight helps with) - and if it did get a little bucked, it would be pretty easy to correct.
Trees/Bumps: Quite nimble, so does well weaving between bumps and absorbs bumps well going over them as well.
Jumps
So much fun to get air with this board. Just writing this makes me crave getting back out onto it.
Pop: There isn't oodles of pop but decent enough. And most of the pop is easy to access and it gives a little more when you wind it up, too.
Approach: A really good balance between being stable and also maneuverable enough to make necessary adjustments. Holds its line really well when you commit to a line, but you can speed check and adjust your take off point easily as well.
Landing: Can really stomp a landing. But at the same time it's quite forgiving of errors when you get it wrong. Strikes a great balance between those.
Side-hits: Super fun. Has everything you want for sidehits, IMO.
Small jumps/Big jumps: Medium to Large is it's sweet spot, IMO, but good for everything.
Switch
Rides switch really well, which wasn't really a surprise. Didn't feel catchy in transitions to switch or anything like that and felt really similar in each direction.
Spins
Apart from it's weight, which as I've said a couple of times, you don't really feel on snow, it's really well suited to spins. It's got decent, easy pop and takes off/lands switch well.
Jibbing
Not ideal for jibbing but also not terrible. Decent enough.
Butters
You've got to throw your weight into it a little to get it to press, but it's not super difficult to do - and it's got a really similar feel when pressing nose or tail.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
JUMPS | 4.5 | 18/20 |
SPEED | 4.0 | 16/20 |
CARVING | 4.0 | 12/15 |
TURNS/SLASHING | 4.0 | 4/5 |
SWITCH | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SPINS | 4.0 | 8/10 |
CRUD/CHUNDER | 4.0 | 4/5 |
TREES/BUMPS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
BUTTERING | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
POWDER | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 91.5/100 |
Overall, the Standard Uninc is a board that is capable everywhere and just utterly fun. Had such a blast riding this board and didn't let me down in any aspect.
It's biggest weakness is powder (and jibs) - and if you like you board super light, it's not that (though it doesn't feel heavier than normal on snow either), - but for everything else, assuming at least a solid intermediate skill level, this board can take it anyway and do everything well.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Standard Uninc, or if you are ready to buy, or if you just want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out some other aggressive all-mountain-freestyle snowboard options, or if you want to compare how the Standard Uninc compares to other aggressive all-mountain-freestyle snowboards, then check out the next link.
What bindings (with standard 4×4 disks) would you recommend for the Uninc? I would like to use the slamback inserts for deep pow days. I am also really curious how Dustin Craven rides his Uninc with Union Ultras. Seems like they would be too soft, but he is a pro after all.
Hey Mike
Thanks for your message.
I would go with something like the Salomon Highlander, Union Atlas, Burton Cartel X Reflex or Flux XF (i.e. anything from this list apart from the Falcor which has a mini disc). Something like the Union Force or Burton Cartel would also work, if you wanted to go a touch softer and cheaper, but one of those first 4 I mentioned would be what I’d put on it.
Hope this helps
Thanks for the reply. Between the Capita Mega Merc and Standard Uninc, which board for a Quiver of One in PNW conditions and riding switch? The lightweight Mega Merc appeals to me, but I also like having more camber and I’m curious about the mid-bite & volume directional twin shape of the Uninc. Is the Uninc much heavier than the Mega Merc? The 2023 Mega’s new factory tune that optimizes switch riding slightly makes me lean toward the Capita, but it seems like the Uninc would be better for heavy & wet PNW snow.
Hey Mike
Thanks for your message.
I would say the Standard Uninc is the better board for riding switch, but there’s not that much in it and once you were used to the boards, both can handle switch riding really well. The Mega Merc is a little better, IMO for riding powder with the Standard Uninc better for park/jumps, butters, etc. The Mega Merc more of a bomber as well. I have found that Capita’s bases tend to be a little faster and that helps in heavy/wet snow, in my experience but again there’s not much in it there.
I weighed the Standard Uninc (156) at 3140grams (6lb 15oz), so quite heavy in general, and especially when comparing to the Mega Merc (157) at 2770grams (6lbs 2oz). However, the difference is less noticeable when actually riding. You notice it more so on the lift. Some boards are light on scales AND light to ride and others are normal on scales and feel light to ride. Some are heavy on scales and feel heavy on snow etc etc. The Mega Merc is one of those boards that’s light on the scales, but doesn’t feel super light on snow. It doesn’t feel heavy on snow, but it feels pretty normal. The Standard on the other hand also feels pretty normal on snow, despite being heavy on the scales. So they feel pretty similar when riding. I’d still say the Mega Merc feels slightly on the lighter side of normal and Standard Uninc slightly on the heavier side of normal, but they’re quite close on snow in terms of weight feel. Also note that because snowboards have wood cores, not every board will weight exactly the same.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate
Was on the warca 153 today, great board and did surprisingly well on the steeps. Definitely noticed the weight of it on the chairlift. While it was easy to handle on snow, it def was heavy in the chairlift. Ride with malavita large. Strange cause my hybrid dcp feels lighter and so we’re previous yes boards.
Pretty keen to try this as I liked the ghost.
Cheers
Hey Tim
Nice one! I haven’t had a chance to ride the Warca yet, so good to get some insight into it. The Standard Uninc was sick. Very much like the Ghost. I wouldn’t say identical – though hard to say for sure not having them side by side on the same day or anything. I liked the Standard Uninc even more than than the Ghost but definitely very similar to Ghost. I also really liked the Ghost and was disappointed to see it discontinued, so I was pretty stoked when they brought out the Standard Uninc.
Hey there!
Thank you for the review. I was also going to get the yes standard for this upcoming season until I saw the uninc. Are there other things I should consider when deciding between the standard vs uninc? I’m based in Salt Lake City and am looking for that all-mountain one-board resort quiver. As I’m about to retire my older park-friendly board, I’m mostly looking to feel more secure at higher speeds with my friends (who all ski) + chase a few pow days here and there when work + weather permits. To me, the full camber + stiffer carbon in the fiberglass seems like this would be the better pick? The only downside that I can think of is that the uninc is touch less versatile slash friendly for powder, although I imagine the slambacks should help a little. Thank you in advance for any insight!
Hi DK
Thanks for your message.
The only real differences between the Standard Uninc and Standard are that the Uninc is a touch stiffer and has the full camber profile versus the Hybrid Camber profile on the Standard. Practically I found that to translate to the Uninc being a little poppier, a little better for carves but not quite as easy to butter. It won’t be as good for powder, because there’s not rocker there, but it also shouldn’t be a complete dud in powder, with the wider stance and being that directional volume twin shape (as opposed to true twin) – and like you mention it has those slambacks, which will certainly help on a powder day. But yeah, will be a step down in terms of powder. Overall I preferred riding the Uninc when it came to carving groomers and for jumps and sidehits. The Standard I preferred for buttering and was a little easier on jibs – and whist I didn’t test the Uninc in powder, it won’t be quite as good without that rocker in that.
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision
Awesome review, Nate!
At the beginning of this winter (NZ) I was looking at all mountain board. I had Solomon Assassin for some time in the past and gave it away as it was a bit too wide (157w, I’m size 11 us) as I thought.
I was eyeing Yes Standard but didn’t want to get same hybrid camber profile as Assassin as it was not much precise for me as I wanted. Uninc camber is perfect with the combination of with of the board and mid bites. I’ve had couple of runs on groomers, ice, small jumps, side hits and heavy wet “pow”. Very good time all around mountain and surprisingly, when I rode it I didn’t feel weight being too heavy and when turning I didn’t feel width as a challenge.
Hi Al
Thanks for your message. Great to get your input. Yeah, it’s one of those things with the Standard Uninc – and in general YES boards with their “mid-bite” tech – that they don’t feel as wide as they should, which is great. And yeah, I also found that whilst the Standard Uninc was heavy on the scales that it didn’t ride heavy. Also keeping in mind that weights can vary from board to board even within the same model, because wood cores can vary, but there typically shouldn’t be a big difference – I think it’s just one of those boards that rides lighter than you’d expect.