Share

Snowboards

YES 20/20 2018-2019 Snowboard Review

UPDATE: Check out our review of the 2019/2020 YES 20/20 here

After the instant hit that they had with the YES 420, it’s only natural that the guys behind the brand explored similar ideas. A freestyle version was mooted, but losing that pow-specific shape on such a short and wide board proved problematic. The solution was to radically overhaul the design of the base, and the YES 20/20 snowboard was born.

Both ends of the true-twin YES 20/20 have a concave section unlike anything you’ll find on any other stick. This ‘PowderHull’ feature allows the trailing end to sink further into the snow, and the leading end to float better, while keeping them identical.

“The YES 20/20 offers a truly unique riding experience”

[monetizer101 search=’yes 2020′]

Switch up as often as you like – you’ll always be able to keep the YES 20/20 afloat. On firmer snow the PowderHull sections are more anonymous, and there’s still plenty of edge for powering through turns or setting your spin. It’ll ride like a flat-based board on groomers, and the wide waist may take some getting used to, but you certainly don’t need to wait for a dump to crack this one out.

Still, the powder is what it’s designed for, specifically tearing up natural features with by-the-seat-of-your-pants spontaneity. The YES 20/20 offers a truly unique riding experience, one that any fan of throwing shapes in the backcountry should definitely try.

Tester’s Verdict

Lauren MacCallumprotectourwinters.uk

“The YES 20/20 is a special beast. It looks like Marty McFly’s hoverboard shagged a wakeboard and then that McWake board had sex with a snowboard, and this was the result. Interesting…

And that’s exactly what the 20/20 is, interesting! The true twin makes it really easy to manoeuvre, and so does the size. A good 5cm shorter than what I usually ride, the shape is something else! It’s short, fat and flat making it so much fun in powder!

“It did take me a minute to adjust to the unique shape, but then it clicked”

It did take me a minute to adjust to the unique shape, but then it clicked. I found the “powder hull” really lifts that nose out of the way. Giving it so much float and manoeuvrability like nothing else I have experienced before.

Once you’re in the powder there aren’t many boards like it. Getting to the powder, it’s still fun, but definitely better boards out there that ride the whole mountain. Although that’s not what you buy this board for.”

[monetizer101 search=’yes 2020′]

Tester’s Verdict

John Wellswhitelines.com

“Bizarre? Yes. Brilliant? Yes. The mad scientists over at YES, who cooked up the original ‘short ‘n’ fat’ beauty that is the 420, confounded convention once again with the 20/20.

The base design actually works, giving an amazing hover feeling (yes, more than normal) when cruising on powder at speed. The year the 20/20 came out I heard this board described as ‘a magic carpet’, and I have to agree.

“The 20/20’s true twin shape is super fun, opening up switch riding, butters and spins”

In a genre dominated by directional boards, the 20/20’s true twin shape is super fun, opening up switch riding, butters and spins; all are noticeably easier. On top of this the small responsive size makes weaving and jumping in the trees a blast.

The whole short and wide genre of boards gets labelled too often as powder only, however it is a vast oversight to label this one a one-trick-pony. Personally I loved the 20/20 on the groomers too; of course it lacks the control and stability of the long and stiff charging planks, but who cares? What you lack in stability you make up for in responsive tight turning capabilities, opening up a world of fun.

It’s a pricey board, I’ll give you that. But definitely a great experience and worth every penny.”

[monetizer101 search=’yes 2020′]

Newsletter Terms & Conditions

Please enter your email so we can keep you updated with news, features and the latest offers. If you are not interested you can unsubscribe at any time. We will never sell your data and you'll only get messages from us and our partners whose products and services we think you'll enjoy.

Read our full Privacy Policy as well as Terms & Conditions.

production