YES. 420PH 2020-2021 Snowboard Review - Whitelines Snowboarding

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YES. 420PH 2020-2021 Snowboard Review

  • Price: $700
  • Category: Freeride/Powder
  • Ability Level: Intermediate, Advanced
  • Size: 154
  • Flex: 8/10
  • Shape: Directional
  • Profile: Camber + Powder Hull
  • Base: Sintered
  • BUY DIRECT FROM YES

Rather than re-write a classic hit, YES. snowboards have left their 420 relatively untouched and, instead, created a few remixes to keep the fans engaged. There’s an ever-growing fleet of new sizes for the ladies, a grom specific model, a new pro model and then there’s this one for the real powder aficionados out there – the 420PH.

Compared to the Granddaddy OG, the 420, this model has a narrower outline and comes in a larger 154 size. That’s not to suggest anything about this snowboard is conventional (more on that later), but the longer effective edge will provide more stability in a variety of conditions as – let’s face it – not everyday gifts us with 50cm of blower pow. The reduced waist width also makes the 420PH a little more agile from edge to edge, so even the smaller footed riders out there won’t have any issues darting lines through the people or the pinewoods.

“It’s no exaggeration to suggest that this is might just be the most unsinkable snowboard in the world”

Whichever way you look at this, the 3D Powder Hull will always be the attention-grabbing feature on this thing. Understanding the science of snow, aerodynamics and quite possibly the secrets of black magic, YES. have created a concave nose and tail design that generates float by pushing air under the nose of the board and keeps the tail punching down. It’s no exaggeration to suggest that this is might just be the most unsinkable snowboard in the world. Even more impressive when you consider its stumpy size.

Even without the Powder Hull tech, this has all the makings of a veritable pow quiver. A 12mm taper runs from the nose to tail, allowing the tail to sink back into the snowpack and keep the frontend lifted. Combined with the Weightless Core, which is stripped back to a poplar and paulownia blend, the 420PH doesn’t just help the board float but, as YES. say, “feel floaty”.

“A flex pattern that sits on the higher end of the scale means that the rider needs to be ready for a little bit more commitment to get the board really working”

A flex pattern that sits on the higher end of the scale means that the rider needs to be ready for a little bit more commitment to get the board really working. In exchange, you’ll get a board that will burn up the groomers, stick landings in the pow, and even inspire some confidence in cruddy conditions. The Sintered True Base ensures that all of the above is achieved as lightning speeds, too.

Obviously, this isn’t an entry-level board, far from it. Keep in mind, though, it’s also not just a powder board. Granted, it’s not going to feel great on a back lip on the flat down, but it’s going to feel pretty damn close to perfect almost everywhere else on the mountain.  

Tester’s Verdict 2019/20

Will Hughes – Dragon Lodge

“This is the 420 on acid. With only one longer length (154), a narrower waist width and longer effective edge, the 420PH a is a much more versatile ride and available most sizes of riders.

It’s a bit of a beast as the flex is stiffer, but this means it works on more variable terrain. Great for charging steeps, powder fields and piste. The powder hull on the nose and tail gives turbo float without compromising on-piste performance.

“It’s a bit of a beast as the flex is stiffer, but this means it works on more variable terrain”

An aggressive ride for the snowboarder who likes to ride fast off-piste with a bit of early morning groomers chucked in too.”

Tester’s Verdict 2018/19

Kieron Black – @kieronblackart

“The YES 420 PowderHull is a funky little gumdrop of a thing, all bluntness and cheek. The topsheet is beautifully done; no puking demons or gynaecological nightmares – it’s just nice.

Which is a hint as to what it was made for – fluffy backcountry niceness and perfect piste days. Which is unfortunate, given that my test day was a lively blend of soggy piste and heavy, leg-achingly wet powder.

“It is incredible in the trees; so petite that you can whip around anything, with steeze, no matter how little warning you might get”

Is was only once we had negotiated the misery-quilt that was passing for a ski-resort that day and got into the woods that I was finally able to make the 420 PH come alive, and come alive she did. It was so laughingly odd, the juxtaposition of that fat little shape and the electric, joyful ride it delivered, that I could almost sense the delight the shapers at YES must have felt once they realised what they had achieved with this board.

It is incredible in the trees; so petite that you can whip around anything, with steeze, no matter how little warning you might get. Yet she still has the volume to crank it out in the open powfields too, so don’t let her fat little profile dissuade you of the fact that she is a serious all-round backcountry contender.

I am sure also that thanks to that sidecut she’s a lot of fun on the clean corduroy too, but unfortunately for me the piste that day was like a cardboard box left in the rain; heavy, sluggish, and globular, which meant that the combo of the board’s waist width and my tired legs gave me all the edge to edge torque of a toddler trying to lift a manhole cover – it was not pretty.

But I reckon that for good days, powder or piste, this is a hard board to beat. If I had any concern it would be that maybe on those truly rotten days when it’s hard to summon the enthusiasm to get up the hill in the first place, the 420 PH might have you heading for a beer just a couple of runs before anyone else.

Fortunately those days are few and far between, and so this little fizzy cola bottle of a board gets a full double-thumbs-up. Enjoy!”

Topics:

Advanced 2020/21 Buyers Guide 2020/21 Buyers Guide 2020/21 Snowboards Directional 2020/21 Freeride 2020/21 Yes Yes Reviews 2020/21

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