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Snowboards

YES. Basic 2021-2022 Snowboard Review

  • Price: £359 / €400 / $400
  • Category: All-Mountain
  • Sizes: 143, 146, 149, 152, 155, 156w, 158, 159w, 161, 163w
  • Flex: 5/10
  • Shape: True Twin
  • Profile: Combo
  • 3D: No
  • Base: Extruded
MORE INFO:
YES.COM

What is there left to say about the YES. Basic? It’s the definitive all-mountain snowboard at an unbelievable price. We’ve got tired of handing it awards, so we’re giving it a year off. But trust us, it’s as brilliant as ever.

“We know of grizzled industry veterans who still choose this deck over its more heavily-hyped competition”

Who Is The YES. Basic For?

A better question would be: who is the YES. Basic NOT for? We know of grizzled industry veterans who still choose this deck over its more heavily-hyped competition. Anyone looking for a soft yet versatile quiver-killer will dig it – and we mean anyone; there’s a dizzying array of sizes for groms, girls, dudes and sasquatches.

Shape, Profile and Sidecut

I guess if there’s a reason this board is called the Basic, then it’s outline is it. We’re talking about a classic true twin that you can butter, spin and jib on to your heart’s content. The sidecut is where it gets more interesting. The edges are bent into a tighter arc at four points around the board (right outside the inserts) in a technology YES. call UnderBite. It gives you more grip right where you need it, without affecting the board’s overall width and therefore stability. Unlike boards that continue the serrated concept right along the edge, the midsection is a standard curve, so once you’ve engaged a turn the Basic never feels snaggy; carves are smooth and precise.

All this is balanced out by a chilled flex (more on that below) and a camrock profile that mows over bumps, surfs through pow and forgives less-than-perfect technique, but has enough spring-loaded camber right where you want it on hardpack i.e. underfoot.

“The edges are bent into a tighter arc at four points around the board (right outside the inserts) in a technology YES. call UnderBite”

Construction and Materials

There’s nothing too fancy about the Basic’s construction, and that’s just fine. It deploys materials that have stood the test of time, starting with a full length poplar wood core which is plenty light and poppy enough. Huh, I guess that’s why they call it ‘pop-lar’. No…? I’ll get my coat.

The topsheet features biax glassing to dial in a mellow flex pattern – both longitudinally and torsionally. There’s no carbon, because you’re not Jeremy Jones. Finally, the Basic has an extruded base which demands minimal maintenance but, if we’re honest, isn’t the quickest. If you really want something faster then YES have answered your prayers with the slightly pricier Typo.

“A dozen years since it first appeared, we’ve yet to find a snowboard that’s easier to recommend than the YES Basic”

Roundup

A dozen years since it first appeared, we’ve yet to find a snowboard that’s easier to recommend than the YES Basic. This model has truly raised expectations in terms of performance at a price point. Yes, there are better powder boards out there, and yes, there are more aggressive resort steeds with faster bases and funkier shapes. But when you just want one board to do it all, and do it all on a budget, then nothing else comes close.

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