• Sizes: 195
• Flex: 6
• Profile: Hybrid Camber
• Shape: Directional Twin
• Price: £579 / €649

Given Lib Tech’s long heritage (as well as that of sister company Gnu), there’s huge potential for the bods at Mervin to bring out ‘throwback’ models that doff the cap to some of those early shred sticks. This year sees the re-release of the famous Lib Tech Doughboy Shredder – and amazingly, this 195cm beast is smaller than the original.

In case you’re wondering, you’re not forced into a 90s gangsta stance; the inserts are where you’d expect to find them on something the 155-160 region. So what does that extra length in the nose and tail give you?

“Naturally this turns more like an oil tanker than a speedboat, but the wavy Magne-traction edges give you confidence when you’re railing some big, swooping turns”

Speed, for one thing – get this on a straight and you’ll be flying. The base material is nippy at the best of times, but the sheer surface area does the job. Naturally this turns more like an oil tanker than a speedboat, but the wavy Magne-traction edges (something that didn’t exist in the Doughboy Shredder’s first age) give you confidence when you’re railing some big, swooping turns. Same goes for the mostly-camber profile.

The clown-wig graphic further reinforces the novelty value of the Lib Tech Doughboy Shredder. We’re not expecting this to rub shoulders with the Skate Banana and TRS in the brand’s recurring line, but for a one-off it’s pretty cool. Keep those retro boards coming, Mervin!