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Lib Tech Doughboy Shredder 2018-2019 Snowboard Review

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!

Tester’s Verdict

Andrew Duthiewhitelines.com

“What an odd feeling it is to ride this board – even when you’re clearly maching it, to the point where the other riders you overtake appear to be at a standstill, the Lib Tech Doughboy Shredder never actually feels like it’s going that fast.

That’s a testament to its stability, on the one hand. Even when things got a bit choppy (relatively speaking, of course – I tried to stay on the best-groomed runs I could find…) there’s little to no gnarly chatter.

“Riding this for a morning was a joy – but would I buy one? Doubtful”

It’s also a fine proof of concept for Magne-traction. I’ve ridden a similarly massive board in the past, which had a more traditional sidecut, and this one feels massively better when you’re on an edge. You can’t fail to notice the difference in grip.

All in all, riding this for a morning was a joy – but would I buy one? Doubtful. Once the novelty wears off, all you’re left with is board for riders that want to go fast, but without the adrenaline spike. Does that sound like you?”

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