Board: Yes Greats
Size: 156
Camber Option: Camrock 2-4-2. A cam rocker with more camber than rocker.
Bindings: Rome Black Label
Stance: 21.5 Wide 15 Negative 12 Goofy
Boots: K2 Thraxis Size 10
My Weight: 200lbs
Resort: Copper Mountain
Conditions: Sunny bluebird skies, a little wind, cooler temps, chunder snow, heavy hot pow, light pow, firm fast corduroy, and a little ice in the shade.
Flex: This has your standard middle of the road all mountain freestyle flex that makes it highly predictable. The tips are playful but still retain rebound, the center section of the board is slightly stiffer making it a tad more powerful and reactive, and then you have the torsional flex that is noticeable but not over powering.
Stability: This board is moderately stable through the inserts. Big ruts and jarring hits will be felt. The tips get some chatter at speed but the core does a great job of dissipating that energy before it hits the front of the insert packs so while you do feel something it’s not overwhelming.
Ollies: The camber profile is relatively easy to load up and is a bit reactive. This helps with it getting snap only coupled by the rocker in the tips being able to snap easier. So load it up, have a little speed, and you will be able to boost.
Pop On Jumps: This decks at home on lips and transitions. I never noticed any issue with it popping or not popping. It honestly felt like older versions of the board compared to the last time I rode it which was nice as it was able to pop well and get you up in the air.
Butterability: The rocker in the tips is nice for really pressing into the snow on this board. It gives you an optimal platform that just locks in and feels secure but retains that snap of the camber section. There is a little fight from the camber but it’s not overwhelming.
Jibbing: What’s nice is this board locks into presses and has that snap to pop out of the end of the feature. You don’t have to be aggressive with this board to get it to press but a little muscle does go a long way. Getting sideways you feel the camber section hug the feature but it doesn’t clap out or over power the board it’s the perfect blend of flex to make a boardslide feel good.
Carving: This board rolls from edge to edge with a subtle nimbleness that feels like autopilot. It’s a deck that lets you carve hard when you need to be but be laid back when you want to. The initiation is easy and starts outside the insert pack at the end of the camber but steers right where the Asymmetrical Midbite takes over. You feel that grip and it stays locked in for the most part, there’s a little edge slip on straight ice but that was maybe 1 out of every couple hundred turns I did. Short quick set up turns to deep laid out Euro-carves are not a problem with this board.
Rider in Mind: Asymmetrical all mountain freestyle rider.
Personal Thoughts: The last time I rode this board I wasn’t that stoked on that. Seems there’s been a slight tweak to the core and they worked out how the Asymmetrical Midbite should engage. This makes the board a better ride overall and it goes back to how previous versions have felt. I like the fact this board has power where you need it but a good balance of flex where you want it making it more versatile.
Comparable Boards: Ride Benchwarmer, Capita Asymulator, Gnu Riders Choice C3
Binding Recommendations: Bent Metal Transfer, K2 Formula, Nitro Team
33 Comments
5’7 180lbs size 9 boots
151 or 154?
151 says up to 190lbs
154 says up to 200lbs
Looking to use it 50% park and 50% all mountain
Which do you recommend?
Will I be overloading it too much with the 151 because I want a smaller board to spin?
yes markets the board at 7/10 on flex scale. Is it closer to a 5/10 on the snow or does it actually feel like 7/10
Currently on 2021 asymulator but I want to change it up this season.
Thanks for all the great work you do!
54.
in your opinion, what was better: the 2017 yes greats or the 2022 yes greats?
I’m really digging this new one.
Do you prefer the 2022 Yes Greats or 2022 Capita Asymulator?
Looking for an all mountain freestyle board. Ideally will be riding the mountain and working on progressing on small/medium jumps and rails
If I’m hitting more park I go Asymulator if I’m doing more all mountain The Greats.
6’ 155lbs size 10.5 boots (but wearing Burtons with shrinkage tech). Would you recommend a 151 or 154?
Thanks for all the great reviews!
51 if you want it more park oriented, 54 for more charging.
Would the Union Atlas, Falcor, or Strata bindings be a good fit or should I just stick with your recommendations?
Strata is the only one that stands out.
I appreciate the advice
Trying to decide between the 2022 Yes Greats Uninc 159CM vs 2022 GNU RCC3 157.5CM.
Bindings: 2022 Rome Katana
Boots: 2022 K2 Thraxis Boa
I’m currently riding a 2011 Ride Machete 158CM
Bindings: 2011 Burton Cartel
Boots: 2011 K2 Darko
Any input regarding the components that I’m looking at purchasing or other suggestions that might be better? I’m looking for something that will challenge me a little and that offers a better riding experience than what I currently have. I ride mostly groomers but I like taking it off into the trees a little or small man-made/natural jumps maybe easy boxes. I think I’m an intermediate rider. Not sure.
Best boot is the one that fits your foot and fits your needs. Hope you understand how much stiffer the Thraxis is from the Darko, it’s not a boot for most people. It honestly sounds like you don’t need it.
Ok, that’s really helpful, thank you. I like to have good quality equipment but I’m just not sure what stuff is “overkill” or maybe not ideal for my riding style exactly. I know you’ve always said the best boot is the one that is the most comfortable. I understand that. Would there be a high quality boot for me that you could recommend? Also, do you have any input on which board might be better for me and/or size? Or if I should even get new equipment? I asked this similar question a few years ago and you said to just keep my current setup and I did lol. I appreciate your input.
Extra information:
Weight: 190-200 lb.
State: Michigan (everything in Michigan is a micro scale of anything out west obviously).
70% groomers
20% ungroomed
10% park
I love going fast, being able to switch/spin heel/toe side (I’m not proficient at switch though/need practice).
I want to practice more jumps, rails, and wooded runs. I want to practice buttering maneuvers. That’s why I think an All-Mountain Freestyle board sounds like it fits but I’m not positive.
I recommend the boot that fits your foot and fits your needs. Grab the Greats in a 56 and go shred.
Thanks, man. I ended up getting the Greats, with Bent Metal bindings and Nidecker Helios APX boots.
Hi, I wear a size 12 boot. I’m 6ft, 200lbs. What size board would you recommend?
58w or whatever it is.
5’9″ 120lbs – experienced, all mountain rider. Some park, lots of side hits. Been riding 155 Basic for years.
You think Greats 151 or 154?
Greats for sure, at that weight the 51 is the better choice.
6’3″ 205lbs – size 12 adidas ADV Tacticals
Current boards:
21 Yes PYL 164W (I like. fast and stable and floats)
20 Yes basic 159W (Like. feels playful and easy to ride)
21 Yes 420 152 (great float in pow/tree. on piste: go to bottom of hill and swap to diff board.
prob going to sell)
22 Rome Stale Fish 157 (Haven’t ridden yet)
21 Yes Greats INC 159 (umm…)
Bought the 2021 greats 159 and just feels kind of washy on edge and slow from edge to edge. The idea of of a twin that can carve seemed very attractive to me. Now I’ve read your reviews about the 2022 changes, but am wondering if I go for trying the 2022 board, if I should stay with a 159 or go down to the 156? If I’m riding this board it would be on a groomer day or spring day *maybe some small/novice stuff in the park when the snow is less than ideal. Also on Yes’s website someone asked about changes between this years and last years Greats and Yes rep said no change besides graphic?? Does Yes just not want to acknowledge maybe shortcomings/maybe manufacturing difference of prior years?
Any changes from the previous year’s iteration under the hood?
Or just graphics?
I can’t remember if 2021 was the year they changed it from the 2020 or if this was.
It appears that 2020, 2021 and 2022 share the same shape.
But in the review above, under your personal thoughts.. It appears you reckon the core has changed?
Yeah because I was told that. You change the torsional flex any board is going to carve different.
G’day Avran! Love your work man, seriously thank you!
I want to get an all mountain board that I can take in the park but also carve on. Chasing that one board quiver. It really depends on the day whether or not I spend equal parts in the park, exploring or on groomers.
I am quite confident on small and medium jumps, I can 180 and 360. Not much chop on rails mainly due to fear. I only really 50/50 boxes and small rails, but intend to improve.
My carving has come a long way but I still struggle a bit on my heelside. I’m guessing technique is my main issue.
I live in Australia so the snow is often hard or slushy and sometimes icey.
I am choosing between this and the asymulator (especially since its discontinued). I also am interested in the warpig or superpig. I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts on what you personally believe would suit me based off these few words
Current setup: Endeavor Kurt Cobain board from quite a few years back which I belive is basically an Endeavor Live. Burton Malavita bindings from the same year.
80-85kg (175-185lbs with gear on) / size 10 boots/ 175cm tall.
Thank you in advance, you legend.
Nathan
You probably want to go with the Greats as it does have some edge tech to it which will help with grip.
Thanks so much mate! Thats the direction I was leaning so its nice to know you agree
At 5’8, 160 lbs, size 8 boot, greats 151 or 154?
Yes.
Either would work? I’m just concerned about a size 8 boot on the 154?
Why the fuck you concerned about that I can put a 10 on it and be fine.
Sorry, should’ve clarified. My concern is the size 8 boot will be too small for the width of the 154. Thats all really.