Location: Winter Park, CO
Snow Conditions: Hardpacked to softpacked to icy groomers.
Setup: I rode the Roxy Envi C2 BTX with Roxy Rock-it power bindings and Vans Veil Boots size 8.
Size: 156cm.
First Impression: Feels good to ride a women’s board that looks good but rides more badass than it looks.
Weight: Average
Flex: The envi is a more aggressive women’s board when it comes to flex and handling. Stiffer longitudinally with a tad softer nose and softer torsional flex but still overall stiffer ride for women. It’s one of the few women’s boards that is comparable to men’s boards of the same caliber and just as aggressive for charging and handling. The Envi has C2 BTX which is banana rocker between the bindings and camber from the inserts to the contact points. The reverse camber helps give it extra float in the powder and playfulness but still camber for stability on the mountain.
Turning: Quick response from edge to edge on the envi, it really turns on a dime but also handles a mix of carving turns whether you want slow or drawn out riding. Just for the board flex and handling, the longer turns are stable and my favorite because you can really carve into each turn and hold the full S turn down the mountain. C2 BTX has MTX in it which means good edgehold on the icy hardpacked spots but I never felt it be overly aggressive on me with the envi. I ended up taking the board down a small section of moguls and the quickness edge to edge was fun to take down the run.
Stable: The envi has stability on lockdown, the camber in the C2 BTX and stiffer flex let it cut through the choppy conditions and good edgehold with the MTX on the icy conditions. At higher speeds, you don’t feel chatter and there is good dampening in the board to absorb the ride down the mountain better.
Pop: Didn’t play much with pop on the envi while I demo’d it. Maybe a smaller roller where the board was comfortable but nothing to really test it on.
Switch: The roxy envi has a twin shape but is directional twin so you adjust to the setback on the board.
Overall Impression: The envi is the aggressive women’s snowboard from Roxy and handles the mountain for girls looking to outride the boys. It’s quick to turn, handles stability and is a women’s freeride dream.
Shay’s Honesty Box: Riding the envi was perfect at Winter Park. I took the board out with two amazing female shredders (Kyre from Roxy and Lora from Quik PR) and we just charged the mountain on our Roxy boards. The envi held it’s own for each turn and rides way more badass than it looks. It’s that board I’d ride all the time because of how well it handles, carves and charges.
Ready to buy? Head over to evo for the Roxy Envi or shop their full line of Roxy snowboards
On Snow Photo
Roxy Envi description
Review Disclosure: I rode this board at the SIA on-snow. Please be aware boards may change, this review was done in February 2011.
March 8th, 2011 at 8:31 am
Thanks for the review. How would you compare it to the Lotus?
March 8th, 2011 at 9:17 am
Sounds a lot like my B-Pro C2BTX!–which has made for an incredible season. I don’t want it to end! Heart Mervin.
July 22nd, 2011 at 6:17 pm
Shay,
You think the envi will be enough edgehold for the icy northeast? Or go with regular camber?
What do you think about the envi vs the eminence?
Thanks!
July 23rd, 2011 at 10:05 am
Jules,
I know Men Mervin snowboard… and because of Magnetraction, both of Envi or Eminence must be really good board for northeast icy spots… For you it will be just a flex preference here but both have good Edges Old in my opinion.
July 23rd, 2011 at 10:35 am
Jules, Envi is a bit more aggressive than the eminence but both boards rock. Eminence is more all mountain freestyle while the envi is more freeride. Both have MTX which is awesome edgehold for the east conditions.
August 22nd, 2011 at 7:20 am
[...] Roxy Envi C2 BTX [...]
September 15th, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Hi Shay. I have a 147 cm Rossignol Amber snowboard at the moment and have had it for a couple of years. I would say that I am an intermediate/advanced rider (able to ride black/double blacks/trees). I find that my board right now is a bit short for powder and was looking for maybe a 149 as my next board. Does it make a difference with the reverse camber (is the smaller size, 147, okay)? I was also looking at the NS Lotus or Burton Feelgood
Thanks!
September 16th, 2011 at 6:55 am
Liz, What’s your weight and height? Where do you ride? A reverse camber will definitely help you in powder with floating better but need to know more about your weight to know sizes. Going from a 147-149 isn’t much difference but i’ll improve stability and float.
September 16th, 2011 at 8:28 am
Hi Shay. I’m 5’3 and about 115 lbs. I can ride black/double black in the resorts in Western Canada (Banff, Revelstoke BC). I dont’ do a lot of park riding (just some boxes and small jumps) and focus mainly on bowls, some tree runs.
September 16th, 2011 at 7:24 pm
Liz, You could definitely go with a 149 or even up to a 151 for your riding terrain and style. I think the envi would really suit your riding style, NS Lotus would be another good choice. Feelgood won’t be enough of a board for you.
September 16th, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Okay thanks Shay! I got to try a Burton Deja Vu in a 151 at Kicking Horse in Golden, BC and it definitely was a lot more stable and floated better than my 147 board. However, I found it a bit hard to turn in the tree areas. The only thing that sucks is they don’t really demo the Never Summer over in Canada very often. I’d love to ride a board first before buying it but your reviews have really helped me narrow down a board! Thanks again for your help!
September 17th, 2011 at 11:30 pm
Liz, Awesome you felt it more stable and better float on the powder. Definitely hear you on the demos, the only place I know of NS demos in Canada is the Telus Festival in April and that’s a long time to wait. I think between the envi/lotus you have two stellar choices and both can handle the pow/trees.
October 17th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
[...] 11-12 Roxy Envi [...]
October 25th, 2011 at 6:25 am
Hey Shay, What size of this board would recommend for a rider 5’4″ and about 120lbs. Riding all over the mountain except for park. Not too many trees, but dip in there every once in a while.
Thanks!
Chris
October 25th, 2011 at 6:50 am
Chris, That’s a tough one for size. You have either the 147 or 153 to choose from. How long has the rider been riding, ability level and what size have they ridden in the past?
October 25th, 2011 at 7:02 am
I am also torn between this board or the Ally BTX, so any advice would be welcome.
Also, which bindings would you recommend?
Thanks again!
Chris
October 26th, 2011 at 8:39 am
She has been on a 152 TechNine nines board and have been ridding for 7-10 years. She’s comfortable on blacks, bowls, wider tree runs. I say her ability level is intermediate but moving towards advanced.
October 26th, 2011 at 8:40 am
Also, we ride in the Colorado mountains if that makes any other difference.
November 3rd, 2011 at 6:15 am
bought a roxy eminence for the wife and was not impressed that the steel edge does not wrap around fully leaving the tip and tail areas bare. from my experience these are the areas that see the most wear and tear. fully expecting delam and/or edge blowout. be warned.
November 3rd, 2011 at 7:03 pm
Chris, I haven’t ridden the ally yet to compare but it’s more freestyle focus, less aggressive than the envi snowboard. From what you said, I think the envi would be the better board for her and allow her to progress her riding to advanced. For bindings, what bindings was she using before and what’s her boot size?
Hanzo, wait till she rides it and see how it holds up over time.
November 8th, 2011 at 11:01 pm
Hi Shay,
Love your reviews! How would you compare the Envi with the Lotus?
I’m trying to figure out which one suits my riding style better. I mostly do groomers and love the thrill of charing down and maneuvering through difficult runs. I don’t really do parks, only playing around with them towards the end of the day.
I currently own (and love) the Push and am looking into comparable boards, but with the different camber.
November 8th, 2011 at 11:05 pm
Crystal, Very comparable boards at the freeriding end of the spectrum! I’ve ridden both and think very highly of both boards. It’ll definitely be similar to the push but with a different camber option on both of them.
November 15th, 2011 at 10:25 am
Thanks for your review. I am thinking about getting the Envi or Lotus for my daughter as she is starting to ride more extreme terrain and needs a board that can keep up. What is your opinion of a Flow type binding as compared to a traditional 2 strap binding in regaurds to performance?
November 16th, 2011 at 1:35 pm
Steve, definitely either board would be suitable for your daughter. There are definitely more aggressive flow bindings that do compare to 2 strap bindings and it’s just preference on quickness. Check out the prima for her bindings if you want to get her Flows.
December 14th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Hey, whats up? I am thinking of buying the Envi for my wife. Can’t decide between the 153 or the 157? She is 5’7″, 135 lbs, boot size 23.5 cm. She has been riding a 156 supermodel. I was thinking of getting her the 157 because I hear the boards run a little small??
Thanks
December 14th, 2011 at 7:48 pm
Munesh, Awesome board for your wife! It’ll definitely be a good replacement for her supermodel. I’d say the 157 since she’s already used to riding the 156cm size and it’s the most similar, plus sounds like she can rip.
December 15th, 2011 at 10:36 am
Cool, Thank You very much. Happy Holidays.
December 27th, 2011 at 3:21 am
Shay,
I just picked up the eminence today, while in store, I asked why the nose n tail edges were not fully metal. The answer didn’t satisfy me… “If the metal was fully wrapped u’d feel impact throughout thE board if 1 part hits. It’d travel all the way around” What’s ur insight on this? From what I’ve researched, I really like the board. However, if this going to be an issue, I would consider another board.. I’m itching to test drive it…!
December 27th, 2011 at 10:32 pm
Lynn, that is an issue that has been brought up about Mervin quality. Most boards are fully wrapped edges to protect the entire board in my opinion. You can definitely impact their boards and it could cause delaminating if the impact is enough. But it also takes impact to have that happen and I’ve ridden plenty of Mervin boards without ever hitting that point to do the damage. Are you sure you don’t have a lib tech demo at one of your local shops or mountains? Where do you live?
December 28th, 2011 at 11:13 am
Shay,
I was thinking the same thing, but for the price of the board, I’d like to be able to get a couple seasons on it without having to worry about major damage or “splitting”
I know there is the standard 1yr manufacturer warranty, do you know if that would cover that kind of damage?
Also, I’m from Vancouver, BC.
January 10th, 2012 at 1:11 am
shay,
i have a roxy eminence BTX LE and i rode it last season at least 2-3 times a week. i am still riding this board and i really enjoy it and feel it’s a solid all mountain board. i haven’t had any issues due to the wrapped edges concerning major damage or “splitting”. love your reviews hope this helps people out.
January 15th, 2012 at 10:09 am
Shay,
I’m interested in buying the Envi. I’v been riding a 152 for the past 4 years and have defiantly outgrown it. I’m 5’8″ 125lbs intermediate rider.
I’m debating between the 153 and the 156.
What would you suggest?
Cheers,
January 15th, 2012 at 11:43 am
Lynn,
That’s a good question for Mervin. I’d get in touch with them and ask them if it’s covered until warranty.
Adriana, Awesome for your input on the board!
Michelle, Sweet on upgrading to a new board! What board was your 152 that you’ve been riding? The 153cm suits your weight but if you feel up to the 156, you could go for that more aggressive/stable rider.
January 15th, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Shay,
My board was the Rossignol Sublime. For the last 2 years I’ve felt like its way too soft and doesn’t cut through the chop or hold on ice like i would like it to. I would like a board that will offer a new challenge and that I can progress with.
Cheers,
January 15th, 2012 at 3:03 pm
Michelle, the envi will be a much more aggressive ride than that board. I’d stick with the 153cm size versus sizing up, the board will be enough for you at that size.
January 18th, 2012 at 8:29 am
Thanks for ur time shay. I rode the poop outta the board in the last few weeks. I’m enjoying it lots n I don’t think the edges are going to be a big issue. Took it to the park n the landing feels pretty solid, well compared to my old board.
January 19th, 2012 at 9:02 pm
Lynn, that’s awesome to hear!
January 22nd, 2012 at 10:19 am
Shay,
Thanks you so much for your help.
Cheers,
Michelle
February 21st, 2012 at 4:43 pm
Shay,
I’m looking to get a new board. I’m an intermediate rider, usually ride groomers, love hitting the powder, have been getting more into the trees lately and like to hit some of the natural jumps and lips but not much of a park rider. I have been looking at the Roxy Eminence and Roxy Envi, what one do you think would be more suitable for me? Or do you think there is another board that would be better? Also, I’ve been riding a Volkl board that’s a 148. I’m 5’5″ and about 125 lbs, what size do you think I should go with? Love your reviews! Thanks so much!
February 21st, 2012 at 9:53 pm
Michelle, anytime!
Kristi, glad to help out! If you aren’t much of a park rider, then you’ll want the envi. It’s a bit more stiffer, quicker and charging than the eminence which is more playful. I think it’s definitely a good option for you and the conditions you are riding. You could size up to a 151-152cm if you feel like you want something more stable, charging or keep with your same size depends on your preferences.
February 22nd, 2012 at 9:44 am
Thank you so much Shay! So I’m going to go with the Envi, but it seems that the sizes are either 147 or 153, what one would you prefer for me? Do you think the 153 would be too big for me? Thanks again, can’t wait to hit the mountain with my new board!
February 23rd, 2012 at 12:08 am
Kristi, haha dang it! That’s a tough one. The 147cm would be closest to your current size and something you are already used to but the 153 would be a bit more suitable for your weight, riding style. I’d see which size has the better deal, sorry you are in the middle of them.