Comments on: Shay’s take on the 2011 Good Wood

By: Rico

Rico — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 23:50:44 +0000

This is a BS test to say the least.

155 lb emo dudes riding 155 noodles at breck?

Suburban white kids, who listen to bad rap music, wear tall T’s, and for some ungodly reason ride rails on Powder days??? Then their mom comes and picks them up in a mini-van at 5 o’clock?

How is that helping anyone on the planet 175lbs+ find an all mountain, freeride or powder deck?

A consumer who is going to throw down $500+ on a board based on Good Wood should be fed to lions.

Ridiculous, biased, overhyped, worthless, and a huge waste of time to any serious rider.

By: gags

gags — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:48:25 +0000

DDR…wanted to let you know Never Summer did not supply boards to the good wood test. We do a lot of consumer demos and feel that is the best way for someone to find out if a board works for them personally.

Like JT and Shay remark: “Everyone should do their own testing, and see what works for them.”

By: e

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 21:14:24 +0000

There were a lot of board companies invited & i’m sure they sent there stuff in. Some things to take note, is that the top 10 is not the best. Graphics are a factor as well…so are personal opinions. A board can ride great, kick ass on jumps but doesn’t press well then it can be over for that board. Also a board can just have decent scores, so no real high marks but no real low marks. It’s by no means a perfect test, you can ride a board that you would normally love but the previous board you rode was a noodle so anything right after might feel stiff. Look at the mag tests, some of the blog tests that you respect & if possible demo it yourself. Everybody rides differently, so focus on what’s good for you.

By: DDR

DDR — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:55:16 +0000

These Good Wood awards (not just this year) have surprised me that the boards an manufacturers that are generally raved about by word of mouth or on blogs (eg Never Summer or Bataleon) not listing. Due to the glowing comments over the last years for the Evo/Revolver, SL or Evil Twin and this year’s slant towards park-boards, I’m surprised there’s no mention of any of them. I’m fully aware that everyone likes different things (otherwise it would be a boring world) but it just confuses me a little. Or is it as Phil’s suggested – these companies simply aren’t supplying boards to Good Wood? (tbh, also surprised no Fastplant)

Also, seems a shame (as mentioned) that the slant seems to be towards park instead of all-mountain. I can understand dropping the pipe boards as they’re possibly a niche market (no harm reviewing pipe-boards for all-mountain use, as I use a Danny Kass as such), but surely there’s more people around the world wanting all-mountain boards instead of park. Could make sense changing pipe for park so a generic “all-mountain/good board” award and then a specific “park-rat” section, dunno…

By: JT

JT — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:40:54 +0000

Phil, I agree, it’s definitely a tough time for everyone involved in the industry. Hopefully things will get better as time moves us through this nasty economical situation.

Shay, I definitely agree, everyone should do their own testing, and see what works for them. I also am happy/stoked to see the Yes Optimistic there as well. Yes makes such fun boards, and for being such a young company, are making huge strides.

Shay what were your thoughts on the Snowboard Mag Platinum Picks this year? I’m sure there’s a write-up/entry coming 🙂

By: Phil

Phil — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 20:28:07 +0000

It is sad to see how the breadth and quality of this test has deteriorated right along with the printed magazine business, our economy, and the board industry in general.

Believe it or not many of the manufacturers I talk to who make high end boards aren’t pressing any more than 100 boards or what they took orders for this summer. And they obviously aren’t sending product to Good Wood.

Now more than ever rider blogs like this one and others are the best way to hear about the best boards that you won’t find at your local store. It’s hard to support your local shop when they are so broke all they can get in is a Gnu Park Pickle or a Burton Twin.