Lib Tech Skate Banana Snowboard Review

Cutting down the slopes on the right snowboard can take your experience from good to amazing. However, finding that perfect board isn’t just difficult – it’s frustrating. How can you be certain which model ideally fits your style and needs?

You can’t exactly test them all out. So to help you make the best buying decision, today we’re checking out Lib Tech’s Skate Banana Snowboard. We’ll look into its pros and cons, and what the overall experience is like with this board.

According to our observations, this Skate Banana has a rocker/camber/rocker profile, is lightweight, and provides great edge hold. That said, not everyone is after the same thing when it comes to snowboarding.

Some might think the board lacks sufficient pop, while others might not find it suited to beginners. So is this the right snowboard for you?

Before you make a final decision, let’s look more closely at the Lib Tech Skate Banana Snowboard. This freestyle board could still be right for you!

Lib Tech Skate Banana Snowboard: the Details

In a Nutshell

• Profile: Rocker/camber/rocker.
• Shape: True Twin.
• Flex: Medium.
• Construction: Power sandwich construction.
• Core: Aspen/Paulownia wood core.
• Available Lengths: 152, 153W, 154, 156, 156W, 159, 159W, 162W, 165W cm.
• Type: Freestyle/park snowboard.

Features

Profile

The Lib Tech Skate Banana Snowboard features a rocker/camber/rocker profile. Specifically, the rocker is located between the bindings, making the board playful and great at floating on powder.

Meanwhile, the slight camber is placed under your feet, further extending to the contact points, so it can reduce any vibrations you feel while sailing down the mountain.

Together, they provide enhanced control and better maneuverability for precise turns – which is a hallmark of freestyle boards.

Shape

The Skate Banana snowboard has a true twin shape. What does this mean? The board is 100% symmetrical on each side, with a uniform flex pattern all around.

In practice, the board is balanced and ensures all movements are easier to predict. Additionally, the board has a rounded tip and tail, boosting its ability to float on soft powder.

With this feature, there’s no danger of the board digging into the snow and getting stuck. That’s incredibly vital for the lively nature of freestyle snowboards.

Core

The core of the Skate Banana snowboard is made of 75% Aspen wood and 25% Paulownia wood. Together, this creates a very lightweight design.

However, that does not mean strength and durability are sacrificed. On the contrary, these two kinds of wood, when paired, ensure the board is stable and efficient on the slopes.

As a plus, both of these wood types are sustainably harvested and can be reused once you’re finished with the board. It never hurts to help the environment!

Base

The base of this Lib Tech snowboard is composed of patented, sublimated TNT material, which is low-maintenance and eco-friendly.

It also ensures the board is equipped with an added layer of durability, so as to extend its overall lifespan – even with heavy use.

The base is extruded, so it’s not the fastest on the market, but the other features more than compensate for this downside.

Edges

The Skate Banana board also features Magne-Traction edges. As such, there are seven, tactically-placed serrations along the edge of the board.

How does this benefit you in practice? You can enjoy superb control and stability, even on the cruddiest or iciest of terrains. The serrations will turn a ride on ice into one that feels like powder.

Think about a serrated knife sliding through butter; these edges will rip through the snow cleanly and efficiently.

Sidewalls and Laminate

This snowboard also features internal birch sidewalls, as well as UHMW sintered materials for extra protection.

The sintered materials help to protect the core and the edges from any kind of blunt force, while the birch sidewalls are placed along the edge for an added level of protection from rough terrain.

Pair that with the triaxial fiberglass laminates, and you have a strong final product.

Lib Tech Skate Banana Snowboard Review

The Positives

Incredibly Lightweight

We loved the Lib Tech Skate Banana Snowboard’s lightweight design. This is primarily due to the wood core and the triaxial fiberglass laminates.

They work together to ensure the board is stable and durable, but also lightweight enough to float on light powder. There’s also no danger of feeling weighed down in between runs, so you can ride for longer with fewer aches afterward.

A lightweight board is excellent to have esepcially when it comes to riding freestyle. It’ll offer more maneuverability and forgiveness than others, and you’ll be more likely to strap them on for another go at the end of a long day.

Having a lightweight board doesn’t take away from the Skate Banana’s performance either, if anything, it certainly adds to it.

Super Stable

Due to the Magne-Traction edges and the Original Banana rocker/camber/rocker profile, this board offers great stability. There’s no risk of wiping out or accidentally skidding on a turn or trick.

Since a freestyle board is designed to serve you well in tricks or quick turns, this model is geared to handle a difficult jib or a powdery mountainside alike.

A stable board is key to keeping the user upright and feeling confident. When you feel secure, you’ll be less shaky and less likely to cause accidents or crashes.

You can expect this Lib Tech board to stay steady in a variety of conditions, making it easy to hone and grow and your skills.

Very Durable

We especially appreciated this snowboard’s durability. If you’re looking for a board to stand the test of time against the elements, tricks, and trails, you may have found it with the Skate Banana.

The sidewalls, the TNT base, and the edges all contribute to the longevity of this board and its talent in withstanding rough conditions – the kind you’d find on trick pipes or icy terrain.

The Skate Banana won’t crack, break, or show much wear and tear at all. This makes it a wise long-term investment, rather than a one-season board. Durable boards tackle bumps and hits gracefully, so you can take this on a variety of trails and conditions.

Basically, you’ll have less to worry about when taking this Lib Tech board out for a ride.

Good Edge Hold

We repeatedly noted the great edge hold on this snowboard. With the Magne-Traction and serrated edges, the board will grab the snow thoroughly, providing you with better control and enhanced maneuverability.

This level of edge hold also allows you to make quick, fast turns, without danger of falling or wiping out. There will always be a point on the board that has contact with the snow, creating a smooth ride.

This also allows the rider to gain more confidence on the snow. Not only that, but it will make it all the easier to perfect your skills and tricks.

Extremely Easy to Maneuver 

All the above features aid this Lib Tech snowboard in having excellent maneuverability. This is what makes this snowboard so popular in the freestyle category.

If you have the skills, it’ll be easy to get this snowboard to move how and where you want it. The edge-hold, stability, and weight all play a part in making this snowboard easier to control.

The Skate Banana has a stiff tip accompanied by an equally stiff tail allowing you to remain stable on rough terrain or in less than ideal conditions. This means you’ll have an easy time maneuvering this board even in cruddy circumstances.

Having great maneuverability in a snowboard not only makes your ride all the easier but more fun too!

The Negatives

Not for Beginners

While the different features on this snowboard make it easier to ride, you do have to be an intermediate to advanced snowboarder to engage its real potential.

A beginner simply lacks the skill to ensure this board doesn’t resist their guidance. If you’re an advanced rider, the Skate Banana will serve you well, but newbies are encouraged to seek out designs that are geared specifically for their skill level.

If you’re just starting out, you’ll have much more fun with this board if you wait and work your way up to it. It’ll be waiting!

Not the Most Poppy

Thanks to this board’s profile, unfortunately, it doesn’t have much pop. While that doesn’t mean you can’t perform tricks and jumps, it does mean the board won’t be as forgiving or flexible as you may expect.

This further reinforces its suitability to advanced riders, who may have developed the muscle tone and experience to handle that.

For jumps, you might feel the landing a bit harder in your legs. When making quick turns, the board won’t move as fluidly as it could with additional pop.

This may not be an issue for most riders, but if you’re seeking a board for constant tricks and jumps, you might feel limited. This entirely depends on your own preferences.

Here’s a video showing what the Lib Tech Skate Banana Snowboard looks like on the snow and in action.

Overall Verdict

After looking over all the positives and negatives, we do recommend the Lib Tech Skate Banana Snowboard.

It’s lightweight but stable, highly durable with numerous materials protecting the board against the elements, and it has great edge hold.

The only issue is the lack of pop. With that in mind, if you’re fixated on tricks or jumps, it may be wise to continue shopping.

Otherwise, for advanced or intermediate snowboarders, you should find the Skate Banana serving your needs excellently – for many seasons to come.

Where to Buy the Lib Tech Skate Banana Snowboard

Lib Tech (Lib Technologies) has decades of experience manufacturing quality equipment right out of the United States.

Their snowboards often turn heads, and the Skate Banana Snowboard is no different, available through retailers around the globe. Thanks to this brand’s success and popularity, it won’t be too hard to find this snowboard both in-store and online.

While it’s usually best to check outdoor or sporting equipment stores, you can kick-start your search with the following online retailers.

• REI Co-op (from $349)
• Corbetts Ski + Snowboard (from $412)
• The House (from $346)

And of course, you can also find this snowboard on Amazon.

That’s the end of our Lib Tech Skate Banana review. Curious to give this board a go?