Amplid UNW8 - 2012

/images/brands/amplid/logo/amplid_logo.gif

The UNW8 is the Paradigma’s genetically superior twin. Whereas the Paradigma is the snowboard that nearly everybody will get along with because of its good nature and fun character the UNW8 is aggressive, lean and snappy. For snowboarders who like to slice and dice early morning corduroy and push their airs higher and higher out of the pipe, the UNW8 is an absolute missile; but make sure you’re on your game, this snowboard is a serious piece of hardware and doesn’t suffer fools or novices gladly.

Manufacturer's Description:

The new 2011/12 UNW8 is a HEX02-weapon baked in the reknown moulds of our Paradigma, it was conceived for maximum response, even on slick-ass hardpack.Extra torsional stability, for both ollie-pop and precision landings. Incredible edge control, and the ability to exit super-fast out of turns, make this board every expert’s dream.

Probably the lightest board on this planet.

Recommended for park riding.

Recommended for halfpipe riding.

Recommended for freeride riding.

Recommended for big mountain riding.

Very high cost $

Camber Construction.

Directional Shape.

Year: 2012

Available Lengths (cm):
153, 156, 159, 163

Riding Style: All Mountain

Specifications:

HEX02 Core Technology
P15 Ultralight Wood Core
Hex Mat Glass Epoxyd Matrix
P.L.T Gloss UV Coating
V-Pop Carbon Stringer
Magma Edge Shock Absorber
360° Wrap Around Steel Edge
Fly Tips
Doomsday Camber
MC Bezier Spline Sidecut
22° Slanted Abs Sidewalls
Sintered GE 7.2 Lightspeed Base
Shred Ready

Similar boards: Burton Vapor - 2012 Salomon XLT - 2012 Bataleon Enemy +++ - 2012 K2 Protohype - 2012

Amplid UNW8

Snowboard Review:

Watch the 2012 Amplid UNW8 Video Snowboard Review

2012 Amplid UNW8 Video Snowboard Review

The UNW8 is the leaner and meaner brother of the Paradigma. It’s easy to make comparisons between the UNW8 / Paradigma relationship and the Burton Custom and Custom X, 90% of snowboarders will get all of the performance they’ll ever need from the Paradigma but for a small minority the UNW8 is where it is at. First off the UNW8 is light, actually that’s an understatement it’s practically weightless. Hexo2 Nomex honey comb inserts at the nose and tail keep swing-weight down and the prepreg glass laminates keep the honey comb from filling up with resin and adding unwanted mass. Everything on the UNW8 is minimal, the tips taper and inserts are reduced from 20 to 16, so be sure to check that your stance width falls within the range.

Obviously the UNW8 is about performance, the flex is very firm verging on stiff and the camber is extremely aggressive. Carves on corduroy, particularly shorter radius carves need to be initiated with plenty of weight and pumping through the front foot and then boy, oh boy does the UNW8 grip. As you exit carves the power from the tail is pretty raw and on occasion I found my technique of lazily loading the tail at the end of a toe side carve caused it to skip out, on the UNW8 you need to be pumping through both feet in a turn to tame the beast. There’s plenty of pop for airs available for the strong legged and in the air the UNW8 paired with a set of Amplid Balance C2.0 bindings is practically feather-light. I felt a little less confident popping into switch on the UNW8 because it doesn’t feel forgiving like the good natured Paradigma; on number of occasions I felt the camber twitching as the contact points at the nose and tail ironed out the bumps in the piste, after a couple of switch turns my confidence returned.

The UNW8 is harder work to ride than the easy going Paradigma, it demands your concentration and the incredibly lightweight construction and lack of any substantial dampening mean given half a chance it will buck you like a rookie. On the flip-side that is precisely why advanced and expert riders will get so much from the UNW8, for carving faultless trenches up pipe walls and tweaking weightless grabs out of the coping there are few other boards as uncompromising on performance. I had a ball riding the UNW8 and I definitely wouldn’t want an experienced rider to rule it out because the precision feel of the UNW8 is truly unique and exceptional. At the end of the day, I just wasn’t good enough to get the best out of it.

Posted by Rich Ewbank in • Amplid

User Snowboard Reviews

Want some advice, or have a question about the Amplid UNW8 snowboard, or whether it is right for you? DON'T POST HERE! Head over to our snowboard forums and our community will be happy to help.

Seriously - READ THE ABOVE..., the snowboard forum the best way to get your question seen by all of our community and an answer, rather than just those who happen to view this page.

However, if you have ridden this snowboard and want to share your feedback, then please add your experience below. It helps to add as much detail as possible, e.g board length you used, bindings, rider stats etc.

Post a review of this snowboard:

Remember my personal information?
Notify me of follow-ups to this snowboard review?

Submit the word you see below:

What colour is powder?