Having tested the Pathron Sensei snowboard early in the season I was keen to write a Pathron Powder Toy snowboard review having given it a proper test in deep pow. Unfortunately conditions (and a very low weight limit by one airline) conspired against me. Meaning that the only holiday this season that had powder was the one time I did not have the Powder Toy at my disposal.
I was not able to find anything online in English so I got in touch with the Polish manufacturers to find out if there has been a Pathron Powder Toy snowboard review written in in Polish. However I wanted the same people to have reviewed the Sensei – my thinking was that if their review of the Sensei is similar to mine then I can trust the Powder Toy review to also be similar to mine (if I ever got to ride it!).
Fortunately MDS snowboard magazine in Poland had reviewed both boards! Having got the reviews translated I feel they had exactly the same opinion as me of the Pathron Sensei. They gave it 5 out of 6 as an overall score and importantly gave it 6 out of 6 for the price to quality ratio. We both agreed that it was packed with tech, great to ride and for the price one of the best freestyle boards on the market.
Pathron Powder Toy Snowboard Review by MDS
- Overall rating 5/6
- Fast straight riding 5/6
- Powder riding 6/6
- Turn riding 5/6
- Turn initiation 5+/6
- Pop 4.5/6
- Landing 5/6
- Quality to price ratio 6/6
As the name promises, the Powder Toy rides in a deep snow exactly how great powder boards should. This is due to a fairly wide waist width, a rocker profile and a 10mm setback stance. The Powder Toy also allows you to ride stable at high speed on groomed slopes which is not something snowboards with this kind of profil always offer.
The best thing about the Powder Toy is that it’s very predictable in all conditions and that you don’t have to struggle with the board to make it float on powder. It also does very well when you ride backcountry freestyle but of course it is better suited for a traditional freeride application.
A very good board for a great price.
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Having read the review of Powder Toy by MDS I feel even more gutted that I never got to ride it this season. Particularly as the snowboard trip I could not take the board on was a powder hounds dream. I can report that the Pathron Sensei rides powder very well for a small freestyle board. I didn’t get around to setting my stance back but the rocker profile kept the tip out of the snow whether I was riding regular or switch.
I am sure that if I had been riding the Powder Toy my handful of spectacular crashes when I got my wait too far forward in powder probably would have been avoided. This may have meant less laughs for my mates but after a backside 3 resulted in a triple cartwheel I could have done without the headache.
In the last 2 seasons I have reviewed the Raven Core and Pathron Sensei both of which are made my the Pathron Team. I have found them to be very good boards but when you take into account their price they are phenomenal. If I ever get a chance to ride it I am sure my Pathron Powder Toy snowboard review will also be full of praise and I am looking forward to what Pathron dish up next season!
The great price effect can be moderated with a little due dilegence. This is very beneficial information. Well put Luke.