REASONS TO BUY
Cool graphics
Fun for freestyle riding
REASONS TO AVOID
Not our favorite powder board
Lib Tech No. 43 Review
If you want a fun freestyle board that can rip across the entire mountain, this is a good option
Credit: Evo
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Our Verdict
The Lib Tech No.43 is a true twin-tip board that is just as happy in the park as it is across the rest of the mountain. It distinguished itself from the ever-increasing number of free-ride-friendly, directional all-mountain snowboards. It has great edge hold and is stable at speed, all while being super stable with plenty of pop.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on September 30, 2022 to show the Lib Tech No. 43's current topsheet.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The No. 43 features a hybrid C2X profile with rocker between the feet and camber outside, which can take a little getting used to if you aren't familiar with riding this style of snowboard.
Performance Comparison
The Magne-Traction edges bite into hard snow and ice while carving.
Credit: David Wise
Edge Hold
Edge hold is our most significant testing metric, accounting for 25% of the final score for each product. The No. 43 did quite well in our tests, earning a solid score for easily biting into steep icy slopes with minimal slip.
The No. 43 has serrated Magne-Traction edges that help it saw into and grip even the tightest snowpacks. These added contact points really help it bite into ice and hardpack, and we never had much of an issue with this board slipping or skidding.
This board doesn't have the best float but it wouldn't be too bad to ride on a moderate powder day.
Credit: David Wise
Powder Performance
Decidedly much more fun to test than the icy stuff, our next round of tests focused on performance in powder. This metric is responsible for 20% of the final score for each board. While the No. 43 didn't compare to the highest scorers, it still offered more than enough float for all but the deepest days.
The No. 43 doesn't float quite as well as some of the directional boards with giant noses and setback stances, but it rides well enough that you won't feel left behind by your buddies on powder days. It gives a fun and surfy ride while turning effortlessly in the fluffy stuff, and you can even play in the park after the good stuff gets tracked out — something the super directional boards can't do.
The No. 43 is fairly stable edge to edge as long as you are switching fast enough to miss the dead zone in the middle of this banana board.
Credit: David Wise
Stability
Our stability metric is responsible for 20% of the final score for each board as well. In this metric, we let each of these boards rip on the groomers to evaluate how well they handled themselves when you turn the throttle up to “11”. The No. 43 held its own and rose to the occasion, giving us more than enough confidence to go for maximum speed.
The No. 43 is very stable when carving, and we never noticed any significant speed wobbles or chatter even when flying down the mountain, provided we were on an edge. It smoothly transitions from edge-to-edge provided you don't linger too much, with the banana-like profile on this board making it feel just a bit wobbly if you have the board flat. We honestly never noticed this as much of an issue when riding, only when attempting to traverse narrow tracks at low speed. This board also handles rough snow and crud fine, though it is plenty nimble enough that you should be able to avoid it if you are paying attention.
The No. 43 is a super fun and playful board.
Credit: David Wise
Playfulness
The No. 43 truly shined in this metric, which also constitutes 20% of the final score for each snowboard. It's a super fun and playful board — one of the best that we have seen.
The No. 43 has a lightweight core made of aspen, paulownia, and birch that make it plenty lively with tons of spring as you are cruising down the mountain. It's a very responsive board that is nimble and highly maneuverable, letting you zip through dense patches of trees without issues. The centered stance and true twin profile also make it a breeze to ride switch.
The No. 43 has more than enough spring to get you off the ground.
Credit: David Wise
Pop and Jumping
Our final metric — worth 15% of the final score for each board — is pop and jumping. The No. 43 finished out with another strong performance, with this board performing in the air just about as well as it does on the snow.
The No. 43 is just a bit stiffer than a medium flex board, which we found to be just about perfect when it comes to this metric. It has enough spring to get you in the air and is stiff enough that you can easily stomp the landing. However, it also flexes enough that it doesn't make it impossible to press. This board is at home in the park or the pipe and would be decent for jibbing as well.
Value
The No. 43 is one of the most versatile options out there if you are okay with the C2X profile, making it a good value option if you are searching for a true quiver-killer — even if it isn't one of the least expensive boards on the market.
Conclusion
If you are looking for an all-mountain board that can truly handle the entire mountain — including the park — the No. 43 is a great choice. It's fun and playful to ride, with good edge hold and carving abilities, and can hold its own when it comes to riding powder. The C2X profile can take some time to get used to and make traverses a struggle, but who really wants to be traversing that much on a snowboard anyway? All in all, the No. 43 is a versatile all-around option.
—
Marissa Fox
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