Cardiff Powgoda Review: Six Things You Should Know

[@sawtorn6861]

Your reviews are amazing, straight to the point, no BS, and honest. Keep up the great work!

[@brianp9268]

He’s becoming the go to reviewer for experienced rider who knows what they are looking for.

[@Drift-Products]

Thanks fellas, truly honored. Don't be afraid to give me some feedback or ideas if you have any. Have fun out there.

[@aaronemmett3480]

Great review and exactly what I wanted to hear. I added this board after talking with Justin at Powgoda, great guys, got a discounted previous year but yet to ride it. Can't wait. I noticed you still have the 3M protective film on it that it ships with, to most leave it on? I was contemplating just leaving it there also.

[@Drift-Products]

Actually the film is not on it. I took it off. But you could leave it! You’ll love it.

[@vanislandsurf]

when I got my powgoda I at first thought it was defective because of that film. Thought it was delaminating lol. Guys at Cardiff said it was all good and so far I have left the film on.

[@vanislandsurf]

Finally had good conditions and used my Powgoda 162 for the first time. Can confirm its a dream board in powder and on piste. I have 11.5 Vans boots and am 230lb, intermediate level. The board was confidence inspiring in powder from the get go and was slashing and turning through trees like a surfer and hit speeds in open areas I've never reached before in powder. Even in the afternoon, after the hot temps turned the runs into compacted, west coast, rutted cement the board felt great. Worth the price especially if you can pick one up on discount.

[@Drift-Products]

Nice man! Congrats.

[@Phos9]

Got one of these when they went on season end sale, I think at least some of the reason why it does so well in messy conditions might be that there's no hard delineation between the front kick and the rest of the board. That's not hugely rare, but so few boards commit as much to that sort of blending, this board starts curving back up all the way back at the front inserts and it maintains that curve all the way to the tip. Obviously won't get a chance to test it in powder at this point but it is very impressive in spring conditions. They also kept the width pretty normal which keeps the Elevated Surfcraft boards from behaving similarly. The tapered but still shovel style nose also probably plays into it, it all just means that you ease into any sort of surface change about as gradually as possible.

[@Drift-Products]

Yep. It’s pretty special. Most of the boards I’ve been on that claim to have rocker in the nose don’t have anything close to this much early rise.

[@MileHighFrags]

Looks like a sweet deck. Stoked to get out on my new Drift boards, thanks for the lightning fast shipping!

[@Drift-Products]

Cheers! Let us know how it goes!

[@chillyancheta8478]

Trying to decide between a 152 and 155. Specs, 5’-5”, 165-170 fully geared up. With size 9 boots. Will be spending a substantial amount of time in the trees. Having been riding a dancehaul 147 for the past few seasons, but it get choppy in the chowder. Looking for a little more stability at speed without loosing to much agility in the trees. Thanks for your time

[@Drift-Products]

@@chillyancheta8478 hey there! Have you asked Cardiff? I would hit them up and take their advice. I think you’d be fine either way, but the 152 might be better for more time in trees.

[@debarros777]

Super nice Review man! congrats! love the vibe and wisdom! please try to get one Cardiff Swell to review, I would love to have your review!

[@Drift-Products]

Thanks so much, I would love to spend some time on the Swell and will do if possible!

[@bakamono7]

@@Drift-Products Great review as always! Gotta second the request for a Swell review. I think the NOverHang specs must be incorrect on the website though. All specs for this measurement are listed as the same for each length. :(

[@chrisbohm4305]

Awesome review Brigham. I want one. Probably dreaming here in NZ. I was wondering what bindings you were running? Thanks Chris.

[@Drift-Products]

These are Jones Mercury bindings. I really like them except they squeak like crazy against my Trident boots.

[@luisjba]

Hey, thanks for the honesta and candid reviews! We fully agree on the Korua TF ha. I remember you said on another video you haven't tested the WNDR Shepherd in deep conditions, but how do you reckon it compares to the Powgoda? Looking for a cool small-brand surfy pow specialist!

[@Drift-Products]

I really liked the Shepherd for the little bit I got to ride it so far, but if I had to pick one I'd go powgoda. I think the Powgoda is a little more well-rounded while still being amazing in proper pow. And personally I have a little more fondness for Cardiff as a brand and group of people just from my experiences with each brand so far.

[@mfeche]

Hi, excellent review. What bindings do you recomend for this board. I have similar body specs than you. Thanks

[@Drift-Products]

I really like the Now Drive Pro. Which next year will be branded as Yes.

[@chrisdavis2231]

I’m just bummed I didn’t win the free set of DRIFT boards. Well done Brig love the reviews. 🎉

[@Drift-Products]

You’ve earned a set.

[@shawnli5702]

Been enjoying your videos and I’m looking to make my first purchase on the Cardiff boards, wondering if the powgoda pro is going to be a overall better version or more of like a niche version that serves certain needs

[@Drift-Products]

Good question, I’m honestly not sure since I haven’t been able to try it. My hunch would be most people will be satisfied with the normal version, it’s truly a phenomenal board.

[@shawnli5702]

@@Drift-Products so sad that they sold out the 162 Powgoda🥲 gotta wait for the next season… btw I’m curious about what your take is on the Cardiff goat if you still recall

[@shawnli5702]

Ended with both the goat pro and the powgoda pro, never wanted winter to arrive sooner this bad😂😂 what binding that you are using on the powgoda by the way?

[@Drift-Products]

@@shawnli5702 nice! Those will be amazing. I used the Now Drive Pro and the Salomon shadowfit on this. Really like both.

[@victorystone1984]

How does this compare to the Amplid Surfari?

[@Drift-Products]

Pretty different. The Powgoda is a lot wider and a lot more powder oriented with less camber, more early rise, and more taper. So... Amplid if you want to prioritize carving, and Powgoda if you want to prioritize float... but where they come together is in both being very smooth, stable rides all around.

[@victorystone1984]

@@Drift-Products much appreciated!

[@christopherhindman7573]

Probably not a good comparison, but was curious if you’ve ridden the Rome Ravine Select (which is what I have) and if this compares at all to the Powgoda? Similar-ish shape from what I can see, but very interested in the Powgoda. Like a lot of us, always looking for that super versatile deck for real deep powder, back country, and resort ripper. My ride style is more along the lines of aggressive with a little freestyle and switch. Thank you for the great reviews!!

[@Drift-Products]

Fair question. Ravine Select review coming soon. In short, Powgoda is more pow oriented. A little softer, a much longer rocker in the nose, more damp, and more taper. The Select has a shorter rocker section, more camber, more lively, and less taper. Both are solid all around but the Select is probably a little more aggressive in a carve and more stable at high speeds. More freeride. Quite a bit more float and more surfiness with the Powgoda. Hope that helps!

[@christopherhindman7573]

Thanks again for the reply and the awesome reviews!

[@chillyancheta8478]

Have you been able to compare the Powgoda to the united shapes cadet? Im down to these two. Any thoughts?

[@Drift-Products]

I’d say it’s hard to go wrong. I’d lean Powgoda myself, but I can’t really say why. Just love how it feels. But the cadet was awesome too. I have more time on the Powgoda.

[@JohnPhillips-qw4db]

How would that 162 work with size 9’s at 185-195lbs? I ride an Aviator 2.0 in a 158 and love it, but am looking for a resort pow ride that can give me those first few epic runs without the burn. The mountains I ride are fairly steep (Idaho) not much for low angle. Would be a bonus if it was good in the trees. This or the surfer?

[@Drift-Products]

If you only want it for the first few runs and some trees, I’d go Storm Chaser. As for the Powgoda, since your terrain is steeper, you could probably go one size down. The 162 would be fine but it’ll be pretty wide for size 9. Probably not that nimble in the trees. The Surfer is amazing but the Storm Chaser is better in pure fresh pow and trees.

[@SavageChihuahua]

There is not a single review of Cardiff snowboards. Are you going to share your experience about all Cardiff boards you have ridden? Thank you.

[@Drift-Products]

I talk about them in a couple other videos but I haven’t ridden most of them enough to feel comfortable doing a review. If you have any specific questions, let me know I’ll answer what I can.

[@morg33327]

Any insight into how the new Powgoda Enduro compares to the Powgoda classic?

[@MileHighFrags]

Classic is last year's model of the Enduro. Don't believe there were any changes other than graphic.

[@morg33327]

They definitely at least changed the tail, but I’m wondering mostly about flex pattern, base, general ride and versatility

[@MileHighFrags]

Could be right, Biesty from TGR mentioned there were changes for this year and he usually doesn't go there if they're minor. I would reach out to Cardiff.

[@Drift-Products]

I should’ve mentioned this in the review. The Classic has a gloss top sheet instead of matte, and the new version tail is a bit different. It gives it a little longer effective edge for the size. Otherwise core and basic shape and all that are basically the same from what I’m told. To be clear, they are both designated as “Enduro”, which differentiates it from their carbon versions.

[@morg33327]

With the longer effective edge, would you recommend sizing down compared to the classic? Trying to figure out the right size for my specs: 180lb x 6'0 x 9 boot@@Drift-Products

[@AK-bw8xk]

No measurements at all on there website. Waist width can matter sometimes.

[@casey1400]

They do, you just have to hit the arrow button to scroll over to the right. Specs are after the camber/profile photo

[@Drift-Products]

They are there but not formatted well. I think in some browsers it doesn’t work right either.

[@himboslice_]

I could see specs on a couple boards but not all so ended up not purchasing at the time lol. @@casey1400

[@Drift-Products]

Better fix their website; losing sales!

[@maness2112]

I am in the midwest. And won't be needing this board.

[@jplpagan]

😂

[@Drift-Products]

I lived in Illinois for a couple years a long time ago, and all I can say is I'm sorry. :) What board do you like best for your terrain?

[@jplpagan]

@@Drift-Products I'm in SE Michigan now. The Trickshaw they recommended was fun. But probably my favorite recent board for small midwest hills is the Spring Break Resort Twin.

[@Drift-Products]

Great choice.

[@cknumbaone11]

thank you for that useful information!