What is a B-Grade?

A B-Grade is a snowboard that doesn't meet strict cosmetic quality standards and can't be classed as A-Grade. Snowboards from Lib Tech and Gnu are lovingly handcrafted by real humans, and with this there comes a degree of human interaction which can lead to minor cosmetic blemishes. These will never affect the performance or durability of the snowboard, and you still get the full manufacturer warranty as normal, but you do get a top quality snowboard at a bargain price, and you save a perfectly good board from ending up in landfill. 

What does a B-Grade Look Like?

B-Grades vary in appearance, but generally you can expect one or more of the below:

  • Topsheet scuffing
  • Off-centre graphics
  • Topsheet residue or markings
  • Minor rough patches or indents in the topsheet (no more than 10mm in width)
  • Minor grind in the base (tip of nose or tail only)

These defects occur in manufacturing, from having a machine tolerance set too low and ending up with a some scuffs on the topsheet, or having a machine or mould lose alignment, ending up with a slightly off-centre topsheet or base graphic. In the finishing process snowboards are run through machines that buff and clean the topsheet and base, and depending the tolerance, the topsheet material, and the colour of the graphic, this can result in scuffs or cosmetic markings. 

Will a B-Grade Be Worse Than An A-Grade?

Absolutely not, and under the hood you're getting the exact same snowboard but at a bargain price. All damage is purely cosmetic, so if you judge a B-Grade off performance or feel, you'll never notice the difference. 

 

SHOP B-GRADES HERE

Â