This review was done at the Transworld Good Wood test as I tagged along with the test and tried out boards.
Location: Breckenridge, Colorado
Snow Conditions: Overcast with hardpacked groomers to icy groomers.
Setup: I rode the Smokin Vixen with Union Force’s and my Rome Vamps size 8.
First Impression: Despite the smaller size, it held up for the mountain without sacrificing good edge hold.
Size: 153cm
Weight: Average
Flex: The Vixen was on the softer flexing side but had a stiffer torsional flex between the bindings and softer nose and tail which meant it was still up for charging without feeling chatter under the bindings and had good dampness underfoot for absorbing some cruddy conditions. The nose and tail were softer, making it easy to press and butter in the park. The Vixen I rode had Dirt rocker which is a flat section between the bindings and gradual reverse camber from the bindings to tip and tail. The Dirt rocker was barely noticeable, rode very similiar to camber for carving but with the extra bonuses of rocker, easier to press.
Turning: This was where the Vixen excelled for the all mountain freestyle board, it was still able to carve with and felt really stable and responsive edge to edge. I was expcting some rigidity from it, but it was still a forgiving ride. When I took it in the halfpipe, the mtx held an edge on the icy walls and was the most fun board in the halfpipe on response edge to edge and being able to feel stable.
Stable: With the MTX, the Smokin had no problem on the icy conditions of the day including the halfpipe. It held an edge and despite it being described as a freestyle deck, handled speed when freeriding on the groomers.
Pop: This board had pop and snap to it, without needing adjustment. In the pipe I felt really confident on it and played with popping 180’s out of the bottom of the pipe. Off the rollers, it felt stable landing and not difficult to pop off the tail of the board with.
Switch: I encountered no problems with riding switch on it, it rides just as it should a true twin and with the centered stance there wasn’t any adjustment to taking it switch including switch in the halfpipe.
Overall Impression: When I took out the Vixen, I had no worries on how it handled. Easy board to ride but still capable of freeriding with, torsionally stiffer and still had a lot of play in the nose and tail. It wasn’t the best day for conditions, icy hardpacked and the mtx had no problem with holding an edge and making freeriding stable.
Shay’s Honesty Box: The Vixen was the last board of the day and ultimately the most suitable board for me, just handled the whole mountain. I had no complaints on the Smokin Vixen and it totally won me over. It never felt like I was riding a 153cm by the way it rode and definitely the 156cm would suit me better.
*This Review was done in April 2009, please be aware that products may change.
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Smokin Vixen Description
MelbaToasted
September 16, 2009 at 8:39 ami have a friend who is looking for a women’s rockered park deck that can still be taken out of the park comfortably… just curious if this review was of the D.I.R.T. rockered version or the regular version.
Marcus
September 16, 2009 at 9:06 amMy wife rode the Vixen 144 for a week in april and she loved it!
Marcus
September 16, 2009 at 11:13 amShe has been riding her Glissade 146 for several years and never found a board to ride better. I have put her on various Mervin boards, with and without MTX, but she always went back to her Glissade up until now. The Vixen 144 DTX really won her over to Magne Traction.
Shay
September 20, 2009 at 3:22 pmMelba, I just fixed it. I rode the Dirt rocker version and can be ridden outside of the park comfortably. I was riding a smaller vixen that I’m used to for size and still felt comfortable on it.
Marcus, sick on your wife riding it and loving it!
sarah
May 3, 2010 at 8:57 amhi shay
i would really like to get this board but its not sold in the u.k ? i have looked at getting onr sent over from the states via some friends, but even then i cant find many places selling the 144cm? any ideas? thanks shay.
Shay
May 3, 2010 at 9:35 amSarah, awesome on getting the board. I looked and didn’t see it online either. I would contact smokin to see if they know anywhere to get it or just wait for the 10-11 smokin vixen and buy it right away before it sells out.
Tracey
January 4, 2011 at 6:25 pmHi Shay,
Just wondering how this board is on rails and boxes….I’ve been doing so much research on boards since I broke my board and my head is spinning.
Other boards I’m looking at is the Never Summer Infinity R, and the Rossignol Justice, which I noticed you haven’t reviewed, but seems like it may be a good fit for me…let me know your take or any suggestions. I need an all mountain board, that is good for everything! But I guess that’s what everyone wants. Also, I’m a smaller girl, 5’2 at 108 lbs so I would like something I can butter but handles well at high speeds.
Thanks!
Tracey
Shay
January 16, 2011 at 8:15 pmTracey, when I rode this board I wasn’t able to take it on boxes or rails. I have ridden the infinity on boxes/rails, the rc makes it less catchy but always good to detune. I think you’ll find any un-camber board easy to butter but depends on handling at higher speeds. I haven’t ridden the rossignol justice to compare.
Maggie
May 8, 2011 at 4:02 amHi Shay,
I’m looking for a new board and the 3 boards I’ve narrowed it down to is, K2 Eco-Pop, Smokin Vixen, and Roxy Eminence. I am 5’2″ and weigh 110-115 pounds. I’m intermediate, hoping to progress to advanced this season.
I definitely want an all mountain board. I previously rode freeride but this season I am really keen try out the park and learn to do ollies and jumps. My current board is a Roxy Sugar Bunny, 147cm. I’m finding that I’ve outgrown it. It feels quite heavy and stiff.
I want a board that is also lighter, easier to do turns, holds icy edges, can do switch, tricks but also stay afloat in powder.
I’m leaning more towards Smokin Vixen and Roxy Eminence (for the shorter lengths) but I’ve read that K2 Eco-Pop is one of the best boards, so I’m torn.
Firstly, which length is the best for my height and weight? Secondly, which do you recommend to be the best board for my needs?
Many thanks,
Maggie
Shay
May 8, 2011 at 8:30 amMaggie,
For size, I would stick to 145-147 since you are already familar with it and i’d give you a board that could handle powder when you need it. Between those boards, I’d say the Roxy Eminence is lighter. Both boards have MTX so both will hold on ice (better than the K2 Eco Pop), both are true twin so easier on switch for you, eminence is a bit more aggressive than the vixen, vixen is more forgiving. If I had to choose, I think the vixen has just a step up from the eminence because it handles chop better. Eco Pop is a stiffer more aggressive board and doesn’t seem like it’d be as good as a match for you.