I have never liked the wide fat board concept, but really like the idea of the hipster twin, asked Scotty if they would work ok as a narrower board and he confirmed they do. Ordered a custom 8’6” x 29” x 115L as I like a bit of length for paddle speed, I’ve had this board for 12 months now and it has exceeded all expectations by a very long way, I would recommend if you aren’t into fat boards to consider going for a custom size.
Awesome to hear you are loving the SMIK Hipster Twin. They ride lovely. We would love to see some narrower shapes and also understand the need for wider body shapes for those heavier riders or those looking for stability.
I,m one of that heavier riders, too close to a 100kg 😉 and have the Hipster 8.3x31x123l. The hipsters are awesome. It isnt the most stable board in its size-range but you can get a lot of stability by standing/ leaning more forward, almost in frot of the handle when paddling out. On a really slow wave it doesnt pick up speed as fast as my Hypernut, but when the wave are a bit faster and the Hypernut become a handfull the Hipster is fast, nimble, turns pretty tight with a loose feel. The only thing i,m really missing on… Read more »
Glad you are enjoying riding the SMIk Hipster Twin. The Hypernut shapes definitely perform well in slower waves, but the Hipster Twin still feels nice. Thanks for sharing your comment.
Having owned a 8’7, 9’2, 10’2 wedge, a 9’1, 9’4 9’7 placid and 8’10, 9’3 Hipster l can honestly say the Hipster twin is by far my favourite, to the point l just ordered my 3rd hipster twin as a custom 9’2 x 32. l am 6’3 tall 96kg
Hi Troy, awesome to hear. Glad you are enjoying riding the Hipster Twin. Thanks for sharing your insights.
Bastiaan de Leeuw
2 years ago
Great review! I have the 7’10 Hipster Twin and absolutely love it. I am lighter rider at 70kg and of intermediate standard. I am finding myself surfing for longer as it’s so much fun. Would you recommend trying a different set of twin fins or are the stock fins the way to go? Cheers Bas
Hi Bas, thanks for the comment and glad to hear the 7’10 Hipster is working for you. Such a fun board. I also have a Hipster and have been contemplating changing the fins. I have only used the stock fins so far as I’m just working out how it feels. Scotty would have made those fins especially for the Hipster, but trying some new fins is always recommend as you can get good gains in performance and feel sometimes. Only issue might be finding twin fins big enough to suit SUPs…? I’m kind of new to twin fins, but maybe… Read more »
I would recommend the 7’10 x 29.5” x 109L SMIK Hipster Twin.
The outline of the board is more narrow in the nose and tail compared to your Sunova Speed and Gong Mob. It will be slightly less stable than these boards, but with the extra width and volume, it will be perfect for your size.
Hello Beu, nice test. I would Need an advice, i have a good level and actually i am surfing in Portugal with a starboard pro 2023 8’2 x 29 x 118 LT. I love this board. Se Super more competente than me suggested to use a board with a reduced width, possibily 28′ and minimum volume 110 LT. I could find Just a few boards with this carachteristics. 1) gong nfa xs (9 x 28 3/4 x 110 LT) and 2) Smik twinpin longobard (9 x 28 x 114 LT) . At home in the mediterranian Sea i use a… Read more »
Hi Alessandro. If you’re super happy with your board, there might not be a reason to change it… The Gong and SMIK you mentioned are longboard shapes – are you looking to get into SUP longboard? Or wanting a more all-round / pro shape to compliment the Starboard Pro and Gong Karmen? Just because a board is narrower or shorter, it doesn’t mean it will surf better. The SMIK Hipster Twin in the 7’10 x 29.5″ x 109L surfs amazingly well and better than the smaller boards in this test. Have you considered the Starboard Spice at 7’11 x 29″… Read more »
Thanks a lot for your clear and Quick reply. My concern was that with a less Wide board i could turni a Little Better … But It appears not to be like this.. and It Is a good news Indeed. I think i Will try to squeeze all the potential from My board ( of i am able to do It..) and perhaps trying other boards to make some comparison. Thank you again. Cheers. Ale
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I have never liked the wide fat board concept, but really like the idea of the hipster twin, asked Scotty if they would work ok as a narrower board and he confirmed they do. Ordered a custom 8’6” x 29” x 115L as I like a bit of length for paddle speed, I’ve had this board for 12 months now and it has exceeded all expectations by a very long way, I would recommend if you aren’t into fat boards to consider going for a custom size.
Awesome to hear you are loving the SMIK Hipster Twin. They ride lovely. We would love to see some narrower shapes and also understand the need for wider body shapes for those heavier riders or those looking for stability.
I think Beau liked it (lol)
I,m one of that heavier riders, too close to a 100kg 😉 and have the Hipster 8.3x31x123l. The hipsters are awesome. It isnt the most stable board in its size-range but you can get a lot of stability by standing/ leaning more forward, almost in frot of the handle when paddling out. On a really slow wave it doesnt pick up speed as fast as my Hypernut, but when the wave are a bit faster and the Hypernut become a handfull the Hipster is fast, nimble, turns pretty tight with a loose feel. The only thing i,m really missing on… Read more »
Glad you are enjoying riding the SMIk Hipster Twin. The Hypernut shapes definitely perform well in slower waves, but the Hipster Twin still feels nice. Thanks for sharing your comment.
Having owned a 8’7, 9’2, 10’2 wedge, a 9’1, 9’4 9’7 placid and 8’10, 9’3 Hipster l can honestly say the Hipster twin is by far my favourite, to the point l just ordered my 3rd hipster twin as a custom 9’2 x 32. l am 6’3 tall 96kg
Hi Troy, awesome to hear. Glad you are enjoying riding the Hipster Twin. Thanks for sharing your insights.
Great review! I have the 7’10 Hipster Twin and absolutely love it. I am lighter rider at 70kg and of intermediate standard. I am finding myself surfing for longer as it’s so much fun.
Would you recommend trying a different set of twin fins or are the stock fins the way to go?
Cheers
Bas
Hi Bas, thanks for the comment and glad to hear the 7’10 Hipster is working for you. Such a fun board. I also have a Hipster and have been contemplating changing the fins. I have only used the stock fins so far as I’m just working out how it feels. Scotty would have made those fins especially for the Hipster, but trying some new fins is always recommend as you can get good gains in performance and feel sometimes. Only issue might be finding twin fins big enough to suit SUPs…? I’m kind of new to twin fins, but maybe… Read more »
Awesome. Thanks Beau!
Bonjour Beau,
Quelle taille conseilles-tu pour un utilisateur avancé de 85kg? Je suis sur Sunova Speed 8.5 et Gong Mob. Rad 7.6.
I would recommend the 7’10 x 29.5” x 109L SMIK Hipster Twin.
The outline of the board is more narrow in the nose and tail compared to your Sunova Speed and Gong Mob. It will be slightly less stable than these boards, but with the extra width and volume, it will be perfect for your size.
Thanks Beau!
Hello Beu, nice test. I would Need an advice, i have a good level and actually i am surfing in Portugal with a starboard pro 2023 8’2 x 29 x 118 LT. I love this board. Se Super more competente than me suggested to use a board with a reduced width, possibily 28′ and minimum volume 110 LT. I could find Just a few boards with this carachteristics. 1) gong nfa xs (9 x 28 3/4 x 110 LT) and 2) Smik twinpin longobard (9 x 28 x 114 LT) . At home in the mediterranian Sea i use a… Read more »
Hi Alessandro. If you’re super happy with your board, there might not be a reason to change it… The Gong and SMIK you mentioned are longboard shapes – are you looking to get into SUP longboard? Or wanting a more all-round / pro shape to compliment the Starboard Pro and Gong Karmen? Just because a board is narrower or shorter, it doesn’t mean it will surf better. The SMIK Hipster Twin in the 7’10 x 29.5″ x 109L surfs amazingly well and better than the smaller boards in this test. Have you considered the Starboard Spice at 7’11 x 29″… Read more »
Thanks a lot for your clear and Quick reply. My concern was that with a less Wide board i could turni a Little Better … But It appears not to be like this.. and It Is a good news Indeed. I think i Will try to squeeze all the potential from My board ( of i am able to do It..) and perhaps trying other boards to make some comparison. Thank you again. Cheers. Ale
Glad we could help Ale!