This season I opted for the Flow Merc board as my review board, instead of the Infinite.  I wanted to take a look at what Flow has to offer in the entry level line, and how it would hold up to some abuse from us bigger riders.   I picked up a Flow Merc 163 wide, and rode it with the ’11 Flow NXT FSE bindings in the red colorway, with size 12 Vans Cirro Boots.

'10-'11 Flow Merc Board Logo

Flow is well known for their bindings, and love em or hate em, they have their following which continues to grow.  I’ve been on Flow bindings for quite a while now, having ridden the Teams, NXT-FS, FRX, FSE, and AT’s.   While they are known for bindings, they aren’t as well known for their boards.  I think this should really change.  I’ve ridden the Infinite in the past, and this season, picked up the MERC  163 Wide in the white colorway.   The first thing one notices about this board is the waist width.  The 163 Wide has a 27cm waist, easily fitting size 13 boots, or even a bit beyond.  The profile of the board incorporates Flow’s EZ Rock Technology.  EZ Rock incorporates a mellow rocker in between the bindings, along with a mellow convex base.  Honestly I wasn’t sure what to think about EZ Rock, but I can honestly say I enjoyed riding this board.  While it may be the lowest price point in the Flow line, it’s definitely not lacking in the fun factor.

10-11 Flow Merc

The Merc incorporates the DT Sidecut in a directional shape with an extruded base.   The DT Sidecut combines two radii incorporating a tighter sidecut towards the center of the board, and mellowing out towards tip and tail.  This provides a playful factor for the Merc, but allows the board to turn quickly, while still holding an edge.  I rode the Merc in just about any condition you can hit, from deep Pow, to hardpack/icy groomers, and found the board to respond well with anything I put it through.  To be blunt, the board hauls ass.  I had no problem, just pointing the board, and charging runs on it.  I never felt out of control, or washy.   The Merc isn’t an overly damp board, but it handled the crud and chop pretty well.    With a softer tip/tail on the board, jumps were fun, due to the snappy feeling from the Merc.

'10-'11 Flow Merc Base

The graphics on the Merc are playfun and fun both on the topsheet, and the base.  The Merc has an  ”Optix 2000″ extruded base, which lent itself to hard charging down the hill.   For the price, the Merc is one of the best entry level boards on the market, or at least of those I’ve tested.  The Merc Wide may have a 27cm waist, but it’s still quick edge to edge, and responds nicely.  Even though it’s a directional shape, I found riding switch on it to be pretty effortless, and the board is fun with butters.   I really had a lot of fun on this board, and will keep it in the quiver and continue riding it through out the season.  Perhaps the only negative thing I noticed is that the nose and tail of the Merc can “chunk” out if you’re not careful, as they are pretty flat edge shapes. But this is snowboarding we’re talking about, and your board should look like you’re riding it right?

Flow Merc on snow

Specifications

160 Wide (26.3 cm Waist)

163 Wide (27 cm Waist)

Non Wide Models

149 (24.1 cm Waist)

153 (24.4 cm Waist)

156 (24.9 cm Waist)

159 (25.2 cm Waist)

MSRP: $309.99

Website: http://www.flow.com

*Disclaimer:  I purchased this board with my own funds *