Summary

The Gentemstick Mantaray 156 is a larger version of the 154 Mantaray that has been around for years. It takes all the magic from the 154 and makes it a more user-friendly size for a little bigger rider. This is a very influential board. Most of the Alternative Freeride shapes you see these days were inspired by the Gentemstic Mantaray.

Update 2024: Nothing has changed since around 2020 when Gentemstick upgraded all their boards from Bamboo sidewalls to ABS. This change dampened the ride and improved the flex personality and durability. Other than that, almost everything else about this ride has stayed the same.

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Riding Style Alternative Freeride
Riding Level Advanced - Expert
Fits Boot size (US) 8-10
Manufactured in China
Shape Tapered Directional
Camber Profile Directional Camber
Stance Setback over 20mm
Approx. Weight Feels Normal
Split No
Powder Great
Base Glide Excellent
Carving Great
Speed Good
Uneven Snow Great
Switch Average
Jumps Good
Jibbing Poor
Pipe Good
On Snow Feel

Stable

Turn Initiation

Fast

Skidded Turns

Moderate

Flex

Medium

Buttering

Semi-Hard

Edge Hold

Hard Snow

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Gentemstick Mantaray Written Review & Comparison Video Review by The Good Ride

Welcome to the Gentemstick Mantaray 156 Review from average riders with exceptional gear knowledge.

Ethics Statement

We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews. We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review.. If this review helped, we’d appreciate it if you:

How This Review Happened:  We liked it so much we asked to keep it (we only do this with our favorites), and we were lucky enough to get one…sooooooo stoked!
Size: 156
Days: 20+
Conditions:  Everything from some messy spring conditions to some pretty good groomers, a few powder days ranging from 1-2 feet, and some early morning slackountry time in a little powder with Drift Boards.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-195lbs), Grant (Size 11 6’ 160lbs), Nick (Size 10, 160lbs, 5’8”), Jimbo (Size 11, 5’11” 160lbs),
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV, Burton Imperial,
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles, Footprint Insole Technology Gameghangers Low Profile
Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Strata, Union Falcor

Similar Boards (but not the same) That We Compared This To:
Burton Skeleton Key, Gentemstick Mantaray 156, Gentemstick Giant Mantaray,  Korua Dart, Korua Pencil, Korua Tranny Finder, Gentemstick Chaser HP, Gentemstick Stingray, Gentemstick Mantaray 154, Gentemstick Giant MantarayLib Tech BRD,

Set-Up: 21.5” Wide. 21 front -3 back and 27 front and +6 back. Close to Reference and Set all the way back.

Approximate Weight

The Gentemstick Mantaray 156 has a medium to medium-light feel that doesn’t feel light and less like a work of art that you are unsure if you should ride it like some Gentemstick boards look like.

Sizing

There is only one size, so it’s not like there is a lot to talk about. Keep it 8-10, and be careful if you are a 10 with a big footprint boot. It’s not the waist or front binding that’s the problem. It’s the back foot, as there is a lot of taper and less width over the back foot.  if you are on the heavier side, it might not work, but if you are on the lighter side, it won’t be a problem.

Flex/Buttering

The Gentemstick Mantaray 156 gives a lot of easy flex in the tip/tail but then stiffens up a good bit between the feet, giving you a very easy board to butter in comparison to many in this peer group. The rocker in the tip/tail also helps. The ABS sidewalls seem to give it a slightly softer flex than the previous model we tried with Bamboo sidewalls, but it seems to have almost the same energy underfoot and feels lively and snappy without being too chattery.

On Snow Feel/Ability Level/Skidded Turns

The Gentemstick Mantaray has the same stable personality in all conditions and one foots/flat bases very well. It has a pretty tapered feel but doesn’t feel super off the tail, so it feels like it can slash or carve equally well. It’s easy to skid a turn, and any advanced to expert rider who likes a tapered directional style of riding will enjoy this board. It doesn’t require a certain stance angle/width setup or riding style to have time on it.

Edge Hold

Such a competent grip for a board without any disruption in the sidecut. It knifes into harder snow really well and doesn’t grab in softer, thicker snow.

Turn Initiation

Pretty fast edge to edge, and if you are in the trees or tight spots, it can turn quickly. It can slalom through trees or make hard direction changes.

Turning Experience/Carving

I don’t know what’s going on here, but you wouldn’t think that 1mm of camber underfoot could carve this hard and be this much fun turning. It’s a really fun backfoot carver, and it can also drive a little off the front foot with positive front/rear stance angles. It’s every man’s turner/carver.

Powder

Like turning and carving, it does really well for not being super far back on the tail in comparison to many alternative freeride/snow surf kinds of rides we have tried, from Gentemstick, Moss, Korua, and many others.

At a 20.75” stance width when set all the way back on board, the Gentemstick Mantaray 156 has a -4.625” setback from the center of the board. That’s a pretty healthy setback on board but not super far in comparison to many in the Alternative Freeride world. Throw in the early rise in the nose and the 20mm plus of taper in the tail you have a pretty floaty ride. We got this in a few feet of powder, and it was doing just fine. If it gets super deep, you might want something more floaty, but overall, it’s a great board for powder. The base also glides so well in powder that it will carry you further on a traverse in or out of the powder line than most other boards out there.

Speed/Base Glide

We talked about the Gentemstick Mantaray 156’s base already in powder, but to say it again, it has exceptional glide. We haven’t come across many other bases that can keep up with it. The ABS sidewalls make it a little more damp than the Bamboo sidewalls, but it also feels softer now in the tip/tail, so it all evens out. It’s not a bomber, and the tip/tail can get a little clown shoe effect if you really point it, but that’s not what this board is about. Still, it’s competent enough.

Uneven Terrain

The Gentemstick Mantaray 156 can buck a little bit, but overall, it’s a pretty good board for all-day resort riding. I love riding this through bumps or messy snow as long as I turn through it. It’s pretty good powering over it, and I like the extra dampness of the ABS sidewalls compared to the Bamboo. It keeps what you are riding over from reverberating into your bones.

Switch

Doable but far from ideal. If you want to ride a switch, check out the independent stick.

Jumps

So the Gentemstick Mantaray might not have a pure powder board kind of float, but it has some tail for an easier flight. For some reason, we liked the Stingray a little better. Maybe it’s because it feels less tapered and likes a straight line a little better, but it all comes down to personal preference. There is good pop for an ollie, which doesn’t make much sense with 1mm of camber underfoot, but for some reason, it really pops well.

Jibbing

nope…

Pipe

Sure. Really fun, actually, as long as you don’t like to ride the switch in the pipe.

So, all in all, the Gentemstick Mantaray 156 is one of those boards that I’m stoked to have in the quiver, and it provides a really fun ride in any condition that I want to ride.

 
Gentemstick Mantaray 156 Past Reviews

The Gentemstick Mantaray 156 is a board that isn’t on Gentemstick’s site but trust us, it really does exist. We didn’t know it was $740 at the time we reviewed it.  This is isn’t cheap but now it is for sure well within the realm of being doable. It’s a board we loved, rides just as well on groomers as it does in powder and would love to have in our quiver  It’s the kind of ride that lives outside of the traditional freeride world while still working for a wide variety of directional riders.

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews.  We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

How This Review Happened:  We borrowed this for an extended demo and then returned it.
Size: 156
Days:  5+ and I want more.
Conditions:
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-195lbs), Grant (Size 11 6’ 160lbs), Mason and Ty from Gravity Sports at Mt. Bachelor.
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV, Burton SLX
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles,  Footprint Insole Technology Gameghangers Low Profile
Bindings: Union Atlas, Burton Genesis, Burton Genesis X
Set Up
: 22” as to the widest inserts on the front foot and back,18 front -3 back

Approximate Weight: Felt normal and maybe a touch on the heavy side of normal but well built.

Flex/Buttering:  Very stiff for its size and it isn’t much for buttering.

Sizing: The 156 felt great for most 8-10 US boots and then as you get past 10 you are pushing it on the back foot when it comes to toe/heel drag but it might be doable with really reduced footprint boots depending on stance angles and such.

On Snow Feel: Such a stiff, stable back foot weighted, friendly beast of a turning machine. That’s the best way to describe it. It feels stable bordering on semi-locked in and those edges let you know when they are engaged and it wants more pressure for a harder turn.

Edge Hold: Very strong capable grip in hard snow.  There doesn’t seem to be any disruption going on with the sidecut but the Gentemstick Mantaray 156 holds really well as long as you have more weight on the back foot than the front.

Turn Initiation:  Very quick and springy edge to edge.  It felt quick in tight trees or tight spots and it is pretty close to being a tree cheetah.

Turning Experience: I couldn’t believe how well it turned for how little camber there is in this profile.  There was soo much energy out of the turn. I’m not saying it turns like a massive camber bow underfoot board like with Korua or something like that but I kept thinking that there was a lot more camber underfoot when turning on groomers. The sidecut’s radius is really fun for making quick fast turns and it still makes wider radius turns very well.

Carving: Same thing goes here for carving as turning.  It really lays it out hard and there is a really fun ride for those that like back foot weighted carving.  That edge just really bites in and the sidecut does such a great job of engaging you into a hard turn/carve.

Skidded Turns:  Feels like it’s not ideal for those who like to skid their turns.

Speed: Pretty fast, damp and stiff.  The base really has a good glide to it and it is very damp.  You aren’t as centered on the board as let’s say the Stingray so it doesn’t feel as bomby but it is great for how far back you are on the tail.

Uneven Terrain: Really fast edge to edge and I had a very easy time turning through bumps.  It’s not bucky but the stiffer flex doesn’t like powering over uneven snow as much but it can be done.

Powder: I’d like more set back options for more US-friendly stance width options but those who buy this often ride narrower than the US average.  If you are one of those who rides with a narrow stance you will love the 9″ back on board with a 19″ stance width all the way back. For me with a stance more on the 22″ side I still can get 7″ back on board and that is a lot of good directional float.  That combined with 22mm of taper and a massive nose that has some early rise it is a great buy.

Switch: not that good but it can be done if need be.

Jumps: There is enough tail to land big jumps and the stingray is a little better but the Gentemstick Mantaray 156 does a great job with directional air.

Jibbing: nope.

Pipe: For those that don’t ride the pipe switch at any point this is a great ride.  It can carve or slash walls very well.

So, as I said in the videos’ above before I knew the price point was going to drop to $740, this board is amazing but it’s hard to justify price wise at $1,100.  However, at $740 I would say do it if it fits your specs and you like tapered directional surfy rides.  It’s not the surfiest of Gentemsticks’ line by any means but it is such a fun ride that I think has the widest appeal for most riding styles.  Other than the limited stance options with the 5×2 inserts per binding the rest is pretty positive across the board.

 
Gentemstick Mantaray 156 Specs

 
Gentemstick Mantaray 156 Images

We try to get as many images of the Gentemstick Mantaray 156, but forgive us if they're not all there.

2024

2020

2019

Gentemstick Mantaray 156 User Reviews

Gentemstick Mantaray 156 2019-2024 Snowboard Review SKU UPC Model

I love this board

Apr 25, 2021 by CDM
Ability Level: Advanced • 
Riding Style: Freeride • 
Days You Ride A Year: 60+ • 
Height, Weight And Boot Size (for Boards, Boots & Bindings): 5'10", 175lbs, US9.5 

This board is almost too pretty to ride but it rides even better than it looks. Hands down, fastest and best gliding board I've ever ridden. You will storm past just about everyone else on low angle or flat terrain. Turning and carving are top notch but the board really likes to straight line it. It is ridiculously fast and stable. I originally bought this to be a powder board but it is so much fun on groomers and all terrain, that it has become my daily driver.


Mar 31, 2021 by Jimmy Lee
Ability Level: Advance • 
Riding Style: Freeride • 
Days You Ride A Year: 20+ • 
Height, Weight And Boot Size (for Boards, Boots & Bindings): 5'8", 155lb, Size 9 

First of all, with all sincerity, thank you for hyping the Mantaray 156.
I could not agree with the finer points of the review any more than I do.
Edge to edge is quick, and it rails turn to turn when I would expect it to wash out in firm, steep, hard pack.
The flex of the board is ideal for my specs.
The mild camber underfoot carves hard, and yet flat-basing down the fall line has yet to provoke even the slightest twitch...I don't understand how it does that.
It's predictable and confidence inspiring in the steeps.
What little powder I've found, the ride is floaty and stable.
In the video review above, a Japanese steel slicing through raw fish reference is made.
Can't tell you how many times I've thought of that while engaging the edges from the steeps to the shallows.
By far the best purchase I've made in the entire COVID shopping extravaganza.


A cruiser's dream

Mar 19, 2021 by wyc
Ability Level: Intermediate-Advanced • 
Riding Style: Casual/pow hunter • 
Days You Ride A Year: ~20 • 
Height, Weight And Boot Size (for Boards, Boots & Bindings): 5'10, 155, US9 

I ordered this board from evo.com 2 years ago and had to endure a long wait and several delays. However after I rode this board it totally worth the wait (tho I wished I had it earlier). Initially I was shopping for a powder board that can handle Colorado powder, and a carving board that has decent camber profile and edge hold. This board has it all and even more!

I want to highlight that even though gentemstick has altered this board for American/European rider's weight and style, it still has a lot of JAPOW in its DNA. For example this board doesn't really want to do tight turns in woods, as there ain't much in Hokkaido. It doesn't like to do high speed carves or hardcore flatten euro carves. It's more like a Lexus comparing to other freeride boards which drives insane like a F1 car. It's comfortable, doesn't require tons of strength and skills, yet surf across all terrains with a peaceful mindset. Rest assured it can also manage fun tricks like buttering and 360 and more no problem, as long as you bring the stance towards centered (which is my personal setup).

If you want to make sure this is your board, go check the instagram of Taro Tamai, the founder of gentemstick. See if you ride (or wish to ride) in his style. If you are a lazy person who want to enjoy the best part of the mountain effortlessly, yet still be able to show off some tricks on groomer or catwalks to your friends, (and has a few bucks left in your stimulus,) this is the board for you!


5.0 5.0 4 4 This board is almost too pretty to ride but it rides even better than it looks. Hands down, fastest and best gliding board I've ever ridden. You will storm past just about everyo Gentemstick Mantaray 156 2019-2024 Snowboard Review

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