Gilson Pro Series 2015 Review by The Good Ride

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So the Gilson Pro Series Snowboard is a very unique but very fun design.  We were a little reluctant to get on this lifted base with a soft edge but after we did we were wondering why it took so long to get up the courage to do so. It’s pretty fun to have a board that can jib very well but even better you don’t have to sacrifice your edges to do so.

So we thought it was a 156 but it was a 160

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.

Size: 160
Days:  5
Conditions: Everything from soft groomed snow to borderline hard slabby snowpack. No Ice or Powder.
Riders: James, Jimbo, 
Boots: Burton SLX, Burton Fiend LTD, Salomon F3.0
Bindings: Burton Cartel, Burton Genesis, Flux DS, Salomon Hologram

Set Up: Close to centered and also set back. Approx 23″ wide 15 front -15 back.

Approximate Weight:  Felt heavy and it weighed 7.4lbs which is pretty heavy compared to many boards this size. We thought this is because of the extra base material for the soft edge but in actuality, it was just made with extra resin and then designated as a demo board. So I think most boards you would buy would be lighter.

On Snow Feel: I thought this would be a nightmare to ride in harder snow but the whole soft edge base tracks well.  It can catch you off guard though at first. The first time I got in the chair lift line the soft edge felt stable like I was on the actual sharp edge and I slipped out in an ice patch and banged my knee really hard. After that, I quickly figured out how to use the hard edge one footing. Flat basing and one footing after the knee thing happened much better after that first chair. You would think it would ride loose between the feet like a continuous rocker board but it doesn’t.  It has a stable feel.  It’s hard to explain though.  It’s stable but you can’t rely on that soft edge it mainly rides on flat basing. You need to get to the hard edge if you want to do anything.

Turn Initiation: It’s different for sure.  It takes more lean to get to the hard edge but you get used to it really quick. I had fun making nice quick turns edge to edge and there was a pleasant feel to making turns.

Flex:   Nice mellow playful flex that’s easy to butter etc.

Edge Hold:   Solid edge hold. It’s no MTX board but it held well in the Sierra hard snow I rode it in.

Powder:   No powder but this board feels pretty flat.  Yes, I think the lifted base will help with the plane but I just don’t think this flat profile will be better than boards with continuous rocker in them.

Carving:  It didn’t blow minds but we had a good time carving out some uphill circle turns.

Speed:  It’s pretty damp but it does feel a little uncomfortable straight lining on the lifted part of the base.  I think it’s something that you will get used to though but in the 4 days I rode it I didn’t quite feel comfortable.

Uneven Terrain:   Fine and easy in the end of the day shitty snow.

Switch:   Felt really good switch.

Jumps:   Nice rubbery/snappy pop.  Hitting small jumps in the park with this felt somewhat like a normal board but the lifted hard edge felt more friendly.

Jibbing:   Now here is a huge advantage.  The lifted base is so easy to jib on that even I felt comfortable. It was for sure a confidence booster.  Jimbo said it felt like it was almost impossible to catch an edge and he wanted to lap the jib park all day. Sizing down would make this even more of an amazing libber.

Pipe:   Not ideal for me in the pipe but it works for sure and has some fun.