Gnu Head Space 2016-2021 Snowboard Review

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Gnu Head Space 2021 - 2016 Review by The Good Ride

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Swipe Right: Super buttery and easily accessible ollie power. Asymmetrical shape is so easy to turn
Swipe Left: Amost floatless in powder. The more traditional narrow width can feel twitchy if you are used to the newer wider widths out there.

Summary

The Gnu Head Space is a super soft asymmetrical twin with a mellow but almost all camber profile. It is super easy to butter and when the edges aren’t de-tuned has exceptional edge hold. Even though its super soft it can still catch and edge pretty easy when you get off your game. This is a great call for advanced to expert jibbers that miss the full camber feel.  It also turns pretty well for being such a little soft park ride. If you want something more forgiving, go with the Box Scratcher.

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.

The Gnu Head Space In Depth Review

 

 

 

 

 

 

How This Review Happened: A few laps at a demo.
Size: 152
Days: 1
Conditions: Everything from pretty hard semi-bumpy to soft n playful snow.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs), Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs), Jimbo (Size 11, 5’11” 160lbs), Zobel (Size 11.5, 6’ 180lbs),
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles,  Footprint Insole Technology Gameghangers Low Profile
Bindings:Nitro Team

Similar Boards (but not the same): Lib-Tech Box Knife, DWD Rat, Capita Horrorscope

Set-Up: 21.5” Wide. 15 front -15 back.  Centered.

Approximate Weight: Feels pretty normal for a 152.

Sizing

The Gnu Head Space 152 worked for Peter and I  but coming from riding so many of the trendy mid/wideish boards these days it felt a little small. Jimbo and Zobel needed the 152w or the 155w with their 11ish boots. Here is a break down of how we see it fits for most boot sizes because that is more important than weight and way more important than height.

149 Size 8-9 US
152 8-9 US
152w 10-11 US
155 8-10 US
155w 10-12 US
158 9-10 US

Shape/Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level

The Gnu Head Space’s pretty much full camber makes it pretty catchy for such an easy flexing ride. There is only a passive bend in the middle that needs a lot of weight on it to touch. The Asymmetrical sidecut tech tracks really well. It’s a good board for one footing and flat basing. This is mainly for advanced to expert jibbers that want a board that doesn’t feel like a total mess when they aren’t jibbing.

Flex/Pop/Buttering

The Gnu Head Space is so soft and buttery for C3/Mostly Camber. The tip/tail are pretty soft but then feel more med/soft near the bindings. It is such an easy board to flex but it also as an easily accessible pop to it on an Ollie. The way the camber snaps back after a butter or Ollie helps advanced to expert riders get more spring out of everything they do.

Speed

You don’t get The Gnu Head Space for speed. It’s got all the acceleration you need to get from jib to jib. The base is not fast but it isn’t slow either and it doesn’t need to be waxed all the time to still glide.

Uneven Terrain

Bouncy and bucky in messy snow but that is what soft poppy boards do in this terrain. It’s not terrible though. The chatter in the board doesn’t vibrate up into your joints and make them hurt. So you can ride the Gnu Head Space all day.

Edge Hold

Excellent grip when the Gnu Head Space isn’t detuned. This is a great board for those that see hard to icy snow.

Turn Initiation

For a board this width and length the Gnu Head Space doesn’t turn fast but it isn’t slow by any means.

Turning Experience/Carving

So the Gnu Head Space flexes/twists too easy to be a real competent carver but it’s way better than most jib or soft park boards.

Powder

Nope…just nope.

Switch

What we all love about Asym boards like the Gnu Head Space is how evenly they turn. That makes it better for average riders to ride switch. It’s more true than a true twin.

Getting Air/Park

The Gnu Head Space is all about jibbing and small to mediumish jumps. The way the board locks into a box or rail is pretty effortless. Well…if you are like Jimbo and Zobel who jib a lot. For Peter and I it can catch to easy when we get off our game on a landing. That is inevitable for us too.  It tracks really well from feature to feature. If you keep the edges sharp it would even work pretty well in the pipe.

Conclusion

Great ride for those that know what they are doing in the park. If you live to butter and jib this is a great call.

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