Jones Ultracraft Written Review Review by The Good Ride

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Welcome to the Jones Ultracraft Review from an objective but average riders perspective

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews and this is our unfiltered opinion. 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.

A Break Down of How it rides and who it is for

How This Review Happened: We borrowed this for an extended demo and sent it back.
Size: 156
Days: 3
Conditions: Really good mid-winter groomers on 2 days. 1 day with 2” of powder on top of some pretty hard to icy snow.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs), Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs)
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles, F.I.T. Gamechangers
Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Falcor, Ride C8 & C10 (reviews coming)

Similar Boards (but not the same): Korua Café Racer, Endeavor Scout, Prior Legacy, Niche Pyre, Burton Killroy Pow Camber, Yes Hybrid, Yes Y, Lib Tech Lost Rocket

Set-Up: 21.5”, 21 front -3 back & 24 front +3 back. Close to Reference

Approximate Weight: Feels light

Sizing

Here are some ideal US boot sizes for the Jones Ultracraft boards. You can of course go bigger or smaller but these work best for not turning the board slower than it should be and not having the dreaded Toe & Heel Drag.
152: 8-10
156: 9-10
160: 10-11
164: 10-12

Shape/Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level

The Jones Ultracraft doesn’t have that really tapered feel and doesn’t drive super hard off the back foot. If you set your stance up a little positive in the rear foot it feels even less tapered. It has some early rise in the nose and tail that then lifts up on the sides towards the nose tail. On groomers, it feels more like a hybrid camber board instead of a lifted side board so it doesn’t wash out on you when you lean into the edge. It is forgiving for what it is but still not recommendable to intermediates due to the shallow side cut and aggressive overall nature.

Flex/Pop/Buttering

The Jones Ultracraft is no buttery board but it has an easier flex to it than the regular Hovercraft. As a result it was easier to butter but it still isn’t easy. The pop is more accessible and we both found it easier to ollie for an average rider. Getting air with this is easier than you would think for how little tail there is. It doesn’t feel like you are as far back on board either.

Speed

The Ultracraft and Carbon Flagship used to be the bombers in Jones’ line but now the 2021 line has switched things up. The Hovercraft and Flagship are more damp now but the Ultracraft and Ultra Flagship still have faster bases with easier glide. That being said the bases on the standard models isn’t much far behind and Jones has some of the fastest bases in the industry for this price point. So with either choice you have top notch glide.

Uneven Terrain

So if you want to power over everything at super high speed the Hovercraft is the call over the Ultracraft. It is more damp now and the roles have reversed for 2021 with the new eco friendly construction. For an ultra/lighter design this is still pretty damp. The Jones Ultracraft was a little less fatiguing in uneven terrain but both are boards you don’t want to ride all day in messy snow that requires you to slow down and turn a lot in.

Edge Hold

The Jones Ultracraft can hold a good edge and both grip about the same in most conditions. What we did find was the Hovercraft holds the edge a little better in uneven terrain at higher speeds and doesn’t buck you out of your line as much as the Ultracraft.

Turn Initiation

Not fast edge to edge and that is a problem with both the Jones Ultracraft and Hovercraft.

Turning Experience/Carving

The Jones Ultracraft can carve. We liked the Hovercraft a little better in snow that isn’t perfect but this has a better spring out of the turn in perfect conditions so its a wash. Both are super hard carving powerful down the line kind of rides. They don’t do a circle carve well but they sure do high speed across the groomer carves super well.

Powder

We were not lucky enough to get the Jones Ultracraft in powder but being the same shape as the Hovercraft we know what this is all about. There is a set back from center of board of -5.75” all the way back with a stance width of 22.5” and 4.5” back on reference stance at 22.8”. That big nose, chopped and tapered tail and semi-wide width make this a board that lives up to its name. The Hovercraft we rode in 2’+ of thick Sierra powder just sat on top and it could easily be a dedicated powder board. It can be a little slow in tight spots but it does turn a little faster with the spoon tech in the nose. If you like a quicker turning board in the trees this might not be the call though.

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