Stone Message 2024 Written Review Review by The Good Ride

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Welcome to the Stone Message 2024 Snowboard Review from an average rider with extensive but objective board knowledge.

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 rider’s perspective.

A Breakdown Of How It Rides And Who It Is For

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How This Review Happened:

I liked it so much, I asked to keep it (I only do this with favorites).
Size: 156
Days: 4+ and counting.
Conditions: Great Mid-Winter groomers and varied spring snow.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10”, 185-190lbs)
Boots: Ride Torrent, Ride Fuse, Nidecker Rift Lace, Ride Deadbolt, Burton Tourist, Burton Ion
Insoles: F.I.T. Gamechangers
Bindings: Union Atlas
Redundancy: Strapins in case boots or bindings break.
Jacket: Jones Mtn Surf Anorak, Skyline Fuse Jacket, Jones Shralpinist Stretch Jacket,
Pant: Jones Mountain Surf Bib, Jones Shralpinist Stretch Bib,
Helmet: Smith Maze
Goggle: Smith 4D Mag
Gloves: Burton AK Clutch Mitt, Burton AK Tech Leather Glove, Drop Tahoma Mitt,

Similar Boards We Like (but not the same): Never Summer Protosynthesis, Yes Greats, Lib Tech Box Knife, Yes Basic, Ride TwinPig,

James’s Set Up: 21.5” Wide. Sance Angles +18/-3, +18/+3, +24/+6, +27/+9 back, +18/-9, +15/-15. Close to Reference on groomers and Set all the way back in powder.

Approximate Weight

The Stone Message felt pretty normal for this size. (We don’t put in the exact weight because with wood cores, there is no consistency in a board weight)

Sizing

I thought this would be a touch wide for me, and I guess it is, but I felt very comfortable with this width and never felt like I needed narrower.

Here are some ideal US boot sizes for these boards. You can of course, go bigger or smaller depending on your riding style and boot’s footprint, but these work best for not turning the board slower than it should be and not having the dreaded Toe & Heel Drag.
153: 8-9
156: 9.5-10.5
159: 10-11
For weight, I would stay close to the Stone’s recommended weight ranges. It seems fair. If it comes down to boot size or weight, I would make sure it fits your boot first and then your weight a close second.

Shape

You have a true twin here with a centered stance.

Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level

This is pretty much full camber. There might be a touch of early rise, but as you can see, there isn’t much, and this has that locked-in full-camber feel. Best for experts and not ideal for beginners. Advanced to expert riders will really appreciate this easy tracking full camber feel though.

Flex Personality

You have a pretty medium flex with the new Stone Message. It has a similar flex between the feet as the older Message but a softer tip/tail. It’s easier to butter, and the pop feels easier to access. I think only a really strong rider would prefer the older Message. I personally felt I could ollie higher with the newer model.

Uneven Terrain

Very competent in all conditions, from hard to soft uneven snow. It’s a great all-day ride.

Edge Hold

There is nothing special going on with the Stone Message sidecut, but it grips very well in hard snow.

Speed

I was pretty impressed with how the sidecut allowed you to go straight and the board’s ability to stay damp at higher speeds. This is great for a straight line into a big kicker.

Base Glide

So I don’t like the structure, but I’m pretty impressed with the base quality/glide at this price point. Most bases are extruded below $400 and this is a nice base you see on $500+ boards. Well done lads!

Turning Experience/Carving

Very quick edge to edge for a 25.8cm waist width for size 9’s. I never felt like I needed this board to get somewhere faster than I needed it to.

So I’m not a park ripper, but I love going out on twins, riding switch, trying to carve switch, and, of course, just carving regular. The Stone Message does this very well and has the sole of an all-mtn to freeride board in a twin. There is a very satisfying spring out of the turn and a pretty balanced turning experience for all kinds of radius turns.

Powder

No thanks. I’ve done Camber twins in Pow so no need to do it again. My cartwheeling days are over. If you rip camber boards then this will be no better or no worse than all those camber boards in the old school days.

Switch/Freestyle/Park

Super easy in each direction. I love riding this switch. I’m no park rider, but I liked carving the walls in the pipe. Jibbing is more for advanced technical riders. They can rip this, but average park riders might find this a little too stiff/lively on technical jibs. The place where this truly shines is big kickers which are beyond my ability level and insurance policy. You can see this is all about the big jump line in the park. It has a sidecut that tracks really well into kickers and a full camber flex that can handle big landings. Shit that I want no part of at my age.

Final Thoughts

So overall, I really like the upgrades to the Stone Message, and this Julian Merken model is a great change-up from the older model. On a personal note these graphics just crack me up as well.