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Jones Air Heart 2017-2018 Women’s Snowboard Review

  • Price: £500 / €550
  • Sizes: 146, 149, 152
  • Flex: 6
  • Profile: Camber
  • Shape: Directional Twin
  • jonessnowboards.com

Snowboarding is still predominantly a male-dominated sport, and the gender gap increases further still when you focus in on the real die-hards amongst us. Still, thanks in part to Jones’ formidable quiver of quality female-specific snowboards, there’s never been a better time for that ever-growing group of women who’d gladly exchange a kidney for an epic day on the hill.

“The camber in the profile puts the ‘Air’ in Jones Air Heart”

The Jones Air Heart is less powder-focused than many of Jeremy Jones’ creations, so if it’s purely the steep-and-deep you’re after then perhaps the Hovercraft or Dream Catcher will be a better fit. No, this one is has more going for it on firmer trails where it’s all about getting aggressive and, wherever possible, airborne.

This one is largely unchanged from last year’s debut version of the Jones Air Heart. One big tweak worth mentioning is the addition of a layer of ‘’Technora’ fibre underneath the topsheet, which makes the board torsionally stiffer (and therefore increases response time and stability at speed). You’ll need to be a fairly confident rider to effectively manipulate this board, but the medium end-to-end stiffness means that it’s not only for the true hellcats out there.

The construction, combined with the large camber section of profile, means that this is happiest when holding a strong edge, and the progressive sidecut spits you out of turns at warp speed. As you transition from edge to edge, the slightly-bevelled ‘Spoon’ nose and tail make the process smoother than ever before, and less jittery at high speeds.

“You’ll need to be a fairly confident rider to effectively manipulate this board, but the medium end-to-end stiffness means that it’s not only for the true hellcats out there”

The camber in the profile puts the ‘Air’ in Jones Air Heart, offering plenty of explosive pop enhanced by bamboo and carbon stringers in the core. As a directional twin, the door is definitely open to those who want to leave the lip of the halfpipe far below them, or drop the biggest cliffs the backcountry has to offer.

It’s also got some decent eco chops, including a bean-based topsheet and recycled steel edges, and none of it compromises the ride. Confident female riders are bound to fall in love with the Jones Air Heart in 2017/18.

Tester’s Verdict

Charlotte Strachanhideout-hostel.com

“I’m buying one! This is a lightweight power machine – I swear I’ve never gone faster on a snowboard, and still felt so stable.

“The Jones Air Heart is a fantastic board with so much energy to give, if you put the effort and power in”

The Jones Air Heart is a fantastic board with so much energy to give, if you put the effort and power in. I didn’t think It was too stiff though, which was a nice surprise as I had lots of fun playing around on the piste and over a few kickers, rollers and bumps on the piste.

It holds an edge super well when carving and gives you the confidence to let the board go FAST.

Where it really comes into its own, though, is the powder! All day I had a massive smile on my face and didn’t stop hollering.”

Trade Secrets

Jeremy Jones – Owner, Jones

The Air Heart is for the woman who likes the feel of a traditional camber board. The added camber gives it a ton of snap in turns and incredible edge hold on ice.

The subtle spoon base contours free up the nose and tail making for faster transitions between turns, more float in pow and less catch in crust.

This is really a hidden raceboard for the women.

The Jones Air Heart's spoon-like nose is combined with a progressive sidecut for super smooth turns in the backcountry.
2017/18 Jones Air Heart graphic options

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