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Jones Hovercraft 2021-2022 Snowboard Review

  • Price: £499 / €550 / $550
  • Category: Freeride + Powder
  • Sizes: 148, 152, 156, 160, 164
  • Flex: 7/10
  • Shape:Directional
  • Profile: Setback Camber
  • 3D: Yes
  • Base: Sintered

The Jones Hovercraft would be the brand’s flagship snowboard, were it not for the existence of the actual Jones Flagship. This one has transitioned beyond merely ‘recognisable’ to straight-up iconic. It’s been tweaked a few times since its inception, and a few subtle changes have crept in for 2021/22.

“Naturally powder fans will love this – and who wouldn’t identify as one of those?”

MORE INFO:
JONES.COM

Who Is The Jones Hovercraft For?

Naturally powder fans will love this – and who wouldn’t identify as one of those? The rider that will really thrive on a Hovercraft, though, also knows the value of a stretch of groomed corduroy piste. And if you only get away once or twice a year, that’s what you’re more likely to get.

Shape, Profile and Sidecut

While it’s by no means the original crescent-tailed board, anything that resembles this one is usually described as ‘Hovercraft-shaped’. The outline would be more than enough in the powder, but the additional bevelled sections of nose and tail make it a spoony delight in the deep stuff.

You can get away with riding this shorter than your usual pow stick, but keep the long sidecut in mind when you’re weaving through any tight access points. You’ll be more grateful for it on motorway pistes, where the wavy ‘Traction Tech’ edges deliver fierce edge grip.

“The outline would be more than enough in the powder, but the additional bevelled sections of nose and tail make it a spoony delight in the deep stuff”

Construction and Materials

New for 2021/22 are the ‘Engineered Veneer’ topsheet that delivers extra dampening, and the laser-etched graphics which have removed the need for ink. Both are small yet welcome moves towards more planet-friendly production – indeed, Jones calls the new Hovercraft the most sustainable snowboard it has ever produced.

With an all-poplar core and biax fibreglass, it’s not the most advanced construction we’ve seen, but that isn’t a concern. The resultant weight and mid-stiff flex suit the design of the Jones Hovercraft down to the ground, making it sturdy rather than twitchy, and powerful without being tough to tame.

“A stone-cold classic, and that’s before we’ve even got to powder days…”

Roundup

The thing that’s easy to forget about the Jones Hovercraft is how accessible it is. If you don’t ride switch or get airborne, you’re better off with a sturdy platform that eats corduroy for breakfast, but that also feels great when taken down to cruise mode. A stone-cold classic, and that’s before we’ve even got to powder days…

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