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Snowboards

Jones Mind Expander 2019-2020 Snowboard Review

  • Sizes: 146, 150, 1554, 158, 162, 166
  • Flex: 6
  • Profile: Directional Rocker
  • Shape: Directional
  • Price: £529 / €600
  • BUY DIRECT FROM JONES

Like any good mind expander, it should induce an experience to help you see the world a little differently. When Jeremy worked with legendary surf shaper Chris Christenson to create a new shape for the Jones fleet, they wanted to design a shape that would broaden the lineup’s freeriding horizons. The Mind Expander does just that – a board that surfs its way across the mountain like just about nothing else out there.

It’s still rubber-stamped with the construction and heritage that has made so many of the Jones snowboards instant classics, but this “alternative all-mountain board” is all about mellow highs and no bad trips.

“It’s hardly a shape that screams conventional all-round performance, but it holds up impressively well across the whole mountain”

The only changes for 2020 come in the form of its greener-than-green construction. The updated FSC Bamboo Surf Core has been redesigned with a triple density construction of sustainably sourced woods, placing bamboo stringers along the sidecut for better response on edge. Jones have also incorporated their Super Sap Bio Resin into the full range this year, resulting in a massively reduced carbon footprint on every board.

The lack of changes elsewhere shows the confidence in the snowboard’s gradual evolution, rather than any form of complacency. If it ain’t broke, right?

It has that same, unique shape that just looks so tantalising sat atop fresh snow. The 3D contouring in the tip and tail not only helps with extra float but provides a really loose, surfy feel between the edges.

That’s not to say the Mind Expander only belongs outside the ropes. It’s hardly a shape that screams conventional all-round performance, but it holds up impressively well across the whole mountain. Despite being essentially a full rocker profile, it has the added bite and sting of traction edges and carbon stringers in the nose. That said, the softer torsional, flex also makes it pretty fun to get creative with on the flatlands.

If there’s only one board at your disposal for every day this winter, it’s not just a safe choice, it’s a great one. The all-new Ultra edition might appeal to more demanding freeriders out there, but if snowboarding’s all about turns for the soul, this Mind Expander is the perfect gateway.

Tester’s Verdict

Neil McNairMcNair Snowsports

“For the past two years the Mind expander has become my everyday board, but the model has changed in that time from a very loose, surf machine to a more punchy, snappy ride. This is due to the addition of some carbon stringers in the nose. It took me a while to adjust and at first I felt it made the board more aggressive and stiff in the nose than it should be.

For 2020 the board has kept the carbon nose stringers. It does stop chatter and lets you ride more varied and bumpy terrain without the flap. If you’d never ridden the original model, you’d have nothing to compare it to so, without a doubt, you will love this board.

“For me, it’s not a quiver board, its an everyday board”

Put it in fresh snow, just a wee dusting or the deepest of the deep and you can stand centred, float, charge, carve, spray – without any worry of tipping the nose in or sinking and getting stuck. No more back leg burn. Take it out of the powder and use it as your everyday board without any worry. Loves all kickers, transitions and power carves. For me, it’s not a quiver board, its an everyday board – I just wish they’d re-issue the first model without the carbon for extra loosey gooseyness.”

Tester’s Verdict 2018/19

Chris Sturgesssnowfit.co.uk

I am very lucky, in that most of my time on snow is spent testing boards – to the point where I don’t really need to buy one. I am saying this not because I want to rub your noses in it, but to help put into context just how good this snowboard is.

“For me, this is not just a powder board – this is THE powder board”

From the first run I knew I had to own one. I have ridden the Mind Expander in bottomless powder, gromed pistes, tight trees plus end-of-season slush and crud. Every single time I have left the hill thinking, ‘fuck me, that was a good day!’

I am not much of a freestyler so directional boards have always been more my thing, but the surf-inspired shape just makes everything effortless, yet still exciting – to the point that I felt invincible and started trying new things, stuff that you would not expect me or the board to be able to do. Laid-out carves, spins off side hits, even presses on boxes.

“The surf-inspired shape just makes everything effortless, yet still exciting”

Sorry this is not a tech review explaining the boards finer points; If you want that, check out the Jones website. I just wanted to get across what this board feels like to ride. For me, this is not just a powder board – this is THE powder board. In fact, I think that this is the best snowboard I have ever ridden! It truly will Expand your snowboarding Mind.”

Tester’s Verdict 2018/19

Ed Blomfieldwhitelines.com

Within minutes of stepping onto this thing I’d rechristened it The Cadillac. Smooth, stable and fast, it is a badass at cruising, although like a Caddy it is not exactly made for navigating traffic.

“Smooth, stable and fast, it is a badass at cruising”

It’s stiffish, and likes to be ridden via the back foot in deep snow, surf stylee. In fact powder is where the Mind Expander really excels (as you’d expect from a Jones), providing effortless float and long, flowy turns – you can sense the input on this thing from legendary surf shaper Chris Christenson.

“It’s stiffish, and likes to be ridden via the back foot in deep snow, surf stylee”

Hardpack riding is a little further removed from the ocean, however, and for me this is where the Mind Expander wasn’t quite as adept. Its shallow profile – featuring heaps of rocker at the nose – left me feeling a little disconnected when things got properly icy.”

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