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Jones Mind Expander 2019-2020 Splitboard Review

Why we chose the Jones Mind Expander Splitboard: An alternative all-mountian shape for splitboarders who skin up the less broken trail.

Surprise, surprise, Jeremy’s topped the splitboard podium. Five years ago, this would have been close to a one-horse race. These days, every brand worth their salt hasn’t just dipped their toes but cannonballed deep into the business of earning your turns. All the more reason then that the Mind Expander Split offers something pretty special to stand out from the competition.

When Jones called upon surf shaper Chris Christenson for his input in the line, the goal was to create unconventional freeride shapes that catered to the purest of powder-hounds. The Mind Expander sits centre stage as the “alternative all-mountain shredder” and the split version does exactly the same, only much further from the madding crowd.

“The Mind Expander sits centre stage as the “alternative all-mountain shredder” and the split version does exactly the same, only much further from the madding crowd”

Where it differs from its solid counterpart, is in Christenson’s 3D Base Contour profiling. The logistics of ‘spooning’ the nose and tail in a splitboard is probably beyond even the brains of the backcountry boffins in the Jones factory. That said, there are a couple of split specific additions to help with ups and downs.

The Traction Tech 2.0 edge disruptions from the solid are also found on the inside edge here. When the ascent starts to get hairy, these extra points of contact do much of the legwork in finding extra purchase.

Additionally, the Boltless Bridge will be welcomed by avid splitboarders who’ve spent many a tortuous transition on windy cols, scraping the base of their board. By thickening the core’s profile underneath the Karakorum Clips, the bolts no longer protrude (and therefore gather ice) on the underside, whilst also providing the extra advantage of increasing torsional stiffness.

“The predominantly flat profile, with extended rocker in the nose, keeps the board effortlessly tracking along the surface”

Once you’re descending, surfy turns and mellow lines don’t come much easier than they do here. The predominantly flat profile, with extended rocker in the nose, keeps the board effortlessly tracking along the surface. A tighter sidecut coupled with a subtle taper means that even just thinking about turning can be enough to initiate one, whilst providing sufficient grip out the ends, too. Naturally, with a softer flex and less aggressive profile, this won’t be a split for the gnarliest no-fall-zone lines, but where the snow’s good and the gradient’s inviting, it’s a total winner.

With Jones, you’re buying more than just a board; you’re buying into an ethos. It’s one that our sport needs now more than ever. With this year’s sustainability upgrades in the core, edges and resins the Mind Expander Split epitomizes what backcountry exploration is all about. The only trace you’re leaving here are your lines in the snow.

Tester’s Verdict

Rob McCreathWhitelines

“I’ve been riding the Jones Solution split for the last few seasons. I use it when guiding clients, or going splitboarding with mates and it has always been a reliable workhorse. The Mind Expander split offers something completely new – that “alternative all-mountain” shape completely shifted the way I viewed backcountry and the kind of lines I was going after.

“It’s just begging to slash wind lips and blow up every pocket of powder on the way down”

The shape and profile make it such a fun option for lower gradient riding and getting super creative on the descents. Riding it 6cm shorter than I ride my Solution made it really playful and so much more agile, but I felt like it had even more float going on too. It’s just begging to slash wind lips and blow up every pocket of powder on the way down.

The skins attached with no effort, the slit in the tail worked really well and eliminates the need for faffing around with clips. It’s pretty wide underfoot, so won’t be the most efficient for breaking trail. Then again, riding the shorter length makes your kick turns feel a lot less cumbersome.

And besides, this board isn’t about breaking records on the ascent. It’s not even about being the first one back down. The Mind Expander Split makes every single turn an absolute joy and will leave be the envy of all your carbon-clad friends at the bottom, looking back up and watching you whooping and hollering the whole way down, entering the whiteroom twice as often as they did.”

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