I’m riding the 161 solid Jones Flagship. For my Jones Solution (which is basically a split version of the Jones Flagship) I’m riding the 164. More stable for bigger lines and a little more float for when it gets deep. As with a splitboard you encounter a lot of different types of snow. Mostly the Jones Solution is the go to split for most of my touring days. I took the 161 solid because to be honest most of the times I ride it on groomers. A little less freeriding with that one. Only some lift access freeriding or when I get the opportunity to go cat boarding. That’s when the powder stance or set back stance is the go to option and that’s awesome on the solid 161. Great board and probably one of the best freeride boards out there… at least for me. Thanks for the review
Thank you for the video :) Random question...I love moguls...it's unhealthy I know. What board would you recommend for charging hard in moguls? Like Mary Jane moguls...not just random bumps. Thanks!
If that gets you off, then that's all that matters. It's hard to say because I know nothing about your specs (boot size/weight/height) so making a legit recommendation is incredibly hard. You want a narrow somewhat short board that can initiate a turn quickly and with a pretty turny sidecut that can make hard lefts/rights. f you want to get into it more and do this right, hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
Haven't tried the Skunk Ape Camber and neither has Davey so hard to say. I'd say that the Flagship will float a lot better, probably has a faster base and is more forgiving but the Skunk will carve better and has better grip.
How does the flagship or flagship pro compare to the Alchemist? Obviously jones based are better but curious about the ride. I’m a board hoarder and these videos are only contributing to my addiction. Love the content and glad to see new gear videos rolling out!
Thanks! The Alchemist is a very good board. I would say the bases are faster with the Flagship, but you get more pop out of the Alchemist. The Flagship Pro has a little more pop, is stiffer and has a faster base. Both Flagships can set back more in powder, and the spoon nose makes the turning experience a little better. There is a lot of overlap between these 3 boards, so if you have one, you probably don't need another unless your quiver is really big and you just want to try boards.
I love my Rossi XV and have no complaints. Always wanted to add a Jones board, but I'm not sure if the flagship is different enough, or just more of the same.
Different in the fact the XV turns a much tigher radius turn and this likes to go straight/fast more and has a faster base but both are similar in shape, camber and where/when you would ride em.
Do you have a pre ‘22 Rossi or a new one? I replaced my old one with a ‘24 and hate it was thinking of getting a Flagship to replace my old XV - what do you think?
Stance width is the one thing I dont like about jones boards; although, I like a narrow stance, I put my bindings as close together as I can get them. I dont understand why the reference stance is so wide on boards that are not intended for freestyle.
Agree. I am 176 cm (don't know in feet sorry) and I like 48 cm as much. But it happens in many brands. Last board I bought is the Nitro Santoku, 159 because it's the equivalent to a regular 156, and I had a problem with the stance, because I have more angle in the front foot, so I have to set the stance a bit back to prevent from having more tail than nose when on my toe edge, so I had to widen my stance for that board. Wasn't very dramatic, like 50 cm instead of the 48 I like, but annoying till you adapt, and still, not optimal. I miss more inserts in general in all boards.
Wouldn't wider be better if you're looking for overall stability, especially if you're dropping in on stuff? Especially if you're going really fast free riding, I would think that wider would be better to generate leverage over the board. Plus the boards are meant to be ridden in a longer size. Harder to manipulate a long board with a narrow stance. Don't mean to come across disagreeable, but this is what I figure goes into the design because they are unique in that they're pretty narrow for their length
@Sparksnorthern, that is a good question, and I'm glad you brought it up. Some like a wide stance, but most good riders, including pros, don't. They try to find a compromise between keeping it wide for balance/stability and narrow for strength and less stress on their joints. Going with a wide stance means you hit the outer part of your quads and hamstrings instead of the middle, which is much stronger. Secondly, the wider you go, the harder it is on your ankles, knees, and hips. I've been riding for longer than I care to mention. I've tried super narrow, super wide, and more middle. Super narrow was hard to balance. If I kept riding super wide, I'd be done snowboarding, as it had too much stress on my hips and knees.
It depends on how you weight your turns and the conditions. If you drive more centered to back foot it's better but it can feel a little washy in hard snow. I did feel it was less washy than the JMT which really needed a very center weighted turn. If you front footed or backfooted your turns it almost always washed in hard snow.
Stiffer than the 2024? I have a 2018 Flagship. I love it in powder and on fast runs but I don't really like it in moguls and on uneven snow where it already feels too stiff. Also read some others commenting on an ironing board feel in some conditions. That's why i'm just a bit surprised they made the 2025 even stiffer...
Yes. This is made to be really stiff and your Flagship 18 was softer than this board has ever been. Slowing down and turning through moguls or messy snow is not what the Flagship was made to do and it often get's over recommended. You and the others who complained might be much happier with a different type of board like the Frontier or Mind Expander. If you want to get into it more hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
Two very different boards. If you like to go straight and fast go Flagship. If you see really hard snow and like a really turny set back ride go Orca. Or If you want to get into it more and do this right, hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
I have both. I use the flagship to rip hardpack and the Orca to crush deep pow and to hunt for leftovers in the trees. The flagship does float but its not as nimble in tight spaces or rutted out terrain.
@@je5406 oh nice ok, yea I can imagine the orca is a bit better at that considering it’s meant to be ridden a size or two down. How was the flagship at making tighter s turns ? Did it still want to pull you for those wider ones ?
@@AcExMBar yes to me this board feels like it wants you to push it at top speed making wide S turns. I've been 185lbs to 195lbs riding the 162W. For Flagship think Cadillac cruiser. For Orca, think Dune Buggy.
@@je5406 yea I’m a taller but lighter guy, not quite on the cusp of needing a wide board but either board I’d be fine in that mark. That’s a good comparison to make for either of them. Thanks for the response I really appreciate it !!🤙🏻🤙🏻
In extensively comparing both lines I'm not seeing that in terms of how their boards ride. Despite Nidecker being Jones' parent company, they offer up pretty different shapes, turning experiences, and overall rides. What are you seeing that reminds you of Nidecker?
@thegoodridesnow You would definitely know better than me. I've only ridden a couple of each. I guess it's, perhaps, more of a materials and aesthetic thing or maybe just that they(jones) are broadening their line with boards like the rally cat and tweaker which are going to have more overlap with other companies decks.
Ah gotcha. Yeah I can see that. I think you are right in that they are trying to have a board for everyone like Nidecker has done for decades. I think that's a good thing.
Glad I bought my flagship when I did. Really do love the darker wooden top sheet.
Same here. When I saw this year's in the spring I found one of last years
Trying to find last years flagship and I’m having no luck, that dark wood top sheet is gorgeoussss
@@Goststriker which one do you have. I have the 19/20
@@je5406 2024. Its a lighter top sheet than the earlier iterations (21-22?) that I demo’d before buying. Still a dope top sheet.
Love your channel. Always so thorough and clear. My go-to for final decisions 😉
Many thanks!
As always a top notch review!
Many thanks!
A huge thanks to James and team for the best snowboard reviews around!!
Thanks for taking the time to write this!
I’m riding the 161 solid Jones Flagship. For my Jones Solution (which is basically a split version of the Jones Flagship) I’m riding the 164. More stable for bigger lines and a little more float for when it gets deep. As with a splitboard you encounter a lot of different types of snow. Mostly the Jones Solution is the go to split for most of my touring days.
I took the 161 solid because to be honest most of the times I ride it on groomers. A little less freeriding with that one. Only some lift access freeriding or when I get the opportunity to go cat boarding. That’s when the powder stance or set back stance is the go to option and that’s awesome on the solid 161. Great board and probably one of the best freeride boards out there… at least for me. Thanks for the review
Thanks for your take!
James hope youre doing well; hmgreat to see the uptick in yiur content and rest of the yt community. Snow will be back before we know it! 🙏
Many thannks!
Graphics are clean
Maybe I'll get a jones for my next board I like the light wood base though!
Thank you for the video :)
Random question...I love moguls...it's unhealthy I know. What board would you recommend for charging hard in moguls? Like Mary Jane moguls...not just random bumps.
Thanks!
If that gets you off, then that's all that matters. It's hard to say because I know nothing about your specs (boot size/weight/height) so making a legit recommendation is incredibly hard. You want a narrow somewhat short board that can initiate a turn quickly and with a pretty turny sidecut that can make hard lefts/rights. f you want to get into it more and do this right, hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
Hi, how would you say this compares to the new Lib Tech Skunk Ape Camber?
Haven't tried the Skunk Ape Camber and neither has Davey so hard to say. I'd say that the Flagship will float a lot better, probably has a faster base and is more forgiving but the Skunk will carve better and has better grip.
Have u ridden the new ride moderater yet? Waiting to see what u have to say about it..keep up the great work
Thanks. No. I ran out of time last season but hope to get on it when there is enough snow.
How does the flagship or flagship pro compare to the Alchemist? Obviously jones based are better but curious about the ride. I’m a board hoarder and these videos are only contributing to my addiction. Love the content and glad to see new gear videos rolling out!
Thanks! The Alchemist is a very good board. I would say the bases are faster with the Flagship, but you get more pop out of the Alchemist. The Flagship Pro has a little more pop, is stiffer and has a faster base. Both Flagships can set back more in powder, and the spoon nose makes the turning experience a little better. There is a lot of overlap between these 3 boards, so if you have one, you probably don't need another unless your quiver is really big and you just want to try boards.
I love my Rossi XV and have no complaints. Always wanted to add a Jones board, but I'm not sure if the flagship is different enough, or just more of the same.
Different in the fact the XV turns a much tigher radius turn and this likes to go straight/fast more and has a faster base but both are similar in shape, camber and where/when you would ride em.
Do you have a pre ‘22 Rossi or a new one? I replaced my old one with a ‘24 and hate it was thinking of getting a Flagship to replace my old XV - what do you think?
Stance width is the one thing I dont like about jones boards; although, I like a narrow stance, I put my bindings as close together as I can get them. I dont understand why the reference stance is so wide on boards that are not intended for freestyle.
Jeremy rides a pretty narrow stance too. One of their reps said it was a factory thing but i don’t understand how that makes sense.
Agree. I am 176 cm (don't know in feet sorry) and I like 48 cm as much. But it happens in many brands.
Last board I bought is the Nitro Santoku, 159 because it's the equivalent to a regular 156, and I had a problem with the stance, because I have more angle in the front foot, so I have to set the stance a bit back to prevent from having more tail than nose when on my toe edge, so I had to widen my stance for that board. Wasn't very dramatic, like 50 cm instead of the 48 I like, but annoying till you adapt, and still, not optimal.
I miss more inserts in general in all boards.
Wouldn't wider be better if you're looking for overall stability, especially if you're dropping in on stuff? Especially if you're going really fast free riding, I would think that wider would be better to generate leverage over the board. Plus the boards are meant to be ridden in a longer size. Harder to manipulate a long board with a narrow stance.
Don't mean to come across disagreeable, but this is what I figure goes into the design because they are unique in that they're pretty narrow for their length
@Sparksnorthern, that is a good question, and I'm glad you brought it up. Some like a wide stance, but most good riders, including pros, don't. They try to find a compromise between keeping it wide for balance/stability and narrow for strength and less stress on their joints. Going with a wide stance means you hit the outer part of your quads and hamstrings instead of the middle, which is much stronger. Secondly, the wider you go, the harder it is on your ankles, knees, and hips. I've been riding for longer than I care to mention. I've tried super narrow, super wide, and more middle. Super narrow was hard to balance. If I kept riding super wide, I'd be done snowboarding, as it had too much stress on my hips and knees.
Coming from last years jones Moutain twin, does this have a washy feeling when pushing it on groomers in straight lines and long carves?
It depends on how you weight your turns and the conditions. If you drive more centered to back foot it's better but it can feel a little washy in hard snow. I did feel it was less washy than the JMT which really needed a very center weighted turn. If you front footed or backfooted your turns it almost always washed in hard snow.
Can you review the 2025 Lib Tech Rocket? Seems like a great board for mt bachelor
I rode the old one and that review is on thegoodride.com but will try to get on the new one.
Nice review. Is the non-pro stiffness back to what the pre-2019's had?
Thanks! I'd say stiffer. It feels more like the first Flagships from 10+ years ago but with much better construction and uneven snow performance.
@@thegoodridesnow awesome... thanks!
Saved a few hundred by getting the 24' on spring sale. Even with stiffer flex, does the 25' still feel like the same board? Same soul and spirit?
Yeah you could get the 2024 on sale and get a lot of the same ride. Only go 2025 if you like stiffer boards.
@@thegoodridesnow cool. Just a bit bummed that I missed out, but like I said, saved probably $200+
I’m 170cm tall(5’60 I think) x 75kgs(170lbs) x 28cm feet(us10),I wanna know which one between 156w or the 159w could be a good choice for my specs thx
156w will be a good fit but it depends on what make/model/size/year snowboard you have now and how you like it.
1:10 you were definitely charging there
Stiffer than the 2024? I have a 2018 Flagship. I love it in powder and on fast runs but I don't really like it in moguls and on uneven snow where it already feels too stiff. Also read some others commenting on an ironing board feel in some conditions. That's why i'm just a bit surprised they made the 2025 even stiffer...
Yes. This is made to be really stiff and your Flagship 18 was softer than this board has ever been. Slowing down and turning through moguls or messy snow is not what the Flagship was made to do and it often get's over recommended. You and the others who complained might be much happier with a different type of board like the Frontier or Mind Expander. If you want to get into it more hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
I don't understand why the reference stance is always so wide
Me neither
Really stuck between the flagship and orca right now
Two very different boards. If you like to go straight and fast go Flagship. If you see really hard snow and like a really turny set back ride go Orca. Or If you want to get into it more and do this right, hit me here to give me the info I need to help you much better. shop.thegoodride.com/merchandise/gear-advice/
I have both. I use the flagship to rip hardpack and the Orca to crush deep pow and to hunt for leftovers in the trees. The flagship does float but its not as nimble in tight spaces or rutted out terrain.
@@je5406 oh nice ok, yea I can imagine the orca is a bit better at that considering it’s meant to be ridden a size or two down. How was the flagship at making tighter s turns ? Did it still want to pull you for those wider ones ?
@@AcExMBar yes to me this board feels like it wants you to push it at top speed making wide S turns. I've been 185lbs to 195lbs riding the 162W. For Flagship think Cadillac cruiser. For Orca, think Dune Buggy.
@@je5406 yea I’m a taller but lighter guy, not quite on the cusp of needing a wide board but either board I’d be fine in that mark. That’s a good comparison to make for either of them. Thanks for the response I really appreciate it !!🤙🏻🤙🏻
Might just be me, but Jones is starting to feel more and more like Nidecker and less like Jones
In extensively comparing both lines I'm not seeing that in terms of how their boards ride. Despite Nidecker being Jones' parent company, they offer up pretty different shapes, turning experiences, and overall rides. What are you seeing that reminds you of Nidecker?
@thegoodridesnow You would definitely know better than me. I've only ridden a couple of each. I guess it's, perhaps, more of a materials and aesthetic thing or maybe just that they(jones) are broadening their line with boards like the rally cat and tweaker which are going to have more overlap with other companies decks.
Ah gotcha. Yeah I can see that. I think you are right in that they are trying to have a board for everyone like Nidecker has done for decades. I think that's a good thing.
@@jonbrown9490 What about this flagship makes you think Nidecker?