I got mine last year right when it dropped, you’re right about the dampening. And again your right about the Pow I’m 230 6’0 I bought the 159W and it didn’t do to well in heavy PNW snow.
You hit it on the head, the board did extremely well on STEEP Kirkwood hits and steep backcountry behind Mnt Shasta resort (bunny flats) but anything w/ heavy snow and not a lot of angle I had a tough time staying afloat probably b/c of my weight to the size of the board
Thanks Jake! Yeah you've got a few pounds on me and even on the 163 it didn't knock my socks off in the pow so that makes sense. Fine for a full camber board, and not any worse than I expected, but wouldn't be my pick for a deep day.
@@jakemartinez3109 Honestly I ordered a Stratos and sent it back before I rode it. for me, I was nervous it was way too stiff and too similar to some other stuff I already had. I think by all means it's a solid board but if you're after something really for pow, I'd go with something a lot more pow specific. The Storm Chaser is amazing. I'm getting the new Hovercraft this year to check that out. Looks great too. Or even the Storm Wolf if you want something that's still good on groomers.
In my experience this board rides much easier than most people report. It’s good in all conditions except powder (not enough set back) and instills confidence in most situations. Excellent nearly every day driver. I own the 158 and am 185 lbs / 9.5 boots.
Wow, just had 3 days on this in Italy, everything you said is exactly right. It absolutely bombs, holds an edge like it’s on a rail and charges through pretty much everything. It’s brilliant on jumps ( landed back seat on a couple of bigger ones and it got me off the hook ). It’s ok in pow as long as it’s steep, got stuck in 1/2 meter deep of low angle pow yesterday. With that in mind in looking at a board that’s really good in pow and isn’t terrible on everything else. I keep hearing the jones mind expander would go great with this board as a pow day alternative but also thinking about the ultra mind expander and the K2 excavator ( want whatever is best in pow really )have you any experience with those boards? Many thanks for the advice and especially the tip off with the aviator, I love it !!!
Really enjoyed this review. Trying to contextualise just how chargy the lowest level of charginess is on here. As someone who rides about 25mph as an average and tops out in the 40mph range (on clear slopes) would this be wasted on me? Have a bit of a full camber itch I'd like to scratch so have been looking hard at this in the 158 to carry my 78kg and to complement my Hovercraft and Backwoods. You said it was good on cruddy snow. How did you find it on late afternoon chopped up to bit piste? Easy to move around the crowds at a more sensible pace? Love the channel. Keep up the good work
Great review. I'm 6'2" 165lbs wet. Riding a 158 slayblade for groomer days, 159 park star for slushy park days, and a dedicated powder board for a foot or more. Think this board would fit in nicely and give me some support on med/lg jumps in the park. I'm leaning 158. Thoughts?
Managed to get a go on one in an indoor place over here. Did 2 runs on it and decided I wanted one. Its like it’s on a rail when you get it on edge, can’t wait to get it outside I’ll look around for flagship deals this summer ( new ones out next year so might get a bargain ). Thanks for the advice
Thanks for the review! I'm also 6'3'' and 215 lbs. I was wondering if this board was good for intermediate level all mountain riders? And could you recommend a size for me please?
All I’d say is that it rides longer than the size would indicate. Keep an eye on that effective edge / running length. I started out bigger and ended up preferring the next size down most of these time.
Thanks for the review. I live in SoCal. I've been riding a Jones Employer for a couple of years all over the West Coast. I want a much faster board that's still easy to maneuver in the trees. I believe this may be a good board for me. I'm 6'1" and about 180 lbs. What size Aviator would you recommend?
This one is a 159w, also rode the 163w a lot. Really like both depending on the conditions. The new model is exactly the same as the one pictured here, except the graphic. And it's not changing for 2025 either. Go enjoy that thing!
I appreciate this feedback a lot!! I just received the 159 W yesterday and I’m ready to rip it. I already fell in love with it, before it even has seen snow. I appreciate it again.
Great review! I am 6’3 200. Planning on getting the 163w. I don’t look for the highest speed on each run but I do enjoy carving with moderate speed. Should I be thinking about getting the 159W rather than the 163w?
Way different. The aviator carves well but is also quite versatile. You can bomb, ride some pow, hit the park. The Freecarver does one thing only: carve. It’s really good at carving but it’s not fun for anything else.
hi drift, I want a new board, I have not decide yet between lib tech orca and the jones aviator, have you ever ride the orca? what yours thoughts on this dilema? thanks!
i want a board witch can handle steep terrain, holds egde nice, confident inspired, not a must but good in powder, good for side hits. I watched so many videos and they say the same things for each board. *I have a dedicated pack board. thanks for respond@@Drift-Products
I haven’t ridden a custom in a while. My guess pretty similar but I suspect the Jones has a bit more freeride flavor compared to the Custom. The Aviator is also famous for being really damp; I would guess the Custom is snappier.
Haven't ridden the deep fake but it looks to be more directional. With the Jones you get the 3D shaping in nose and tail and the edge tech, both of which I think are pretty nice.
I got mine last year right when it dropped, you’re right about the dampening. And again your right about the Pow I’m 230 6’0 I bought the 159W and it didn’t do to well in heavy PNW snow.
Bro I’m 5’8 190 and I rode the 159w on a pow day and it sucked😂 but if I’m gonna boot jumps or rip fast carves that’s the board I want
I really enjoy your snowboards review. Thank you.
Thank you!
You hit it on the head, the board did extremely well on STEEP Kirkwood hits and steep backcountry behind Mnt Shasta resort (bunny flats) but anything w/ heavy snow and not a lot of angle I had a tough time staying afloat probably b/c of my weight to the size of the board
Thanks Jake! Yeah you've got a few pounds on me and even on the 163 it didn't knock my socks off in the pow so that makes sense. Fine for a full camber board, and not any worse than I expected, but wouldn't be my pick for a deep day.
I’m looking at the Jones Stratos in 164W for my Pow board what’s your thoughts?
@@jakemartinez3109 Honestly I ordered a Stratos and sent it back before I rode it. for me, I was nervous it was way too stiff and too similar to some other stuff I already had. I think by all means it's a solid board but if you're after something really for pow, I'd go with something a lot more pow specific. The Storm Chaser is amazing. I'm getting the new Hovercraft this year to check that out. Looks great too. Or even the Storm Wolf if you want something that's still good on groomers.
no pow this one ! i agree . this is open areas all snow cond. but no pow over 1 feet maybe ...
In my experience this board rides much easier than most people report. It’s good in all conditions except powder (not enough set back) and instills confidence in most situations. Excellent nearly every day driver. I own the 158 and am 185 lbs / 9.5 boots.
Amen! I’ve ridden a ton of boards since this one and it’s still a favorite.
Nice style of review. Gonna watch them all
Thanks!
Great review, thank you! just ordered the 163W and look forward to carving hard on East Coast slopes.
You’ll love it.
I'm starting to outgrow my mountain twin. Love it but it gets kicked around when I'm going fast. Helpful video.
Thanks! For sure, the Aviator is definitely a step up in that area.
Wow, just had 3 days on this in Italy, everything you said is exactly right. It absolutely bombs, holds an edge like it’s on a rail and charges through pretty much everything. It’s brilliant on jumps ( landed back seat on a couple of bigger ones and it got me off the hook ). It’s ok in pow as long as it’s steep, got stuck in 1/2 meter deep of low angle pow yesterday.
With that in mind in looking at a board that’s really good in pow and isn’t terrible on everything else. I keep hearing the jones mind expander would go great with this board as a pow day alternative but also thinking about the ultra mind expander and the K2 excavator ( want whatever is best in pow really )have you any experience with those boards?
Many thanks for the advice and especially the tip off with the aviator, I love it !!!
Great to hear! Glad you liked it. Great board.
Great review! I love all Jones boards and am I huge fan of my Drift Boards. I think a review on the Flagship would be sweet!
Thanks! Will be talking about the flagship soon!
Really enjoyed this review. Trying to contextualise just how chargy the lowest level of charginess is on here. As someone who rides about 25mph as an average and tops out in the 40mph range (on clear slopes) would this be wasted on me? Have a bit of a full camber itch I'd like to scratch so have been looking hard at this in the 158 to carry my 78kg and to complement my Hovercraft and Backwoods. You said it was good on cruddy snow. How did you find it on late afternoon chopped up to bit piste? Easy to move around the crowds at a more sensible pace?
Love the channel. Keep up the good work
You could push it harder than you’ve described here, but I think you’d love it from what I’m hearing.
Great review. I'm 6'2" 165lbs wet. Riding a 158 slayblade for groomer days, 159 park star for slushy park days, and a dedicated powder board for a foot or more. Think this board would fit in nicely and give me some support on med/lg jumps in the park. I'm leaning 158. Thoughts?
Ya, 158. It rides longer than the size would indicate.
Damn it now I’m thinking this could be the one lol. New to the channel, these reviews are excellent, thanks
Thanks so much. I won’t talk you out of it, love the Aviator. :)
Managed to get a go on one in an indoor place over here. Did 2 runs on it and decided I wanted one. Its like it’s on a rail when you get it on edge, can’t wait to get it outside
I’ll look around for flagship deals this summer ( new ones out next year so might get a bargain ).
Thanks for the advice
Thanks for the review! I'm also 6'3'' and 215 lbs. I was wondering if this board was good for intermediate level all mountain riders? And could you recommend a size for me please?
I would say it's more advanced, but could be good if you're looking to take your riding up a notch. I'd go 163w if you have big feet.
very good REV .. im 73 kg and 154 long , 9US boots , expert .. thinking my self on 154 or 156 ..... i have other boards as well ... but ....
All I’d say is that it rides longer than the size would indicate. Keep an eye on that effective edge / running length. I started out bigger and ended up preferring the next size down most of these time.
Thanks for the review. I live in SoCal. I've been riding a Jones Employer for a couple of years all over the West Coast. I want a much faster board that's still easy to maneuver in the trees. I believe this may be a good board for me. I'm 6'1" and about 180 lbs. What size Aviator would you recommend?
Probably 158 or 159w if you’ve got bigger feet. Awesome board.
Great review I just ordered the new model. Is there any difference other than the design? What size is this board you’re showing?
This one is a 159w, also rode the 163w a lot. Really like both depending on the conditions. The new model is exactly the same as the one pictured here, except the graphic. And it's not changing for 2025 either. Go enjoy that thing!
I appreciate this feedback a lot!! I just received the 159 W yesterday and I’m ready to rip it. I already fell in love with it, before it even has seen snow. I appreciate it again.
Were you able to tackle any of the Ride boards? Deep fake, Shadowban, Bezerker, Commissioner?
I demoed a couple, but I wasn’t able to get on any long-term. The moderator and deep fake that I demoed were fine, but didn’t really stand out to me.
@@Drift-Products Finding boards that stand out is a difficult task now, especially with most companies using great carbon layouts/tech.
@@coloradoruffneck4230 yep. In general they’re all quite competent.
And lastly, how would you compare this board to the capita mercury?
Sadly haven't tried the Mercury yet! Maybe next year.
Great review! I am 6’3 200. Planning on getting the 163w. I don’t look for the highest speed on each run but I do enjoy carving with moderate speed. Should I be thinking about getting the 159W rather than the 163w?
I don’t think so but if you want it a little more turny and playful you could consider it. The 163 shouldn’t be too much.
@@Drift-Products As a follow up, how would you compare the aviator to the jones freecarver 9000s?
Way different. The aviator carves well but is also quite versatile. You can bomb, ride some pow, hit the park. The Freecarver does one thing only: carve. It’s really good at carving but it’s not fun for anything else.
hi drift, I want a new board, I have not decide yet between lib tech orca and the jones aviator, have you ever ride the orca? what yours thoughts on this dilema? thanks!
I have ridden both. They are extremely different from each other. What are your goals with this new board?
i want a board witch can handle steep terrain, holds egde nice, confident inspired, not a must but good in powder, good for side hits.
I watched so many videos and they say the same things for each board.
*I have a dedicated pack board.
thanks for respond@@Drift-Products
What do they say about every board? I’m going to recommend the yes standard uninc all day for that. Or the Yes Warca.
thanks Drift@@Drift-Products
How would you compare this with the burton custom?
I haven’t ridden a custom in a while. My guess pretty similar but I suspect the Jones has a bit more freeride flavor compared to the Custom. The Aviator is also famous for being really damp; I would guess the Custom is snappier.
Would y’all say it’s a good board for east coast ice?
Yep.
Differences between this and Ride deepfake?
Haven't ridden the deep fake but it looks to be more directional. With the Jones you get the 3D shaping in nose and tail and the edge tech, both of which I think are pretty nice.
@@Drift-Productsjust looking for something like the aviator but maybe a little more light…. K2 antidote? Thanks 😊
@@robikanobi literally lighter or do you mean less aggressive? Full camber still?
@@Drift-Products yeah the only thing that bothers me about the aviator is it’s on the heavy side weight wise….
Fair. Antidote is a good option. Nitro Alternator, Endeavor Ranger, Standard Uninc … but let it be known, hefty or not the aviator is a gem!