Categories: product reviews

Jones Snowboards & NOW Bindings Review 2015

Two brands that we are very excited to work with this winter are Jones Snowboards and Now bindings. Both brands have some seriously unique products that we can’t wait to share with all of you. Continue on for some sweet action…

Jones

Founded in 2009, Jones Snowboards is the brainchild of “big mountain” Jeremy Jones. Pouring his life experiences into his brand have helped him create a line of boards that are second to none. Born in the backcountry on some of the world’s biggest mountains, the Jones lineup has been fine tuned and is better than ever for winter 2015. Check out a list of our favorites below.

Solution Splitboard

Holding the impressive title of “Best selling splitboard in the world” is the one and only Jones Solution Split. More splitboarders have chosen this board for all their backcountry needs and the Solution’s performance is second to none. With the same tech as the Flagship (but split) this big mountain powder slaying machine is made for the rider that wants to conquer the backcountry. The directional rocker profile of the Solution offers great float in deeper powder and catch free turns thanks to the smaller tail. Mellow magnetraction gives you extra edge hold for crusty conditions, Carbon Quadrax gives you supreme snap and stability at high speeds and the trusty Karakoram hardware makes the swap quick and easy.

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Mountain Twin Snowboard

By far, the most versatile board in the Jones lineup is the Mountain Twin Snowboard. This all-mountain beast can slay the park, slash powder, cruise groomers and navigate the trees. No matter your style of riding, the Mountain Twin can handle it. This true twin shaped board has a rockered nose and tail for better float, camber under the bindings for precise edge hold, mellow magnetraction for icier conditions and triax fiberglass for a perfectly snappy, precise ride. We can’t think of too many riders that would not want the opportunity to shred this board.

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Aviator Snowboard

For the man who knows what he wants from his snowboard and knows how to get it, we recommend the Jones Aviator Snowboard. The Aviator model is Jones’ super machine for the expert shredder who is not afraid to ride hard and go huge. This board is stiff and powerful and made for big mountain, big boy snowboarding. 3D power camber gives the board the traditional precision and edge control that you expect from a camber board. Jones took takes that even further by adding a bevel from the contact points out to the ends of the board for a ‘no hang ups’ feel and seamless turn initiation. So you get the precision of a camber board without edge catchiness, while the added magnetraction will offer some extra grip on the icier days.

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Ultra Aviator Snowboard

When it comes to the Ultra Aviator Snowboard, you get all the bells and whistles in the Aviator described above but you get it with the Ultra construction. With an ultra light wood core and 2 layers of carbon fiber, the Ultra Aviator is lighter, stronger and more hard charging than ever. The icing on the cake is the Air Lightness technology reserved specifically for the Ultra Aviator. This technology removes the wood core in the tip and tail, drastically reducing the overall weight of the board. Trust us, if you get this board in your hands, you will understand the sheer magic that is the Ultra construction.

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Flagship Snowboard

Aptly named, the Jones Flagship Snowboard is the board that started it all for Jones. Now also available in a carbon version, the Jones Flagship is one of the most recognized freeride snowboards in the game. Jeremy Jones has spent 20 years building and perfecting this snowboard year after year. That’s why so many big mountain rippers trust it enough to call it their own. The regular Flagship offers a directional rocker with a blunted nose, an ash-wood top sheet that is both snappy and damp feeling for great pop. Add to this, a brand new full wood triple density core that has hardwood stringers along the edge for durability and protection against edge impact. For a fast, stable ride on a board that you can trust, the Jones Flagship is the only way to go.

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Carbon Flagship Snowboard

For the big boss who is looking for some serious high speed performance, the Carbon Flagship Snowboard offers a carbon top sheet with carbon stringers for the most snappy, lightweight board you’ve ever ridden. Other things to note are the Hard Core dual density wood core that provides an ultra stiff and stable ride, Jones’ fastest sintered 9900 base and a film top sheet that reduces weight and thickness while still providing the stiffness of a traditional top sheet.

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Twin Sister

After one run on the Jones Twin Sister Snowboard, I was in love. A playful yet aggressive board that can truly conquer the entire mountain, the Twin Sister offers a snappy feel with it’s Camrock profile. The Camrock makes the board feel much more like a camber board, but the slight rocker at the nose and tail allow effortless turns and great float in deeper conditions. The blunted nose is great for the girls in the park looking for less swing weight while the progressive sidecut is loved by the lady looking to carve and slash with ease. Other bonus features include mellow magnetraction for icy days, a full wood dual density core designed specifically for lighter weight riders and a film top sheet for reduced weight and added strength.

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Women’s Flagship

Big mountain girls need love too, and Jones knows that. New for 2015 is the Jones Women’s Flagship Snowboard. Some girls know their way around the mall and some know their way around the mountain. For the latter, we have the perfect ride. Big mountains, big lines, the women’s Flagship can handle it. The Power Core is light and extra snappy, the wood top sheet offers a chatter free experience while also being sustainable and the directional rocker floats in powder like no other. Just lean back and let the Flagship do the work. If you are the girl who is leading the boys in the pack, you are probably riding the Jones Women’s Flagship.

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Now Bindings

Now’s Skate Tech In Motion

What started as an idea by former pro snowboarder JF Pelchat, has now grown into one of the most innovative binding brands in the snowboard industry. Taking cues from the construction of skateboard trucks, Now’s Skate Tech has installed a “kingpin” in the side of the baseplate which allows the base of the binding to pivot back and forth slightly, allow for better energy transfer from binding to board. Now bindings also come with “bushings” that fit under the baseplate between the binding and the board which creates a dampening system. Depending on the level of dampening you are looking for, you can interchange the bushings for your desired feel. The entire Now Snowboard Binding line offers Skate Tech at the core of their design.

Drive Bindings

Basking in the excitement of it’s 1st birthday, the Now Drive Bindings are back and better than ever. A few of the new features include the Calfback high back that reduces calf pressure when in forward lean, a gas pedal raised footbed for extra power in turns and added comfort and the brand new 3D EVA toe straps. The Drive has always offered tool-less adjuster straps, highcup compatibility for a personalized fit and an aluminum forged disc that is compatible with any board you might ride. For the perfect amount of comfort, response and performance take the Now Drive bindings out for a spin.

shop Drive Bindings

Overdrive Bindings

The Now Overdrive Bindings are the jacked up version of the Drive bindings, made specifically for the hard charging and fast riding. Taking the cake as Now’s most stiff and responsive binding, the Overdrive is a lean, mean, precision machine. Keeping with the comfort and dampening you know and love from Now, the Overdrive also has a brand new Foot Pillow that will help keep you riding in comfort much longer. Add a 100% 12 ply carbon highback for strength and stability and new 3-D EVA combo toe straps for better-than-ever hold. For the aggressive rider looking for some serious support and responsiveness, look no further than the Now Overdrive binding.

shop Overdrive Bindings

Select Bindings

Now’s most versatile, do-it-all, perfect for any rider kind of binding are the Now Select Bindings. Whether you choose to spend your day on the groomers or in the terrain park, the Select could be perfect for you. Brand new for this year, Now makes the Select in a size small which perfect for younger riders or the ladies who couldn’t get in on the fun before. Other features include 2 interchangeable high backs (choose the Freestyle high back for 40% more stiffness), brand new mounting ring and mounting disc reinforced with 50% fiberglass and two disc options so you can even strap these on the Burton channel system if you choose to do so. In short, for a ton of versatility and tech in a binding that just about any rider will love, the obvious choice is the Now Select.

shop Select Bindings

IPO Bindings

Now’s first binding and winner of ISPO’s Action Segment Award are the crowd favorite Now IPO Bindings. A responsive, all mountain binding that has been redesigned for winter 2015 and is lighter and stronger than ever. Now replaced the Alumiring and forge disc components with a nylon post and disc that are reinforced with 50% fiberglass. This offers the rider a slightly softer feel but not compromising the response and snap of the binding. The IPO also comes with brand new 3D toe and ankle straps, flex hinge high backs and new fiberglass reinforced mounting ring and disc. The binding that started it all, and continues to get better is the Now IPO.

shop IPO Bindings

Hopefully this got you hyped on these brands and ready for winter! Now all we need is more snow. For the latest availability on both brands continue below.

Shop Jones Snowboards

Shop Now Snowboard Bindings

the windward staff

In the snow . skate . surf-sup scene since 1982. We specialize in everything snowboarding, skateboarding, longboarding, stand up paddle and swimwear. Contact us at 888 . 706 . 0090 for expert advice or tips on Thai food.

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