[Rip154]

Well prices in Japan for snowboard equipment is generally higher, and these are high end in that market, so the prices reflect that and a smaller production. Kijima explained that well earlier. What sells these boards for me is that I can't find the same thing from other brands, they have a few shapes that are pretty much my dream boards, and the description of what they do is reliable. They are good at testing before launch and refine the shapes through many years. Everything from sidecut to flex, stance and looks is great. Of course there are different boards, and you have to know what you want and what suits you, but I haven't been mislead on a product like with other brands. I think this is mostly because the large scale production of some brands demand too many compromises to sell out the stock.

There no prestige in it really, as people look at you funny if you don't have a Jones Flagship or Rome park board around here.

 

[treehugger]

Surfing has always influenced my approach to snowboarding (as well as skating), so these boards really interest me. It seems like these guys get that approach better than anyone. I can't imagine them thinking about filling some market category when it comes to how they want to ride. I think I might be missing out not trying their boards.

Been riding short fat surfy boards for many years and really curious how they will compare.

 

[kimchijajonshim]

Gentem and Moss are very specialized brands that cater to a certain type of rider, but there is nothing magical inside the boards that commands a higher price. They do have unique shapes and high quality materials, but they aren't drastically different than any other brand on the market. Gentem and Moss are essentially luxury brands in the snowboard space. Think of Gentemstick as a Gucci or Louis Vuitton hand bag. There is nothing inherently special about LV handbag in terms of raw materials, design, and construction compared to other fashion brands. But consumers pay a premium for prestige of owning a LV bag.

That's a busted analogy. Luxury goods are a stupid marketing racket that thrives on brand awareness and perceived scarcity.

No one outside of a small segment of hardcore snowboard nerds gives a fuck about Japanese snowsurfers... they're not well known enough to have a luxury reputation. Not even Moss or Gentemstick, much less the really esoteric stuff like Field Earth or TJ Brand or Offshore Shapes.

And I might buy it if they were just popping out twin popsicle sticks, but their at least Mosses are very functionally different in design regardless of being built in the same factory with the same technique as commodity boards. I've ridden six (maybe seven) different Moss models, and all have a very unique personality I can't compare to anything else I've ever ridden (I haven't ridden THAT many decks, but I've owned something like 35 lifetime and ridden something like 80 lifetime over the past 16 years). The Swallowtail 62 is kinda sorta normal, but the Swallow 170 was pretty wild and I've never anything remotely close to the Performance Quad 54, Wingswallow 148, or especially the Long.

Now whether or not "different" is good or bad is a different question (I personally have no interest in ever riding a Long again). But they're not some silly marketing Jedi mind trick on the masses.

 

[treehugger]

I decided I want to get The Chaser next season. From no way to got to have it in just a few posts.

Someone mentioned bases are thin and are easy to damage (Not ideal for powder board if true). Anyone know if they use a quality sintered base? Not a lot of info on construction details or materials on these.

 

[zc1]

Just wanted to show how different the Moss back-seat camber profile (step back rocker) is from other brands. This is the Jellyfish.

 

[MrDavey2Shoes]

@zc1 that photo told me more about a Moss than anything I’ve ever read in their site! I can imagine the inputs you need to make in order to ride something like that!

 

[zc1]

@zc1 that photo told me more about a Moss than anything I’ve ever read in their site! I can imagine the inputs you need to make in order to ride something like that!

A picture's worth a thousand words! The Jellyfish is definitely one of the more extreme examples.

 

[snow & pow adventures]

I finally stopped being a pussy and pulled a trigger on that baby.
That board cover/case is hot as hell!

[ACH]

 

[MrDavey2Shoes]

let’s get this thread back up and running!
Id love to keep talking about these boards - let’s move past the cost

If you grab a Pintail or Wingpin from Moss, hard conditions is not an issue.

have you rode both of these?

 

[snow & pow adventures]

let’s get this thread back up and running!
Id love to keep talking about these boards - let’s move past the cost

Well. I love mine. Like, really really love it
I rode Dart only once this season, just to make sure Don't get me wrong, I love Dart too, but Zephyr is just another league.
It has 0 flavs so far, and all Dart issues are gone.

I didn't pay full price, I bought it very very cheap but right now, knowing what I know, I wonder, If I would be willing to pay a full price, and have this one board vs buy 3-4 others.
And I would probably buy Gentem. But I know I'm biased now

An awesome carver, I finally learned how to sit on the snow this season.

 

[MrDavey2Shoes]

@snow & pow adventures those turns speak to me. I also finally learned to get my ass on snow this season.
What is love about your video is the amount of upper body movement in the turns. That’s what I do and I don’t feel western boards necessarily reward it, regardless of how good it feels.
Getting close to just handing my wallet over to Moss of Gentem.

can you tell me what you love about your zephyr and what the specs are like?

 

[Rip154]

let’s get this thread back up and running!
Id love to keep talking about these boards - let’s move past the cost




have you rode both of these?

58pt and 54wp

 

[treehugger]

love my gentemstick chaser (156). ulimate powder float. 346 w on nose is as wide as anything i've seen. it's a beautiful shape with lots of taper. by far the best looking board i've had. amazingly this board is also one of my favorite carving boards. not really sure how this works so well (and obviously it would be better for carving if it was narrower like the HP version). compared to other fat pow boards i have it is not a strain to get hold on edge. feels very different than my usual carver but really stable and inspiring. handles bumpy pow better than my other shorter wide boards. i like all my boards but this is the one that's special and gets me stoked just looking at it.

 

[MrDavey2Shoes]

@Rip154
Can you tell me about the differences in how they ride? Looks like the WP is quite a bit wider than the PT when you line them up in the same size.

@treehugger what’s your weight and boot size?

 

[Rip154]

@Rip154
Can you tell me about the differences in how they ride? Looks like the WP is quite a bit wider than the PT when you line them up in the same size.

@treehugger what’s your weight and boot size?

both boards have a sturdier front than most of the moss boards, so they can take more allround riding and conditions. 58pt has a softer tail, so gotta be careful to press it too much in hard snow, but i can still stay in control on icy patches and it carves well on open turns when its not too steep. perfect for varied terrain and tree riding. 54wp is better at carving, more hold to the tail, and you can ride lower, tighter and with a narrower stance. its also set up like that, so check if you can get on board with it. 64 pt looks beefier than the 58pt. i picked the pt because i hardly ride groomers, and wanted the narrower width and a bit more option on stance. it comes right behind the fish (old shape) at carving for me, and alot less tiring to ride. cant compare the wp too much outside groomers.

 

[Nolefan2011]

My Mantaray is special. I remember riding it for the first time and thinking “this is worth every dollar”. It has an ability to flex in all the right spots, but rips. And the base is faster than any board I’ve ridden.

And yes, it kills powder

 

[treehugger]

@treehugger what’s your weight and boot size?

180lb size10 (28 mondo). volume is perfect for me. would like to also have the HP version. or zephyr could be interesting.

 

[Hatto]

Moss - I have a 162sw great in deep pow and carves big tuns
I have a U5 156, slick and smooth great in medium deep, turns on a dime
I have PQ 54, Most versatile and fun, play all over the slope - short board surfing
I have elevated RTH5.1, sitting waiting for 2 years, not seen snow yet, hopefully Jan.
I have a Party Platter 150, so much fun, feels like a skateboard, goes great but too short for my 6ft in anything over knee. (go over the bars) but doable, but quick turns /slashing and all day riding is so not tiring.
They are all great, nothing bad with any, (not my skill level anyway), i would recommend any or all.
As i get older, i am looking for more fun/less effort/ ride longer/ not bombing down/want to enjoy the journey/ not smashing the laps and these all are where it's at for me.

 

[Fordy]

Hey all, really enjoyed reading this thread.

I’m looking for a new board and at the moment deciding between Gentemstick Mantaray and Korua Dart.

Currently have a Yes Optimistic which is cool but not that magic board I was hoping for. It’s a little unforgiving and hard to really slash in anything other than powder. Also just sold my Arbour Shreddy Krueger which was a fun board but I’m looking for something different as I love trying new boards and improving or at least change my riding.

I’d love some feedback from anyone who has ridden one or both of these boards.

I’m 5’10”, about 76 of, advanced rider. Mostly snowboard Japan and now with two little ones in tow I’m looking for a one board quiver (too much stuff to take), to take that is awesome in powder but also also heaps of fun to make surf style turns and carves.



Thanks legends

ps. Not absolutely set on either board btw

 

[chusnowpar]

Hey all, really enjoyed reading this thread.

I’m looking for a new board and at the moment deciding between Gentemstick Mantaray and Korua Dart.

Currently have a Yes Optimistic which is cool but not that magic board I was hoping for. It’s a little unforgiving and hard to really slash in anything other than powder. Also just sold my Arbour Shreddy Krueger which was a fun board but I’m looking for something different as I love trying new boards and improving or at least change my riding.

I’d love some feedback from anyone who has ridden one or both of these boards.

I’m 5’10”, about 76 of, advanced rider. Mostly snowboard Japan and now with two little ones in tow I’m looking for a one board quiver (too much stuff to take), to take that is awesome in powder but also also heaps of fun to make surf style turns and carves.



Thanks legends

ps. Not absolutely set on either board btw

Current own a 154 Yes. Optimistic and the 159 Giant Mantaray. While I LOVE the Mantaray during a deep powder day, I found it wasn't nearly stiff enough to right hardpack or chop, especially when things get steep. However it's great in powder and groomers for a carve.

When the conditions are right, the Mantaray just feels different, it's hard to describe. You can see and feel the quality of the board, and this thing floats all across the mountain as long as there is powder. From steep bowls and trees down to like 20 degree runs at mellow speeds. On a good powder day, I find it's just amazing fun to ride.

If you're mostly riding Japan, you won't go wrong with a Mantaray. But I'd be pulling something else out if you end up somewhere with less powder and steep terrain. I have not ridden the Kurora, but know they have a good reputation and quality as well.