I've ridden the 162w in the Flagship. I'm a little bit bigger than you (6'3", 195lbs) but wear US10 boots. I'd definitely get the wide in the Flagship so I didn't have to worry about boot out at all. Jones boards run rather narrow and with the taper on that board the tail can kick out pretty easily if you're on ice and bump your heel or toe. Even on the wide sizes the tail width is less than 30cm, and 30cm is when I stop worrying. And with the spoon base you don't feel the width as much when turning so wide sizes are an easy call for me there.

The 162w was a rocket though, with the 9.3m sidecut it just wants to go straight and fast. The 165w would be something I'd only make use of on certain runs on big mountains - like Whistler or Baker around here. I haven't been to Tahoe in a decade, but if you're at Heavenly or Pallisades (did they change the name?) you've got room for a 165w.

If I wanted a board to just blast over everything all the time the 165w would be a lot of fun. But if I wanted a bit more versatility the 162w would be a board I could feasibly ride all day.

 

I had a flagship 164 and found it a bit too narrow at the back insert with my US9 boots. It’s a narrow board, get a wide if you want to carve groomers. Or even better, get a Stranda Descender 162w.

 

Which size Descender did you get?

 

I’m 6’3” 185 lbs with an 11.5 boot. I just bought the 169 wide and I’m not sorry at all. My main concern was agility at that length and it’s surprisingly agile for the size. Easy to turn while providing lots of float and straight line power.

 

Bonus round: Has anybody ridden both the carbon flagship and the ultra flagship? Which did you find to be lighter and which to be stiffer?

I did. My '20 Carbon was a lot damper than the first-year '21 Ultra, which felt a lot stiffer and harsher through chops. I kept the Carbon and passed on the Ultra. I hear the addition of power plates in later model Ultras improved the dampening and rides smoother now.

AFAIK the Ultra/Carbon editions weren't their attempts at making SL versions of the regular model, although the use of lighter material probably resulted in some weight savings. But it's not really noticeable IRL.

 

You guys are awesome!! Not even Jones customer service could give me some of the info I was looking for.

Big thanks to everybody who shared their input/experience. Since this is a quiver board, I'm fine with it being a little less versatile. I have a mountain twin for trees/daily driver resort riding so I'm gonna grab the 165w. Cheers!