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[Unannounced] Jones Howler, Directional Freeride 25/26

15K views 75 replies 26 participants last post by  moore_22_01  
#1 ·
They've been sneak peeking this on their social media for a couple weeks now but it seems like a listing has gone out a little early.

I'm not loving any of the graphics I've seen but excited to see another freeride board from Jones that's not the flagship

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#23 ·
Not asking you to make feel bad just saying it doesn’t make sense. I deal with it fine, pretty sure you’re giant feet aren’t fitting well with that 158 width either. Point being it doesn’t make sense for either of us. Seems to me the stance width should go down as the size gets smaller. BTW there are a ton of wide width boards these days, please 🤷🏻‍♂️.
You seem excited about this! To be clear I agree with you. If they’re just operating on average height, weight, and shoe size, why not have the reference stance change with each size? But I do ride some Jones boards all the way down to 156 and remain pleasantly surprised that their reference is bigger than anyone else’s.

Don’t get me started on sizing options though. Width is only one factor, and even then it’s still limited. Bottom line is if you are of “average” size, you have far more options than someone who is bigger than average. Like you said, I deal with it. I get that brands can’t make everything in every size for every possible

Lastly, you keep mentioning my “huge” feet. Is 11.5 really that crazy? The average US men’s size is 10.5. Do you think someone with 9.5 has crazy tiny feet?

but let’s get back on topic. I hope I can ride this Jones at an upcoming demo. Looks right up my alley.
Actually I have 8.5 feet that are wide as most 10sand yes I think I have hobbit feet 😂 which sucks for snowboard boots. BTW I look forward to seeing your review, you have good insight and I subscribe to your channel. I enjoy your reviews and am not in any way doing anything besides having a discussion. Oh and I love the flagship and Jones boards in general
 
#27 ·
Almost everyone falls between 20-24. 22 just seems to make sense as reference.

As was mentioned earlier, a 23.5 in. stance is really easy to find on a 22 in. ref board (and you have some adjustability). It is much harder for someone to go down to a 21-22 in. stance if reference is marked at 23+.

As an example, I'm 6'0" x 185 lbs, size 10.5 (but vans, so large footprint), stance 21-22 in (not that picky) and I like the looks of a 162w Passport. It's 23 in. ref stance makes it a no go. I would have one option for inserts. If the thing was marked at 22, it would fit me great, and it would still fit a 24 in. stance no problem.
 
#28 ·
Eh... are the insert packs actually farther apart on a Jones board? I know they are marked for a 23"+ ref stance, but those markings are one hole from the end of each insert pack. On other boards that I have with a 22" ref stance (e.g. my Deep Fake), the markings are two holes from the end of each insert pack. If you ignore the markings, does this not equate to exactly the same insert pack placement?
 
#31 ·
thanks for the kind words. I’m just messing. But I do spend a lot of time thinking about sizing and how brands do or don’t accommodate all the needs.
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What boots have you had good luck with? I have similar feet. Thx
I'm currently on the 32 tm-2 wides, I have foot inserts and they have been pretty good. There was a time when boots were hurting my feet so bad I was sizing way up. My best advice to anyone with foot problems is go to a really good boot fitter.
 
#36 ·
Announcement today but page is already up:

It is pretty much a more aviator like freeride board. Less directional and more pop than flagship, koroyd to drop some weight, Limited edition.
 
#40 ·
I picked up an Aviator 2.0 on an impulse because it was on really good sale at Scheels fully expecting to return it. After riding it though it became one of my favorite boards particularly in icy scenarios and on nice groomers. Really nice flex profile and a generous amount of effective edge. The Howler seems like it's just going to end up a free ride Aviator which on paper sounds like an awesome board. I'll probably wait for a later year with better graphics but this one is definitely on my list. Stats are very close to a Stranda Descender too which is another great board. The reference stance on Jones boards of 23 is a little silly but I never have any trouble just using using further in inserts. I never significantly set boards back either. If it's a powder day I'll just ride a powder board that is already set back on board by default.
 
#41 ·
Nice! Aviator looks so fun. I got a lucky bid on eBay and purchased a brand new Tweaker Pro at a serious discount. Hoping for it to be the more freestyle version of the aviator and dad board (it sizes a little smaller).

Unless reviews are glorious I'll probably end up skipping on the howler. The Stranda Descender really fills all my needs for a freeride board.
 
#42 ·
Agree with Red, the Aviator 2.0 is a great board. It's quickly displaced everything else as my daily driver on the Ice Coast. There's really not much it isn't good at, other than maybe deep powder. But even there it is not terrible, just not as good as a dedicated powder board. Unfortunately I'm slowly destroying mine by taking it into the trees. One caveat though - it's a pretty aggressive board, and you need to be a fairly strong rider to pick this over the Mountain Twin.

I'm curious about the substantive differences between Aviator 2.0 and Howler - is it just the shape? Looks to me like that's it, and the only difference there is the chunk taken out of the back of the tail. If that's the deal, I think I'm with Red in that once I fully destroy my Aviator 2.0 I'll look into this as a replacement.
 
#43 ·
I'd probably wait for reviews to be out. It does look like a freeride aviator in terms of shape and specs but there's a lot about its construction that we don't know yet. If it's what it appears to be though... it might really be the perfect board for what you're describing. This shape looks like it would do so much better in powder and trees than the aviator while sharing so much of its DNA, and Jones traction tech is so good for ice coast conditions
 
#53 ·
Took a lap on one over the weekend on the 158 and was impressed. Not really a Jones guy but a buddy is pretty obsessed with them so I've ridden quite a few. This one is my favorite to date. Couple takeaways coming from my main boards (Deep Fake & Indoor Survival)—this thing light as hell, nimble, and has lots of energy and snap to it. Sometimes I get a little hesitant to ollie fences and signs with the Deep Fake (compared to my Indoor Survival) , but this thing just eggs you on to pop up, over and around things. The insane amount of camber is probably part of it, and It does feel a bit softer than the specs suggest. It's softer than the Aviator 2.0 for certain. Seems like it would be a really good board for doing some of everything.