First time I have watched one of reviews. It was better than great. Love the actual riding footage that accompanies the description and review. Lots of reviewers could take a leaf out of your book rather than just sit their and talk (or shout) about the product. Thank you.
Freakishly good review - I felt like you were reviewing the board specifically for me when you said “if you’re that type of rider”. I have the flagship and hovercraft and never thought I’d ‘need’ another board but this is going in the quiver for 2021/2022.
It'd be awesome if you could say a little about your interpretations of those three boards. I have a Stratos, but was thinking of adding the flagship or hovercraft to the quiver. Cheers!
@@Ryan-td3td I never got the stratos, when I felt it it was too flexible for me. I thought it was pretty flexy. I could be wrong though. If you under 170 lbs then it would be fine.
@@Ryan-td3td but I would do flagship first then hovercraft. Hovercraft is an acquired taste for Jones fans IMO whereas flagship just rips everywhere and has wide appeal.
Same question: other than powder performance, how does the stratos compare to the aviator 2.0 for carving, edge hold, dampness, maneuverability etc? Thx.
I bought this board for the late release in January of 2020 and it was a massive upgrade from my Jones Explorer (now the Frontier). The Explorer is a perfect beginner board to intermediate, but when you want more grip in the turns the Stratos delivers and does not lock you in as much as some heavier camber boards. The Stratos turns so fast edge to edge, yet has grip that feels like you are more locked it. In decent and above conditions this board inspires confidence and makes me a better rider. I have never felt comfortable during hard icy days, but the Stratos still gets a decent edge, thought I washed out on my backside a few times, but I am sure most of that is me. I do think I may get a stiffer board for choppy days, but this too may be my technique because on an choppy day where I was less comfortable my friend on a Jones Explorer was very comfortable. So unless the Explorer (a less stiff board) is better in chop, then it is one of those areas I need to work on.
Hey there, I know its been a year since this video but I am shopping around for a new board and this one caught my eye. I am currently on a Jones Frontier and fit right into the intermediate category. I stick mainly to groomers/side hits with occasional tree runs. Not interested in park. I am wondering if you have any more thoughts on the Stratos as it relates to the Frontier. Still agree with your statement about the stratos being a step up? what about in less ideal conditions? Would appreciate any thoughts you have on the 2 boards. Thanks
@@xPh03N1Xxx The Stratos has been an eyes opener and the way it grips and yet transfers edges so fast with little effort makes me feel like I am a better snowboarder than I am. My only issues have been in really icy conditions that I am not sure many boards can handle and in a chop or rough snow. I read a review that said if you are over 160 lbs then it can buck a bit in rough snow. I am just over 160, and I hav experienced it. To be honest though those conditions were not really worth riding in. I just didn’t wan to stop lol. I say if you like the Frontier and you want more grip but not be super locked in then the Stratos is a must buy. On anything above rough conditions it is by the best board I have ridden. I saw this from the perspective of a guy who would try four of five boards a trip to find what I liked. I have the Jones Mercury Bindings and they match up well. I hope this helps.
I grabbed a 156 Stratos on sale in the spring. Haven't ridden it yet but looking forward to it. Great review. Your carving & buttering is on point and boosting some huge ollies too.
My bf loves this board, he found it more stable than the Frontier, but not as hard work as the Flagship, perfect do-it-all board (if you're not park focused). And the Jones combo of spoon and mellow mag is just awesome.
Love the reviews! I don't ride park, rarely switch, all mtn rider and want a 1 board quiver. Solid intermediate rider and maybe only get 6 days in a year. Have been and own several NS boards, but looking at Stratos and Mercury. What'd be your choice for 1 board to do everything?
Going out to Vermont tomorrow and was thinking about picking one of these up at one of the local shops out there at Stowe. I do more freestyle riding, but I am getting a bit older so I do want something to start focusing on more free ride and future powder riding when I can get out west. I live in Michigan so I don't get much riding in great conditions unless I get a trip in out west. Was wondering if this might be one of the better options to pick up?
Hi I was wondering but if you remember, what angles did you have the bindings set at for this board? And also would you recommend a stiffer binding for this board?
Hi from Russia, TJ! I have a question. I own Salomon FirstCall 162. Is there any reason to change it for Stratos? Watching your review, I made an opinion, that they are quite similar. Salomon may be a bit softer, but over all... What do you think?
Is it a noticeable amount, that you feel, you have to lean that 3D profile to hold your edge hard? Or does it feel almost just like a conventional without 3D shape, but without that catchy edge feel?
I love my stratos. I just wish they made the 53 a little wider. I'm on the 56, at 160lbs and she's a bit overpowering at times! I really only pull it out when I'm feeling aggressive. 😂🤣
Great review man ! Im looking for buy this board here in Italy .. Just a doubt for the size, i m 183 cm tall and 78 kilos ( 45 boot size ). Do you think 161 wide could be too big ?
I’m about your size (6’1”, 170 before gear, & 10.5 boot). I ride a 164W. I bought a rarely used demo late this last spring. I’ve got 2 days on it at the end of the year. I found it to be very grippy and fast in limited spring conditions. Dragging a toe on firm snow sucks. With your boot size, you might consider that. I loved it and can’t wait to get it in some fresh snow.
@@ericking9263 ok thanks , finally i bought the ultra mind 158... After a lot of doubts about the size. They Say you can choose 3-4 cm less than your standard board. Lookin forward for some Pow!
i got the board the same length as my regular board and I wouldn’t get larger (187cm, 75kg, 10.5 boot, got the 159 stratos). It was superb for powder, groomers, carving high speed but i did lack manoverability in moguls/tight icy tracks. maybe im just too weak, but same tracks killed the legs much more vs my 159 bataleon bynd mdls
Does this board have enough free ride capabilities to be my dedicated pow board, or should I just wait for a hovercraft? Any opinion is appreciated. Looking for a pow board 156-159cm with 3d shaping.
Hi, great review. I am going to buy the jones stratos splitboard for the upcoming season, and im having a hard time deciding if i want the 156 og the 159. My weight is about 155 pounds, and my height is 5,9. which leinght would you recommend?
I've always tended to size up on my splitboards for more surface area and float, and more grip/power for the hike up. The extra stability can come in handy as well. The biggest downside is that the board is less maneuverable on the ride down. with that said, I think you would be just fine on the 156. that is going to be a really fun split setup
I weight 152lb. You are riding the 156 is that a good size should I go on 153? Looking for all Mountain fun side jumps exploring carving end going fast not so much pow.
I'm about 145lb so a shade lighter. I'm debating between the same two sizes of course. However, I am looking for it to be more dedicated to pow,riding fast,trees, and side hits (doesnt need to be great though, this would be my second board and I have a true twin park board already. at 152) - Currently, I am leaning towards a 156 for what I plan to use it for but i am not positive. If my thoughts are correct, I would actually recommend the 153 for you. If i didnt need this thing to be my main (only) pow board I probably would go 153 though. Curious if you purchased this yet and can speak to it?
Anyone have any idea how this will compare to the Jones Mountain Twin 2021 (last year’s model)? What would be the pros and cons of riding the Stratos v MT21?
I think you would enjoy the Stratos, the camber dominant profile will definitely have a better feel for carving. You have to decide if you would prefer the profile of the orca or stratos better for your riding style
Do you know if the taper is before or after the contact points? I think the hovercraft if twin from contact point to contact point which is good for carving (personal preference).
Taper is measured at the contact points. The hovercraft has a 12mm taper, so the tail contact points are 12mm narrower than the nose contact points. Reducing the surface area in the tail and changing the feel of the sidecut a little bit
@@BoardArchive that’s good to know that taper implies that it’s measured at the contact points. I really don’t notice any taper while carving in the HC. Maybe I don’t hate tapers as much as I thought 🤷♂️
If you ride park or ride switch, I’d definitely go with the Dancehaul. If you don’t ride park or switch, I’d say the Stratos is the more aggressive board. The Dancehaul is definitely fairly aggressive too but it can’t lay down carves quite as well as the Stratos. Slightly more forgiving and a more “fun” board
Thank you TJ! I think that I have found the board I want to buy through your video. My riding style exactly matches the type of riding style you sketched in the video. I was just questioning; what type of bindings and boots would you pair this board with? And is the Burton Deep Thinker a similar board to this? I have heard some good things about that board as well but I believe that the Stratos, especially the 2022 model will be my next board!
im an intermediate rider 160-165Lbs size 9 boot I ordered the 156 but was torn between that and the 153 I hope its not too much board for me I like to charge pow, bomb hills, send side hits and jumps. it looks like a sick board tho I like the shape and the contoured base can't wait to ride it!
Jay it won't be too big. I'm 5'4" 170lbs size 8.5-9 boot and ride the 156. This board rides like a smaller board. It's super nimble and lightning quick with turns in trees. It's also stable at high speeds. Don't be afraid to play with the bindings. Set them back! It rides even better. For DEEP snow, use the Pow stance. Set the front on the pow Insert and measure out your normal stance width. This board is just a dream to ride.
@@jonbrown9490 I’ve just got the mountain twin but originally had the party wave ( felt like I needed the extra forgiveness of 3bt). I’m loving the MT and wondering whether to keep the party wave as a pow board or go stratos, knowing the stratos will also work well as a bit more of a hard charger
