About this Review: This review is my honest opinion of the snowboard, which I purchased with my own money in May of 2019.

My take

The GNU Headspace is an excellent quiver that is most useful in the park or on the streets. It’s an intermediate entry-level board with lots of room for improvement throughout the season. The more it’s ridden, the more comfortable it is to ride. The difference between the 2022 model and the older 2020 board is subtle other than the topsheet design itself. There’s a noticeable difference in the snap of the board, meaning it's super responsive to little adjustments made while riding the board. The 2022 model feels very dialed in, and when turning from heelside to toeside, it is evident how flexible it is.

About the gear

• Model: 2020 GNU Headspace
• Size: 153cm

About me

• Height: 5’10”
• Weight: 145lbs
• Experience: 25 years riding from Northeast, East, and Western resorts

Test conditions

• When I bought these: May 2019
• Days tested: 60
• Mount position: Regular, +12 front foot; -10 back foot
• Boots: 2020 Adidas Exo Boost
• Boot Size: 8.5
• Bindings: 2020 Bent Metal Transfers
• Where I’ve used it: Colorado, Utah, Tahoe
• Terrain: Headwalls, powder, street, terrain park, groomers

How it performs

What I was looking for

I was looking for a board that could withstand an entire season of riding through rough terrain park and street conditions. Something that can handle a hard press on rails repeatedly without losing its stability.

Why I chose this gear

I usually always rely on Mervin-made gear. They are an excellent company with outstanding customer service. I was considering many other options for a very durable park board, including the Lib Tech Box Knife and other boards made by the same company. I have always been a fan of the professional rider Forrest Bailey, the artist and all-out designer of the GNU Headspace. He has a style of riding that I like to compare myself to.

What I love about it

• Edge hold: This board has incredible control. The Magne-traction is a measuring design in this board that makes it almost impossible to lose an edge in any condition. This, however, can make it difficult to ride all-mountain and park at the same time. This board needs to be de-edged before hitting any rails.
• Turns: Along with incredible edge control, this board clearly cuts right into icy conditions, making turns effortless. The board is easy to maneuver at slow speeds, almost like a skateboard. It holds an edge at high speeds for precise turns and maneuvers.
• Park: This board is for the park, streets, and playful riding. It is designed specifically for locking into rails and feeling super balanced on the jump line. The board has a short, stubby nose and tail for a minimal chance of getting caught up on any rails or jump lips. This makes the board more forgiving when trying new tricks or riding in bad conditions.
• Groomers: This board is a super fun groomer trail ripper that can stop on a dime if needed. Plenty of times, I’ve been able to carve enough to make a full circle without losing my edge.
• Durability: The Headspace is a super durable board. I have ridden many boards made by GNU, and this board manages to hold its ground every time I take it out, even more so than any other board. It is a beautifully designed board with a shiny laminate topsheet that I still don’t have a problem with.
• Weight: Very lightweight board. I have never had a problem with feeling like it’s getting heavy throughout the day, a common problem with boards.
• Switch riding: This is a true twin board, meaning it is the same nose and tail length. It rides exactly like I’m riding regularly. I ride goofy and regular pretty equally and never notice a difference in direction.
• Stability: Great pop in the board. The camber hybrid under the feet makes for an extra boost in pop. This helps with any park features that don’t have a lip to get on. It also helps with jumps and having an extra pop feeling when coming off the lip. Because of its lightweight and camber hybrid design, the board will get some underfoot chatter when riding in variable conditions.

Issues I’ve encountered

• Speed: The Headspace is a board built for the streets and park, meaning that it isn’t designed to bomb hills at Mach speed. It handles very well until I start going over 35mph. After that speed, the board starts to become very shaky and chattery.
• Powder: This is a very blunt nose-shaped board, meaning the blunt shape nose makes it easier to keep afloat of the powder. However, this design of the core is meant to stay glued to the ground. This makes it extremely difficult to stay on top of any kind of powder that’s being ridden. I had difficulty maneuvering through deep power, especially to the point that I had to switch to another board.
• Trees:_** **_The profile of the boards makes it manageable to get through the trees; however, it is extremely difficult to ride just one stance and swivel my tail around the burns between the trees. I have crashed hard and even broke a collarbone because of how hard this board is to maneuver through tight trees with powder on top.
• Moguls: I never had too hard of a time getting through moguls, bumps, or icy conditions. I would rather have a board with less flex and a solid camber profile. However, if I get stuck in a mogul field, it is a forgiving board.
• Backcountry: This is not an ideal board for the backcountry. However, if brought to a specific situation, it can be a fun board to practice some tricks one has never done before into some deep powder as long as there’s a steep run out/ landing.

Favorite moment with this gear

This board has given me some confidence in trying new tricks again. I was too scared to try anything for a while in my life, but the Headspace gave me more confidence than I could ask for. I was riding Loveland Pass one day, learning new tricks, and went for something I knew I would not land simply because I didn’t think the board would be forgiving enough. I went to a disaster method tweak grab over a down flat rail into a front board. It was a big and bold trick to try, but I felt good, so I went for it. I landed on the rail perfectly. The board had so much flex when I landed on the rail, my nose and tail touched the ground on both ends. The board flexed so hard it popped me right off the rail for a clean landing. I don’t think I could have done it with any other board.

Value for the money vs. other options

This board is priced accurately and is affordable, hands down. The previous year's models, such as 2020 and 2021, are always excellent choices because they are almost the same design but for 70% of the price. GNU has an excellent warranty program as well, with great customer service.

Final verdict

The GNU Headspace is an ultimate park quiver that can dominate any features in the park or streets. If I aspired to be a better park rider, the first thing I would start off with is getting a Headspace and going for it. I love this board and think it’s a great tool to have in the park. It also has a beautiful design, making it one of my favorite-looking boards I’ll ever own.