In the world of snowboarding, the Salomon Sleepwalker and the GNU GWO are two boards that have made a name for themselves. Both boards are designed for all-mountain freestyle riding, but each has its unique features and strengths. The Salomon Sleepwalker is a great choice for park rats and those looking to get into the terrain park. It's a soft-mid flex park board that can hit butters with ease. On the other hand, the GNU GWO is a playful, floaty, and durable board that's perfect for beginner-intermediate riders looking to hone their skills quickly. It's a great affordable option that does many things really well. While both boards are excellent choices, the Salomon Sleepwalker is more suited for park and freestyle riders, while the GNU GWO is a better fit for beginner-intermediate riders looking for an all-mountain board.

Salomon Sleepwalker Snowboard · 2024 summary

The Salomon Sleepwalker Snowboard is a dream come true for park rats and those looking to get into the terrain park. This board is designed with easy turn initiation, making it perfect for navigating tree runs. It has plenty of pop for side hits and small-medium jumps, and a nice medium-soft flex for hitting jibs. This board is mainly for the boarders who want to add a park board to their quiver or will be mainly hitting side hits and the occasional jib.

The Sleepwalker is a soft/playful rock/cam/rock true twin all-mountain board that destroys the park and the entire mountain. It's perfect for park/freestyle riders that want to take their freestyle jibbing and jumping to the next level. The soft playful flex with rock out camber allows pressing into boxes and rails and easily transition from feature to feature.

The board is designed to match the riding style of Tommy Gesme, providing definitive pop off jumps and includes Royal Rubber Pads for added protection against sidewall blow outs. It's a great fit for riders looking to take their freestyle riding to the next level. However, it's not a board that floats easily, so it might not be the best choice for powder days.

GNU GWO Snowboard · 2024 summary

The GNU GWO Snowboard is a ready-for-anything floaty, curvy, freestyle, approachable, affordable, eco-friendly snowboard. It's a playful flex and features Magne-Traction. It has GNU’s Banana rocker, which means the board has a little rocker in the middle, a mild camber out towards the inserts, and then gently rises.

The GWO is one of those workhorse boards in the beginner-intermediate range. It's not the fastest, the flashiest, or even the most stable, but it will do many things really well. It can make a decent carve turn on mellower terrain, and that little bit of Magne-Traction will give you some good edge control.

The GWO isn’t going to be the most poppy board with that playful flex and mild pitted camber. It won’t be that spring board you might feel on other boards. That said, it's going to be just fine to take some runs through the terrain park. You can work on your buttering with this board. It has some float and pops in the trees. This board is fun to explore some of the mellower trees and pop in and out of bumps.

Similarities

Both the Salomon Sleepwalker and the GNU GWO are designed for all-mountain freestyle riding. They both have a playful flex, making them great for freestyle jibbing and jumping. Both boards are also designed with features that allow for easy pressing into boxes and rails and smooth transitions between features. They both have a rocker in the middle and a mild camber towards the inserts, providing a fun and easy ride. Both boards are also great for beginner to intermediate riders, helping them to quickly improve their skills.

Differences and Who They're Good For

While both boards are great for all-mountain freestyle riding, they cater to slightly different personas. The Salomon Sleepwalker is more suited for park and freestyle riders. It's a great choice for those who are already experienced or looking to get into the terrain park. It's also a good fit for those who want a soft-mid flex park board that can hit butters with ease.

On the other hand, the GNU GWO is a better fit for beginner-intermediate riders looking for an all-mountain board. It's a great affordable option that does many things really well. It's not the fastest, the flashiest, or even the most stable, but it will do many things really well. It's also a great board for someone wanting something to chase the kids around as they progress.

Analysis on Who’s the Winner

When it comes to park and freestyle riding, the Salomon Sleepwalker takes the cake. Its easy turn initiation and plenty of pop for side hits and small-medium jumps make it a great choice for park rats.

For affordability, the GNU GWO is the clear winner. It's a great affordable option that offers a lot of features for its price tag.

In terms of beginner-friendly features, both boards are great choices. However, the GNU GWO might have a slight edge with its Magne-Traction edges that provide excellent grip on icy and hard-packed snow, making it easier for beginners to learn and improve their skills quickly.

For durability, both boards are built to last. However, the GNU GWO's eco-friendly construction might give it a slight edge in terms of sustainability.

Conclusions

In conclusion, both the Salomon Sleepwalker and the GNU GWO are excellent choices for all-mountain freestyle riding. The Salomon Sleepwalker is a great choice for park rats and those looking to get into the terrain park, while the GNU GWO is a better fit for beginner-intermediate riders looking for an all-mountain board. Both boards are packed with features that make them fun and easy to ride, and both are great choices for beginner to intermediate riders looking to quickly improve their skills. So, whether you're a park rat or a beginner looking for an affordable all-mountain board, you can't go wrong with either the Salomon Sleepwalker or the GNU GWO.