Expert Review: GNU Riders Choice Snowboard

Published on 07/13/2022 · 4 min readThis is an honest review of the board which I bought in December of 2021 with my own money.
Kyle Kolbig, Snowboarding Expert
By Snowboarding Expert Kyle Kolbig

All photos courtesy of Kyle Kolbig

About the Review: This is an honest review of the board which I bought in December of 2021 with my own money.

My take

The GNU Riders Choice (C2) is best suited for an intermediate to expert rider looking for an all-mountain quiver killer! This board carves well on groomers while still offering a ton of freestyle flare and float.

About the gear

  • Model: 2022 GNU Riders Choice (C2)
  • Size: 162 cm Wide

About me

  • Height: 6’3”
  • Weight: 205 lb
  • Experience: 20 years snowboarding

Test conditions

  • When I bought these: December 2021
  • Days tested: 40 days
  • Mount position: +12 -9
  • Boots: 2020 Thirtytwo Lashed Double BOA
  • Boot Size: 12
  • Bindings: 2022 Rome DOD
  • Where I’ve used it: Vermont, Connecticut, Wyoming
  • Terrain: Park, groomers, and backcountry

How it performs

Durability
5/5
Turn Ease
5/5
Versatility
5/5
Carving
4/5
Flotation
4/5
High Speed Stability
3/5

What I was looking for

I was looking for an asymmetrical board that could “do it all”. I opted for a larger size than usual for extra float and stability in deeper and steeper lines. I for sure wanted an all-mountain board that could rip in the parks and side hits.

Why I chose this gear

I chose the GNU Riders Choice because Mervin Manufacturing, the parent company behind Libtech, GNU, and Roxy, makes an incredible snowboard! As a mostly park rider, I love the Riders Choice’s C2 mild rocker profile and the killer frontside performance that comes with the ASYM cut.

The 161 Lib Tech Golden Orca is similar and already runs a bit wide, but I really wanted the ASYM heel edge so I opted for the Riders Choice instead.

What I love about it

  • Edge hold: The ASYM design holds very well on heelside turns and Magne-Traction® gives you that extra grip and rip power!
  • Turns: I find the Riders Choice’s turn initiation is extremely easy and predictable.
  • Groomers: The Magne-Traction® and ASYM shape offer a ton of stability and predictability when carving up groomers.
  • Powder: The mild rocker in the center of the board and larger waist width (268mm) serves up a ton of float for this twin board!
  • Trees: The board rides very well in trees with easy turn initiation and supreme float in fresh snow.
  • Park: The Riders Choice is an ideal park board being true twin, mid flex, and poppy.
  • Durability: The Riders Choice has industry-leading durability with a fast sintered base that holds wax and can handle anything thrown at it. I tend to be rough on gear and break 1 or 2 boards a season, but this one is still perfect at over 40 park days.
  • Switch riding: This is an ideal switch riding board with its true twin shape and ASYM heel cut.
  • Stability: The little extra waist width offers a ton of stability, especially for larger people. Butters are easy to engage with a predictable flex.

Issues I’ve encountered

  • Speed: The mild rocker and true twin shape do not make this board a speed demon.
  • Weight: The extra width, industry-leading materials, and construction increase the weight of this high-performing snowboard.
  • Aesthetics: I'm not a huge fan of the 2022 graphic but that’s just me! A white base is an odd choice but I think it’s all about eco-friendly waste reduction so I’m 100% on board with that!

Favorite moment with this gear

My favorite moment with this board was riding Corbet’s at Jackson Hole. I sent it to the moon and it was the largest drop I’ve ever made. The dampening and stability totally helped me ride away with a FIRST TRY FRIDAY! I truly believe this board has limitless capabilities with dreamy adventures waiting.

Value for the money vs. other options

This high-end board is not cheaply made in an overseas factory, it’s handmade in Washington State and is worth every penny! I’ve also had great luck with claiming warranties with GNU, which is amazing because even the best boards break sometimes.

Final verdict

The GNU Riders Choice (C2) is a top-shelf snowboard for all-mountain and park riders. It has industry-leading quality and performance, and as a long-time coach and rider, it is for sure MY choice!

Kyle Kolbig, Snowboarding Expert
5.0
Kyle Kolbig
Snowboarding Expert
260 Reviews
2821 Customers helped
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