Hello and welcome to my GNU Gremlin review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Gremlin as a mellow freeride snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Gremlin a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other mellow-freeride snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: GNU Gremlin
Price: $579
Style: Mellow Freeride
Flex Rating: Medium-Firm
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium-Stiff (6.5/10)
Rating Score: 85.4/100
Compared to other Men’s Mellow Freeride Boards.
Of the 30 current model mellow freeride snowboards that we tested:
❄️ The Gremlin ranked 17th out of 30
Overview of the Gremlin’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Gremlin's specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Mellow Freeride |
Price: | $579 - BUYING OPTIONS |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | Hybrid Rocker But predominantly camber - GNU's C3 Camber |
Shape: | |
Setback Stance: | Setback 2" (50mm) |
Base: | Sintered |
Weight: | A little heavier than normal |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
144 | 255 | 110+ | 54+ |
148 | 258 | 120+ | 54+ |
152 | 261 | 130+ | 59+ |
155 | 264 | 140+ | 64+ |
158 | 270 | 145+ | 66+ |
161 | 275 | 150+ | 68+ |
* the 144 is a new size as of the 2025 model
Who is the Gremlin Most Suited To?
The Gremlin is a great option for anyone looking for a volume shifted board for powder, but still want something with some life in it for groomers and non-powder days.
With a predominantly camber profile you still get a good spring and life out of carving up the groomers, but the tapered directional tape and wide nature of the board also allows it to float well in the deep stuff.
Still not something I would personally have as a daily driver, but a good one for powder days that you still want to be able to carve up the groomers on, when the powder's tracked.
Not for beginner - too stiff and cambered for that. But solid intermediate riders and up.
The Gremlin in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Gremlin is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: GNU Gremlin 2022, 152cm (261mm waist width)
Date: April 8, 2021
Conditions: Sunny to start with and perfect vis, but then clouded over and starting snowing a bit. Visibility got really poor in patches.
Temperature was around -4°C (25°F) - and -7°C (19°F) with wind chill, so quite cold for April. When the sun was out, it felt much warmer than that though. Also wind was like 5kph (3mph), so don't think there was a lot of wind for that wind chill factor!
24 snow: 10cm
7 day snow: 12cm
On groomer: Really nice. Medium soft and nice and smooth. Very few bumps/crud. Almost felt like a mid winter day (apart from the heat that's in the sun - best of both worlds?)
Off groomer: Mr incredible, incredible. Catching the bad guys - pow! Pow! Pow! Some ice under the layer on particularly steep faces but the rest was great. And actually decent pow too. Feels like mid winter snow.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 530mm (20.9″)
Stance Setback: Setback 50mm (2")
Width at Inserts: 270mm (10.63") at front insert and 268mm (10.55")
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 175lbs
Rider Boot Size: US9.5 Adidas Tactical ADV
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Control Board for Control Laps: Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker
Weight: 3080grams (6lbs 13oz)
Weight per cm: 20.26 grams/cm
Average Weight per cm: 18.43 grams/cm*
*based on a sample size of around 100 models that I’ve weighed in 2019, 2020, 2021 *& 2022 models. The Gremlin is one of the heavier boards I've measured, even compared to boards 10cm longer than it. So taking into account it's length it's quite heavy. That said, if you take into account the overall surface area, it's probably closer to a regular width 158 in size. But even then it's still heavy. And you do feel that on snow. That does have it's advantages though - especially when smashing through crud and not getting bucked about. And given a damper feeling.
Damp or Chattery?
Quite damp. A lot damper than my control board (Terrain Wrecker). Part of that is probably weight (as mentioned above). But all round really quite damp.
Smooth or Snappy?
It's not without snap, but it's certainly more smooth than snappy.
Powder
The only thing really stopping this board from being an elite powder board is that there isn't any rocker in the profile. It's predominantly camber - but everything else about this board screams powder. And it feels that way when in powder.
Carving & Turning
Carving: Lays a really good carve for a board that looks like it should only belong in powder. Yeah that taper isn't ideal for carving and given that you size down, it has less effective edge, but those are the only things that are holding it back from being an elite carver. Not something that will match the best carvers on a high-speed carve, but otherwise really good.
Turning: Easy enough to turn and quite fun to turn on on groomers. Has a good spring out of turns and whilst it has a preference for shorter turns, a variety of turn lengths work well on this board.
Maneuverability at slow speeds: Nice and easy to throw this board around at slow speeds - partly due to it's shorter stature I would say. Not as quick edge-to-edge as my control board (Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker). There's a minor delay after initiating a turn before the board responds. It's not physically an effort to do sharp turns on - but there is a slight delay, which I often feel with short/wide boards - so I imagine that's predominantly to do with the width.
Skidded Turns: You can get away with them but they're not super easy. Want to have relatively good technique. But not super catchy or anything either
Speed
I felt like this board rode really quite fast for it's length and felt quite stable at speed for it's length too. But certainly limited by it's length in terms of how good at speed it was. But surprisingly good. It's a sturdy little board this one.
Uneven Terrain
Crud: Pretty good at just smashing through crud. I think part of that is weight. It's quite a heavy board and it just doesn't get bucked around very much at all. It's good at gliding over top or smashing through any kind of crud.
Bumps: It was fun weaving between bumps. It's not lightning fast edge-to-edge - there's that delay I referred to in the turning section above - but certainly not slow edge-to-edge either. And when it came to trees, it worked really well - with that small tail easy to whip through without catching anything on the tail.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Jumps
Not designed for jumps really, IMO, and is a board that feels more at home on the snow than in the air, but it's certainly something you can hit the occasional jump or side hit with.
Pop: Some there but not huge amounts. Not super easy to access but not hard to access either. I think the weight affects how easy it is to extract that pop as well - how much air you get back for your efforts.
Approach: Good balance between being fairly nimble but also quite stable
Landing: Pretty solid landing platform without being a stomper - prefers to land in it 's forward (as opposed to switch) direction.
Side-hits: Not amazing, but decent enough. Good enough that you'll still want to seek them out.
Small jumps/Big Jumps: Medium. It's certainly solid enough to hit big jumps though and it's fine for small jumps too.
Switch
Felt pretty weird to ride switch - which is no surprise, given how tapered and setback it is - directional everything pretty much. Still doable like every board is - but certainly not ideal.
Spins
Not bad getting the spin around, but given its length it should be easier and that's prob largely to do with weight. Landing and taking off switch not easy either. And pop isn't massive and whilst it's not hard to access it's not super easy either. So not really a great spinner, IMO.
Butters
Buttered easier than I was expecting. Certainly not as buttery as my control board (Terrain Wrecker) but not too bad. Above average.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 4.0 | 24/30 |
TURNS/SLASHING | 4.0 | 12/15 |
CARVING | 4.0 | 8/10 |
TREES/BUMPS | 4.0 | 12/15 |
CRUD/CHUNDER | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SPEED | 3.5 | 7/10 |
JUMPS | 3.0 | 3/5 |
SWITCH | 2.0 | 2/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 85.4/100 |
Overall, the Gremlin is a board that loves to be on the snow - and any kind of variable terrain it can counter. Basically if you can on this board, you want to be exploring anything off groomer - trees, powder, bowls etc. and if you encounter any crud it will deal with it with ease.
But if you do end up having to spend any part of your day on the groomer, then it packs a better carve than you'd expect for the size and taper.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Gremlin, or if you are ready to buy, or if you just want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out some other mellow freeride snowboard options, or if you want to compare how the Gremlin compares to other mellow freeride snowboards, then check out the next link.
Hey Nate, I’m looking to add a Gremlin to the quiver but I’m torn between the 155 and 158. I’m 6ft, 210lbs, size 11 boot. Even with 11 boots I’ve always preferred standard width boards in a 158-160. I have one super stiff ‘wide’ board at 26.4 and only use it for hard charging. I want the length of the 158 but that 27 waist width scares me. I like groomers but always end up in trees when I can. I’m leaning toward a 155, but don’t wanna size down too much. I’d love your advice?
Hi Lyle, thanks for your message.
I don’t think you’ll find the 155 too small, given you typically ride standard width boards in 158-160. I would put your “typical all-mountain” length at around 162 and with 11s, I might typically recommend the 158 for you, since with your boot size you wouldn’t need to size down as much as someone with sub 10 size feet, but given your size preferences I think the 155 would be your best bet.
For reference, I didn’t find the 152 felt too small. I’d typically ride 157-159 in all-mountain boards and I’m 6’0″, 180lbs, size 10 boot (sometimes 9.5 depending on the brand).
Hope this helps with your decision
Hey Nate!
Just picked up a gremlin and am super excited to take it out soon! I was wondering your opinion on some bindings.
I’m currently debating between:
Ride C8
Union Strata
Union Ultra
I ride mostly in the trees so quick turns, but also a very surfy kind of riding. Overrall I just like to cruise, I don’t hit the park, but I do enjoy some solid side hits. I don’t hard charge often, but I do like having some stiffness & response when I do choose to go down steep blacks.
I know these aren’t all necessarily comparable to eachother given the stiffness & use ratings, but I’ve also heard the C8’s feel similar to the Strata’s & Falcors (kind of like a nice inbetween of the 2) with the reversible ankle strap providing some tweakability to be more flexy than stiff.
I’m wondering if you think the C8’s would be too stiff for the gremlin given it’s 6/10 rating and the bindings being 8/10? Or would they be fine given the tweakability?
I like the Stratas, I know the atlas would be next up in terms of stiffness & all mountain versatility, but I am not a fan of the atlas due to some pressure point issues in the past.
The Ultra’s were revamped this past year and they’re really peaking my interest. They’re also rated a 6/10 per union, but I’m not sure if they’re too soft compared to the Stratas even though those are also a 6/10. They seem very similar but, also have some differences that I’m not too experienced with like park focus.
Overall im just looking for a solid binding that’ll give me some good cushioning, stiffness when I do need it for good response, and that great surfy laid back kind of riding.
Thanks Nate!!
Hey Jordan
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t had the chance to test the Ride C8 (or A8) yet, so I’m not sure how stiff they feel or how they compare to the Strata or Ultra. I rode the C-6 and I found them to be right around that 6/10 flex, but not sure if that translates into the C-8. And I don’t think it has the reversible straps on it like the C-8 does. But having not tested them, hard to say how much difference it makes with the straps reversed. Even though Ride has the mini-disc, I still didn’t find that their board feel was great – certainly nothing like the Strata and Ultra, in my experience.
All that said, assuming the C-8 is an 8/10 flex (and that maybe it feels more like a 7/10 flex? with the straps reversed), I wouldn’t say it’s too stiff for the Gremlin. It’s probably the stiffest I would put on the Gremlin, but still in range, IMO.
I felt the Ultra at a 5/10 flex, so that’s a little softer than ideal for the Gremlin, IMO. The Strata would be the better match (which I felt at 6/10 personally) to the Gremlin, in my experience. The Falcor would be an option too (which I felt at 7.5/10 flex) if you wanted to err on the stiffer end of the Gremlin’s range.
Hope this helps with your decision
Thanks Nate!! I was leaning more towards the strata but was struggling to find a solid second opinion. Appreciate you taking the time to answer my question and thanks again for all the work you do!!
You’re very welcome Jordan. Happy riding!
Hi, Nate
I am interested in this board, but I have some doubts. I am looking for something that will mainly be used on groomers (carving, side impacts) but if there is fresh snow, it should handle it. What gremlin size you recommend
180 cm
65 kg
Boots 9
Thanks!
Hi Djordje
Thanks for your message.
I would put your “typical all-mountain length” at around 153/154, but with this board being wider, I would size down to at least the 152 and probably to the 148 for your specs. The 152 is doable, if you want to optimize for float and stability at speed. But will be better in trees and for slower speed maneuverability in the 148 – and at your weight, the 148 should still float decently well in powder, with that extra width. But yeah, if you really wanted that extra float, the 152 is doable, which just be a little harder work for short/sharp turns, but still doable.
Hope this helps
Hello again Nate
193cm
85kg
9,5 us
I guess 155 is sweat spot for me ?
Hi Filip
Yeah, I agree, if you were to go Gremlin, that the 155 would be your best bet.
Hi Nate, my size is 6‘2“, 180 lbs, boot size 12. Do you think the 158 will fit well, especially for carving? Or shall I go with the 161, which is 5mm wider? How does the Gnu compare to the Banked Country? Thank you.
Hi Gerd
Thanks for your message.
Width-wise, the 158 should be around 277mm at the back insert – but that’s assuming a 20.9″ (530mm) stance width. If you were at more like a 22″ stance width, you’d probably be more like 279mm at the back insert. I’d say that should be wide enough for 12s, if you’ve got relatively low profile boots, even with a relatively straight back binding angle (e.g. 0-6 degrees). If you’ve got bulky boots, then it could be pushing it for carving, if you like to really lay into your carves, if you have a flatter back binding angle. If you were riding with like 15 degrees on your back binding, then you’d probably be OK even with bulkier boots.
Length-wise, I would put your “typical all-mountain length” at around 160/161, so the 161 is certainly still a possibility in this board for you. Yes, it’s a volume shifted board, but with your foot size you don’t have to size down as much as someone with smaller feet. But I would be leaning 158 still, so long as you think it will be wide enough (which will depend on binding angles/boot profiles/how deep you like to carve). But 161 certainly not out of range, IMO.
The Banked Country changed a bit for the 2024 model. I like it even more than before, but some might not, depending on how you might like to ride. It’s become a little mellower and a little more fun to ride slower. It’s still predominantly a harder charging freeride board, but has become more well rounded, IMO, and not just and out and out charger. For more on it and to compare to the Gremlin see our Banked Country full review here.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate, thank you so much for giving me all these valuable informations, they are very helpful, really appreciate your help. Have a nice winter!! 🏂
You’re very welcome Gerd. Hope you have a great winter too!
Hi Nate, I finally purchased the Gremlin in 158. ✌️ I will need another advice, referring to the binding that fits this board well. I‘ve got a Bataleon Astro Fullwrap, but maybe it will be a little to stiff for the Gremlin. Your thoughts? My second board is a Burton Skeleton Key. Is there any binding that will work well on both boards? Gremlin will probably be used primarly for carving. Thank you Nate, really appreciate your help! 👍✌️
Hi Gerd
Thanks for the update. I would say the Astro Fullwrap isn’t ideal. It may be doable and you could try it out to see how you like it. But ideally I would go a little softer – especially if you also want it to the match the Skeleton Key better. To match both well, I would be looking for something around a 6.5/10 to 7/10 ideally. The Asymwrap version of the Astro would be a good bet – or the Rome Katana, if you were looking to go with a similar binding but in a softer flex. Or you could check out this list for some really good option in that flex range.
Hi Nate, I’m developing a bad habit of expanding my quiver and I’m eyeing up the gremlin. I’m about 6 foot 1, 167 pounds with a 10 1/2 inch boot. My other boards are 157 terrain wrecker, and a 159 dynamo. I love both of those boards and I’m trying to decide was a better bet for me. The 152 or the 155. I can get a good deal on last year‘s 152 or pay full boat for the 155. Ultimately I just want to be on the board that’s going to feel the best and just general resort slashing and ripping, tree leftovers, side hits, hard trench laying carving on groomers and just mobbing the mountain. I value your opinion! Thanks!
Hi Alex
Thanks for your message. I share your bad habit for sure!
When you say 10 1/2 inch boots, I’m guessing you mean size 10.5. That’s what I’m basing this on, but if that’s not correct, let me know.
I would say both sizes are within range. I would put your “typical all-mountain length at around 159”, but this is a board you want to size down for. I would say the 155 is probably the more pure length for your specs. It’s wide for 10.5s, but it’s not ultra-wide for 10.5s, so there’s not a big need to size down a large amount. However, given your quiver, I would like the idea of sizing down to 152 to offer you a bigger contrast to the rest of your quiver. And, IMO, the 152 is still well within your size range. I rode the 152 and that’s the size I would personally buy for this board (6’0″, 180lbs, 9.5 boots). The biggest downside of going smaller for you, would be stability at speed. It won’t be terrible at speed in the 152, but wouldn’t be a bomber at speed either.
Long story short, if it was me, with those other boards in your quiver, I’d go 152.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi, Great review.
I am interested in this board, but I have some doubts. I am looking for something that will mainly be used on groomers (carving, side impacts) but if there is fresh snow, it should handle it. I want her to be agile in the trees. I have a shoe 11 US , about 160 IBS , 5 feet 9 inches. I don’t need a very demanding board, but it’s quite stable if I’m going faster. I’m a bit turned on by a surfboard but I don’t know if this is the way? Can it be combined somehow? What can you recommend for this foot size to be maneuverable?
Hi Andrzej
I think you could use this board in the way you describe, if you weren’t going to be doing much switch riding.
Size-wise, I would put your “standard all-mountain length” at around 157. This board is wider, but it’s not super wide for 11s, so I wouldn’t size down too much. I would be leaning 155. But if you really wanted to make it more maneuverable then the 152 is definitely an option. The 152 should feel very maneuverable to you – but will come at the sacrifice of some powder performance and some stability vs going with the 155.
Hope this helps with your decision
Thank you for your answer. For switch and butter rides I have the NS Proto Slinger. And how would you choose Gremlin vs Yes Warca Unic (150 or 153 length)? I’m still considering this board.
Hi Andrzej
I haven’t ridden the Warca yet, so I can’t compare firsthand. Size-wise, I think the 153 would be a good bet. The 153 would be more the equivalent of the 155 Gremlin, mostly likely, as it’s wider overall. Whilst the Warca’s waist width is slightly less (262 on the 153 vs 264 on the Gremlin 155), it’s wider at the inserts (281mm front insert and 277mm back insert vs around 273mm front insert and 271mm back insert on the Gremlin).
Thanks for the replies and your time. I’m sorry but I have one more question. I tested the Ride Warpig 154 size (several descents) This board was terrible for me – so unhandy, dead, “difficult”. I didn’t like it at all, but I wanted it.
Maybe the wrong size, maybe a matter of time… (Now I’m riding Salomon Sick Stick 20r 157.) Question about -Gremlin and Hybrid – which one will be the least similar to Warpig? Because I don’t want a board like Warpig 🙂
Hi Andrzej
Whilst both are “volume shifted” like the Warpig, I don’t find they ride the same. Hard to say which one rides least similar to Warpig, but I’d say probably the Gremlin.
Thanks for the info. Finally, I found the Rome Stale Fish at a good price and I think I’ll take it 🙂 It also has a volume shift and it should be a bit more party 🙂
You’re very welcome Andrzej. Hope the Stale Fish treats you well!
Hey, currently a snowboard instructor at whitewater on Nelson BC (so it pows often) I ride a Brian iguchi 159, I am a size 11 boot but only 150 pounds, I find I tend to over size based off my foot size, what would you go with in preference, the 155 or the 158. Meanwhile I do use a 157w to teach on with little ones. So I would kinda like to drop as low as I can to get more maneuverability in the trees but without sacrificing my toes hanging over on a nice carving day
Hey Damo
Love it when it pows often!
At 150lbs, I’d seriously consider the 152 in this board. 158 too big, IMO. 155 might be good though. Whilst this isn’t that wide for a short wide, it’s still pretty wide. The Brian Iguchi in a 159 is around 267mm at the inserts. This in the 152 is 268mm at the back insert and 270mm at the front insert. Step it up to the 155 and you’re looking at 271mm at the back insert and 273mm at the front insert – assuming roughly a 530mm (21″) stance width.
Given that you’re used to longer boards, I would probably be looking at 155, but wouldn’t go as big as 158 in this case.
But if you could also let me know your height. Whilst weight and boot size are definitely more important for sizing, I do like to take height into account, as it does have a leverage factor.
Hope this gives you more to go off
Hey I’m looking into the Gremlin 155. I’m 6’2, 200 pounds, and 12 boots. Think it’s a good decision?
Hi James
Thanks for your message.
It could work, but would depend on how you wanted to ride it. Because of your size 12 boots, you don’t need to size down as much as you otherwise would with smaller boots, IMO. I would put your “standard all-mountain” size at around 162. This is a board you can size down for, but with size 12 boots going to 155 is sizing down quite a bit.
If you’re looking for something quite maneuverable, good in trees, that kind of thing, then I think the 155 would work well.
If you value speed, big carves etc more than that, then I’d look to go up to the 158.
Hope this helps with your decision
Thanks for your response. I’m riding a Yes Standard 159 right now. The Waist Width is about the same as the Gnu Gremlin at 155. So that’s why I thought I could down size that much. Just checked my boot overhang. Its about 1 inch on both toe and heal edge. What you think??
Hi James
The Standard is wider than the waist suggests and the Gremlin narrower than what the waist suggests. i.e. the 155 Gremlin (264mm waist) will be around 273mm at the front insert and 271mm at the back insert. Versus the YES Standard 159 (263mm waist) which is more like 278mm at the inserts, assuming you’re riding it roughly at reference stance. The 158 Gremlin (270mm waist) is closer to width at inserts of the Standard 159. So yeah, the same applies, I think if you’re looking for that maneuverable, good in trees (but still will be able to carve on groomers, but just not as well as the 158), then the 155 works, if you think it’s wide enough. If it’s going to be like your smaller tree board, kind of thing to compliment your Standard.
Oh and just to clarify, did you mean the overhang on the Gremlin is 1 inch toe and heel – or is that on the Standard?
Yeah roughly 1 inch overhang on my Standard. Looking at smaller boots also. Thanks Nate
Hi James
Thanks for the clarification. Yeah, I think the Gremlin 155 is a little small for you, unfortunately in that case. You may find it too narrow even. More doable if you were in low profile boots (assuming yours aren’t right now).
Hi Sean,
I bought a 152 Gremlin. Im 5’6″ 170 socal surfer skater, 41. For snowboarding like to ride all mountain least park. Mainly like carving fast, hitting some side hits, and some boxes on occasion.
Im currently riding a 5 year old Burton Cartel binding. Im very interested in getting Flow bindings either Flow Fuse Carbon Hybrid or Flow NX2-TM Hybrid. I like the idea of the lightness of the carbon, but worried they might be overly stiff. For the NX2-TM, less stiff characteristic, will it match up well with the Gremlin and my prefer riding.
Thanks for the advice.
Hi Bill
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t ridden flow bindings in a while and haven’t tested either of those (hoping to get some Flow bindings towards the end of winter), so I’m not sure what their flex feels like in reality compared to other bindings, so it’s hard to say with any certainty. But based on their specs, I would say the NX2-TM should be a really good match to the Gremlin. The Fuse Carbon too stiff, IMO, for the Gremlin and the style of riding you’re describing. Might be fine for the carving fast part, but for side hits and boxes too stiff, IMO – and a bit stiff for the board. Between those I’d be leaning NX2-TM for sure (based on specs).
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
Ive been looking at getting the Gremlin but want to make sure its right for me. Im a west coast boarder and looking for somethin shorter and more nimble. I currently ride a 154 jones mountain twin but I wish I bought it a little shorter. Im 5’5″ 130lbs 7.5 boot size. Im assuming the 148 would be the right size? Im more of a all mountain rider, some jumps and side hits but no park. Your thoughts?
Thanks!
Hi Joe
Thanks for your message.
Yeah, I agree, for the Mountain Twin, that it’s too long. Typically I’d say something around 149 for an all-mountain board for your specs, depending on the width. The Mountain Twin in 154 is also pretty wide for your boots.
For the Gremlin, the 148 would be your only option, IMO. But even that’s on the big side for your specs, IMO, given it’s width. Shorter is definitely more nimble, all else being equal, but other factors come into play for how nimble a board is. E.g. sidecut, effective edge to contact length ratio and flex (softer is typically more nimble at slower speeds). One big thing is also width. If a board is wide for your feet, then it’s going to be less nimble. So when you go shorter and wider, depending on how much shorter and how much wider – the width can cancel out the extra nimbleness you get from going shorter.
Purely off your specs, I would say that even the 148 is too big in this case. Because you’re not really sizing down from what I would consider a good all-mountain length for you. And at that width you’d want to size down. Given that you’re used to the 154 Mountain Twin though, it could be doable. Note that the 154 Mountain Twin (assuming roughly a 560mm (22″) stance width) is roughly 264mm at the inserts. The Gremlin 148 (assuming the same stance width) is likely roughly around 267mm at the back insert and 269mm at the front insert. You likely wouldn’t be riding at that stance width, but just as an illustration that the Gremlin is a little wider, but not massively wider than the 154 MT. So you would be overall sizing down from what you’re currently riding. The Gremlin (by my feel) is a little stiffer than the MT, but only very subtly, so overall based on riding the 157 MT and 152 Gremlin (6’0, 175lbs, size 10 boots), I would say you’d be getting a little more nimbleness. But not going to be a huge difference. If that makes sense.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi Nate,
That was a very good breakdown. What type of board would you recommend? I definitely want a board that handles powder.
Thank you!
Hi Joe
Some options that could work size-wise and very good in powder.
– Jones Flagship 151 (243mm waist)
– Jones Hovercraft 148 (249mm waist) – wider but not as wide as the Gremlin 148
– Capita Navigator 151 (245mm waist) – or you could even go 147 (241mm waist) if you wanted to go really nimble (but would sacrifice a little in terms of powder float)
– Lib Tech Dynamo 150 (243mm waist)
These are what I’d call freeride boards – with the Flagship being stiffer and the Navigator and Dynamo not as stiff – and the Dynamo bordering on being all-mountain.
In terms of all mountain options, whilst not being quite as good for powder, but a little better for sidehits, jumps – and still decent for powder.
– YES Standard 149 (245mm waist) – a little wider than it looks, but still nothing near as wide Gremlin. Assuming a 22″ stance, more like 258mm at inserts.
– Slash Brainstorm 151 (247mm waist) – also looking at roughly 258mm at inserts
– YES Typo 149 (248mm waist – around 256mm at inserts) – another small step down for powder though
Hope this gives you some options. If you were happy to look at women’s boards as well, there’d be some options in there to, we could look at. But something there should work, IMO.
The Capita navigator looks like a solid board, and its light. So I just upgraded to the Burton Step on bindings and photon boots, see any issues with that and the navigator?
Hi Joe
Nope, can’t see any issues with putting the Photon Step On setup on that board. I think it should be a good match.
Hey Nate!
Really enjoy your reviews/ site. I’m looking at the Gremlin and the Burton Skeleton Key as a new daily driver this season. Been riding a 158 Burton Custom (from 2005) w/ new cartels and ride anthem boots, which I enjoy, but want something more directional, tapered, that can handle pow better. Love riding trees, sides of groomers, and going really fast from time to time, and I ride CO/ rocky mtn conditions. No switch or park for me.
I currently have a 155 21/22 Gremlin and a 158 20/21 Skeleton Key in my possession (jumped on deals for both) and plan to return one, but man, they’re both so beautiful and it’s hard to choose one without test riding (which I can’t).
I’m US size 11, 160-ish lbs, 6’1″, and am curious about a few things:
-Would you downsize to a 152 Gremlin at my weight/ shoe size, instead of a 155? I noticed you tested a 152 and weigh about the same as me.
-As a daily driver/ one board quiver, would you personally prefer a SK or Gremlin? I am concerned about the edge hold on the SK, and the nimbleness of the Gremlin.
-How can I stop agonizing about this decision (haha)? I am really overthinking this!
Thanks!
Hi Sean
Thanks for your message.
Firstly, in terms of the Gremlin, I think 155 is probably right for you. If you had boot size 10 or less, then I’d say size down to the 152, but given that this board isn’t super wide (it’s a short/wide, but it’s kind of like a semi-short wide), the 155 is actually in a good width range for 11s, so you don’t want to size down too much on this, if it’s not overly wide for your boots. Note thought that at your weight on the 155, it’s likely to feel stiffer than how I felt it. So you’re probably going to feel it more like at least 7/10 flex, I would say, because of that. You could go to 152, but I think it’s getting quite short, given that it’s not wide for your boots.
Edge hold in hard/icy conditions isn’t as good on the Skeleton Key as on the Gremlin, but it’s not terrible either. If you were on the East Coast, you might want to maximize on getting something with really good icy conditions edge hold, but I think you’d be fine with the Skeleton Key.
Personally I would go Skeleton Key as my daily driver – just overall I liked it a little more and I think size-wise, the 158 SK works better for you than the 155 Gremlin. I think you’d like both for the type of riding you’re describing, and I don’t think there’s a wrong decision, but I’d be leaning 158 SK.
Hope this helps with your decision
Amazing, thank you!
Definitely leaning towards SK but maybe I’ll just keep both!
You’re very welcome Sean. If you think of it at the time let me know what you decide and how you get on, once you’ve had a chance to get it/them out on snow. Happy riding!
Hey! I rode the 155 gremlin a couple of times and really love it! Compared to the 2005 Burton custom I had previously, the gremlin feels so locked in and damp when straight-lining and pushing into carves on harder snow. Perfect for early season resort riding with less than optimal conditions. Spent the afternoons making perfect carves around people butt-sliding down ice/ hardpack. Found the pop and butterability very surprising- it’s a great middle ground between playful and aggressive for me. Gonna bust out the SK later this season to compare, I think the SK might perform better in trees although I found the gremlin pretty nimble. Decided I’ll keep both since they’re so dang pretty, and I got great deals on both! Excited to compare!
Hey Sean
Thanks for the feedback and the insights. Also appreciate it. Look forward to hearing how you compare the SK!
Hey! Rode SK and gremlin, would 100% choose SK if I could only pick one. SK is an absolute pleasure to ride, especially in powder, trees, steeps. It feels incredibly dynamic and maneuverable, and very forgiving if you wanna get a little sloppy. Base on SK felt much silkier and faster, gremlin was kinda sluggish in comparison. Gremlin is much better on hard and icy snow, and carves/locks in more easily, total dream for doing non-stop nice carves on groomers, but SK has an overall feel and dynamism that made riding everywhere more exciting
Hey Sean
Thanks for the update and insights. Much appreciated!