Hello and welcome to my GNU Headspace review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Head Space as a freestyle snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Head Space a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other freestyle snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: GNU Head Space 2024
Price: $579
Style: Freestyle
Flex Rating: Medium (4.5-6 depending on size)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium-Soft (4/10)
Rating Score: 88.6/100
Compared to other Men’s Freestyle Boards
Out of the 36 men’s freestyle snowboards that I rated:
OVERVIEW OF THE Head Space’S SPECS
Check out the tables for the Head Space’s specs and available sizes.
SPECS
STYLE:
FREESTYLE
PRICE:
$579
Ability Level:
flex:
feel:
DAMPNESS:
SMOOTH /SNAPPY:
Playful /aggressive:
Edge-hold:
camber profile:
HYBRID ROCKER
HYBRID ROCKer - But mostly camber. GNU's "C3 Camber". Though it did have a little more rocker than some of GNU's other C3 profiles.
SHAPE:
setback stance:
Centered
BASE:
Sintered
weight:
A LITTLE LIGHTER THAN normal
Camber Height:
6mm
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
146 | 247 | 85-155 | 39-70 |
149 | 250 | 90-160 | 41-73 |
152 | 250 | 100-180 | 45-82 |
155 | 254 | 110-200 | 50-91 |
155W | 264 | 120-240 | 54-109 |
158 | 255 | 120-240 | 54-109 |
Who is the Head Space Best Suited To?
The Head Space is best suited to anyone looking for a park/freestyle deck - either to add to their quiver as their freestyle board or if freestyle is their main thing and the groomers are just used for getting back to the park.
That said, it's not terrible on a carve or at moderate speeds, but just don't expect it to bomb a high speed, aggressive carve.
Not something if you need regular powder performance. You'll get pretty big back leg muscles if you do!
It's easy riding, but it's not quite beginner easy. But lower end intermediate riders or riders who have a solid technique but are beginner when it comes to park/freestyle would be well suited to this board. And of course more advanced freestyle riders too.
The Head Space in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Head Space is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: GNU Head Space 2024, 155 (254mm waist width)
Date:
Conditions:
Snowing light to moderate throughout day. Low cloud. Visibility not too bad considering. 70-75%.
Temperature was -3°C (27°F) and -9°C (16°F) with wind in morning. -2°C (28°F) and -4°C (25°F) in the afternoon. 10kph (6mph) southerly wind morning and no wind in afternoon.
24 hour snow: 7" (18cm)*
48 hour snow: 7" (18cm)
7 day snow: 7" (18cm)
*when I got there - would have been a good couple more inches during the day.
On groomer: Firm underneath to start with a good layer of fresh on top. Then got progressively softer and deeper.
Off groomer: Plenty of fresh pow!
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 555mm (22″)
Stance Setback: Centered
Width at Inserts: 262mm (10.3")
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 180lbs
Rider Boot Size: US9.5 Adidas Response ADV
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Control Board for Control Laps: Lib Tech Terrain Wrecker
Weight: 2980grams (6lb 9oz)
Weight per cm: 19.23 grams/cm
Average Weight per cm: 18.71 grams/cm*
*based on a sample size of around 250 models that I’ve weighed in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024 models. While the Headspace was a little heaver than normal on the scales, it actually felt a little lighter than normal on snow.
2024 Model Changes
The Head Space got a few tweaks for the 2024 model, which is why we wanted to ride it again. The shape of the tip and tail look more rounded. That in itself is more a aesthetic change, but also looses the asymmetry that the '23 model had. Sidecuts different because of that asym loss - e.g. 7.8 on the 149 (which was 7.6/7.8). Apart from that and apart from the new rounded tips look, everything else the same.
So not heaps of changes but enough to retest it. While I was disappointed it was loosing its asymmetry, as I tend to like asymmetrical boards, I still really enjoyed the ride.
Powder
We had a good bit of powder to test in. And whilst the Head Space wouldn't be my choice of board in pow, it was OK in the shallower sections, but did feel sinky in the deeper areas. And no real surprise given it's a camber dominant true twin with a centered stance.
There was a little more rocker between the feet than some other C3 camber profiles, so that helped a little. But still never going to be amazing in the deep stuff.
Carving & Turning
Carving: For its flex and being a twin/park board, it's not too bad. Better for slower speed, tighter carves than high speed wide carves.
Turning: Nice and easy to initiate turns on and to slash.
Maneuverability at Slow Speeds: Nice and quick edge-to-edge at slow speeds. Very nimble.
Catchiness: Despite being more camber dominant, didn't feel catchy at all to me.
Speed
Decent for flex and size, but never going to be a bomber. But could handle moderate speeds well.
Uneven Terrain
Crud: Not damp or stiff enough to be able to smash through anything that was harder. Everything was soft on the day and it did fine but wouldn't be a crud crusher when things were more chatter-inducing.
Trees/Bumps: Nice and nimble, so good at weaving between obstacles. Not ideal when there's powder in trees though.
Jumps
Super fun and confidence inspiring.
Pop: Super easy to access the Head Space's pop. You just had to think about it popping and it was in the air. Total pop wasn't epic, but it was decent enough for sure.
Approach: For moderate speed approaches it was great. Was stable enough to handle moderate speed without getting wobbly and was nice and nimble for adjusting and good for speed checking. Not as suitable for really big jumps that need faster speeds on approach.
Landing: Found I could really stomp landings, despite the softer flex. Felt nice and stable and really good. Wouldn't be as good on bigger jumps, but for medium jumps it felt really good.
Side-hits: So freaking good! This is about the ideal board for side hits, for me. So much fun on them.
Small jumps/Big Jumps: Best for small to medium, IMO, but can handle larger jumps too.
Switch
It's no longer asymmetrical. But apart from that, it's really well suited to switch and it felt good riding switch. Easy transitions too.
Spins
So easy to spin and great for setting up and landing switch. It has really easy access pop to help you get the air you need too. Just all round almost ideal for spins. Not quite as suitable if you're going really big.
Jibbing
I felt confident jibbing with this board. It's good on the approach, doesn't feel catchy, good easy pop for popping on and off features.
Butters
Tip/tail press nice and easy, but you can still lock them in without over pressing. Tip/tail feel exactly the same, so you get that consistent feeling.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
JUMPS | 4.5 | 18/20 |
JIBBING | 4.0 | 16/20 |
SPINS | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
SWITCH | 4.5 | 9/10 |
BUTTERING | 4.5 | 9/10 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
POWDER | 2.0 | 2/5 |
SPEED | 3.0 | 3/5 |
CARVING | 3.0 | 3/5 |
TURNS/SLASHING | 4.5 | 4.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88.6/100 |
The Head Space is a super fun, softer flexing, snappy snowboard that excelled at all thing freestyle. And while it wasn't a bomber outside the park, it also was decent when just wanting to carve or cruise groomers.
And if you used the groomers to best of this boards ability, then it's an ace for side hits. It's one of the things I like doing the most on a snowboard, and this thing was ideally suited to it.
If there's now powder in the trees, it can get in there too. It's nice and nimble for weaving between obstacles. But in powder it is pretty sinky - as you'd expect from its specs.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Headspace, 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 freestyle snowboard options, or if you want to compare the Headspace to other freestyle snowboards, then check out the next link.
Any difference with Headspace between 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and current model?
Hi TJ
Thanks for your message.
As far as I know it’s stayed the same all that time. The only difference I noticed was from the 2019 to 2020 model the tip and tail shape changed a bit – it got more rounded. But I doubt that changed the ride. Because it’s a span of 5 years there may have been some subtle changes in production processes and that kind of thing that might have subtly changed it over the years, but otherwise don’t think it’s really changed in that time.
Hi Nate,
Thanks again so much for all your sizing advice.
I found a good deal on the Gnu Headspace in a 155cm. Knowing that I’m 150 pounds with a size 9boot who likes to cruise the whole mountain, carve hard, ride switch and hit park – do you think I can get away with that size?
Or should I really stick to the 152cm. Looking forward to your advice. Thanks!
Hi Ryan
I feel like the 155 would be a little big for your specs for the park. You’d likely get away with it, but I think it’s on the bigger end of your range, so for park, I think it might feel a little big for you. I’d go 152 if you can.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
Dan here again, I’m deciding if I should add this board to my quiver, I currently have a doa and warpig, I find the doa a bit too aggressive for jib progression and want to try something softer with magnetraction for icy firm days. Would the 152 be ok size for my 10.5 boots at 140 lb? It’s primarily gonna be used in park and cruising around looking for side hits. I know I won’t be able to hard carve but wondering if it’s way too narrow.
Hi Dan
Thanks for your message.
The 152 is narrow for 10.5s, IMO, but if you’re not pulling any big carves on it, you’ll probably get away with it. What size DOA did you get in the end? 154? If so, then the 152 Headspace is going to be pretty much the same width at the inserts, so if you haven’t had any boot drag issues on the DOA (assuming it’s the 154 you got and not the 153W), then I don’t think you should get any on the 152 Headspace.
Thanks for the quick reply. I ended up with a 154 doa, it’s a great jump board but harder to progress on rails due to the aggressive flex. I don’t usually get too much boot out on the doa unless it’s a super slush day, but I’ve decided to use warpig on slushy days. I’ll do some more thinking, mainly want to use the headspace for firm days or those Vancouver night riding death rinks.
Hey Dan. Yeah, then you should prob be OK on the Headspace. Less likely to drag boot in harder conditions – or when it’s like an ice rink!
Hey Nate, first off thanks for the advice about a board for my girlfriend a few weeks ago, went with a Salomon gypsy and she’s had a blast on it! Now I am looking at a new board upgrading from a 2011 Burton whammy bar (soft rockered jib board) and malavitas. Hoping for something that is also playful but more aggressive, poppy, and grippy on the icy conditions here in PA and this seems perfect.
* I’m 5’8, 140lbs, size 8-8.5 boot, 152 is a no brainer right?
* Binding recs? I really liked the malavitas but wouldn’t mind saving some money if it doesn’t make too much of a difference. Based on what’s on sale I’m mainly looking at the bent metal axtion or Salomon hologram. The salomon flexy heelcup thing sounds great on paper, I used to skate and it took a while getting used to being locked into bindings, but not sure about it. But could also pony up for forces, stratas, or malavitas. Also size M would be good right? That’s what my malavitas are. Thanks!
Hi Casey
Yeah, I think the Headspace would be a good bet, given what you’re describing.
152 would be a good bet, IMO. Particularly if it’s your one and only board. If it was your park/freestyle deck in a multi-board quiver, I would consider the 149. But in a one board quiver, I think the 152 is a good way to go.
I haven’t ridden any Bent Metal bindings in a while and haven’t ridden the Axtion, so can’t say much there. I think the Hologram could certainly work – I really like the flexy heel cup on Salomon bindings. Given the board and how you’re likely to be riding it (more freestyle oriented, I’m guessing?), I would go either Strata or Malavita over the Force, if you were to go with one of those.
In terms of size, I would M for any one of those brands, with 8.5s.
Hope this helps
And glad to hear your girlfriend is getting on with her Gypsy
Gnu headspace vs Proto slinger for a more beginner oriented individual?
Hi Zack
Thanks for your message.
Close call, but I would say that the Proto Slinger is marginally easier to ride. But very close. Neither are overly challenging to ride – they’re not complete beginner friendly boards, but they’re fairly beginner friendly, in my experience.