Hello and welcome to my Jones Flagship review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Flagship as a Freeride snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Flagship a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other freeride snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Jones Flagship 2019
Price: $649 (USD recommended retail)
Style: Freeride
Flex Rating: Stiff (8/10)
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium-Stiff (7.5/10)
Rating Score: 88.6/100
Compared to other Men’s Freeride Boards
Out of the 39 Men’s Freeride snowboards that I rated:
Overview of the Flagship’s Specs
The Flagship underwent a few changes for the 2020 model - see below for more an overview of the changes.
Check out the tables for the Flagship’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freeride |
Price: | $649 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Turn Initiation: | Medium-Fast |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | |
Shape: | Tapered Directional (12.5mm taper) |
Setback Stance: | No Setback on effective edge according to Jones, but you are definitely setback, overall. |
Base: | Sintered 9900 |
Weight: | Felt light |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
151 | 243 | 120-170 | 54-77 |
154 | 246 | 120-170 | 54-77 |
158 | 249 | 130-180 | 59-82 |
161 | 252 | 140-190 | 64-86 |
164 | 254 | 160-210 | 73-95 |
167 | 259 | 160-210 | 73-95 |
172 | 263 | 170-220+ | 77-100+ |
159W | 263 | 140-190 | 64-86 |
162W | 263 | 160-210 | 73-95 |
165W | 266 | 160-210 | 73-95 |
169W | 270 | 170-220+ | 77-100+ |
Who is the Flagship Most Suited To?
The Flagship is a great freeride option that excels in powder, in the backcountry, for carving and for riding trees. If you like it steep and deep, this board is especially good.
Only for advanced to expert riders this one. Too stiff and technical for beginners and even intermediate riders. The high end of intermediate would be OK though - especially after the changes for the 2020 model.
The 2020 model is more agile at slower speeds, a little softer flexing, better in bumpy terrain and a little less aggressive vs the 2019 model. Not quite as stable at speed but still good in that area.
The Flagship in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Flagship is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Jones Flagship 2020, 158cm (249mm waist width)
Date: March 9, 2019
Conditions: Overcast skies with about 75% visibility - not bad but not perfect vis.
Snow on groomers was medium with some softer spots. Some fresh snow off groomer - though some of it was a little crusty on top, but still rideable.
Cold around 20 degrees (-6 celcius) with wind chill. Around 30 (-1) without windchill.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 560mm (22″)
Width at Inserts: 266mm (10.47") at front insert and 261mm (10.28")
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 185lbs
Rider Boot Size: US10 Vans Aura
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Weight: 2760g
Weight per cm: 17.47 grams/cm
Average Weight per cm: 18.45 grams/cm*
*based on a small sample size of 51 boards that I've weighed in 2019 and 2020 models. The Flagship is a light board on the scales and that translates onto snow as well (which isn't always the case) - it felt light on snow too.
Powder
This board was already sick in powder, but it might be even a little better now. It's got a bigger difference between tip and tail length, and it's gone from 1mm taper to 12.5mm of taper - so a big difference there.
It also has the 3D contoured base and plenty of rocker in the nose.
Whilst I didn't have a massive amount of powder to play with, what I did made this board feel like it would be a dream in the deep.
Carving & Turning
Carving: The Flagship didn't loose any of it's carving prowess with the new changes, IMO. It's still a great board for carving up the groomers.
Maneuverability at slow speeds: What did change is that this board has become way more maneuverable at slower speeds - it's still the kind of board that prefers to be ridden fast, but it's definitely much easier to ride it slower now than it used to be. I really appreciated this in the trees.
Skidded Turns: It's easier to skid turns than it used to be as well. Still not beginner easy to skid turns but a lot easier than before.
Speed
The Flagship did loose a bit of it's bomber feel with the new changes. It's not quite as well suited for just straight line bombing. But that said, it's still really good at it. Just not quite the missile that it was.
What was really noticeable was how well this board glides. Which is typical of Jones boards. It's not something that I tend to notice one way or the other with most boards, but with this the glide on flats/small uphills is really really good.
Uneven Terrain
The Flagship is great in uneven terrain now. That improved a lot. Over and around bumps it's better - that increase maneuverability really helps and a slightly mellowed flex.
It's much better in crud too - whether you want to just power through it - or dance over it.
Really enjoyed this board in the trees, which I hadn't in the past.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Jumps
Overall, the Flagship has definitely improved for jumps over the older models.
Pop: I'm not sure there's necessarily more pop than before, but it's much easier to access. That plus feeling really light, made this board actually really good to ollie and pop off jumps.
Approach: Really stable on approach but also still agile enough.
Landing: Really solid landings but still with a bit of forgiveness.
Side-hits: Not ideal but better than older models - with that increased maneuverability and more easily accessible pop.
Small jumps/Big Jumps: Still better for medium to large jumps vs small jumps, despite being a bit more forgiving, but doable for small jumps too of course.
Switch
Didn't feel great riding switch. And no real surprise there - with how far you're setback on this board, and how much taper there is, it was never going to be something ideal for riding switch.
Spins
Not one for taking off and landing switch, but keep it to 360s, or multiples of, and it's actually pretty good. Good accessible pop and nice and light - and didn't feel overly stiff torsionally.
Jibbing
A little more suitable than it used to be, but still nah!
Butters
Not that easy to butter. Even though it's a little mellower than past models, still not that easy to butter.
Changes from the 2019 Model
As mentioned throughout there have been quite a few changes for the 2020 Flagship vs the 2019 model. The major changes that I can see are:
- Taper increased from 1mm to 12.5mm
- Bigger difference in tip and tail length - e.g. on the 158 the tip was 29.2cm on the 2019 models, which is now 32.7cm. The tail has stayed the same at 18.7cm.
- Effective edge has decreased (to make way for that longer nose I guess) from 119.2cm on the 2019 model to 117.6cm on the 2020 model (using the 158 as an example).
- Updated core
- New flax/basalt stringers
- One new size - the 151
Changes from the 2018 Model
Most things about the 2019 model are the same as the 2018 model. The only real change was that they have made the core lighter. How much lighter I’m not sure, but it’s certainly not a heavy board – just on the lighter side of normal.
Changes from the 2017 Model
The 2017 model was quite different from the 2016 model (introduced spoon tech, was made in a different factory and was just a more forgiving and damper ride overall). But the 2018 model is very similar to the 2017 model.
Probably the only change as far as I can tell is that they’ve tweaked the core between the feet – with the intention of increasing torsional response (as they have done for the whole Jones line).
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
CARVING | 4.0 | 24/30 |
POWDER | 5.0 | 20/20 |
SPEED | 4.0 | 16/20 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 4.0 | 12/15 |
JUMPS | 3.5 | 7/10 |
SWITCH | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 88.6/100 |
Overall, the Flagship has changed quite a bit vs past models, but I really liked the changes.
Just mellowing out that flex a little and adding extra taper (and I don't maybe some of the other changes too) - made this board a slightly more forgiving board that performs a lot better in uneven terrain and is easy to manage at slower speeds.
Whilst the score, coincidentally ended up the same as the 2019 model - the individual factor ratings changed - with speed going down and uneven terrain and jumps both improving.
Overall a more fun and more modern feeling board now.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you’re interested in learning more about the Flagship, are ready to buy or want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to see how the Flagship compared to other freeride boards or want to check out some other options, check out the next link.
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Flagship is capable of.
Jones Flagship 2018 Review
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Flagship is capable of.
I rode the 162W which was a little wide for me. The 161 would be the best size for me for this board. But having the 162W made it even better for floating in pow than it would have been on the 161. But this board is made for pow and even on the narrower, slightly shorter version, it would have floated great.
Hi Nick, thanks for the review!
Currently debating between this board and a yes pyl. I mostly ride trees/slack country, so I really need a board that is very nimble and can turn quickly. Based on what I’ve read, the pyl might have a slight advantage in this area, but I really hate the graphic this year (I know, I know, a bad reason to base purchase).
Is there enough difference between how these two boards ride to matter? Obviously if the ply blows away the FS in trees, then I’ll deal with the not so good graphic… but if very similar, well I think the nicer looking board would win for me. What do you think?
Thanks in advance!
Hi Steve
If you were looking at the 2019 model Flagship, then I would say definitely the PYL over the Flagship in trees. But the 2020 Flagship is a much improved board in trees, IMO – so there’s very little in it now in that area. So, I think you would go well with either in terms of trees. But if you’re looking at the 2019 Flagship, then go PYL, IMO.
Another thing to consider is sizing down a little, to help make it more nimble/quicker turns.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
Thanks for the very fast reply!
I am in fact looking at the 2020 model boards. Also, I weigh ~185lbs with size 11 boots and was thinking to go on the smaller end of the spectrum since this will be mostly a tree board. Since I have a bigger boot, I was thinking either 160W for the PYL (1190mm edge) or 159W FS (1180mm edge). Do you think either will be too short given my stats? If not, do you think the FS and PYL differences in ride performance and nimbleness are pretty small overall (with steep trees in mind)?
Sorry if I’m asking the same question again, I just want to make sure I’m going in the right direction before I pull the trigger! I’m leaning toward this years FS simply because I love the look and hear they made big improvements (plus I cant find last years pyl for sale anywhere, and this years graphic is pretty bad IMO), but worry as I’ve read reviews in the past calling the FS a plank that doesn’t like to turn, and that is still kinda stuck in my head. Last thing I want is to make a big purchase only find out I made a mistake on my first tight tree run 🙂
Cheers!
Hi Steve
The biggest difference with the 2020 Flagship is it’s turning ability and it’s a seriously better board in the trees for sure. That was the biggest thing I noticed with it. I rode the 2019 FS & PYL back to back and the PYL was streets ahead at that point for trees, but I didn’t ride the 2020 PYL, so I haven’t ridden it back to back, but based on my notes and scoring system, there wouldn’t be a whole lot in it between them now for trees. I did ride the Flagship against the Frontier (formerly Explorer) and I found the Flagship more nimble than the Frontier. The old Flagship certainly wasn’t as nimble as the old Explorer. That said, if I had to pick, I’d say Pick Your Line, just that little bit quicker edge-to-edge. But that will also depend on sizing.
I rode the 159 PYL (2019) & the 158 Flagship (2019 & 2020). Flagship 158 has a 249mm waist but isn’t as narrow as it sounds. The width at inserts is 266mm at the front insert and 261mm at the back insert (and that was riding at a 560mm (22″) stance. The reference stance on the Flagship is 600mm (23.6″), where it would be wider again but that’s wider than I like to ride – and probably if you’re riding trees and want that extra maneuverability, then coming in a little (depending on your height) from that 23.6″ stance might be worth at least trying to see what you like better. The PYL 159 has a waist of 253mm and is 260mm at the back insert and 263mm at the front insert (tapered boards tend to be wider at the front insert, even when they’re setback). For reference I am 185lbs, 6’0″ and wear size 10 boots.
With 11s, it’s probably getting a little narrow on those, but I wanted to give you more info of what I rode on. I certainly don’t think 160W and 159W would be too long, given your weight and that you want to ride in trees. But if you could also let me know your height that would be great. Even though weight and boot size are the most important factor for sizing, I still take height into account.
The 160W PYL is likely to be around 267mm at the back insert and 270mm at the front insert. That’s going to be a really good width for 11s, IMO. Wide enough but not so wide that it’s too wide (which can lead to slower edge to edge transitions).
The 159W Flagship is likely to be around 275mm at the back insert and 280mm at the front insert (going at a 22″ stance). This is getting on the wider side. Not ultra wide, but on the wider end for 11s. I’m usually happy with anything up to 265mm with 10s – which would translate to 275mm for 11s. I can go a little wider if there’s a narrower waist, but with a wide waist and more than around 265mm I start to feel the board get a bit sluggish.
That’s probably way more info than you bargained for, or wanted, but hopefully it gives you more to go off for your decision
Hi Mate
Could u recomend what size i should buy.? About 80kg and boot size 8,5.
Hi Jakub.
Thanks for your message. Can you also let me know your height. Whilst weight and boot size are the most important sizing factors, I also take height into account.
Cheers for quick reply
I am 178cm.i am thinking abou 161 board
Hi Jakub
Generally speaking for an all-mountain board, assuming you’re relatively advanced rider (which I assume you are if you’re looking at the Flagship), then I would say around 159. Being a freeride board, given that you’re going to use it charge, hit powder etc, then I think the 161 is your best bet. If you were going to be doing a lot in the trees and wanted a bit more maneuverability, then you could also ride the 158. For your boot size, I like the 158, but depending on how you ride, I think the 161 is the better length/width combo. But yeah like I say if you’re wanting more maneuverability/short sharp turns kind of thing, then 158 a definite option, but if you’re looking to get that float and stability at speed, then 161 would be your best bet.
Hope this helps
Hey man, hoping to get your thoughts. I’m looking at a Flagship. Here’s my story. I’m advanced/expert level rider but haven’t bought a board in a few years. I grew up in Utah and my main thing is bombing the hill as fast as possible, sending it off natural hits. Pretty much never ride park. Most recently, the Salomon Powder Snake has been my go-to board when there’s fresh snow, and a K2 parkstar for the other days. Never summer SL was a favorite back in the day too. Here’s the catch. I’m 6’3” with very long legs so I like a really wide stance. But I only weigh 165-170 pounds. In the past, high-end boards long enough to work with my stance and give me some float were often too stiff for me because of my light weight and tossed me around too much and made it hard in the rough. Boards like the Powder Snake, lower end but still sintered, are usually softer and work well. Anyway, I’ve moved to Oregon and I’m looking for a board to use exclusively in the side and backcountry. There will be some powder, but it’ll usually be heavy, sometimes slushy or mashed potatoes, maybe even hard. My question is, would a Flagship 166 end up being too stiff for me on that sort of terrain. I don’t expect to ride it on rough terrain often, but steep and fast. Everything else about the board seems perfect. I want something that does well in the occasional powder but especially handles steep fast lines and holds an edge on hard snow when called for. But I don’t want to get worked over by a board that is too stiff. Anything other boards you’d recommend? I also wear a size 12 boot but I’ve always felt fine with a waist of at least 25 my wide stance helps reduce toe drag.
Thanks for any advice.
Hi Brigham
Thanks for your message. Please see my reply to your other comment for more details.
Specifically for the Flagship, I feel like this is going to be a little too stiff, to be ideal for what you’re describing. It’s not the stiffest I’ve ridden but it’s on the stiffer side for sure. I would say 8/10 stiffness. Some of the boards I mentioned in my other comment are probably better for what you’re describing, in terms of being softer flexing.
Another option I didn’t mention in that post was the YES Hybrid. It’s a shorter/wider version of the YES PYL, and is softer flexing too. YES rate it 7/10 flex, but I felt it more like 6/10 flex. The longest size is 161, which might be smaller than what you’re used to. But it’s also relatively wide. Even though you were saying that you don’t have issues on regular width boards, even with 12s because of your wide stance, that extra width would allow you to go a little shorter. However, that’s only if you wanted to go that way. If you want to stick to narrower and longer, check out some of the options on the other reply. Note that I was considering wider options in that post, but if you’re confident with narrower boards, then you could look at different sizings of those.
The PYL is another option (possibly 165, or 162), though it’s possibly a little stiffer than ideal for what you want. I’d say 7.5/10 or maybe even closer to 7/10. A little softer than the Flagship anyway.
Hope this helps
Thanks so much. Sorry for doubling up, I accidentally closed my window and couldn’t figure out where I made that other comment.
All good – and you’re very welcome
Hi, quick question: I’m thinking about buying the Jones Flagship 161, seems to be a great board. I wear shoes US 10. Do you think the regular 161 is ok or do I need a wide board? Thanks!
Hi Michael
Thanks for your message.
With US10s you shouldn’t have any issues with the 161. I rode the 158 with US10s and had no issues on that (all be it with +15/-15 binding angles and low profile boots).
The 158 measured 263mm at the rear insert and 260mm at the front insert, which in my experience is always enough. The 161 is likely to be more like 265mm at the rear insert and 262mm at the front insert – so a bit more leeway. Note that this is for the 2019 model and the same measurements differ for the 2020 model which had a couple of changes (one of them being more taper).
The only thing would be if you had longer profile boots, rode with a very straight angle on your back foot, and liked to get really low on your carves (like Eurocarves), then you would have less width to work with, but even then you might be OK. The other thing to note is that the reference stance on the Flagship is quite wide (600mm). With a narrower stance you would be setting up on a narrower part of the board, so that would take off a couple of mm.
But yeah, in most scenarios, you should be good on the 161.
Hope this gives you more to go off
Hi!
Thank you for rating and review!
Really useful information.
But why this board doesn’t cover Icy Snow option?
As I know it has Magne-Traction grip, is should deal with Icy Snow.
Hi Artem
Thanks for your message.
The Flagship is pretty good in icy snow. The rating there isn’t to say that it can’t deal with icy snow, it’s meant as an indicator as to how well it will deal with hard/icy conditions. I’ve found others that deal with it better, so the Flagship doesn’t get full marks for this. But it is still really good there, and that Traction Tech certainly helps. It’s also good to note that the Traction Tech is relatively subtle on the 2019 Flagship (what Jones describes as Traction Tech 2.0). The 2020 model is going to have more Traction Tech (Traction 3.0) – and that is partly (IMO) because that model has a lot more taper, so that extra traction tech helps to compensate for a potentially more washy tail.
It might help to think of this as more like it getting a score of 4/5 for hard/icy conditions, and not that it can’t ride in icy conditions.
Hope this explains it
Thank you for expanded explanation!
Is it possible to perform butter tricks on such stiff board?
Hi Artem
You can if you’re really adept at butter tricks, but certainly not easy to do on this board. Not made for that in my opinion, and even if you’re an expert at butter tricks, it will be doable but not easy – and not as fun as a lot of other boards. Typically boards of this flex won’t be good for buttering.
Hey Nate,
So I’ve been demoing the flagship some more and I think it’s a great board however it’s not as damp as I would like. I can feel every vibration when hitting speed especially on the morning groomed slopes. Amazing in soft snow and powder but I would be kidding myself that I see this all the time…
Is there a board that is similar to the flagship but is more damp at high speeds and doesn’t feel like I’m going to snap my knees?
I tried my buddies GNU Mullair and that is very stable at high speeds but I think I prefer having camber between the bindings than rocker.
Thanks for your help Nate.
Hi Luke
Thanks for your message.
Note that I found the Flagship to be very stable at speed, so this might not help that much if you found it not to be. I don’t find it great in uneven terrain, but at speed I found I could really bomb on it. But you could check out something like the YES Pick Your Line or Burton Flight Attendant, both of which I found were better in uneven terrain (and are both camber between/under the bindings, like the Flagship.
Hope this helps
Thanks Nate for your wisdom. I’m extremely grateful for your help so far.
I think I might pull the trigger on the GNU mullair as I played with It again and actually had lots of fun while also giving me the extra confidence since I wasn’t feeling the micro vibrations underfoot.
I get the feeling the yes PYL might be similar in terms of dampness as I was under the impression the flagship was slightly more stable than the PYL at speeds.
I also tried the burton Custom x and boy does that thing rip. Incredibly stable but I know it’s not a freeride board. I just wish there was a board that had the flagship characteristics but the dampness of the custom x / mullair.
I was also looking at the funslinger as my play around board but luckily I also had a demo on this and I didn’t really enjoy it.
I had an old school Yes the greats which I had to give up since it was on its final legs. So I think I’m leaning more towards this bit I’ve seen they have had a bit of a revamp with the sizing etc. This will be my all mountain freestyle. I’m between the 156/159.
I’m 210lbs with 9.5uk Adidas adv tacticals.
I will most likely be getting the mullair at 161W since this was the one I had demoed but unfortunately the only one they had. I could really get some deep carves without the thought of wiping out.
If I get the 161W mullair for my freeride/back country
156 yes greats for my all mountain freestyle? Or 159 based on my weight?
156 funslinger I thought I was going to break 🙂
Hi Luke
I would say that the Flight Attendant is the closest thing to the Custom X in a freeride form. But if you’re digging the Mullair, then that’s a safe bet. That rocker between the feet on the C3 camber is so subtle, it’s practically all-camber, I’ve found. Size-wise, I think 161 is good for length. It’s whether it would be worth going 161 (which you’d probably fit on with UK9.5 Tactical ADVs) or 161W but like you say, you’re really have no concerns about boot drag and going 161W gives you more leeway on those deeper carves. Also, it’s not massively wide for a wide board either, which works for you, IMO.
For the Greats:
The Funslinger is a softer board, and narrower – so going 156 on the Greats, would be a sturdier feeling experience for sure, IMO. Also the Greats 156 has a bit more in terms of effective edge vs the Funslinger 156. Still in the 156, the Greats would feel quite soft flexing for you, IMO. It would certainly be a more playful Greats, than if you were to go 159.
The 159 would be a little wider even than the 161W, I would predict. Based on measuring different sizes of the 2 boards, I would say that the Mullair 161W, would be roughly 270mm at the inserts, whereas the 159 Greats would be roughly 276mm at the inserts. The 156 Greats is 273mm at the inserts (reference stance) from my measurements (measuring on the base, metal edge to metal edge).
So, I think 156 would be doable for you for the new Greats, but just know that it would be a softer more playful version than what the 159 would feel like. But it should feel, IMO, more sturdy than the Funslinger in the 156. The 159 would still be one you could play around with, it’s still not as much board as the Mullair.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hey Nick!
Just got this board in 162w length on a crazy discount.
However I am 87kg and started doubting if it will be too short for mny 87 – 90 kg. What is your weight?
Hi Vlad
Thanks for your message.
I was roughly 84kg when i rode this board. The width was too wide for me on the 162W but th length was doable. I’ve since ridden the 2019 model in the 158 and I liked that size. Though I’d say the 161 would be the best fit for me (for what I would be using this board for).
I think 162 should be fine for your weight. It would be more about your boot size, whether they’re suitable for the width. If you could let me know your boot size and also your height too, that would help to make a more informed recommendation
Hi,
It’s 12 US feet (30 cm) and 192 cm
Hi Vlad
Thanks for the extra info.
The width should definitely be good for you, wide is the way to go for your boot size.
In terms of the length, overall, I think it’s good. You could have also ridden the 165W with your specs (particularly if you’re an advanced rider and mostly ride fast and spend a fair bit of time in powder), but the 162W will work with your specs too, IMO.
Hi Nate,
Just bought this board in 162W. I’m looking to pair some bindings with it but I’m hearing the APOLLO high back is quite high and quite stiff. Thoughts on a good bonding to pair? I’m off to Japan in a few weeks and super excited. Thanks Justin
Hi Justin
Thanks for your message.
I haven’t tried any of the Jones bindings yet, so I’m not sure first hand about the stiffness/height of the high back on the Apollos.
If you were wanting something not too stiff, but stiff enough for the Flagship (I wouldn’t go too soft, as per my previous reply), then something on this list would be a good bet for you:
>>Top 5 All-Mountain-Freeride Bindings
Hope you have an awesome trip to Japan!