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Hello and welcome to my GNU Hyper review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Hyper as a mellow freeride snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Hyper a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other mellow freeride snowboards.
Note: From The 2022 model this board was renamed Hyper from Hyperkyarve but it's otherwise the same board, apart from the graphic.
Overall Rating
Board: GNU Hyper
Price: $629
Style: Mellow freeride
Flex Rating: Medium-Firm
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium (5.5/10)
Rating Score: 86.5/100
Compared to other Men’s Mellow Freeride Boards
Of the 33 current model mellow freeride snowboards that we tested:
- The average score was 83.8/100
- The highest score was 93.8/100
- The lowest score was 70.2/100
- The average price was $569
- The Hyper ranked 10th= out of 33
Overview of the Hyper’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Hyper’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Mellow Freeride |
Price: | $629 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Turn Initiation: | Fast |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | Hybrid Rocker - GNU's "C2X" |
Shape: | |
Setback Stance: | Setback 38cm (1.5") |
Base: | Sintered Knife Cut |
Weight: | Normal |
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
151 | 247 | 120+ | 54+ |
154 | 250 | 125+ | 57+ |
157 | 253 | 130+ | 59+ |
160 | 256 | 140+ | 64+ |
159W | 267 | 140+ | 64+ |
Who is the Hyper Most Suited To?
The Hyper is best suited to those looking for a surfier, slightly looser, slightly softer flex feeling freeride board. Those who ride directional, like to explore some off-groomer as well as on groomer - or small sidecountry/backcountry missions, but want something that is more easy going to ride than the typical stiff freeride board.
Not for beginners, but not far off. Low intermediate riders looking to explore new terrain would be fine on this board and anyone advanced that wants a surfier feeling/more easy going freeride option.
The Hyper in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Hyper is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: GNU Hyperkyarve 2021, 157cm (253mm waist width)
Date: February 20, 2020
Conditions: Beautiful sunny day with perfect visibility. Almost too hot!
Off groomer quite crunchy and icy and the steep run I test on was quite crunchy too, but on groomer was really nice - hard packed underneath but with some soft on top.
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 555mm (21.9″)
Stance Setback: Setback 38mm (1.5")
Width at Inserts: 260mm (10.2") at front insert and 261mm (10.3") at back insert
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 175lbs
Rider Boot Size: US10 Salomon Lo-Fi
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Weight: 2840 grams (6lb 4oz)
Weight per cm: 18.09 grams/cm
Average Weight per cm: 18.36 grams/cm*
*based on a small sample size of around 80 boards that I've weighed in 2019, 2020 & 2021 models. So just a little lighter than average, but pretty close to average.
Flex
Listed as medium-firm, but I got a very medium flex feel from it.
Damp or Chattery?
It's not super chattery but it's not ultra damp either. Right in the middle.
Smooth or Snappy?
Slightly more snappy than smooth, but close to middle of scale.
Powder
Didn't have any to test it on, but I would say it would be a fun ride on powder - surfy/slashy.
The specs suggest as much as well - good bit of rocker, some subtle taper and a good amount of setback on both effective edge and on the overall length of the board.
Carving & Turning
Carving: Not an epic carver, could feel it wanting to let go at points, but can still definitely lay out a carve on it.
Turning: Really fun board to turn on. And initiation of turns is fast and easy.
Maneuverability at slow speeds: Nice and agile at slow speeds. Helps to make this a really fun baord in the trees.
Skidded Turns: Quite forgiving of skidded turns. Not quite beginner easy, but not far off.
Speed
Not an out and out bomber, but OK at speed. Can get a fair bit of speed before it starts to get that shaky feeling.
Uneven Terrain
You can get bounced around a little in crud compared to some boards that crush through it more, but it's not bad. And it's nice and agile for going between bumpy terrain and feels good going over top of bumps too. A fun board in trees for sure.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Jumps
Better for jumps than I was expecting and better than most freeride boards.
Pop: Not ultra poppy, but there's enough there, and it's nice and easy to access.
Approach: Could get a little squirelly on faster approaches but nice and agile for trickier setups
Landing: Not a stomper but solid enough - and really forgiving of sketchy landings.
Side-hits: Really fun - nice and nimble for trickier approaches, and decent/easy pop.
Small jumps/Big jumps: Small to medium is best. Landing and approach not as suited to large
Switch
Not ideal but doable for sure, and not super weird.
Spins
Quite easy to get spin around. Landing and taking off switch not ideal but otherwise pretty good
Butters
Quite nice/easy to butter with. Different feeling off nose and tail, but otherwise quite buttery.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
RATING | Contribution to Final Score | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 4.0 | 24/30 |
TURNS/SLASHING | 4.5 | 13.5/15 |
CARVING | 3.5 | 7/10 |
TREES/BUMPS | 4.0 | 12/15 |
CRUD/CHUNDER | 3.5 | 7/10 |
SPEED | 3.5 | 7/10 |
JUMPS | 4.0 | 4/5 |
SWITCH | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 86.5/100 |
Overall, the Hyper is a great option for those looking for an easy going, surfier freeride option. Someone who wants more of an all-mountain feel in terms of flex and a slightly looser feel overall, but still want something that's quite directional and something that's nice and agile and easy edge-to-edge for tighter areas/in trees.
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