2025 GNU Something GNU Snowboard Review
By: evo Employees | Last Updated: June 8th, 2024
Review Summary
Avg. Tester Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.33/5)
The 2025 GNU Something GNU snowboard brings a unique blend of retro styling and modern technology. During testing, Gavin Reed found it to be an easy and mellow ride, ideal for casual riders who want to stay with their more aggressive friends without pushing too hard. He appreciated its damp and forgiving nature, particularly in bumpy and cruddy conditions, though he noted it wasn't stiff enough for his taste during high-speed carves.
Tony Banchero praised the board's fun, nimble feel, especially on carveable groomers, thanks to its short size and stiff tail. He highlighted its suitability for intermediate to expert riders who enjoy making quick, snappy turns, although he felt it might not be the best choice for total beginners or as a daily driver.
Landon Harmon tested the board on hardpack groomers and was surprised by its versatility. Despite being designed for powder, the board handled well on firm snow, with quick edge engagement and the added grip from the magne-traction technology. He loved the combination of classic styling with modern features, making it a dream for fresh snow days.
Overall, the 2025 GNU Something GNU snowboard garnered an average rating of 4.33 (out of 5) from our testers, indicating a well-rounded performance that appeals to a range of riding styles and conditions.
Technical Details
"A little pointy, a little fishy, and a lot floaty, the GNU Something GNU C2 Snowboard is a novel ride from the brain of founder Mike Olson."
| Available Sizes (cm) | 156, 161 |
| Shape | Directional |
| Rocker/Camber Profile | C2 Hybrid Directional Contour |
| Flex Rating | Stiff |
| Core | G Lite 3 FCS Certified Aspen + Paulownia |
| Laminates | Triaxial / Biaxial Fiberglass |
| Binding Compatibility | 2x4 Inserts |
Expert Testers & Methodology
Why should you trust evo's Field Tested Reviews? Great question! Over this past winter, evo employees from our various locations across Washington, Oregon, Utah, Colorado and Whistler were selected to provide long-term testing of next year's hottest new skis and snowboards. Employees were also invited to attend exclusive multi-day demo events where brands — like GNU — showcased their upcoming products for the 2024/2025 winter season. By collecting unbiased, in-depth reviews from our most experienced skiers and snowboarders, we hope to help you find the best gear to maximize your fun in the mountains!
Testing the 2025 GNU Something GNU Snowboard:
In assessing the 2025 GNU Something GNU, we enlisted three of our evo employees, bringing a mix of expert riding abilities and styles that span all mountain, freeride, freestyle, backcountry, and groomers/carving. These evaluations unfolded at three distinct locations: Brighton, UT; Mission Ridge, WA; and Snow Basin, UT, challenging the board across a spectrum of conditions and terrains. Gavin Reed, Tony Banchero, and Landon Harmon tested the board, contributing their unique perspectives and experiences. The testers' varied backgrounds ensure our review encapsulates a comprehensive and unbiased perspective, making it a reliable resource for those considering the GNU Something GNU. Read on for each tester's individual review.
Landon Harmon
Snowboard Data Specialist
Tester Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Tester Ability Level: Expert
Size Tested: 161 cm
Testing Location: Snow Basin, UT
Powder board with new tech, classic styling and more versatile than you'd think!
"I'm 6' 175lbs with a size 11 boot and I rode the 161cm on a hardpack groomer day. While this board is designed to swallow pow for days, I was quite impressed with how it rode on a hardpack day. I didn't notice a delay in edge engagement even with the 3D profiling in the nose and the magne-traction really helped round this board out to be more versatile. I love the retro styling and new tech they are incorporating on this board, would have been a dream in fresh snow. "
Gavin Reed
Sales Associate - Salt Lake City Store
Tester Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Tester Ability Level: Expert
Size Tested: 156 cm
Testing Location: Brighton, UT
Great for a casual rider who just wants to chill and ride
"Where this board impressed me was in how damp and forgiving it was. In the bumps and the crud I was pleasantly surprised at how little if at all I was thrown around. I found this board easy to turn and a mellow ride. I would put someone on this who is following aggressive or advanced riders but that someone is not aggressive or advanced they just want to chill and hang out in the group. I love a stiff aggressive board and this board was not for me. at high speeds and hard carves, I could not get it to hold an edge the way I wanted it to. On that same note, the board did not chatter in the tip or tail as much as I thought it would at higher speeds. The conditions I rode this board on were groomers and packed powder. I am 5'6, 170 pounds, size 7 men boot, Binding angles are 15-12° with a 21 inch wide stance, and have been riding for the past 26 years. My everyday snowboard is a stiff 157cm with a profile of camber, rocker, camber direction twin. I love to ride in the steep and deep, play in the trees, find side hits, jump on cliffs, and carve so hard my hands and chest touch the ground."
Tony Banchero
Customer Care Rep
Tester Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Tester Ability Level: Expert
Size Tested: 156 cm
Testing Location: Mission Ridge, WA
A board to turn on, for intermediates to experts.
"I feel like Mervin Mfg, and Gnu specifically, always has the coolest looking shapes, and this one was no exception. It's a squat, arrow-nosed board with a cutout swallowtail that just looks like fun. And it is! I rode it on some rainy, slushy, carvable groomers, and it was a blast to just turn -- big turns, yes, but especially short, quick turns, where you're bouncing out of one and into the next were some of my favorite moments on this board. The nose on it is fairly soft, so I could feel it deflecting a bit on chunkier terrain, it's not going to blast through every piece of crud you run into, but that's also part of what gave it its lively feel. It also has a pretty stiff tail that really felt nice and snappy to ollie off of, and could drive through a turn pretty well. Part of the fun and quickness came from the size I was on -- I'm 6'2"", 190 lbs, and I was riding a 156, which if I wanted more stability or if I was going to use this board every day, I would probably bump one size up, but the short size did feel exceptionally quick and numble. Speaking of using this board every day, when would you use it? Who's it for? For me personally, this would not be a daily driver, but if I knew I was just going to be ripping corduroy, or if there was 10+ inches of fresh, this would be the board I would grab. I think for riders out there who just want to ride one direction (although it did ride decently switch, you could definitely put down some landings switch on this thing) and turn, whether that be on groomers or in powder, this would be a good choice. I definitely wouldn't put a total beginner on this, but I don't think it's out of reach for even a solid intermediate who is comfortably linking turns on blue runs. It's not really one of those boards that's going to ride you if you're not on your game; you'll be out having a great day riding together."
Pros
Damp and Forgiving: This board excels in bumpy and cruddy conditions, providing a smooth and stable ride that keeps you from being thrown around.
Nimble and Fun: With its squat, arrow-nosed shape and cutout swallowtail, this board is a blast for making quick, snappy turns on groomers.
Versatile Edge Grip: The magne-traction technology ensures reliable edge engagement even on hardpack, making the board more versatile than expected.
Cons
Not Ideal for High Speeds: The board may lack the necessary stiffness for aggressive riders looking for high-speed stability and hard carves.
Soft Nose Deflection: In chunkier terrain, the softer nose can deflect, which might not be ideal for those looking to blast through every piece of crud.
Not a Daily Driver for Some: While fun and capable in specific conditions, this board might not be the best choice for those seeking an everyday ride.
Who Is It For?
The 2025 GNU Something GNU snowboard is best suited for intermediate to expert riders who enjoy a versatile and forgiving board that can handle a variety of conditions. Ideal for those who love making quick, snappy turns on groomers or carving through fresh powder, this board offers a fun and lively ride. While it excels in many areas, it may not be the best choice for total beginners or riders who prioritize high-speed stability and aggressive carving. If you prefer a smooth, easy-going ride and appreciate a mix of retro styling with modern tech, the GNU Something GNU is a great option for your quiver.
Shop the GNU Something GNU Snowboard