Comparison: Jones Snowboards Mind Expander vs Jones Snowboards Ultra Mind Expander Review

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Jones Snowboards Mind Expander vs. Ultra Mind Expander Comparison Snowboard Review

Boards: 154 cm Jones Snowboards Mind Expander vs 154 cm Jones Snowboards Ultra Mind Expander
Bindings: Arbor Cypress / Burton Malavita
Boots: Vans Infuse

Yin and Yang.

They have the same shape looking at them from on top, but they house very different personalities. Both boards hail from the Jones Surf Series, a collection of boards inspired by surfing waves with shaping help by surfboard shaper Chris Christenson. They also both share the spoon base design common to the boards in their Surf Series, but beyond that common design element and both being smooth to ride and fun, that’s about where the similarities end.

The biggest differences in how these boards ride come down mostly to 2 factors: camber and flex. The Mind Expander is a rockered board that Jones rates a 6 out of 10 for stiffness, while the Ultra Mind Expander is a regular camber board that Jones rates an 8 out of 10 on the flex scale. The Ultra feels precise and responsive, the regular Mind Expander has a looser vibe. Both can charge, they just feel different doing it.

The different flex and camber between the two boards also changes the ideal riding position on the boards. We found that the regular Mind Expander liked to be driven from the back seat, more like a surfboard, while the Ultra definitely wants the rider to be more centered over the stance and camber. So again, it really comes down to rider preference and personal snowboard style as to which board would be better suited for the individual rider.

Overall feeling: both the Mind Expander and Ultra Mind Expander are nimble, smooth, fun boards to ride, but with very different characters. The Mind Expander is surfy and loose, the Ultra precise and driving; as relaxed and fun loving as the one is, the other is aggressive and attacking. Even though they look so similar, you could totally have both in your quiver without being ridiculous.