GNU Riders Choice Review: Specs, Sizing and Verdict
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The quick verdict: The asymmetric all-mountain freestyle veteran: class-leading grip on ice, effortless switch riding, and a damp, playful character. The forgiveness pick among flagship twins. ~$630, closeouts near ~$440
Overview
GNU's Riders Choice has been a staple for years, and the current Asym C2X version shows why the formula endures. The asymmetric shape gives the heelside edge a deeper sidecut, which makes heelside turns and switch landings noticeably easier, while Magne-Traction serrated edges deliver the grip Mervin boards are famous for on hard and icy snow. The C2X contour puts rocker between the feet with camber underfoot, a damper and looser feel than a full-camber deck. Snowboarding Profiles scored it 88.3/100, third of 33 all-mountain freestyle boards tested. Like everything from Mervin, it is built in the USA.
Where It Shines
- Class-leading edge hold on hard and icy snow
- Asymmetric shape makes heelside carves and switch riding feel natural
- Damp and stable in crud for a freestyle board
- Playful, buttery character that still charges when asked
Tradeoffs to Know
- Not a carving specialist; full-camber rivals load turns with more energy
- The loose rocker feel between the feet takes adjustment for camber purists
- Premium price at list, so closeouts are your friend
Who It’s For
Intermediate-to-expert riders who ride a lot of switch and face real ice. Jump-focused riders chasing maximum snap should compare the Capita DOA and the Burton Custom Flying V.
Key Specs by Size
Figures are approximate and drawn from GNU’s published size chart (via gnu.com and retailer listings). The 2026/27 Riders Choice comes in eight sizes, three of them wide. Because the board is asymmetric, GNU lists two sidecut radii: the toe edge and the tighter heel edge.
| Size | Waist width | Effective edge | Sidecut (toe / heel) | Stance range | Rider weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 151.5 | 251mm | 1130mm | 7.9m / 8.2m | 50.8-66cm | 90 lb+ (40kg+) |
| 154.5 | 252mm | 1160mm | 7.7m / 8.1m | 51.5-63.5cm | 120 lb+ (55kg+) |
| 155W | 265mm | 1160mm | 7.7m / 8.1m | 51.5-63.5cm | 130 lb+ (60kg+) |
| 157.5 | 255mm | 1190mm | 7.8m / 8.2m | 51.5-63.5cm | 130 lb+ (65kg+) |
| 158W | 268mm | 1190mm | 7.8m / 8.2m | 51.5-63.5cm | 130 lb+ (65kg+) |
| 159.5 | 256mm | 1200mm | 7.9m / 8.0m | 51.5-63.5cm | 135 lb+ (65kg+) |
| 161.5 | 258mm | 1220mm | 8.0m / 8.4m | 51.5-63.5cm | 140 lb+ (65kg+) |
| 162W | 268mm | 1220mm | 8.0m / 8.4m | 51.5-63.5cm | 140 lb+ (70kg+) |
Across all sizes: C2X hybrid profile (rocker between the feet, camber under each binding) with Magne-Traction serrated edges, true asymmetric twin shape with zero setback, GNU’s G-Lite 3 aspen and paulownia core, carbon power bands, and a sintered knife-cut base. GNU puts the flex at 5 on its 10-point scale, which most riders would call medium. List price is about $630; late-season closeouts have dipped to roughly $440.
Sizing and Fit
GNU gives a minimum rider weight for each size rather than a range, so start from your weight and then let your riding style settle the length. A 160 lb rider qualifies for everything from the 154.5 up; take the 154.5 or 157.5 if you spend most of the day in the park or riding switch, the 159.5 if you split time between groomers and side hits, and the 161.5 if you ride fast and want more edge in crud. Because the C2X profile has rocker between the feet, the board feels a touch shorter and looser than a full-camber deck of the same length. There is no reason to size down on top of that.
The asymmetry needs no special ordering. The deeper sidecut sits on the heel edge, not the nose or tail, so one board works for regular and goofy riders alike. Boot size decides the width: US men’s 11 and up should take the 155W, 158W or 162W to avoid toe and heel drag at the high edge angles the Magne-Traction edges invite. A size 10 or 10.5 boot is fine on the regular widths with a little binding angle. Inserts are the standard 2x4 pattern, so any disc from any binding brand mounts without an adapter, and the stance window of roughly 51.5 to 63.5 cm covers almost every rider.
Who Should Skip It
Skip the Riders Choice if carving is your whole day. The rocker section between the feet is what makes it so forgiving, but it also means the board never loads up and fires out of a turn the way a full-camber deck does; the GNU Banked Country is GNU’s answer for that rider. Skip it if you are in your first or second season, because the medium flex and serrated edges reward technique that beginners do not have yet; the GNU Money gives you the same Magne-Traction grip in a softer, cheaper package. And skip it if your budget stops around $400 and you cannot find a closeout: at full list this is a premium board, and the Money or a sale-price Burton Custom Flying V gets you most of the way there for less.
Riders Choice vs. Capita DOA vs. Burton Custom Flying V
These three are the all-mountain freestyle boards most riders cross-shop, and they split cleanly on profile. The Capita DOA is the camber board of the group: it has the most pop, the most precise edge on groomers, and the least forgiveness when you land a little off-axis, at roughly $580 to 600. The Burton Custom Flying V is the opposite, with rocker between and beyond the feet, a looser, surfier feel, and a Channel mounting system that locks you into Burton-compatible bindings. The Riders Choice sits between them in feel but leads both on two things: edge hold on ice, where Magne-Traction has no real rival, and switch riding, where the asymmetric sidecut makes heelside turns feel as natural as toeside. If you ride East Coast hardpack, land switch often, or simply want the most forgiving board that still carves properly, the Riders Choice is the pick. If you want maximum snap off jumps, go DOA; if you want the loosest, most playful feel, go Flying V.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the GNU Riders Choice good for beginners?
Not as a first board. Its medium flex and Magne-Traction edges are built for intermediate and advanced riders. A beginner who wants the same grip in a friendlier package should look at the GNU Money.
What size GNU Riders Choice should I get?
Use GNU’s minimum rider weights: 154.5 from about 120 lb, 157.5 and 158W from 130 lb, 159.5 from 135 lb, 161.5 and 162W from 140 lb. Pick the shorter option for park and switch riding, the longer one for speed and crud, and a W size if you wear a US men’s 11 or larger.
Does the asymmetric shape matter if I ride goofy?
No. The asymmetry is heel edge versus toe edge, not nose versus tail, so the same board suits regular and goofy riders. The tighter heelside sidecut helps whichever foot you lead with.
Is the Riders Choice good on ice?
Yes, it is one of the best all-mountain freestyle boards for hard and icy snow. The serrated Magne-Traction edges act like seven small contact points per edge, which bites into hardpack where smooth edges wash out.
How It Compares
Read the matchup in our Burton Custom Flying V review, where the Riders Choice features alongside the Capita DOA. Related: GNU Banked Country.