Jones Solution Splitboard Review

Solution Updates

Jones revised the Solution splitboard since our test period. In addition to new graphics (shown above), the updated board has a slightly more tapered shape and a 3D Contour Base 3.0, a technology meant to enhance glide in a variety of snow conditions. They've also added flax/basalt stringers in an effort to reduce board chatter. Since we've yet to test this updated model, our review pertains only to the version of the Solution we previously tested. However, we are linking to the updated model.

Performance Comparison

The Solution is ideal for big mountain chargers who love riding fast and hard and want a stiff, reliable board that can handle these objectives. When the couloir walls close in tight, and the speed slows, the lightweight of the Solution allows it to be moved easily. In mellower environments, such as hippy trees or low angle pow fields, it feels equally at home.

Powder

The powder performance is excellent for a general directional snowboard. If you imagine a sliding scale that is the ultimate quiver, the Solution floats significantly better than the twin tip or fully cambered board but less then a powder centric shape.

It has a long and blunted nose that works to provide plenty of surface area, which is a critical component for flotation. The rocker in the nose keeps the board above the snow. The board lacks a tapered tail, which helps encourage the tail to drop down in the snow. The Solution isn't the floatiest splitboard ever made but offers plenty of flotation with limited trade-offs.

If we were looking for one board and we primarily wanted to ride powder, we would enjoy the Solution. Powder days would be epic, and it will perform well when conditions change.

Firm Snow

If you only ride firm snow, you should probably consider moving or at least splurging on a trip to Japan. If you can't do those things, buy this splitboard.

The Solution is designed to perform in any condition and handles firm snow very well. The relatively stiff flex can maintain an edge in the firm snow, and the Traction Tech (imagine a mellow Magne-traction) helps edge hold. In the spring, the Solution is an excellent choice for days that might include hard, refrozen surfaces and, hopefully, some perfectly ripe corn. Whichever surface it may be, the multi-capable character of the Solution is ready to smear turns on firm surfaces and making arcing or quick turns when the conditions allow.

The blunt and smooth tip of the Solution reduced drag and hang up potential when riding breakable crusts. It cut through crusts with ease and displayed no evidence of over flexing or hanging up. The Solution can survive in the frozen conditions and has the will to play in the ripe corn. Conditions are always changing in the backcountry, and this splitboard finds a solution to this reality. It's a solid option for those looking to make casual corn turns on lower angles or hop turn down icy couloirs.

Climbing

The lightweight, stiffness and Traction Tech help the Solution be one of the best climbing splitboards. A light splitboard comes from its materials and shape; the weight of a splitboard is easy to overlook, yet it a huge impact on the climbing experience.

The Solution is one of the lighter and more capable splitboards on the market. The weight to stiffness is impressive, which contributes to energy savings and a boost in your confidence. The 2020 model has Jones's lightest splitboard wood core profile yet.

Skinning through challenging and firm sidehill sections is always hard, and the board shouldn't make it any harder. The Solution offers secure performance in challenging sidehilling conditions. Both the inside and outside edges feature Jones Traction-Tech, which is essentially a mellow and more forgiving Magne-Traction. Traction Tech creates more edge contact when sidehilling. The stiffer flex also helps to prevent slipping downhill in those critical moments. The early rise nose assists in keeping the nose from diving under powder when breaking trail skinning. When breaking trail flex is stiff enough to prevent the board from dishing out the skin track.

The Solution has small notches cut out to accommodate the Jones Skins and their Quick Tip Tension Tail Clip system. Pairing a Jones splitboard with their skins and Quick Tip Tensions Tail clip system will reduce bulk and weight, thereby improving packability; this is an option worth considering. These types of skin connection systems have been employed on backcountry skis for many years. The brand integration increases simplicity and security while decreasing hassle.

Binding Adjustability

This splitboard has the standard insert pattern. To switch your stance requires you to reinstall the pucks or ride plates.

Playfulness

The Solution can have a freestyle approach, but that is not its first design priority. The playful characteristics are guarded by its stiffness, which inserts a skill, strength, and weight barrier to access it. The stiffness of the board (which has many significant benefits) presents a challenge for lighter weight riders who may find it tough to flex and bend. Fortunately, the stiffness doesn't make the board challenging to turn; it remains nimble and agile because of its narrow waist width.

We reviewed the 159W, and our lead tester weighs 158 pounds. With the right rider, this board is certainly capable of spinning and playing. The playfulness of this board will vary depending on a rider's height/weight and the size of their board.

Karma Score

Jones Snowboards holds themselves to the highest environmental standards in their company's manufacturing and ethics. Jones has an Ethics tab on their website, which is not something you will see on every snowboard company's site. The company supports 1% for the planet, and Jeremy Jones founded POW (Protect Our Winters) in 2007. This splitboard also features an eco-plastic top sheet made from castor beans, water-based ink, FSC certified wood core, and recycled ABS sidewalls. All this is held together by A biodegradable resin. We can view the environmental impact on a sliding scale, and the Solution is on the lower end of that scale (considering snowboards are petroleum and plastic-based products).

Value

The Solution is on the higher pricing end of the market. It's also one of the best boards. Its performance is exceptional, and its features are high end touches like the bolt-less bridge technology that lends a high-end appearance.

Conclusion

The Jones Solution wins our pick for all-around freeride performance, thanks to its performance capabilities and predictable ride. It has high-performance design qualities that allow it to function well on the up and the down. Regardless of the conditions, this splitboard seemed like the Solution. This board can ride everything on the mountain. It's tilted towards big mountain riding and is also a better match for stronger riders, but is still fun for everyday use on all terrain types.