Jones Men's Howler Splitboard

A touring day does not have to end with conventional freeride turns. The new Howler Split brings Victor de Le Rue and Elena Hight’s freestyle approach beyond the lifts, aimed at riders who put natural take-offs and committed landings on the same agenda as steep lines.

Is the Jones Men's Howler Splitboard 26/27 right for you?

A rewarding backcountry line does not have to consist entirely of evenly spaced turns. Sometimes there is a windlip, a natural take-off or a landing worth a few extra metres of climbing. That is where the Howler’s brief begins. Its development with Victor de Le Rue and Elena Hight points towards riders who want to carry their freestyle ideas beyond the lifts.

High Power Camber fits that direction. In practical terms, it provides a cambered board for riders to load and release deliberately. That demands more input than a softly tuned touring board. The shape is still directional, so a freestyle focus does not mean the nose and tail behave identically. Riders mainly looking for relaxed powder turns should consider how much they need this particular emphasis.

How does it fit your approach, size and setup?

Your riding style and an appropriate size matter more than team-rider names. Compare the Howler with the Stratos if the decision sits between playful freeriding and a stronger take-off focus. For accessible first tours, the Frontier or Dream Weaver is closer to the brief. Our archive contains no previous splitboard test under the Howler name from which riding scores could be carried forward.

Your decision	Our assessment
A good fit for	Natural take-offs, active turns and backcountry freestyle
Think more carefully about	The most forgiving first-tour option or a fully symmetrical twin
Compare directly	Jones Men’s Stratos Splitboard and Nitro Alternator FX Splitboard

What have we learned from earlier seasons?

We checked existing model pages and test articles across all archived seasons. We found no earlier original ride test for this exact version. The assessment here explains what its shape and construction are intended for and which alternatives merit comparison. It does not invent days on snow or transfer scores from a neighbouring model.

What has changed since 25/26 and earlier models?

Jones lists the Howler Split as a new model. A 25/26 test of another Jones split is therefore not a previous-season test of this board. Its freestyle brief and the linked alternatives provide a more useful comparison than an invented generation-to-generation story.

FAQ: What should you know before your first tour?

Is the Howler a twin splitboard?

Jones describes the shape as directional. A freestyle brief does not turn it into a symmetrical twin. Check stance, taper and sizing if riding switch is central to your descents.

Which Jones Men's Howler Splitboard size should I choose?

Current listed lengths are 158, 160W, 161 cm. Start with the rider-weight range for each length, then check boot width and stance. Frequent kick turns favour manageable equipment; extra length purely for assumed flotation is not a universal solution. Reference points from the table: 158 cm: 160-210 lbs.+ / 73-95 kg.+, waist 25.7 cm; 160W cm: 160-210 lbs.+ / 73-95 kg.+, waist 26.7 cm. These are manufacturer recommendations, not weight limits established in our tests.

Which other boards should I compare?

Jones Men’s Stratos Splitboard: Varied tours and active, playful turns. Nitro Alternator FX Splitboard: Active all-mountain riding and natural take-offs while touring. Choose around your usual tours and an appropriate size rather than favouring a model purely because of its position in the price list.

What original test experience do we have?

We found no earlier original ride test for this exact version in the existing pages. We therefore explain its use and limitations from the construction. Older introductions and tests of other variants are not presented as an original test of this board.

What do I need in addition to the board?

You need a compatible splitboard-binding system, suitable boots and skins matched to the length and attachment points. Where Jones specifies a skin group in the table, use it when selecting skins. Compare complete offers: the board price alone does not tell you what a ready-to-tour setup will cost.

Is an earlier-season version worth considering?

Yes, when model, size and condition suit you. Compare the specific model-history information rather than only the year label. For a used board, inspect the base, edges, inserts and connectors. An earlier test score cannot replace a condition check.

Which sizes and specifications are available?

Sizes: 158, 160W, 161 cm. Profile: High Power Camber. Manufacturer flex: 8/10.

The table contains manufacturer figures for the specified lengths.

What are the measurements for each size?

Board size (cm)	158	160W	161
Weight range (lbs/kg)	160-210 lbs.+ / 73-95 kg.+	160-210 lbs.+ / 73-95 kg.+	170-220 lbs.+ / 77-100 kg.+
Ideal boot size (US / EU)	US 9-11 / EU 41.5-44.5	US 11 / EU 44.5	US 9.5-11.5 / EU 42.5-45.5
Board waist width (cm)	25.7	26.7	26.0
Skins group	D	G	D

Board size (cm)	158	160W	161
Board weight	3kg / 6,6lbs	3,2kg / 7lbs	3,1kg / 6,8lbs
Surface area (dm2)	42.45	44.53	43.75
Contact length (cm)	112.5	113.9	114.9
Effective edge length (cm)	123	124	125
Tip length (cm)	26.0	26.3	26.3
Tail length (cm)	19.5	19.8	19.8
Waist width (cm)	25.7	26.7	26.0
Underfoot width - front foot (cm)	26.8	27.8	27.1
Underfoot width - back foot (cm)	26.8	27.8	27.1
Tip width (cm)	30.2	31.2	30.6
Tail width (cm)	29.4	30.4	29.8
Sidecut radius (m)	8.4	8.6	8.6
Taper (mm)	8.0	8.0	8.0
Reference stance (cm/in)	58.0 / 22.8	58.0 / 22.8	58.0 / 22.8
Centered stance (cm/in)	58 / 22.8	58 / 22.8	58 / 22.8
Stance setback (cm)	2	2	2

Where do the information and images come from?

Jones Snowboards: Jones Men’s Howler Splitboard, manufacturer information checked 15 October 2026. Product images: manufacturer.