Board: Endeavor Pioneer
Size: 157
Camber Option: Multicamber. Camber with an early rise or as it’s also known camrocker.
Bindings: K2 Indy
Stance: 21.5 Wide 15 Negative 12 Goofy
Boots: K2 Thraxis Size 10
My Weight: 195lbs
Resort: Copper Mountain
Conditions: Sunny bluebird skies, zero wind, warmer temps, slush snow, and perfect park and groomer conditions.
Flex: This board has a predictable middle of the road flex. Play in the tips, stiffer under foot, and slightly softer between the feet. There’s a decent amount of torsional flex to it which makes it easy to twist. The catalog says it’s stiffer, I beg to differ.
Stability: This board is mostly stable. In really heavy deep snow that was rutted out it got banged around a bit. But when charging on groomers and pushing it to the limit it never wanted to wash out. You don’t notice a lot of chatter in the tips either.
Ollies: The camber profile on this board pops so well. It’s easy to engage and it just wants to snap up into the air with ease. There’s no worrying about setting up with this board, just go for it and you’re golden.
Pop On Jumps: This board is totally at home on jumps and does a good job of sucking up transitions. Whether you’re in the pipe or on the jump line send it.
Butterability: There’s a nice sweet spot right where the camber meets that early rise and you can feel it engage. It locks in with ease and there’s a little rebound but not enough to force you to muscle through it.
Jibbing: Go slow, go fast, it doesn’t matter. This board is easy to get into a press. You do have to make sure you know where the sweet spot is because that fits the perfect flex point to do nose or tail presses. Getting sideways this board hugs the feature perfectly well.
Carving: This boards sidecut is dialed. You want to rip a hard carve, go for it. Doing short tight quick set up turns? Don’t sweat it. You can drive this board from the center through the tail by loading up the camber under foot and getting it to slingshot you out of a carve.
Rider in Mind: Park guy that wants a little looser feel in the tips.
Personal Thoughts: I think the catalog was wrong with listing this as being on the stiffer side, it didn’t feel that way at all. It just felt like a solid middle of the road park board. I will say that this board felt like a deck you have been riding a 100 days and know what it can and can’t do right out of the wrapper.
46 Comments
Do you think a 57w or the 58 would be better for a 11.5 boot 185lbs 6’2 person? The 58 is not overly narrow at 259mm… hmmmmm
You could go with either one at that point.
This or yes greats?
Well they’re kind of two different boards.
Fill us in, Angry?
On what?
I’m 5′ 8″ 150 lbs size 10 boots. I’d call myself an advanced intermediate. Been riding for a long time, but live in the flatlands so don’t get a lot of days in each year. I’m a resort rider – mostly groomers, powder when I can get it, some trees and not too steep bowls.. No park riding but do like to hit small jumps and would like to work on my switch riding and buttering. What size Pioneer would you recommend? Also, would you recommend the Pioneer or the Dinosaurs Will Die Kwon?
You’d want that low 150’s sized deck. Either board would work for what you’re describing.
The Pioneer or Burton custom camber for all mountain freestyle board?
Custom Camber.
Hi angry, would love to know why you think the custom camber is better for all-mountain freestyle than the pioneer, plus i’ve seen in your reviews that you say that the pioneer was a candidate for the top freeride boards, how do you feel about it being more of an all-mountain freeride board with some buttering?
The way the custom is with sidecut, flex, camber profile, etc makes it more freestyle focused, where as this gives itself more towards a buttery freeride stick. This is going to float better in pow and that’s why I go with it being more freeride.
this meaning the Pioneer? so as an all-mountain freeride board you would go with the pioneer instead of the custom?
thanks for the feedback by the way and all the great great content you provide, love it!
Hey Angry, what’s the edge hold like on this piece? Suitable for hard snow / icy conditions?
Also, how quick does it turn?
Turned fairly quick for the most part. Edge hold was solid, if you’re really worried just keep the edges sharp.
Do you know if the 2019/20 versions are different? I have a deal on a 19 model
Don’t believe so.
Hey, Angry.
I’m sold on this board, but would like your advice on size.
I’m 5’ 8”, 180 lbs, 10.5 boots and an advanced rider. I’m torn between the 157w and the 158. 156 is a hair shorter than I’d prefer. Catalog says 157w is good for 180-230lbs (yikes) and the 158 is 160-210lbs. You said the 157 you rode wasn’t really that stiff. Which would you choose for my size?
I’m going to be riding all mountain freestyle with it, but any good pow days I’ll be on my 158 Mind Expander so I don’t need it to handle super deep powder.
I’d probably go 57.
I went with the 157. Good choice
This thing rips! Also, definitely middle of the road flex like you said.
Thanks for the advice
Hey, Angry.
Looking for a two board quiver with a more freestyle oriented board that can handle all mountain and some pow, but also a more free-ride oriented board to take in deeper days/charging. I was thinking this and the jones flagship would be a good combo, but you would there be too much overlap there? I’ve also been looking at the mind expander/ YES pick your line. Also open to any suggestions for this kind of quiver.
Thanks for the killer reviews!
Here’s what I would do, this and then a Jones Ultra Mind Expander. That way you can charge hard with it but still rip pow.
Hey avran, how does this board stack up to the Capita Mercury in terms of stability/dampness at speed, edge hold and pop? Thanks.
A little more damp in the tips, but more lively under foot due to the channel. Edge hold is fine, little more pop just because of the way of the camber profile.
Hey Angry, love your stuff.. i’m 6″3″, 11.5 size boots, and 154 lbs.. so im tall, skinny and a sasquach..
I’ve been looking for an all-mountain freestyle board that can charge a bit, carve hard, pop, but is still fun and nimble at slower speeds to ride with newer friends and does have decent buttering abilities.. I’ve been looking at next years model of the pioneer and they have a new size of 155w which im at the lower side of the weight range, and the 157w which im a bit lower than its weight range, im looking for a board with around 5-6 flex.. do you think the 157w could be a better choice so that the board will feel a bit stiffer and better for charging but still won’t overpower me?
Honestly I think that 55w would be the good one for you.
Thanks for the quick reply! Really appreciate it, the 155 it is than!
Angry, just wanna make sure before i seal the deal..
do you think the 155 would still be able to keep up with my friends who are riding a bit longer boards when charging down the mountain? and it won’t be too chattery for me?
really appreciate your advice, much love!
Bend them knees, adapt a bit of your riding style, and send it!
Haha!.. will do!
Thanks for the quick reply as always!
Alright! just ordered myself a brand new Pioneer!
what binding would you reccomend Angry?
thinking of something more stiff since i do want this to be my go to all-mountain board.. would appreciate your honest feedback as always
Depends on how stiff you want to be but I’d personally slap some Genesis or Cartels from Burton it and get the EST versions as they’ll fit the track better.
This or mountain twin for all mountain freestyle twin.
I’d probably go Mountain Twin.
Hi Angry, how does the Pioneer compare to the Live?
Little wider so more stable, has a bit more power off the tail, and obviously better pow float.
I’m 6’1” and 185-190lbs. You think 156 or 158? I’m intermediate and love taking rips through trees.
Either.
5’8, 155lbs and size 8 boot. I’m an intermediate in the park and advanced all mountain. I ride about 50/50 park and all mountain. Looking for an even balance between freeride freestyle capability ie. carving/charging steeps but still being able to butter and mess around on side hits when not lapping the park. Thanks.
Sorry forgot to ask my question at the end. Which size should i be looking at 152 or 154cm? Thanks
52
The superficial person in me really hates how one end is blunted and the other end is round. Why not make it a true twin in the tips? Everything in between is true twin.
They did it just to spite you.
It’s not a perfect twin. If the nose wasn’t blunted it would have nose nose than tail.
Hey angry,
Just wondering how this would compare against last year’s yes jackpot that has the camrock profile. Both seem kinda mid wide as well. Similar ride? Thanks
It’s just a hair more directional and has a slightly softer nose. Really not on the same level. You would be better off looking at the Ranger from Endeavor to be like that Jackpot.