GNU GWO review: Banana feel at a sensible price
The GNU GWO is the more affordable way into the Skate Banana feel: a BTX / Banana hybrid profile, rocker between the feet, camber zones, Magne-Traction and real Mervin construction at a sensible price. We have the last units of the 2024/25 generation: 147 and 153. Who it is for: someone just starting out, a lighter rider or a teenager who wants a board that gets them to the park, riding switch (riding with the other foot forward) and jumps.
-25%- Delivery in up to 2 days
- Shop at 6A Golo Bardo St., Sofia - since 1997
- Size advice:
+359 887 800 575
Snowboard Science Ep. 2: Banana Rocker - the revolution that changed snowboarding
The GWO is the Mervin philosophy: real technology at a sensible price
Mervin's philosophy - real snowboard technology at a sensible price - has hardly a better example than the GNU GWO. GWO stands for GNU New World Order, and GNU describes it as the "culmination of decades" of freestyle design for groomed terrain: fun, easy and full of high-level solutions. The graphic is by GNU themselves.
The board is built at Mervin in Washington state, like every GNU and Lib Tech board. GNU sums it up in three lines: the perfect freestyle board, it rides everything you see from the chairlift, and it loves the T-bar - "American made, high-level quality and good value".
BTX / Banana hybrid profile: rocker between the feet, camber zones and Magne-Traction
BTX / Banana hybrid profile: rocker between the feet and light camber zones toward the nose and tail.
The Skate Banana feel is here at a lower price: a BTX / Banana hybrid profile, rocker between the feet, camber zones and Magne-Traction. The rocker lifts the edges at the ends - the board does not catch the snow when you make a mistake and turns almost by itself. The light camber zones bring back a bit of spring and control. GNU describes it as "catch-free, carvy, floaty" - the edge does not hook, the board carves and floats.
On hardpack and ice, Magne-Traction does what rocker alone cannot - the wavy edge bites. Underneath is G Lite 1 construction: a poplar and paulownia wood core, triaxial/biaxial fiberglass, an Eco Sublimated Co-Ex base (the sliding surface) that is fast and easy to maintain, and UHMW sidewalls. The flex (how soft or stiff the board is) is 4 on the 147 and 4.5 on the 153 - soft and forgiving.
- BTX / Banana hybrid profile
- true twin, setback 0 (per GNU for 2024/25)
- Magne-Traction
- G Lite 1 (poplar/paulownia)
- triaxial/biaxial fiberglass
- Co-Ex base
- flex 4-4.5
- forgiving
- freestyle / all-mountain
Easy, forgiving and not intimidating - but not a one-year learner board
For someone just starting out, the GWO is great: easy, forgiving and not intimidating. And it is still not a learner board you have to replace after a year or two. As the rider grows, the board follows them to the park, to riding switch, to jumps and to all-mountain (the whole mountain terrain) riding.
On day one, the rocker forgives a wrong edge. In the first month, Magne-Traction gives confidence on an icy morning piste. In the first year, the true twin (identical nose and tail - rides the same in both directions) shape makes switch riding and small jumps feel natural. That is exactly the difference between a cheap board and a board at a sensible price.
Snowboard Science Ep. 5: Magne-Traction - the edge that bites into ice
The last units of a discontinued model - which makes it even more interesting
There is no GWO on gnu.com for 2025/26 or 2026/27 - the model has been discontinued. We have the last units, 147 and 153, and that is exactly why the GWO is even more interesting as one of the last affordable representatives of the classic GNU / Banana philosophy.
When it is not your board: if you already ride fast and want high-speed carving, you need a stiffer flex and camber. If you are a heavier rider, the 147 and 153 are small sizes for you - look at the Skate Banana.
Sizing: 147 for lighter riders and teens, 153 from 45 kg
GNU rates the 147 from 35 kg and the 153 from 45 kg up. A rocker board rides looser than a camber board of the same length, so you can comfortably pick a size in the middle of the usual range for your weight. The waist is 24.2 and 24.8 cm - for a smaller to medium foot. Enter your weight and boot size and we will show you which of the two sizes fits.
| Size | Contact length | Waist | Turn radius | Flex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 147 | 109 cm | 24.2 cm | 8 m | 4 |
| 153 | 114.5 cm | 24.8 cm | 8.2 m | 4.5 |
-25%- Delivery in up to 2 days
- Shop at 6A Golo Bardo St., Sofia - since 1997
- Size advice:
+359 887 800 575
GWO vs Skate Banana, GNU Money and Box Scratcher
Lib Tech Skate Banana is the original - the same Banana idea with Original Banana and Magne-Traction, with stronger construction and more sizes, including a W. GNU Money is the other sensibly priced way into GNU - a true twin from the C2 family, with more camber and pop, and the same G Lite 1 construction. Lib Tech Box Scratcher is the youthful park character of the Banana idea - more pop and a street-style design (riding in the city - rails, stairs).
| GNU GWO | Skate Banana | GNU Money | Box Scratcher | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profile | BTX / Banana hybrid profile | Original Banana | C2e | BTX / Original Banana |
| Shape | twin | true twin | twin | true twin |
| Flex | 4-4.5 | 5-6 | 5.5-6 | 5 |
| Construction | G Lite 1, Co-Ex | OP+, sintered base | G Lite 1, Co-Ex | OP, sintered base |
| Who it is for | first board, lighter riders | beginner to advanced | first serious board, freestyle | teens, park and street |
Frequently asked questions
Is the GWO suitable for beginners?
Yes. The rocker between the feet forgives a wrong edge, and Magne-Traction gives control on hardpack. And you will not have to replace it after one season.
What is the difference between the GWO and the Skate Banana?
The same Banana idea. The Skate Banana has stronger construction and a sintered base (faster, holds wax). The GWO is the more affordable entry, with G Lite 1 and a Co-Ex base.
What does GWO stand for?
GNU New World Order. The model has been discontinued - we have the last units from 2024/25.
Is it suitable for a child or teenager?
Yes. The 147 is rated from 35 kg by GNU, with a soft flex of 4 - a good first board for a lighter rider, one they can grow with.
Which size should I take?
In the middle of the usual size for your weight - a Banana rides looser than camber. The 147 is from 35 kg, the 153 from 45 kg. If you are not sure, write to us.
How to choose and where to see it
If you want one board that teaches you to ride and stays with you - and you are lighter or younger - the GWO is the choice while it lasts. If you are heavier or want more sizes - the Skate Banana. If you want more pop and camber - the GNU Money. Come to our shop at Golo Bardo 6A in Sofia or call us at +359 887 800 575 - we will show you the board in person and pick the size together. We have been riding this stuff since 1997.
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