GNU Barrett review: the women's Dynamo with C3 for speed
The GNU Barrett is Barrett Christy's pro model - a women's directional board with C3, progressive Magne-Traction and Carbon Power Bands for riders who want to be the fastest on the slope. Doychin calls it the women's little brother of the Dynamo and recommends it to women confident enough to race the men on hardpack. Here is everything we know about it - from Doychin's video, from the shop and from GNU.
-20%- Delivery in up to 2 days
- Shop at 6A Golo Bardo St., Sofia - since 1997
- Size advice:
+359 887 800 575
The Barrett is the women's little brother of the Dynamo - a camber machine with 25 years of history behind it
Doychin introduces Barrett Christy as one of Mervin's longest-standing women riders with her own pro model. GNU says the same in other words: the Barrett brings together more than 25 years of experience in women's board design, and the model is called "the pinnacle of design for all-mountain (the whole mountain terrain) riding" - the top of the brand's all-mountain idea. The board is an award winner and evolves every season, but the direction stays the same - "the evolution of Barrett's pro model for the directional revolution".
In the video Doychin puts it next to its relative: the GNU Barrett is the women's little brother of the Dynamo. The same philosophy - a directional board with mostly camber for speed and carving - sized for a woman. For the Dynamo in detail, see the Lib Tech Dynamo review.
The Barrett also has a cause. GNU donates part of the proceeds from every board sold to Boarding for Breast Cancer (B4BC) - for education and health programs for young people. On the 2024/25 generation the B4BC logo sits right on the top sheet.
C3: the "new old" camber, without losing the rocker between your feet
C3: a profile with mostly camber and a slight hint of rocker between the feet.
Doychin calls C3 the "new, in quotes, old camber". It is the classic camber snowboarders have ridden for more than 30 years, but with a slight hint of rocker between the feet. The rocker is not visible while the board lies on the floor - you feel it in the turn, which starts easily and intuitively. The camber gives what the Barrett is built for: edge hold, spring and stability at high speed. GNU describes it as "a strong, camber-dominant board for all terrain".
Carbon Power Bands are the other half of its character. The carbon strips along the length make the board light, springy and precise when you shift from edge to edge. Underneath are a G Lite 3 wood core and a Knife Cut sintered base (faster, holds wax).
Snowboard Science ep. 4: C3 hybrid camber - the aggressive camber profile for speed and control
Magne-Traction is subtler because C3 with full Magne-Traction bites too hard
This is the most interesting technical detail in the video. The Barrett has Magne-Traction - the wavy edge that gives control on hardpack and ice - but the waves are more subtle. From these shallower waves Doychin recognizes a Magne-Traction "0.5" - the board bites a little less.
The reason comes from the factory's experience. According to Doychin, the combination of camber plus full Magne-Traction is not a success and has not been made for years - since the first experimental boards. Camber alone holds the edges firmly in the snow, and full Magne-Traction on top makes the grip excessive. With a shallower Magne-Traction you lose neither control nor the intuitive turn that the hint of rocker gives. GNU calls it progressive Magne-Traction: edge control is the foundation of everything good in snowboarding.
At speed it is stable, in the park it jumps high, in deep snow it wants a setback mounting
Doychin does not hide it: this is an aggressive board with great stability at high speed. On firm morning groomers it is in its element - long, fast, clean turns where the board does not chatter. In the park you can count on a big ollie (pop off the tail) and stable landings, and a quick switch to riding switch (riding with the other foot forward) is possible too. For deep snow Doychin advises moving the mounting back - the stance already has a setback (stance moved toward the tail) of 1.5", and further back the nose floats up more easily.
But in the end the Barrett is a directional machine for very serious and very confident women. Doychin tells in the video that we sold such a board to a rider of exactly this type - super confident - and the feedback was exceptional. If you are still learning or want a board that forgives, the Barrett will demand too much.
- directional, C3
- Barrett Christy
- setback 1.5"
- progressive Magne-Traction
- Carbon Power Bands
- G Lite 3
- Knife Cut sintered base
- flex 4.5-6
- all-mountain / freeride / carving
Size: 146, 149 and 155 - by weight, not by height
GNU gives 146 and 149 from about 40 kg and 155 from 50 kg. The flex (how soft or stiff the board is) rises with the size - 4.5, 5 and 6 - so a lighter rider does not fight a board that is too stiff. The waist is between 24.1 and 24.8 cm, for a standard women's boot. Doychin notes that Barrett Christy herself is a petite woman - board length follows weight and riding style, not height. For speed and deep snow, take the longer size for your weight. Enter your weight and boot size and we will show you which of the available sizes fits.
| Size | Contact length | Waist | Sidecut radius | Flex |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 146 | 110 cm | 24.1 cm | 8 m | 4.5 |
| 149 | 113 cm | 24.3 cm | 8.1 m | 5 |
| 155 | 118 cm | 24.8 cm | 8.1 m | 6 |
-20%- Delivery in up to 2 days
- Shop at 6A Golo Bardo St., Sofia - since 1997
- Size advice:
+359 887 800 575
We also have the 155 in the 2024/25 generation with artwork by Shaun Thomas - the GNU Barrett 155 2025. The profile, sizes and construction are the same.
Barrett vs its relatives: Dynamo, Dynamiss and Ladies Choice Camber
The Lib Tech Dynamo is the men's brother - a directional C3 with subtler Magne-Traction, a setback of 1" and sizes from 153 to 162W. The Lib Tech Dynamiss is the closest women's alternative - also C3 and directional, Lib Tech's Lady Dynamo, with a setback of 1", a smoothly entering nose and a slight tapered (a wider nose than tail) shape. The GNU Ladies Choice Camber is C3 in an asymmetric twin shape - for a rider who wants camber but rides more park and switch.
The table compares the Barrett with the three closest boards we carry: profile, shape, flex, who it is for and where it rides.
| Barrett | Dynamo | Dynamiss | Ladies Choice Camber | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Profile | directional C3 | directional C3 | directional C3 | C3 |
| Shape | directional, setback 1.5" | directional, setback 1" | directional, setback 1" | women's asymmetric twin, setback 0 |
| Flex | 4.5-6 | 5-6.5 | 5-6 | 4.5-5.5 |
| Who it is for | very confident women, speed | men, speed and carving | confident women, speed | advanced women, park |
| Terrain | all-mountain / freeride / carving | all-mountain / freeride / carving | all-mountain / freeride | park / freestyle / all-mountain |
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Barrett and the Dynamiss?
Both are women's directional boards with C3. The Barrett has a setback of 1.5", Carbon Power Bands and progressive Magne-Traction - Doychin calls it an aggressive board. The Dynamiss has a setback of 1", a smoothly entering nose and a slight tapered shape.
Why is Magne-Traction subtler?
The camber already presses the edges into the snow. With full Magne-Traction a C3 board bites too hard - the shallower waves keep control without making it nervous.
Is the Barrett good for deep snow?
Yes, with the mounting moved back. The setback is already 1.5", and a little further back the nose floats up easily. Its strength, though, is speed on hardpack.
Is it suitable for beginners?
No. The Barrett is for very confident riders. To start, we recommend a board with BTX or Original Banana.
Which size should I get?
By weight: 146 and 149 from about 40 kg, 155 from 50 kg. For speed and deep snow, the longer one. If you are not sure, write to us.
How to choose and where to try it
If you ride fast, love firm morning groomers and want a board that does not chatter when others have already slowed down - the Barrett is yours. If you want C3 from Lib Tech - the Dynamiss. If you need camber for the park - the Ladies Choice Camber. Come to our shop at Golo Bardo 6A in Sofia or call us at +359 887 800 575 - we will give every woman personal attention and pick the size together. We have been riding this stuff since 1997.
Comments : 0