The Head Space is Forest Bailey's pro model, and it looks like it. The graphics are strange and wonderful, and the shape is a rounded twin that GNU describes as pill-shaped. Amazon lists it as the Headspace, but it is the same board.
It is a park and street board at heart, but plenty of owners ride it everywhere. The question is whether it holds up as an all-mountain board, or whether it only makes sense in the park.
What It Is: A Camber Twin With Grip
The Head Space is a camber twin. The nose and tail match, the stance is centered, and camber runs the full length between your feet. That gives the board strong pop and a solid feel underfoot.
GNU pairs the camber with serrated edges, which bite into hard snow, and carbon bands for snap. The core is aspen and paulownia, wrapped in triaxial and biaxial fiberglass. The base is sintered and the sidewalls use UHMW plastic, a tough material that stands up to rails and boxes.
GNU rates the flex at 5 to 6 out of 10. That is medium: soft enough to press, firm enough to land with confidence. Sizes run from 152 to 161, plus a 155 wide.
On the Snow: Grippy, Damp and Easy to Jib
Owners compare the Head Space with the CAPiTA DOA more than any other board. The short version: the Head Space grips more and feels damper, while the DOA is lighter and livelier. East Coast owners in particular like the extra grip.
Owners praise the board on ice and credit both the serrated edges and the sidecut. On a firm morning, that grip lets you ride with confidence when other park boards would skid.
In the park, it makes jibbing easy. Presses feel stable and the board stays calm on rails. The camber gives enough pop for jumps and ollies without feeling stiff.
Where It Excels
The Head Space shines for freestyle riders on hard snow. If your mountain is icy and you spend your days in the park, this is one of the best boards you can choose. East Coast riders often call it one of their most-ridden boards.
It also works on the rest of the mountain. The camber and the edges make it a capable groomer board, and the twin shape rides switch with no fuss.
Where It Falls Short
The Head Space is not the fastest board. One owner who also rode the Burton Blossom said the Head Space felt slower. It makes up for that on features, but riders who want a quick, poppy board may prefer the DOA.
It is also a freestyle board first. If you never hit a jump, rail or side hit, you will be paying for features you don't use. A directional all-mountain board would suit you better.
Some owners have noticed the wood core showing through the base near the tip and tail. GNU says this is normal: the core doesn't extend all the way to the ends, so you can see the change in material through the base. It is a cosmetic quirk, not a defect.
The Head Space Versus DOA Debate
You'll find this matchup in most Head Space threads. Here's the take from owners. The Head Space is damper and grips better, which helps on ice and on rough landings. The DOA is lighter, livelier and a bit more playful.
If you ride icy mountains and value grip, the Head Space wins. If you ride softer snow and want a board that feels quick and light, the DOA is the better pick.
Pro tip: Base edges near the tip and tail can look patchy as the core shows through. Don't send the board back for that alone; GNU treats it as normal.
Who Should Buy It
Buy the Head Space if you ride park and street features, ride hard snow often and want a camber twin with grip. It suits intermediate and advanced freestyle riders.
Look elsewhere if you don't ride features, or if you want the lightest, liveliest park board on the market.
Alternatives
The CAPiTA DOA is the board owners compare it with most. It is lighter and livelier, with less grip on ice. Read our full CAPiTA DOA review.
The CAPiTA Spring Break Resort Twin is a playful, surfy twin for riders who want fun over pure park performance. Read our full CAPiTA Spring Break Resort Twin review.
The YES Basic is a simpler, more affordable twin that handles park and resort riding well. Read our full YES Basic review.
Verdict
The GNU Head Space is a grippy, damp camber twin built for the park and happy on the rest of the mountain. It is not the lightest or the fastest, but on ice it gives you confidence few park boards can match. For freestyle riders on hard snow, it is an easy recommendation.
