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Gilson Undead Review – New Flat Option vs. 3D Base: Which Reigns Supreme?

Steve Weber Updated 11/19/2025 Posted 04/18/2025

Until this season, the Gilson Undead’s main feature was its unique base technology. The highlight was that its edges were raised by a few millimeters off the base to give the snowboard a more forgiving, catch-free feel. The benefit of that catch-free feel was that the board could butter and jib easier than nearly every other park board out there.

While a catch-free ride might sound great for some types of riders, it won’t be great for all riders.

So what if you want a board that can butter and jib easily but still feel incredibly locked into your turns when you’re carving outside the park?

Or, what if you’re learning a new spin trick and need your edges to really dig in to get the perfect setup carve off a jump?

Well, now in 2026, Gilson has the answer to that because they give us the option to purchase the new version of the Undead with either a flat base (a traditional normal snowboard base without raised edges) or you can still buy the catch-free 3D version with the raised edges.

In this review, I share my thoughts on the Undead and go through each of the base options to help you learn which version of this snowboard will be right for you.

Gilson Undead Highlights & Specs

SEE FULL SPECS

Pro tip Over on the Gilson Snowboards website, you can use the coupon code boardoftheworld for a 10% discount on your order.

Click the button to copy the 10% off Gilson coupon here.

Pros

1. A playful and soft flexing park board that can jump, jib, and carve well. This board has a 3.5 / 10 flex rating, and its rocker profile between the feet makes it ridiculously simple to press and butter.
   
2. Tons of pop
   
3. Can be sized down by 6cm (Volume Shifted / Wider than most boards this size, so its easier to balance on)
   
4. Offered in two types of base options – 1) A 3D base with a more forgiving landings or 2) A traditional flat base for added grip and response
   
5. Five year warranty
   
6. Made in the USA / Has a solid build quality and damp feel to it

Cons

1. Can feel slow when it isn’t waxed (fine when waxed)
   
2. Can be too soft for aggressive carving / Expert freeriders will prefer a stiffer board. This is meant to be a versatile all-mountain board that will be suitable for the majority of riders out there.

Review Summary Video

This is a quick video of me riding and summarizing what I thought of the new Undead.

New for This Season: Flat Base Option Offers an Unreal Level of Grip

For the 2025 season, Gilson started giving riders the option of getting the Undead with their standard 3D base option or with a flat base. Since I own an Undead with a 3D base (the soft edges), I wanted to review the 2025 with the flat base to see if it made a large difference.

For me, the summary is, that it made a noticeable improvement in the level of grip I felt while carving with the Undead. This improved the versatility and performance of this snowboard outside of the park.

I always found the soft edges worked well enough to carve here in Pennsylvania, but their real strength was in all aspects of riding where you need your edges to be out of the way, or more forgiving, like jibbing and buttering. With the new flat based option, I find that I can still jib and butter, but that I now have the thing I really needed from my Undead…a bit of extra edge hold grip when things started to get icy out.

Where I am from, we tend to see more ice than powder. When looking for an all-mountain board, I prioritize the board’s grip on ice, and the new flat-based Undead adds a level of grip and response to the ride.

The improved grip and response aren’t solely due to the flush edges now being flush with the base of this snowboard. It comes from the combination of the flush edges and the board’s hybrid camber profile. With the edges now flush, toe and heel engagement felt more immediate. This makes a noticeable difference in how the board reacts to the rider’s input.

Additionally, the Undead has a hybrid profile that adds camber zones directly under your feet and a rocker zone between your feet. As you engage a turn, those camber zones stretch/flatten out and add an additional pressure point that a traditional camber snowboard won’t have. I didn’t notice that additional pressure point while carving with the 3D base, but I certainly noticed it while carving with the flat-based version of this board.

To say it simply, the Undead is a versatile all mountain freestlye ripper. It’s playful when you want it to be and stable when you need it to be.

Check out the Flat Vs 3D Base section to learn which version of this board I’d recommend for you.

What Sets the Gilson Undead With the 3D Base Apart From Other Snowboards?

The Gilson Undead is a park board with a unique edge technology. The edges of this snowboard have been risen off of the board by a few millimeters off of the snowboard’s base. Here is what it looks like when you flip this board over.

There is a one-inch perimeter running around the edge of this snowboard where the base is higher than the edge by about 1/8th of an inch.   

The benefit of this feature is that it reduces the risk of catching your edges while hitting rails and jumps. The lifted edges make the board feel playful when it needs to be while still allowing it to hold an edge when it needs to.

Here is a quick overview video of the new Undead that describes Gilson’s edge technology in more detail.

Should I Get the Flat Base or 3D Base Option?

Between the flat or 3d base, this should help you decide which option of the board to consider.

If I Ride Ice & Hardpack, Which Gilson Undead Base Should I Get?

For me, the flat-based Undead worked better than the 3D base in both icy and hardpack conditions, which are the conditions we tend to get here on the East Coast. With that in mind, I would recommend the 3D base for more so for softer rather than harder conditions. The 3D base worked better for me in powder and slush over hardparck and ice.

With the 3D base, on hardpack and ice, my edges would occasionally slip out during my carves. That translated to my confidence while riding it. On slippery days, I’d tone down my riding to be more careful. For me, the 3D base worked best when there was at least a layer of softer snow covering the hardpack or ice. Without that layer, it just felt a bit loose while connecting carves on hardpack. That loose, catch-free feeling worked incredibly well for jibbing in the park, you mig

The Flat Base Is Better On Ice & Hardpack

Now, with the flat-base version of the Undead, it just works well on hardpack and ice without needing the extra layer of soft snow. It feels like the turn initiation is equally as fast as the 3D base, but the traditional edge just remains locked-in through the entire length of the turn regardless of the conditions you’re riding in. It solves the need for the snow needing to be softer to gain the carving benefits of the soft edge. There’s just grip and response ready for what the day throws at you.

The flat base Undead’s edge hold was very reminiscent of the Never Summer Easy Rider with its RIP Edge Technology. The flat Gilson Undead is technically similar: It is a rocker board that flattens as you turn to create additional pressure points under your feet to lock you in. This type of edge tech offers a really smooth-feeling ride because it offers this locked-in feeling without needing to add any disruptions or serrations into the edge to give it its additional level of grip on ice.

Overall, the 3D base is more for the rider who wants to hit the park, jib, and butter, over the rider who wants to hit the entire mountain and encounters harder conditions.

The 3D base works best in softer conditions, while the flat version is well-rounded in all conditions. The trade-off is simply that it’s less forgiving to butter. When you’re sideways, you have to be mindful of where you put your weight to avoid catching your edge, and that isn’t an issue with the 3D base.

Which Version Do I Prefer the Flat or 3D Base?

The new flat base. I found that I could still easily lock into features in the park, with or without the 3D base. The only real drawback to the flat-based version for me was that it wasn’t as easy to butter with. That said, even with the flat-based version, you can still butter; you just need to shift your weight uphill with each 180 to keep your edges out of the way.

Outside of buttering, the flat-based option greatly added to the versatility of this snowboard. I had the grip I needed to go anywhere and do anything.

That said, I’ve owned a 3D-based version for the last three years. Riders who use this version can get used to it and ride it anywhere. I just tend to prefer the version with the flat base. (Keep in mind I review snowboards and like the consistent feel between brands of having the flat base.)

Overall Rating for the Gilson Undead

The Gilson Undead with the flat base option was rated on our park category’s rating scale. This scoring scale prioritizes hitting rails and jumping over all-mountain versatility. The weighting column shows how much each consideration category contributed to the overall score.

Editor’s Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars or a score of a 90.125 out of a possible 100 for the Gilson Undead board.

Review Image Gallery

First Impression of the Gilson Undead?

When this snowboard arrived, I was blown away by how awesome the graphic looked in person.

It is also excellent to see the sheer lengths Gilson went to to make receiving this board feel special. The board arrived with a handwritten checklist to show the board’s serial number as well as its primary features.

Gilson also sent a handwritten note written on an actual piece of the board’s Poplar wood core that said, “If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it! Keep Shredding! -JL”

It made receiving this board feel special, and it is a reminder that someone in Pennsylvania took the time to ensure every aspect of this snowboard was tuned for me to ride.

Why Did I Buy the Gilson Undead?

Gilson is a local snowboard manufacturer here in North Eastern Pennsylvania. I’ve seen their boards all over our local mountains. I’ve even had the chance to test this board several times over the years.

I got the Gilson Undead because I wanted a board on the slightly wider waist width side for its length. This board has a similar width of boards that are around 6cm longer than it. The main benefit is that you could size down if you wanted a lighter, shorter board. I didn’t, though. I wanted a wider board around the same length that I normally ride.

The wider platform and raised edges appeal to me. I picture what it will feel like doing a back lip on a rail as I feel the entire width of the board sliding across the rail. The additional benefit of getting to put some dedicated time on the risen edges was a nice bonus too.

All in all, I wanted to see if a wider board with risen edges would be good for east coast park riding.

How Does the Gilson Undead 2025 – 2026 Ride?

The Gilson Undead feels extremely playful for butters and jibs while having a unique controlled blend of performance for carving all over the resort. The Undead is a versatile board that offers the perfect flexibility and profile for park riding while still performing exceptionally well as an all-mountain board.

The first detail I noticed when stepping on the Gilson Undead was its wider waist width. I felt the width right away because it felt a little slower than the more narrow Bataleon Evil Twin Plus I’d been riding earlier this season. Both have fast sintered bases. You can tell that there is more surface area resting against the snow in the Gilson Undead than with most other park boards. 

The wider width of the Gilson Undead made for a very stable feel. The Undead excels at making wider more-controlled carves than tighter, quicker carves. While it isn’t made for backcountry freeriding at top speeds, it is perfect for carving between features in the park and cruising around your favorite resort. 

The Undead makes hitting rails and boxes feel easier, and I’ve improved my rail game dramatically thanks to how stable this board feels while you’re sliding on it. The wider base and lifted edges of the Undead make locking into rails feel controlled while dramatically reducing the risk of catching your edges. A few times, I went a little edge-heavy on a front board and still slid right through it. 

There is a surprising level of pop and response in the Gilson Undead. The additional pop and response come from the board’s hybrid profile. If you were to look at the Gilson Undead from the side, its profile would look like this. 

The reverse camber between the feet gives the board a playful, skate-like feel, while the large camber sections immediately underfoot allow the board to get a ton of pop. It’s the type of profile that excels in the park while still being ready to charge the rest of the resort too. Overall, the Undead’s profile feels similar to the GNU Rider’s Choice or Lib Tech T.Rice Pro.

All in all, the Gilson Undead blends playful with power and is ready to charge through your favorite park.  

Which bindings go well with the Gilson Undead?

The Union Strata bindings are a great match to the flex pattern and profile of the Gilson Undead. 

Union Strata

The Union Strata is a lightweight freestyle binding with a six out of ten flex rating. These bindings are perfect to pair with the Gilson Undead. These are some of the most responsive freestyle snowboard bindings you can buy.

If you are looking for a lightweight, flexible, yet still responsive binding, check out the Union Strata.

Highlights for the Union Strata

• Shock absorption
• Lightweight
• Flex in highback and baseplate
• Minidisk compatible
• Soft and surfy board feel
• Upgraded no-slip hardware

Sizes

What Do I Like and Dislike About the Gilson Undead Board?

Likes

It Is a Do-It-All Playful Park Board (3D Base Version)

This board surprised me with how versatile it is. While it excels in the park hitting rails and small to medium-sized jumps, it also has enough power and response to carve all over the mountain. It is a controlled yet playful park board. It’s easy to ride and feels locked in when you hit rails.

Update for 2025 – 2026 – the new Flat Based option greatly adds to the grip and versatility of this snowboard, and that allows you to go anywhere and do anytype of riding with it.

Tons of pop

The hybrid camber technology profile offers a ton of energy and pop. This snowboard has the easy-to-ride benefits of a reverse camber combined with the snappiness of a camber board. You’ll notice the additional pop when you load it up to ollie. It will send you a little higher than you thought.

Here is a picture to gauge just how much camber is in each section under your feet. The camber sections are on the more aggressive side. However, the board doesn’t feel aggressive to ride. It just shares the same level of pop as an aggressive camber-dominant board would.

Can Be Sized Down by 6cm / Volume Shifted

The Undead has a wider waist width than most park boards that share the same length. Additionally, this board has blunted nose and is intended to ride a round 6cm shorter than your normal board. The benefit of riding a shorter board with less material on its nose is that it has a lighter swing weight for spins and is easier to maneuver all around.

Alternatively, you can do what I did and ride your regular length while utilizing the Undead’s wider width for additional stability. I found it to be easier to balance on park features. The wider width offered more surface to slide on for rails while being more forgiving with landing jumps.

Five Year Warranty

All Gilson boards are made in Winfield, Pennsylvania, with a five-year warranty. If anything goes wrong with your board, reach out to Gilson here, and they will help you with your warranty claim. This warranty is one of the longest you can get with a snowboard deck.

Dislikes

Has It Limits When It Comes to Speed

This isn’t the dampest snowboard. You will feel chatter in your board as you reach faster speeds. 

With that in mind, this snowboard is more intended for cruising through the park instead of freeriding. For what it lacks in dampness, it gains in its overall boardfeel. As you’re hitting rails, you will be able to feel your board and make any adjustments you need to.

You Will Need to Wax It Often

The Undead has a full Durasurf 4001 p-tex base. It will remain durable and fast for you when you wax it regularly. With the wider width of this board resting some extra surface against the snow, you will notice it feeling a little slower when it needs wax.

3D Bases Aren’t for Everyone

The Gilson soft edge and 3D bases aren’t for everyone. They’re incredibly playful, and some riders will prefer a more grippy, locked in feel. If that’s you, then go with the “flat” version of this as it doesn’t have the soft edge. It’s flat just like a traditional snowboard.

Who Is the Gilson Undead a Good Fit For?

The Gilson Undead is perfect for the beginner to intermediate-level park rider who wants a softer flexing board that is easy to hit rails and jumps with.

The lifted edges on the Gilson Undead give this board a catch-free feeling when you’re hitting rails and boxes. That catch-free feeling also helps with landing spins. If you land slightly off-axis, the lifted edges allow you to adjust the last few degrees to ride away clean without catching your edge.

How Beginner Friendly is the Gilson Undead?

The 3D Based version of this board is an extremely beginner-friendly board. The hybrid camber profile and lifted edges make this a very beginner-friendly, easy board to learn on.

Intermediate riders may prefer the flat based option to give the board a little extra grip.

Gilson Undead 2025 Specs

So Do I Recommend the Gilson Undead Board?

Yes, I recommend the Gilson Undead for any park rider looking for a balanced blend of skate-like, responsive, and precise board. This snowboard can carve exceptionally well while being catch-free enough to make park riding easier. If that sounds interesting, then you should try this board.  

Similar Snowboards to Consider

• GNU Riders Choice
• Lib Tech T.Rice Pro
• Capita Ultrafear
• Bataleon Evil Twin Plus

Where Can You Buy the Gilson Undead

You can buy the Gilson Undead from here.

About the Reviewer

Rider Name: Steve Weber

Home Mountains: Big Boulder, Jack Frost, Montage – North Eastern Pennsylvania (Lots of east coast ice.)

Traveled Mountains for this Review: Jackson Hole Wyoming

Pre-Season Mountains: Big Snow

Size / Model: The board I reviewed was a 2025 Gilson Undead Flat-Base 2025 149cm, and I compared it to a Gilson Undead Size 149 in the 3D Base

Rider Weight: 144lbs

Rider Height: 5′ 6″

Bindings Used: 2024 Union Ultra Bindings and Union Strata bindings

Boots Used: DC Phase Snowboard Boots I am a US men’s size 9.

Related Reviews:

• Union Strata Snowboard Bindings Review
• Jones Tweaker Snowboard Review
• Jones Mountain Twin Snowboard Review
• Yes. Dicey Snowboard Review
• Bataleon Evil Twin Plus Snowboard Review
• Capita Defenders of Awesome (DOA) Review
• Capita Ultrafear Snowboard Review
• Best Snowboard Boots

Steve Weber

Steve Weber is the passionate snowboarder, skateboarder, and author behind Board of the World. He understands that most gear reviews focus on having the perfect snow conditions, but his testing methodology is different. Living in Pennsylvania, Steve describes exactly how a board performs when the conditions aren’t perfect. His reviews cover performance on ice, hardpack, and flat-out brick conditions. In other words, he reviews boards for the conditions that East Coast riders actually face.

Bringing 27 years of East Coast snowboarding and 21 years of skateboarding experience, Steve is a 42-year-old intermediate park rider. His recommendations are informed by decades of battling icy conditions, ensuring every review accounts for the board’s performance on the roughest of terrain.

For the last five years, Steve has poured his passion into writing in-depth, unbiased reviews that help riders make informed decisions about the gear they’ll use. He also works part-time at a snowboard shop in Northeastern Pennsylvania, which gives him a direct line to learning about the new gear tech months in advance. When he’s not writing reviews, Steve is often found riding at Montage Mountain and testing out new boards.

Steve’s goal with Board of the World is simple: to help every reader find the right gear so they can have fun outside from the first time they use it.