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re: Snowboard Purchasing Advice

Posted on 10/7/14 at 10:41 am to
Posted by wish i was tebow
The Golf Board
Member since Feb 2009
46124 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 10:41 am to
quote:

Yeah, the used to only do mail order catalog stuff, obviously this was before the internet. They have come a long way. It covers from a basic first timer to highly advanced gear. Also if you call them they have awesome help, they ask you what you ride(powder vs park) height, weight, etc etc and they can tell you what to fit in.

Also pay attention to the width of your board if you have big feet. its hard to carve on a skinny board with 13-15 size shoes.






Yeah Im very much a novice. I wear a size 13 shoe tho so will def look at that when I rent. But I will probably buy some pants and jacket from them before i go. They got some good looking stuff for good price.

I wish I lived where I could board all the time. I loved it so much when I did it and I sucked but got so much better in a short time. It was like the fist time I picked up a golf club or guitar. I had such a hunger to get better.
Posted by iheartlsu
Nashville
Member since Sep 2005
27740 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 10:44 am to
Dont get the step in bindings. Make sure to get good boots
Posted by RonFNSwanson
1739 mi from the University of LSU
Member since Mar 2012
24090 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 11:10 am to
I'm sure they have stores there that you can ask a real expert.
Posted by Rush2112
Asheville
Member since Mar 2008
842 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 11:15 am to
In my opinion, the most important piece of equipment to improve your game is the boots. Make that a priority and get them at a shop that does custom fitting. The amount of control you have out there will greatly depend on how well the boots fit your feet.

As for the board.. I've found that the majority of brands out there are pretty good and there are just a few crappy ones out there to avoid; basically the inverse of almost everything else you shop for. All the big brands you see will be fine. If you are not an expert and aren't looking for specific features, my best advice would be to shop at one of the online places that has a huge selection like The-House, find the ones that you like the look of best, and just hope that it comes in your size and is not out of your price range. There are so many shitty designs out there (remember the target customer for most of these board manufacturers is teenage boys) that this is the best place to start narrowing down. If it's not one of the really crappy brands and it has good reviews, then go for it.

For size, just google about the sizing and you will be able to find a chart. Here is one here at the site I mentioned earlier:

Snowboard Sizing

Rule of thumb: shorter boards are slower, but you have more control while longer boards are the opposite. I had to get one a few cm longer than the recommended range because it was the shortest one they sold, and I'm doing fine on it. Plus I like the extra speed.

I'm personally a fan of Arbor boards because of the natural wood grain look. Here's what I've got:



Best of luck!

Posted by Robin Masters
Birmingham
Member since Jul 2010
34825 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 11:17 am to
Lib Tech or
Gnu
Made in the US and they are not part of a conglomerate.
Posted by SippyCup
Gulf Coast
Member since Sep 2008
6749 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 11:23 am to
quote:

volkl sticks


Posted by Spaulding Smails
Milano’s Bar
Member since Jun 2012
18805 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 11:24 am to
Alright, I'm going to give you a basic idea of what to look for on this.

Burton and Forum make top of the line snowboards. If money is not quite an issue with you, I'd get one of these two brands. Forum being what I own, but it is geared more towards people who like to hit the big jumps, rails, and half pipes. Burton is kind of an in between with back country and park type stuff.

If you desire to do mostly powder, I'd recommend getting a wider board and a longer board, this helps with backcountry type stuff better, as skinnier and shorter boards are more lightweight and geared for speed and precision (doing tricks and shite).

For sizing, you usually want a board that comes up a little past your chin, with the width being sized right just for your feet length and style of boarding you want to do. Sizes are numbered by like 145 or 150 or 165. The higher numbers being for taller people.

Bindings, I think it is wise to stick with the same brand of everything (if you get a burton board, get burton bindings etc.) DO NOT GET Step in bindings. Don't do it

Boots are more on what style you like, honestly. Vans and DC make quality stuff, I've had my Vans since Middle school in 2001, just make sure they are snug and you walk around a few days in them to break them in.

Make sure to get your board waxed before cutting into the powder. A dumpy bottomed board will weigh you down. You can either wax it yourself with a wax puck they sell at ski shops, or you can pay to have a ski pro hot wax it. I use the puck, but I have years of experience under my belt.

Also, get lessons at least once. It may suck falling on your arse all day, but stick with it, and you'll get it.

Goggles, Spy and Dragon are both quality products. Try to get no fogs, trust me.

Where in Montana? I used to live a few hours away from ski areas like Red Lodge and Bridger. I can give you advice on trails in stuff in the future if you want some

ALSO: I see a lot of people suggesting to buy online, with being in Montana, you wont be short on finding places that sell great products, are local, and have pros in there that really know their stuff. I'd try a few out, find a guy you like and trust, and let him guide you what will be best for you, instead of going at it blind an online purchase. Cities like Billings, Helena, and Missoula all have tons of board shops
This post was edited on 10/7/14 at 11:30 am
Posted by brass2mouth
NOLA
Member since Jul 2007
20387 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 11:28 am to
Ski's are for figs.


If you're not into tricks, get a longer board, evo has a decent guide for picking a board.

LINK
Posted by SippyCup
Gulf Coast
Member since Sep 2008
6749 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 11:28 am to
quote:

DO NOT GET Step in bindings. Don't do it


Why not? I always hear you boarders say this, yet I see plenty of step in bindings being used.
Posted by Spaulding Smails
Milano’s Bar
Member since Jun 2012
18805 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 11:32 am to
quote:

Why not? I always hear you boarders say this, yet I see plenty of step in bindings being used.

I would not recommend a first time snowboarder to get step in bindings, it's a great way to leave the mountain with a broken leg.

People who have a lot of experience may use them, but for the most part they ice up really bad and they pop your foot out easily. I strap in for comfort, control, and safety
This post was edited on 10/7/14 at 11:33 am
Posted by PrettyLights
Member since Oct 2014
1366 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 11:39 am to
Burton.

Ive rode Burton boards since I was 12 and they have all held up wonderfully. Get strap in bindings or the step in bindings with the back/heel side support.

If it gives you any idea, I am 6'0 185lbs and ride a 157 deck--I tend to be more backcountry and all mountain focused. My brother is 5'9 and 165lbs and rides a 149 deck--he tends to be more freestyle focused. My brother rides my previous Burton board and its about 15 years old and still going strong.
This post was edited on 10/7/14 at 11:43 am
Posted by jrowla2
Colorado
Member since Jan 2007
4167 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 11:48 am to
Never summer makes great boards and they're based out of Denver.

Assuming you're a novice, a cheaper burton board would be a great option for you. You don't need a $500 board bc you wont notice the difference. Reverse camber is also good for beginners. Don't go too long either bc you sacrifice maneuverability.
Posted by HeadyMurphey
Los Santos
Member since Jan 2008
17271 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 11:54 am to
I am happy with my Rome board and targa bindings. They make a good product
Posted by BoostAddict
Member since Jun 2007
3133 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 12:32 pm to
There is a reason (well many reasons) some of the best ski resorts don't allow snowboarding.

My gripes are... inexperienced snowboarders riding terrain they shouldn't be and bringing all of the snow down the mountain with them. And B) get the frick out of the trail while you're strapping in.
Posted by wish i was tebow
The Golf Board
Member since Feb 2009
46124 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 12:37 pm to
quote:

There is a reason (well many reasons) some of the best ski resorts don't allow snowboarding


Yeah because they are suspect


dont wont those stoners on the mountains acting boss
Posted by gamatt53
Member since Nov 2010
4934 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 12:39 pm to
Skiers are the rollerbladers of the mountain. You don't want to be a frickin fruitbooter do you?

Posted by wish i was tebow
The Golf Board
Member since Feb 2009
46124 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 12:40 pm to
quote:

Skiers are the rollerbladers of the mountain


such a strong analogy
Posted by Spaulding Smails
Milano’s Bar
Member since Jun 2012
18805 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 12:42 pm to
quote:

There is a reason (well many reasons) some of the best ski resorts don't allow snowboarding.

There's also a reason why many of those resorts are finally opening their doors to snowboaders after years of being ski-only

Get with the times old man
Posted by BoostAddict
Member since Jun 2007
3133 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 12:45 pm to
quote:

Skiers are the rollerbladers of the mountain. You don't want to be a frickin fruitbooter do you?


Not bad!

It's too late... I've been skiing for 30+ years. I'd also have to buy one of those goofy arse clown outfits you guys wear. No thanks.
Posted by DirtyMikeandtheBoys
Member since May 2011
19467 posts
Posted on 10/7/14 at 12:50 pm to
About to buy some Volkl Katana's for my trip in January.

Tired of renting
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