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Recommend me a Snowboard ::Updated::
Mishra
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
Ok so last year I went snowboarding for the first time and fell in love. I went about 4 times last year before the season ended and am looking to go a lot more this year before I move. So I'm looking for recommendations, Should I buy a snowboard or just keep renting for the season? If I should buy, any recommendations?
I'll be moving to D.C. in February, and I don't think there's to much skiing around there. Before that I'll be skiing in Tahoe for a week, and I'll probably make 2-3 trips up to Big Bear here in LA. Once I have my new job I'll be in Colorado fairly often. If I buy I'll need boots, bindings and a board. I'd like to keep the whole thing in the 500-600 range if I do buy.
I'll be moving to D.C. in February, and I don't think there's to much skiing around there. Before that I'll be skiing in Tahoe for a week, and I'll probably make 2-3 trips up to Big Bear here in LA. Once I have my new job I'll be in Colorado fairly often. If I buy I'll need boots, bindings and a board. I'd like to keep the whole thing in the 500-600 range if I do buy.
"Give a man a fire, he's warm for the night. Set a man on fire he's warm for the rest of his life."
-Terry Pratchett
-Terry Pratchett
Mishra on
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I don't have many suggestions, since I'm basically an amateur weekend boarder, just go to the off-season sales and see what you can pick up. I'm kind of in the market for a new board myself, but I'll probably keep my Flow bindings. I like them.
I do know that the past few seasons have been very icy around here, and in New England, so if you plan to do a lot of riding locally, you'll want something that can cut into that ice.
Ok so I'm looking at Burton Clash, or bullets or a k2 anagram as being in my price range. Anyone have comments on those?
-Terry Pratchett
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There's lots to consider, like whether you're more freestyle or freeride kinda guy, how beginner you are, etc. (I personally found snowboard specific forums to be a lot of help).
Also, you have to remember, binding is important too, and boots might be the most important thing (try lots on).
I bought my board on sale here: http://www.sierrasnowboard.com/ (they actually have a decent forum for advice too).
I got a Burton Custom (second) for 50% off when their big sale came (it was much later in the season). Second meaning they apparently found some minor cosmetic blemish (I couldn't actually find mine on my board). It was a very good deal though. Bought Rome Targa bindings, they're actually very very good!
Look into Rome boards, they have some nice stuff actually.
Boots, you just gotta go and try on as many as possible.
Also, the last time I went they advertised college deals where you can go with a group of friends from school on a certain weekend and get a pretty awesome deal on lift tickets.
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As for bindings step ins for the most part suck, I use sims bindings, pretty much any brand will be decent just look for base plates that you can adjust to different angles.
depending on the type of riding you do, it'll be different setups, other factors include shoe size, height, weight, and riding ability.
For a beginner all moutain purpose for someone my build and hieght 5'11" and 190 lbs. this is what I would buy.
Board$369.99 cnd
Bindings$129.99 cnd
Boots$129.99 cnd
Thats in Canadian fun bucks so you should be able to pick up a set like that for alot cheaper $500 - $450. Oh, you could substitute a Burton board but they tend to be a bit more exspensive unless they are last years model.
I'm far from college, how about military discounts?
Ok so I'm 6 ft, 200 lbs 11.5 inch shoe size, so wider, longer boards are key. Also I'm looking for mountain cruising and perhaps an eventual migration to some tricks.
-Terry Pratchett
It's kind of like the 90s again.
I always liked K2's skis, back when I was a two planker.
They're absolutely right about the boots. Boots are even more important than the board, you gotta be comfortable out there!
More importantly, make sure you don't skimp on your bindings and boots. Hell, I think those two are more important for you at this point than having a pimped-out board. Avoid purchasing step-in bindings - let the renters deal with them. I've always loved Burton customs when it comes to bindings. Flow style bindings are even sweeter, and easier to strap in, but it'll cost you a little more.
When it comes to boots, take your time. Head out to the store, try out as many pairs as you can so you can get a feel for what's comfortable and what isn't. The last thing you want is to have your feet start cramping up halfway through your day because you bought boots that didn't fit just right. I used to sport K2 Boa's, because it was so freakin' convenient to just deal with a single knob to tighten all your laces. (The problem was the knob was flimsy, and the entire system just broke after two years. It was first gen though, so they may have improved the durability by now.) I'm currently wearing Burton ions, which I also love because it also lets me avoid having to pull and tighten laces.
A good tip is to try out all the newer stuff at the store, and then shop online for last seasons version of the same product. You can find lots and lots of deals for older equipment. (though your best bet would have been shopping during the off-season. I managed to find a going-out-of-business snowboard dealer and nabbed my board+binding+boots, normally a $1000 value, for only $300.)
Good luck! Snowboarding is a very painful learning experience, but it is SO much more fun than skiing.
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Board
Bindings
Boots
there's apparantly a big skiing gear convention here in LA starting Dec 4th so I'm gonna see if I can get some good deal there
-Terry Pratchett
I've been using Airwalk boots for 11 seasons now, never had an issue and I've only owned two sets. Only bought a new set because my edges had torn the laces to shit on the first pair and they started to fall apart a bit. So they get my recommendation.
You may want to consider a cheaper board... It's totally up to you, but i get the impression you are still new and kind of learning the sport, so you are going to be pretty choked if you end up losing control and splitting your $300 board in half.
Also, do you plan on snowboarding with people who ski? You may want to consider finding a set of Flow bindings, since they allow you to get ready faster and save your friends the annoyance of watching you clear snow out of your binding, sitting down, strapping in, re-strapping in when you realize you did it wrong, etc. I'm not 100% sure how responsive they are though, but I'm really considering getting a set for the convenience factor.
I am pretty new, I was hoping I could find this board in last years model for a reduced price. I'm not planning on buying online i'm just scoping out whats good so I can try stuff on in person and look for deals. Most of my friends board though so no worries on the time thing.
-Terry Pratchett
Yeah my boss just recommended this to me, looks like a good place to go.
-Terry Pratchett
Board
Bindings
Boots
It all came to $620 before tax? What do you guys think?
-Terry Pratchett
Although a good standard for board sizing is that it should come up to about the bridge of your nose when standing on the ground. It's only a rule of thumb.
Shorter boards are easier to control, and thus, better for stuff like parks.
Whilst longer boards give better speed.
You'll come to adapt a certain riding style, and until you're sure of this riding style, I would spend too much cash monies just yet. I know a guy who bought a full Burton Custom set, over a grand in total. Decided the board didn't have enough flex for him. Trivial things like that.
Try and find your riding style first, borrow a board from a friend. Or buy a second-hand board from a local shop. Something cheap (like, you can get a half decent second hand board where I live for under $50, for full setup).
You'll learn that you like certain things better; a little bit of a front angle on your binding, perhaps more balance over speed (vice versa), or a certain amount of flex in a board, or the cutting of the sides (which angles suit you the best).
I'd hate for you to go and spend over half a grand on a board that you're not satified with.