Snowboard Equipment Advice

[roguerower]

Been snowboarding once before and spent a week doing it from sunup to sundown so I understand the basics. This winter I'll be going to germany to see the folks and will be hitting the slopes at least twice and then will be coming back to the states where I'll hit them a couple more times.

Therefore i'm looking to buy my own board, bindings, and boots so I can get used to them, however I know nothing about equipment since I've just gotten into it. I've asked friends and what i've heard is:

Palmer snowboard (killer edge control and will not turn into a noodle in two seasons)
Salomon boots (Best boots all around)
Ride bindings (inexpensive-ish and trustworthy)

Can anyone expand on this or throw in their $0.02??? I'm looking for more inexpensive gear but if the equipment is really worth the extra cash then I'll think about it

 

[Mo0o]

Never heard that Palmer snowboards are the end all be all of boards

Just get a midflex all mountain board in the $250 range

 

[NaOH]

I would start off with an all mountain board. I suggest a board with a sintered base as well. Make sure you get one long enough for you. For boots, salomon makes really good boots. You usually can't go wrong with Burton boots either. The most important thing is to get a boot that FITS YOU. So, if you can, try some at the store and buy online to save money. Just make you get fitted properly.

Oh and for Ride bindings. I <3 them. Been rocking a pair of 06 SPi's. I don't think I'll be upgrading any of my gear until my board gets wrecked (which will be another couple of years).

Oh yeah, I'd check out some M4 or Rome boards. I don't know of any reputable brand that would turn into a noodle within two seasons. I would avoid anything Burton unless you can get a deal. Overpriced in my opinion.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

Definitely get boots that fit well. Ideally you'd want to try them on before hand. Some boots will pack out over time. I've heard salomon boots are good for narrow feet. DC boots work for wider feet.

As for the board you want to get the right size lengthwise. If you have larger feet you might need a wider board.

gearattack.com is a good tracker for whiskeymilitia.com, tramdock.com, and steepncheap which have snowboarding/skiing deals.

sierrasnowboard.com has a 70% sale right now.

 

[ViviTheMage]

I have been considering taking up snowboarding for a few years....I kick ass at skiing, wonder if I should try this year, haha.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Personally, I would continue to rent and try different equipment before making the purchase. What other's say/think may not be appropriate for you.

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Personally, I would continue to rent and try different equipment before making the purchase. What other's say/think may not be appropriate for you.

What does continuing to rent accomplish? Here where I snowboard, the rentals you get are all the same. Also, they usually keep varying slightly because you never ride the same board/ config. He's better off buying intermediate gear and learning on that properly. From there, he will save money on rentals and build a foundation to upgrade from. You can't do that with rentals.

 

[illusion88]

1. Take snowboard
2. Throw in trash
3. Buy skis
...
Profit!

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: NaOH

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Personally, I would continue to rent and try different equipment before making the purchase. What other's say/think may not be appropriate for you.

What does continuing to rent accomplish? Here where I snowboard, the rentals you get are all the same. Also, they usually keep varying slightly because you never ride the same board/ config. He's better off buying intermediate gear and learning on that properly. From there, he will save money on rentals and build a foundation to upgrade from. You can't do that with rentals.

What does renting accomplish? Did you not read my post? The ability to try out different gear to determine what he prefers.

Every place I've boarded has had different types of equipment. Either at the location's rental shop or he could go to one of the local shops located near the mountain that rent equipment.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I agree with NaOH. Get an all mountain board with a sintered base. You'll save cash by going with an extruded base, but they're constructed a lot cheaper and don't have the same flex. I have a size 14 shoe, so I require a wide board so my toes & heels don't drag. Make sure the board width will accomodate your boot size & binding choice. As for board length, this is up to you. I'm 6'4" so I bought myself a 173cm Burton Cascade. I have a ton of stability in it and can pick up some serious speed when I want. I've got a 162 Ride and like to play around with it in moguls when I get bored.

Boots & Bindings together cost as much or more than a good board. If you'll be out all day, it's important to buy boots that are waterproof and that fit you good. If they're too loose, you'll end up sliding around in them and won't have toe control. If you end up with a free-style binding, they'll often have a high back that will give you some ankle support. I suggest going this route because it will give you a little more stiffness when you're heelside, even if your boots are soft.

A lot of people will disagree with me on this, but I recommend looking into step-in binding/boot combos. I picked up some Vans and the Switch X system back in 2002/2003. I still use it, though my boots are really worn. I've also got some PBS aluminum bindings as backups and some Salomon boots. They're good, but certainly less waterproof than my Vans are.

For other step-ins, I've heard good things about Shimano's system.....maybe check the K2 Clicker system. Burton is a good choice too, but don't expect any value in what you buy unless you find something on closeout or buy used.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: NaOH

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Personally, I would continue to rent and try different equipment before making the purchase. What other's say/think may not be appropriate for you.

What does continuing to rent accomplish? Here where I snowboard, the rentals you get are all the same. Also, they usually keep varying slightly because you never ride the same board/ config. He's better off buying intermediate gear and learning on that properly. From there, he will save money on rentals and build a foundation to upgrade from. You can't do that with rentals.

What does renting accomplish? Did you not read my post? The ability to try out different gear to determine what he prefers.

Every place I've boarded has had different types of equipment. Either at the location's rental shop or he could go to one of the local shops located near the mountain that rent equipment.

Both are good advice...and both have pros and cons. The only downside to having your own board when you travel is that you have to keep up with it in the airport and in the hotel or condo. My gear is pretty heavy cause I usually have both of my boards in one bag (baggage handlers hate me).

I'd look at the financial side of it as much as anything. If you end up spending $20-25 per day to rent, you can easily pay for some decent gear within a week or two of use. It's just not worth it if you don't expect to board next year. I try to go out at least a week or so per year and I've been using my same equipment since I bought it. I've probably got $400~450 invested and have used it approximately 8 solid, 5 day weeks since I bought it. At $20/day rental that would be $800 and I know my equipment. I just get my main board edged every season and I'm good to go. Best part is that I'll likely sell off my gear in 2-3 years and cash out about $150~200 if I'm lucky.

Renting is a pay as you go approach and lets you use the newest gear when you go out. You don't have to travel with the equipment and you can even pay $30-40 a day in some places and get premium boards/bindings and not worry about damage as much. It just depends on what makes sense to you.

As far as being appropriate for your skill level, just remember longer boards tend to be faster but more stable. (ie. more friction when not moving) They'll also accomodate larger feet if they're wider. Aside from that just make sure you research the brands you get for longevity and resale value if you end up wanting a different board.

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: NaOH

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Personally, I would continue to rent and try different equipment before making the purchase. What other's say/think may not be appropriate for you.

What does continuing to rent accomplish? Here where I snowboard, the rentals you get are all the same. Also, they usually keep varying slightly because you never ride the same board/ config. He's better off buying intermediate gear and learning on that properly. From there, he will save money on rentals and build a foundation to upgrade from. You can't do that with rentals.

What does renting accomplish? Did you not read my post? The ability to try out different gear to determine what he prefers.

Every place I've boarded has had different types of equipment. Either at the location's rental shop or he could go to one of the local shops located near the mountain that rent equipment.

Yeah I did read your post and like I said, most places I've seen you don't get to rent the same things that are out on the market.

My opinion is, trying out all that gear is useless unless he gets the skills of snowboarding down first. He'll know his riding style, and then he may replace parts of his setup (maybe try it out by renting and sell the old if he likes it) to suit his needs.

It's like telling a beginner tennis player to go to a store and try out all the rackets. He's not going to know what to look for. Snowboarding is even harder because you don't have a lot of time with the rented equipment.

 

[roguerower]

According to my tape measure, I would be best suited to a 152 cm board but I managed to find a Palmer P-line 154 cm for $149. Is that 2 cm gonna make a large difference?

 

[cheezy321]

Originally posted by: roguerower
According to my tape measure, I would be best suited to a 152 cm board but I managed to find a Palmer P-line 154 cm for $149. Is that 2 cm gonna make a large difference?

Not really. I started out on a 158 Wide Board. Now i am on a 155 board thats a little skinnier. There is a difference, but its mostly a preference at that point

 

[NaOH]

How tall are you? It shouldn't be that much of a difference, if any at all. You should use some of the boards you rode before as a reference.

 

[NaOH]

Originally posted by: cheezy321

Originally posted by: roguerower
According to my tape measure, I would be best suited to a 152 cm board but I managed to find a Palmer P-line 154 cm for $149. Is that 2 cm gonna make a large difference?

Not really. I started out on a 158 Wide Board. Now i am on a 155 board thats a little skinnier. There is a difference, but its mostly a preference at that point

Same, I started out on a 155cm board and shrank it down to a 152.5cm board. My board isn't the most flexible board so it's nice for the mountain and agile (short) enough to venture into the park every now and then.

 

[Cdubneeddeal]

Originally posted by: roguerower
According to my tape measure, I would be best suited to a 152 cm board but I managed to find a Palmer P-line 154 cm for $149. Is that 2 cm gonna make a large difference?

Depends. What type of riding you're going to be doing and what kind of conditions are the usual at your local mountain. Here at Baker it's better to have a longer board due to all the powder so you have more flotation. Just be advised that longer boards don't turn on a dime as well as a shorter board would.

 

[Dirigible]

Just throwing more weight behind the "buy boots that fit" posts. Salomon boots don't fit me at all.

 

[roguerower]

I went to sierrasnowboard.com and picked up a board + binding combo for $200.

Board - Palmer P-Line

Bindings - Ride LX

Should pick up the boots today...those will be a pair of 32's. Thanks for your help

 

[sdifox]

Don't forget to get the helmet.