Review: 2012 Arbor Westmark 150 - Page 2 - Snowboarding Forum

jdang307 · 11-29-2011, 07:10 PM

So, how are the straps

I don't get the scrub hooks either. On some promotional materials I read about the normal Vita's, they mention the asym highback which allows freedom to the outside for freestyle, while allowing response on the inside when you press. So I don't get why they turn around and put the hooks on the outside.

I would have gotten the normal Vita's just because of the scrubhooks but the coupon worked on them,and that's all they had, so that's what I got. If the regular cartels had the asym strap I'd have gotten the black and green ones. But I like that the Vita's are more park oriented to match up with the sticks I like

Rice · 11-29-2011, 07:26 PM

Nice detailed review!

Taking mind out in 2 weeks. Nothing but green grass on the Eastside right now.

Bayoh · 11-29-2011, 10:53 PM

Thanks for writing this review Cheese.

I'm dying to get my feet on a Westmark, especially as more reviews pop up on this board. I'm hoping there's still some 153's leftover towards the end of the season when I just might be able to afford it again.

Nolefan2011 · 11-30-2011, 02:51 PM

Cheese, need your thoughts. I'm 5'10, 174, size 10 boot.

Currently ride a 157 t rice. Looking to size down for a park oriented board.

1. 153 Westmark, or 154 blacklist? Sizing down, but is 153 getting too small?

2. Is this board easy to press? Park is brand new for me. I liked how easy and playful the Saloman Drift was, but it left something to be desired...after riding the Coda, I thought a soft Coda was what I wanted.

3. Capita Ultra Fear? Better off with Arbor?

CheeseForSteeze · 11-30-2011, 06:06 PM

I would go 153 West or 154 Blacklist at your weight. It's just about right. Between the two, not sure just get whichever one you like more. I know BA will say Blacklist over the Westmark but I never rode the Blacklist so I can't compare plus it wouldn't be apples to apples for me since there isn't a 150/151 Blacklist. I don't think you will be disappointed with either.

Once I found the board's balance points, it pressed easily. The Westmark/Blacklist is right in between the Coda and the Draft so if you want a soft Coda, the Westmark/Blacklist is it.

Actually I was riding with a guy who just got a 2012 Ultrafear 153. It is noticeably less playful but you can press and butter it and he's about your weight. It's just less playful.

Nolefan2011 · 11-30-2011, 10:45 PM

Hey Cheese, thanks for the response. With the Ultrafear, do you mean less playful as in not as poppy? Or do you mean stiffer?

That would be a great comparison for me. I've flexed the Ultrafear in a store, but haven't even found a Westmark in a store to date. Is the Ultrafear a stiffer board? Less responsive edge to edge?

Thanks.

CheeseForSteeze · 11-30-2011, 10:53 PM

Less playful means it just doesn't press as effortlessly. It seemed to snap ok, though I think the Westmark is a tad better. This is probably due to the Power Ply topsheet. It's definitely stiffer longitudinally.

Edge to edge I think they are dead even.

Nolefan2011 · 11-30-2011, 11:50 PM

Cheese, thanks again. This is tough. That's actually suprising about the Capita being a little more longitudinally stiff, because when I flexed it in the store, it was slightly softer than the Drift. I was thinking that the Westmark would be the stiffest of the 3.

My decision is now that much harder. My fear with the Westmark was that it would be the most all mountain out of all the decks, and that the draft was more in line with the Capita and Salomon. But with this bit of news, it sounds like the Westmark is exactly what I need.

Thanks again Cheese. I'll let you know what I decide.

Nolefan2011 · 12-01-2011, 11:00 AM

Cheese, last question. Which board was more surfy, and fun for tree runs, and hitting natural stuff outside the park? The Westmark, or the Capita Ultrafear? Is the Ultrafear even fun outside the park?

kctahoe · 12-01-2011, 11:19 AM

After reading this review and all the others I went with a 156 westmark, I'm 5'8" and between 190-195, I'm hoping it will be plenty playfully at that size, if not I might size down and get the 154 blacklist. It should be here tomorrow then once we get a little more snow Im taking it out!

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11-29-2011, 07:10 PM	#11 (permalink)
jdang307 Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 2,063	So, how are the straps I don't get the scrub hooks either. On some promotional materials I read about the normal Vita's, they mention the asym highback which allows freedom to the outside for freestyle, while allowing response on the inside when you press. So I don't get why they turn around and put the hooks on the outside. I would have gotten the normal Vita's just because of the scrubhooks but the coupon worked on them,and that's all they had, so that's what I got. If the regular cartels had the asym strap I'd have gotten the black and green ones. But I like that the Vita's are more park oriented to match up with the sticks I like

11-29-2011, 07:26 PM	#12 (permalink)
Rice Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: DC Posts: 92	Nice detailed review! Taking mind out in 2 weeks. Nothing but green grass on the Eastside right now.

11-29-2011, 10:53 PM	#13 (permalink)
Bayoh Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Posts: 280	Thanks for writing this review Cheese. I'm dying to get my feet on a Westmark, especially as more reviews pop up on this board. I'm hoping there's still some 153's leftover towards the end of the season when I just might be able to afford it again.

11-30-2011, 02:51 PM	#14 (permalink)
Nolefan2011 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 344	Cheese, need your thoughts. I'm 5'10, 174, size 10 boot. Currently ride a 157 t rice. Looking to size down for a park oriented board. 1. 153 Westmark, or 154 blacklist? Sizing down, but is 153 getting too small? 2. Is this board easy to press? Park is brand new for me. I liked how easy and playful the Saloman Drift was, but it left something to be desired...after riding the Coda, I thought a soft Coda was what I wanted. 3. Capita Ultra Fear? Better off with Arbor?

11-30-2011, 06:06 PM	#15 (permalink)
CheeseForSteeze -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,712	I would go 153 West or 154 Blacklist at your weight. It's just about right. Between the two, not sure just get whichever one you like more. I know BA will say Blacklist over the Westmark but I never rode the Blacklist so I can't compare plus it wouldn't be apples to apples for me since there isn't a 150/151 Blacklist. I don't think you will be disappointed with either. Once I found the board's balance points, it pressed easily. The Westmark/Blacklist is right in between the Coda and the Draft so if you want a soft Coda, the Westmark/Blacklist is it. Actually I was riding with a guy who just got a 2012 Ultrafear 153. It is noticeably less playful but you can press and butter it and he's about your weight. It's just less playful.

11-30-2011, 10:45 PM	#16 (permalink)
Nolefan2011 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 344	Hey Cheese, thanks for the response. With the Ultrafear, do you mean less playful as in not as poppy? Or do you mean stiffer? That would be a great comparison for me. I've flexed the Ultrafear in a store, but haven't even found a Westmark in a store to date. Is the Ultrafear a stiffer board? Less responsive edge to edge? Thanks.

11-30-2011, 10:53 PM	#17 (permalink)
CheeseForSteeze -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 1,712	Less playful means it just doesn't press as effortlessly. It seemed to snap ok, though I think the Westmark is a tad better. This is probably due to the Power Ply topsheet. It's definitely stiffer longitudinally. Edge to edge I think they are dead even.

11-30-2011, 11:50 PM	#18 (permalink)
Nolefan2011 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 344	Cheese, thanks again. This is tough. That's actually suprising about the Capita being a little more longitudinally stiff, because when I flexed it in the store, it was slightly softer than the Drift. I was thinking that the Westmark would be the stiffest of the 3. My decision is now that much harder. My fear with the Westmark was that it would be the most all mountain out of all the decks, and that the draft was more in line with the Capita and Salomon. But with this bit of news, it sounds like the Westmark is exactly what I need. Thanks again Cheese. I'll let you know what I decide.

12-01-2011, 11:00 AM	#19 (permalink)
Nolefan2011 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 344	Cheese, last question. Which board was more surfy, and fun for tree runs, and hitting natural stuff outside the park? The Westmark, or the Capita Ultrafear? Is the Ultrafear even fun outside the park?

12-01-2011, 11:19 AM	#20 (permalink)
kctahoe Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Auburn,CA Posts: 357	After reading this review and all the others I went with a 156 westmark, I'm 5'8" and between 190-195, I'm hoping it will be plenty playfully at that size, if not I might size down and get the 154 blacklist. It should be here tomorrow then once we get a little more snow Im taking it out!