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Heavy for my height - Board sizing?

7K views 42 replies 16 participants last post by  WasabiCanuck 
#1 ·
I know that board sizing is done mostly based on weight, but I am short (5') and heavy for my my height (150 lbs), with small feet. I'm working on going to the gym more often but I don't really expect to lose much weight - hopefully just get in better shape.

Anyways most women's boards I have seen put 150lbs in the 150ish cm range. So at that point the board would be pretty much as tall as me just to be towards to the top of the weight range.

Just to be clear, I'm not really looking at any board specifically right now and if I was to buy anything it probably wouldn't be for awhile. I'm still a beginner/intermediate, was starting to get comfortable on blue runs. In the long run I pretty much see myself sticking to groomers, learning some ground tricks and maybe a little park, but not much. I have a 144 cm Arbor Poparazzi (full rocker board) that I just don't like, although I couldn't really tell you why. I'm sure a little part of it is just because it wasn't the board I was originally going to buy but I got talked into it by the REI sales person (it was the only board they sold in that size range, and she insisted any other board would be way too large) so I am just unhappy (stupid, I know).

So I guess my question is what size would be appropriate for me as I progress? Is it really a personal preference/something I will figure out as I try more boards/depend on the board?

(It really, really needs to snow so I stop overthinking things)
 
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#2 ·
I don't think its the length so much as you probably have some pretty small feet and a longer larger board may make it respond like a wide board.

What kind of riding, park, groomers, powder, etc.

If you need a lot of float then you can't avoid a larger board.
 
#3 ·
Groomers mostly right now, and was just starting to play around with learning ground tricks and switch at the end of last season when they stopped grooming and the blue runs were getting nasty. Hopefully some powder at some point.

If it matters I'm in Washington, I ride at Snoqualmie which is lower elevation. I was doing night riding at least once a week as well which ranged from pretty icy to frozen solid slush. I did notice that at the end of the season whenever I would hit an icy patch (in the morning when it was an entire ice crust, in the shade, or when some skiers decided to salt a section of the slope I had to cross to get back to the lift) I felt like I had very little control and slipped out a few times. I kind of just assumed this was more technique than anything.
 
#5 · (Edited)
btw what is your foot size?....cause if its very small you will need to pay attention to width or do some kind of riser plate

being a gnu fanboi...a ladies zoid or choice in a 148-150

edit...from ridinbend...do it right now...might be a bit more board than the level ur at...but you will progress into it....hell of a reasonable deal

Pretty solid deal with bindings. Looks like it's brand new. Still has the sticker discoloration on the base. Hook your chick up.

Gnu B Pro women's snowboard w/ bindings 152 special edition
 
#6 ·
I have seen the Ladies Choice mentioned a few times here. It is a bit on the expensive side for me, but when/if I get a new board I want one that won't set me back now but still be good once I'm more experienced.

When I first went board shopping I was going to get the 148 B-Nice, but the one they had in store was priced lower than it was supposed to be. The sales lady convinced me it was way too big and it was "really only good as a park board" so I second guessed my research... I really should know better.
 
#10 · (Edited)
great...you really need to pay attention to board width...narrowness or think about some riser plates...I'd rec looking in the 22.5cm-23cm range for width or get some riser plates (they work wonders). I'm basically in the similar boat...heavy, short and small feet. 5'6", 180 and size 6.5 mens or 7.5 womens

another option is a lib tech trs (narrow)

as a cheap sob...save your pennies...vibe it to the universe...watch for it...and when it shows up cheap...GRAB IT
 
#11 · (Edited)
Thanks.

I haven't seen any boards with a waist width less than 230ish in the mid 140cm range. Most are closer to 240.
There is a 146 B-Pro on craigslist for what looks like a decent deal, but they don't have any good pictures of it. Also looks like the waist width is 238... Edit: Never mind. Looks like a 2008/9 board.
 
#13 ·
It looks like its in good shape but they want $100, plus it is BTX which is mostly rocker right?

I've been keeping an eye on Seattle, B'ham, and nearby craigslist but so far I haven't seen anything that good. Don't really know what I want either, which makes things more difficult.
 
#19 ·
24.4cm waist for a 24cm foot is too wide. It'll feel like a boat to turn. Try to find something max 24cm wide. Narrower would be better but it'll be hard to find. For whatever reason, most women's boards are still not narrow enough. Good luck.
 
#21 ·
I'm passing on the 152 B-Pro because I don't want to rush into a good deal and end up with something that I'm going to have to fight with.

So as far as sizing goes it looks like most boards where I would fall in the weight range would be upper 140s/150cm+, but usually those have waist widths 240 or larger. So would it be better to go for a smaller board where I am a fair bit outside the weight range (10-20 lbs) but with a smaller waist width? Or try to limit myself to boards with narrower widths in my weight range (which is pretty limited)?

I'm sure I'm overthinking things since I always do when I'm bored.
 
#25 ·
So as far as sizing goes it looks like most boards where I would fall in the weight range would be upper 140s/150cm+, but usually those have waist widths 240 or larger. So would it be better to go for a smaller board where I am a fair bit outside the weight range (10-20 lbs) but with a smaller waist width? Or try to limit myself to boards with narrower widths in my weight range (which is pretty limited)?

I'm sure I'm overthinking things since I always do when I'm bored.
It's give and take... At your stage, I'd optimize on the width i.e. leverage. It will make your learning curve steeper when you can turn the board w/o huge effort.
Shorter means that you've less edge to work with, i.e. the board won't hold an edge as well as a properly sized board when you're carving aggressively, and it'll be less stable at high speed, but you probably don't do that yet anyway, so no worries there. Maybe compensate for the shorter edge by getting a camber pronounced model or something with magnetraction.
It also means the shorter board (of same model) will be bit softer, which you can compensate by getting a stiffer model, i.e. don't choose a noodle girl's board AND size down.

Progress with that board and for the next one, your give n take levels may shift and you will choose a longer one. I've tried plenty of sizes and found no perfectly optimal board, but rather go shorter than I'd like to get a decent width. Too wide simply is a lot of work. (24.5cm feet; for me, boards with <24.5 are good, with ~25cm are a workout, >25.5cm are boats)
 
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#22 ·
Never Summer Infinity 147 - 234ww (Or Onyx for a softer board)
Capita Birds of a Feather 146 - 235ww
Bataleon Push up 146 - 237ww
Amplid Lovelife 148 - 236ww

Just a few options from a quick scan.
 
#23 ·
The neversummer infinity and capita birds of a feather were actually 2 I was interested in. But that goes back to my question on sizing. For example, birds of a feather 146 has a suggested weight range of 90-135. Would that cause me issues in the long run to be so much heavier?
 
#26 · (Edited)
↑↑↑ What neni said.



I put a friend with similar stats on a TRS narrow (148N) and it worked... until she lost interest and gave up lol. Might be worth a look.



Also, NS Aura is a ladies deck that is mid-stiff and has narrow (<240) waists for all lengths. Wouldn't recommend for a beginner but I think the deck suits you and you can progress into it.
 
#27 · (Edited)
Another factor to consider when talking about how much work edging a wider than optimal board is,... Is boot stiffness & fit as well.

I had some issues with this when learning to ride because like you,.. an REI salesperson talked me into an unecessary wide ride for my first board also. If you think about what's needed to transfer your actions/motion to lever your board onto its edge,...

You lean forward, press your shins into your boots and the first 1/2 to 3/4 inch of slop or flex is your heel slip! Next,.. Your soft(ish) boots maybe bend/flex another half to 3/4's inch,.... Now, theres a little bit of "give" in those padded ankle straps of your binders to compensate for,....

All of this happens before you even begin to apply any real pressure to your edges. :blink: So,.. When you're motions are finally, actually working to effect the leverage you're applying to your board,.. You're probably up on your tippy, tippy toes and balls of your feet! Straining & exhausting your ankles, calves, etc.

Or,... You've cranked you boots & binders so tight to try & take up the slack that youve cut off all circulation & blood flow to your feet & can't feel your toes anymore!! :blink: :laugh:

And all of the above is magnified if you're on a deck that's too wide for your feet!

My go to ride the last 3-4 seasons has been a 157 Proto CT. According to the specs,.. Im about 40-50 lbs over the upper limit for that board before I even gear up!! (245-250 out of the shower!) :embarrased1: It's a hybrid, CrC board,.. It has a lot of effective edge compared to other boards of similar or even longer length. Middle of the road for stiffness iir,.. And my riding progressed rapidly once I started riding it.

Now,.. My full camber, 163W Arbor Roundhouse feels like sooooo much extra work, I hardly ever ride it anymore. (...only take it out for those chopped up slushy spring days anymore!) :D

I guess what Im trying to say is,.. Contrary to what the ladies have been telling me all my life.... Size/length alone isn't necessarily the whole answer! Width & stiffness counts!! :rofl3: ;)

>:)

Ps:
Purchased a 162 Jones Explorer end of last season. That board is a full 1.1cm narrower that my Arbor. It's a helluva lot stiffer as well. My initial impression the couple speing days I rode it were,... This is an awesome board. (...yet, Im still about 30-35 lbs over the upper weight limit for the board.)

Focus your attention on all the other issues that have been mentioned in this thread and not so much about a few lbs over the boards published specs. I think you'll find it easier to find something you'll like to ride! :grin:
 
#28 ·
So the boards I am looking at now are:

Neversummer infinity 147 or 149 (ww 236 or 238)
Gnu Ladies Choice 142.5 (ww 232, ww jumps up to 240 at 145.5)
Capita Birds of a Feather 146 or 148 (ww 235 or 238)

The Ladies Choice is probably too small right? Would the NS Proto Type 2 be another board to look into?
 
#29 ·
The Ladies Choice is probably too small right? Would the NS Proto Type 2 be another board to look into?
Looks like 152 is the shortest it comes in and that length has a ww of 24.8cm. :sad:
 
#30 ·
Hmmm, I am not a board sizing expert, but I concur with the general thought of not getting super hung-up on the weight limits posted by manufacturers. I am on the opposite side of the spectrum in that one of my boards is 4 CM longer than my body weight (in pounds). It works fine and a lot of it does come down to preference. The style of riding you progress towards will also play a role (freestyle “tricks” may point you shorter, while carving, speed, & stability will point you longer).
 
#36 ·
Oh. Evo has it listed as the Proto Type 2 - women's.

Anyways, I'm still trying to figure out if I can really justify spending more money before the start of the season when I've already bought new pants, jacket (old ones were not very waterproof, although I returned the old jacket cause I barely used it) and boots.
 
#37 ·
People are telling you don't get hung up on weight and super focused on width...good luck with that. I'd say avoid rocker board that will help already. I'm 23.5 and don't tell me to ride short decks to accommodate for that fact (I ride 148-152 with various widths all 24-25. Ladies Choice, Type Two, and Birds of a Feather are all great options. Your feet are not that tiny, but yes smaller than the average width for most women's decks regardless of weight range. Those decks you will grow into and progress, don't be afraid of them, there's a reason why you aren't digging full rocker. Yes you're short, but decent feet and weight. 148-150 you'll be fine.


It's gonna be great a season, looks like it may be starting soon...drop the cash and you'll be happy lol
 
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