Board Size Question - Snowboarding Forum

03-08-2010, 03:42 PM

Hi everyone,

I've been lurking for a few days - there are some really helpful posts in here!

Basically, I've decided that I'm tired of renting boards and I want to get my own. I've done my research, and I'd like to get the Gnu B-Nice (with Union Cadet Lady bindings I believe, and shoes TBA - I need to go try a bunch on). The B-Nice is starting to go out of stock everywhere, though, so I'm getting nervous about snagging one in time.

My question is this:

What size board should I be getting? I think I need a 148 but it could be that I've been misunderstanding all the sizing talk. I'm 5'7" and 135 lbs. I'm not sure if this is size applicable, but I've been snowboarding multiple times now and have been progressing pretty quickly. I'll be using this board in resorts, but if I can take it elsewhere (when I'm ready) I'm up for that too. (I'm sure by that time I'll be in the market for a new board, though).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance

arsenic0 · 03-08-2010, 03:54 PM

148 is on the shorter side but you could do it, especially if you are a park rat. Otherwise if your looking for a groomer cruiser maybe look at a 151ish..

gjsnowboarder · 03-08-2010, 04:35 PM

My wife rides a 147 and she is 5'6" and 125 lbs. I believe that you will be just right in the 148 size.

lilfoot1598 · 03-08-2010, 05:52 PM

I would also say that 148 sounds about right. Nice choice on the Gnu B-Nice - it'll serve you well for a few seasons. I have the B-Street and I love it!

03-08-2010, 09:01 PM

Thanks for the responses guys

If it makes any difference, my goal is to eventually do freeride, not freestyle. So while I plan to do jumps and what not, I don't plan to focus on tricks. Arsenic mentioned 151 might be better for this I think? Plus, gj, I'm a little bit bigger than your wife (although I don't know if I'm big enough for a 3cm difference).

With that said, this will be my first board/my learning board so I guess the most versatile length would be ideal.

How much difference would 3cm make anyway?
And what's better: being a little bit longer or a little bit shorter? (Not easier, just better).

lilfoot1598 · 03-08-2010, 09:12 PM

Long is better for freeride because it offers more stability. Short is better for freestyle and for beginners.

If you can link turns, feel like you are progressing quickly, and are a fairly aggressive rider, then go with the longer board.

If you are somewhat timid or are learning slowly, get the shorter board.

bryantp · 03-08-2010, 09:18 PM

Here's a link that should help. Use all the links...the second one explains width and size in terms of why better than anything I've ever seen.

03-09-2010, 02:14 AM

Thanks bryantp for the links! They were really really helpful. From this thread/those links, I think the 148 might be better for me now.

But the cheapest 148 I've found is $350 from zumiez (I haven't heard much about this site?) and the cheapest 151 I've found is $280 from rememberdelaware... so I'm thinking I'll go with the 151? I'm having a lot of trouble believing 3 centimeters is going to make that big of a difference.

arsenic0 · 03-09-2010, 02:22 AM

Its not

If you can find a 151 that much cheaper i'd go for it..both will work fine..

Both Zumiez and RememberDelaware are legit sites/actual retail shops.

The only difference other than the length may be the 151 has a wider waist, but you will do great on either one I was just nitpicking

03-09-2010, 02:47 AM

I just checked the specs:

The 148 has a 23.8 waist w/ a flex rating of 4 and the 151 has a 24 waist w/ a flex rating of 5.

I'm starting to think I'm over thinking this way too much... but if I'm going to shell out $300 I'd like to be confident in my choice, haha.

03-08-2010, 03:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
loveskippy Guest Posts: n/a	Board Size Question Hi everyone, I've been lurking for a few days - there are some really helpful posts in here! Basically, I've decided that I'm tired of renting boards and I want to get my own. I've done my research, and I'd like to get the Gnu B-Nice (with Union Cadet Lady bindings I believe, and shoes TBA - I need to go try a bunch on). The B-Nice is starting to go out of stock everywhere, though, so I'm getting nervous about snagging one in time. My question is this: What size board should I be getting? I think I need a 148 but it could be that I've been misunderstanding all the sizing talk. I'm 5'7" and 135 lbs. I'm not sure if this is size applicable, but I've been snowboarding multiple times now and have been progressing pretty quickly. I'll be using this board in resorts, but if I can take it elsewhere (when I'm ready) I'm up for that too. (I'm sure by that time I'll be in the market for a new board, though). Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance

03-08-2010, 03:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
arsenic0 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Posts: 2,106	148 is on the shorter side but you could do it, especially if you are a park rat. Otherwise if your looking for a groomer cruiser maybe look at a 151ish.. __________________ '09 151 Never Summer SL-R '10 K2 T1 DB Bots '09 Burton Cartel Bindings

03-08-2010, 09:18 PM	#7 (permalink)
bryantp Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tokyo, Japan Posts: 381 Blog Entries: 2	Board size Here's a link that should help. Use all the links...the second one explains width and size in terms of why better than anything I've ever seen. __________________ http://snowboardingjapan.blogspot.com/

03-09-2010, 02:22 AM	#9 (permalink)
arsenic0 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hillsboro, Oregon Posts: 2,106	Its not If you can find a 151 that much cheaper i'd go for it..both will work fine.. Both Zumiez and RememberDelaware are legit sites/actual retail shops. The only difference other than the length may be the 151 has a wider waist, but you will do great on either one I was just nitpicking __________________ '09 151 Never Summer SL-R '10 K2 T1 DB Bots '09 Burton Cartel Bindings Last edited by arsenic0; 03-09-2010 at 02:24 AM.

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03-08-2010, 04:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
gjsnowboarder Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Grand Junction, CO Posts: 539	My wife rides a 147 and she is 5'6" and 125 lbs. I believe that you will be just right in the 148 size.

03-08-2010, 05:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
lilfoot1598 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 799	I would also say that 148 sounds about right. Nice choice on the Gnu B-Nice - it'll serve you well for a few seasons. I have the B-Street and I love it!

03-08-2010, 09:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
loveskippy Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks for the responses guys If it makes any difference, my goal is to eventually do freeride, not freestyle. So while I plan to do jumps and what not, I don't plan to focus on tricks. Arsenic mentioned 151 might be better for this I think? Plus, gj, I'm a little bit bigger than your wife (although I don't know if I'm big enough for a 3cm difference). With that said, this will be my first board/my learning board so I guess the most versatile length would be ideal. How much difference would 3cm make anyway? And what's better: being a little bit longer or a little bit shorter? (Not easier, just better).

03-08-2010, 09:12 PM	#6 (permalink)
lilfoot1598 Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 799	Long is better for freeride because it offers more stability. Short is better for freestyle and for beginners. If you can link turns, feel like you are progressing quickly, and are a fairly aggressive rider, then go with the longer board. If you are somewhat timid or are learning slowly, get the shorter board.

03-09-2010, 02:14 AM	#8 (permalink)
loveskippy Guest Posts: n/a	Thanks bryantp for the links! They were really really helpful. From this thread/those links, I think the 148 might be better for me now. But the cheapest 148 I've found is $350 from zumiez (I haven't heard much about this site?) and the cheapest 151 I've found is $280 from rememberdelaware... so I'm thinking I'll go with the 151? I'm having a lot of trouble believing 3 centimeters is going to make that big of a difference.

03-09-2010, 02:47 AM	#10 (permalink)
loveskippy Guest Posts: n/a	I just checked the specs: The 148 has a 23.8 waist w/ a flex rating of 4 and the 151 has a 24 waist w/ a flex rating of 5. I'm starting to think I'm over thinking this way too much... but if I'm going to shell out $300 I'd like to be confident in my choice, haha.