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Heritage or SL - This is a Tough Decision?

5K views 39 replies 15 participants last post by  Smitty 
#1 · (Edited)
So here's the basics:
160lbs / 5'11" / Size 10 Boot /
Beginner -> Intermediate
All Mountain (Freestyle 75% / Freeride & Park 25%)

I finally had the opportunity to buy my own board after a couple of years of renting & demoing. I knew I wanted a Never Summer board but I was struggling with choosing the SL or the Heritage. I read a bunch of reviews online as here but unfortunately, they both sound like great boards so it's hard to rule one or the other out.

I ended up buying a Heritage from a local shop earlier this week but accidentally grabbed the Heritage X... Grrr! When I went back they were out of the regular Heritage in the 155. Locally I could only find an SL in 155 so I started doing some more thinking & of course I'm back to square one without a board & not sure which board to get again haha!

I have since located a Heritage in the 155 directly through NS since they're local & was just needing some further recommendations before I pull the trigger on either board in the next few days.

I love just taking playful line down the mountain and catching air of of natural features. I just recently got more interested in doing some tricks & hitting the terrain park (but I'm a total newb in this area). I also usually go up with a bunch of skiers so I make the occasional black diamond runs etc. Thanks in advance!

**EDIT: See Page 4 for tons of sweet pics & the answer to what I choose**
 
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#3 ·
Get the Heritage. It's the most well balanced board I've ever ridden, by far. The SL may prove slightly to soft and damp on bigger lines, and the Heritage will play in the park.

I've got about 20 days on my Heritage and it's been the funnest board I've ever ridden.... I sold my Capita Horrorscope, kept my Capita Black Death and picked up the Heritage. The Black Death is severely neglected now..

Trust me when I say the Heritage can do anything, and do it better then a lot of boards specialized for whatever style of riding it is.
 
#6 ·
I don't see how you guys can be recommending the SL over the Heritage when he hardly rides any park...

Makes no sense to me to recommend the more park oriented board when he rarely does it.
 
#10 ·
I'm at this crossroads too.

I was dead set on a Heritage until last night I came across a thread saying that the Heritage has some quirks that take some getting used to. I'm not a beginner by any means, but it made me a little cautious to drop 540 bucks on it. Any chance someone from Denver/Front Range area would let me take theirs for a spin if we could be on the same mountain at the same time? Would be willing to leave some cash in your hand if you're worried about a theft or you could just ride my Revolver if I still have it at that point.
 
#11 ·
FYI- You can rent various NS boards from this year & last year thru Colorado Sports Rent but it's hit & miss as to what they have in stock. I tried twice to get on either of these boards over the past 3 weeks but with the holiday crowd, kids back from collage, & family in from out of town... seems like they were always rented out.

Yup, we sound to be in a very similar boat. I wanted to hit the NS demo days earlier this year but missed them & got a late start to my season due to some unplanned surgery. That's why I'm shopping so late in the season.

So as much as I wanted to try these two boards out this year & choose based upon real world experience (would've been ideal) I'm running out of time on this year & my season pass. I'd love to just wait till the new stuff comes out but I'm tired of renting boards & would love to just have my own again soon.
 
#12 ·
See, the problem is people who havn't actually ridden the boards are giving advice.

I've ridden the boards and own the Heritage.

I don't mean to sound like a dick, but someone who's got time on the sticks should be the more qualified one to give advice.

And the Heritage is an incredibly playful board for what it's designed to do. It's mind boggling to me how soft it is when I want to play around, and how stiff it also is when I'm in the back seat about to go over and the tail pulls me out of it.

So I stand by my opinion of the Heritage being able to do literally anything.

Either way he's getting a NS which is a great choice, but I really don't see the SL being the choice. Also take into consideration the topsheet tech. I don't know yet, but I'm guessing more of the line will be rocking the new topsheet in 2011. I've taken some douche bag hits on the back of my board in the lift line and it has 0 scuffs.
 
#31 ·
This is good advice.

I have the Heritage 160 and for resort riding, this is the one board to have. I've owned mainly Burton and Lib Tech boards in the past, and this year I went in a different direction (in large part based on reviews from forums such as this) and got the Heritage.

I'm 6', 175lbs, and similar to you I like to do a bit of everything and for that, the Heritage is a perfect fit. As far as it being a stiff board, I really don't know where that came from because the board has an excellent flex pattern. A lot of the 'all mountain' boards I've ridden tend to spring like a diving board if you land on the tail or nose too much, whereas the Heritage just lets you ride it out.

I actually want a stiffer board and will be going to the Premier next year! Not that the Heritage is a noodle, it's just that for the speed and conditions I typically ride I need just a tad more stability and edge hold. While I haven't ridden the SL, based on reviews and NS's board information, I'd have to think the SL will be too soft for the type of all terrain riding you want to do.
 
#24 ·
Never once did I say the SL wasn't playful... It's softer and in fact more playful, for smaller features. The Heritage and SL are pretty similar except you're going to feel better on the Heritage when going bigger.
 
#14 ·
I have a Heritage and LOVE it. It is a beast with enough flex to have fun with. Having said that I am buying an evo and an F1 Premier so I have both ends of the spectrum rather than the midle covered. So, I am willing to sell mine if you are interested. It is a 2011 Heritage 155. I have had it on the mountain four days. It has a scuff or two on the base and a light scratch on one edge where the board does not make contact. IF you are interested I could send you pics.
 
#15 ·
I have ridden both and still think the SL is softer. I definitely noticed that the Heritage was stiffer than the SL, albeit slightly.

Not to mention NS markets the Heritage as stiffer and as more big mountain freestyle where the SL is more all-mountain freestyle.

Personally I would go with the Heritage but based on what he is saying I say save the $40 and go for the SL
 
#17 · (Edited)
Guess I will go with the Heritage after all!


Now I only have to decide on bindings....want to get something available in black or white. Leave the obnoxious stuff to the kids :p Any suggestions?

Part of me wants to get the Force MCs just to try them, especially since I've been working a lot of hours lately. Then the other part reminds me that I'll be broke again in a few months and pissed at myself for dropping 400 on bindings.
 
#19 ·
So besides the carbonium layers, looks like the other main difference between these two is taht the SL has slightly more flex but less dampening. This makes sense why the Heritage is listed as more of a Freestyle/Freeride board & The SL is listed as a somewhat Park/Freestyle board.

All the feedback about both is that they each do well anywhere you want to take them & with whatever you want to do. I guess it's really up to personal preference since it looks like both are up to the task.

I've read that the SL is more forgiving which plays well for the beginner/intermediate rider while the Heritage is more rewarding for the intermediate/advanced rider. Thoughts on this? Experience with this?
 
#21 ·
threadjack!

I have a 163 Premier F1. Do you guys think a 160 Heritage would be too similar? Should I drop to a 158 or just go with the SL?

6'2" ~185lbs
experienced rider, using it for all mountain, occasional park laps mostly jump oriented, rare jib feature, ridden the SL and Heritage and loved them both. Favor toward Heritage but don't know if it overlaps with my premier to much. I am slotting this in between my Nug and Premier
 
#25 ·
Either way, both boards are probably a little beyond my ability at the moment. I just so happen to be fortunate enough to be getting this as a late christmas gift so I'll certainly take advantage.

Thanks for all the input & suggestions everyone. I really don't think I can go wrong with either board but ultimately I should have a Heritage on my door step early next week!
 
#28 ·
If you are spending any amount of time in the park and also want some mountain lines I would recommend the SL. More mountain, less park = Heritage.

Both boards are solid, and both boards can handle either area, debating is bit of delving into minutiae. I personally would recommend you take the SL for the park riding.
 
#29 ·
I was curious with you folks that have ridden both the 155 and 158, I am 5'9" and 180, run mostly trees, powder, kickers and drops, nothing really over 10-12 feet. I currently run a 157 salomon strobe and am probably a bit over the weight limit, so it is choppy on the groomers at speed. I spend little time on the groomers, but it can get dicey at the end of the day getting back to base with jello legs:) I would prefer a 155, but don't want to run into the choppiness on my next board. Any insight? Touched base with NS, but have not gotten a response in the last week or so. Thanks for the help. BR
 
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