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Beginner women's board?

17K views 39 replies 18 participants last post by  Wiredsport 
#1 ·
I have been boarding a handful of times but am now thinking of buying my own board. I've tried to do my research and figure out what the heck I am getting but am still a little unsure.

I am 23, female (by the way are there any actual girls on here? all I've read about girls boards are boyfriends/husbands or fathers looking for boards for someone else) 130-ish lbs, 5-3 (and a half:)) I usually switch from goofy to regular depending and we have season passes to a small place here in Ohio. I haven't been there yet but can't imagine it will be very big. I have no interest in riding the park.

budget? 3-400. Boots and bindings included (I'd be willing to do a little more for the right board.)

I originally wanted the 2011 Arbor Push Arbor Push 2011 Snowboard Review but it seems no one is selling it anymore (and I know I'm lame but I don't like the graphics on the new one lol) now I have found another I like but a guy I talked to online says I could find something much better. Camp Seven Featherlite 2012 Snowboard - Camp Seven - Brands

Help me out. Suggestions would be awesome. What else should I be looking at? Whats the best way to find a good board? Since I tend to ride switch should I be looking for a twin? or does it really matter?
 
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#2 ·
I have been boarding a handful of times but am now thinking of buying my own board.

Help me out. Suggestions would be awesome. What else should I be looking at? Whats the best way to find a good board? Since I tend to ride switch should I be looking for a twin? or does it really matter?
One question, when you say you ride switch, do you mean that you are going back and forth from regular t switch (falling leaf)? It would be a little advanced to be riding switch after just a few days.

PS: I am very biased on this. Camp Seven is a Wiredsport brand and I designed that graphic :)
 
#3 ·
Well, I guess I don't fully know what switch means,other than riding with the back of the. Board in front (which is essetial what I do when I switch from right to left first). My problem is, when learning I never knew which I was, goofy or regular, I am right handed in everything but for some reason I felt comfortable riding left foot first. So I'd switch back and forth to see which I liked better and never really decided (I think I'm goofy though I am going to try to stick to that this season and see how it goes. But I'd still like a board I'd have the option for.).
P.s. The graffics of that board are awesome
 
#5 ·
Actually that is exactly what switch is and it is great that you are getting comfortable with both directions right off the bat. It is WAY harder to learn that later. So stoked that you like those graphics!

That deck actually uses a very cool profile which starts with ever so slightly lifted contact points, flows into two big cambers under the bindings and the uses a rockered section between the inserts. It is vertically laminated poplar with center cut tighter grain "stringers on the inserts for durability and pop. Rubber foil at the edges on the deck and base for dampening and edge adhesion. Full wrap edges and an easy to repair extruded base. Biax over Triax glassing. We warranty these for 3 years. The are very light and very tough. This is a directional twin that is designed as an all mountain do everything model. It rides great switch!
 
#6 ·
hey. my gf is 5-5 and about 130ish and i got her a Ride Compact board in 143cm. Its nice and small so she can control it and its very very light, the quality is pretty awesome..i was a bit jealous myself since i ride an old old Santa Cruz board. On her 2nd day ever she was already doing a very controlled leafing down the mountain and i think the board/boots/bindings have a lot to do with that. worth checking it out.
 
#8 ·
Im a chick! :)

Good boots are a must. Make sure you get a board that isnt too much for ya (some are more aggressive, not for beginners) and get the right size. My first board is too short, but easier to learn on. So now I'm looking for a board more fit to my height and weight. However, doesnt leave me alot of room to progress because its a good beginner board but I need more now.

Snowboard Sizing Guide, Size Calculator Theres a size guide

Second, check out shayboarder.com for her reviews. The guys on here try, but thats been my suggestion. She demos and reviews ALOT of stuff and since we dont get any demos in my area, its nice to see the reviews from a chick. Plus she has goody giveaways all the time. I've gotten my next board narrowed down to a few after reading her reviews and doing some more research.

Good luck.
 
#10 ·
I'm an actual girl, and like mastershake's gf, I ride a Ride Compact. It's the first board I've owned and I'm still a bit of a beginner, but my riding has improved greatly over the few times I've been out on it this season. Definitely a huge step up from the rental boards I used to ride. :thumbsup:
 
#12 ·
Btw shayboarder reviews guys and girls stuff, so its nice to see how more guy-specific stuff will ride for a female.

I've been checking out Ride boards. How do you like yours more specifically?

and its always nice to be able to ride your own board every time you go out then having to rent. Thats the reason I just bought one after going a few times when I started.
 
#16 ·
How would you suggest going about getting the right boots? I'll probably have to order online, there arn't any real shops around here (dicks is the only place that I know of that sells boards and such). Should I try on a few at the rental place at the slopes to see.
 
#17 ·
Other than doing your research, the only thing I can suggest is to at least try on every brand of boot even if they don't have the model you want. A lot of shoe and boot companies use the same last/form for every model they produce. If a size X is too narrow in one model, it's probably too narrow in every model that company makes. At least, you'll have an educated guess that a regular size is good in this brand, but on that brand you'll need a wide. Of course, if the liners are different model to model, then that throws a bit of wrench in the works.

Buying boots that you've never tried on is a crap shoot at best.
 
#18 ·
Another actual chick checking in. Hi and welcome!

As for boots, check around your resort areas for shops. I am not familiar with OH but I would think there might be a shop or two near a resort? Even if it's a bit of a drive, it will be worth it to try as many as you can before you purchase. It's also helpful to have a shop bootfitter (or a skilled shop staff member) to help you in the process.

I wouldn't base the decision soley on how rental boots feel, as some are older models and packed out, etc.

Also consider posting in the linked Ohio thread. Perhaps someone knows of a shop in your area and can direct you to one.

Good luck!
 
#21 ·
Another girl here!

Even though I'm going to be about the fourth person to say this, I'm going to say the Ride Compact is a great beginner board. My sister started this year on it and she loves it. It's also made a big impact on her riding compared to a rental board she was stuck on last season.

Again, I'm also going to say boots are important. I started with a pair of boots that never really fit right. Comparing those boots to the ones I have now, you can definately tell the difference. So try lots of them on because they fit different for everyone! Plus, who doesn't want comfortable feet? :)
 
#22 ·
One of my friends I go with every week started out on an Arbor Eden and liked it alot. She's partial to Arbor though through skateboards.

One possibility you might want to try is to rent a setup till April/May from a shop(it's a pretty reasonable price and you get a better board than what you can rent on the mountain.) Prices for snowboard equipment drop drastically in March/April and you can usually get yourself a much nicer setup for the money. Plus you may know more of what you are looking for in a board due to having more experience riding and knowing whether you want to freeride or freestyle in the future.
 
#24 ·
Oh and as for boots, do you have a play it again? You might want new ones, but if they have some you like there, you can then go get them online. I actually got a barely used pair from Play It Again and I really love them. I probably wont need a new pair for at least another season.

Btw ladies -- its nice to see all of us in one place! ya know how we get lost in this mix of boys ;)
 
#25 ·
Actually, now that you say it I am pretty sure I DO have a play it again near me. I didn't even think of them, I will have to check them out when I get a chance. And if they don't work I will probably go to the place in Akron that was posted.

Thanks everyone. This has been very helpful.
 
#27 ·
Another lady here. The Ride Compact is a good choice. Also check out the Roxy Ollie Pop, Gnu B-nice and Never Summer Pandora.

Your budget is really very very small for boots, bindings, and a board. If you can hold out on purchasing equipment until early March, current year gear will go on sale and you should find some screaming deals. I've bought two good pairs of bindings from REI for under $35 each - look around!

Snowboard, Snowboards, Burton Snowboards, Burton Bindings, Burton Boots, and snowboard reviews - Free Shipping - US Orders Over $50 has some great deals.

Try on boots you can buy if you can swing it. Bindings and board can be ordered online.
 
#28 ·
About boots, you could try REI, Altrec, and Backcountry.com. I think they have pretty liberal return policies... although I guess you do have to pay return shipping if you return them.

Zappos.com has free return shipping and they have some snowboard boots. You could probably try on as many as you want until you find one you like... even order 3 at a time and return the 2 that aren't good.
 
#30 ·
Zappos.com has free return shipping and they have some snowboard boots. You could probably try on as many as you want until you find one you like... even order 3 at a time and return the 2 that aren't good.
I got my boots through Zappos and it worked out well. For whatever reason they have the Vans Encore BOA (women's) for $129 when everyone else wants $189 for them. They fit great and I've been really happy with them.

I'm also a female! This is my first season with a season pass and regular access to the mountains. I was very much a beginner at the start of the season and have already progressed quite a bit since I got my own gear this year. I got my board (Ride Rapture), bindings (Salomon Grace) and boots for $420 altogether, and right now with the 25% off coupon at evo.com you can buy the same setup for less than $400. Other than that I wish I'd bought the board a size smaller (I'm 115lbs and riding the 151cm) I've been really happy with the setup.
 
#31 ·
Play it agin has a Lamar Fascination in really good condition for 250 with bindings. I like it but don't know a whole lot about it. Its also a little long for me, the guy in the store said it would be fine becauses was wasn't past my nose (barely) but I think he was just trying to sell it. Were I to roder one I'd get a 147 (that was on the longer side of what one of those size calculators told me) this was a 155. At least one person online said it wasn't for beginners. Should I pass on it?
 
#32 ·
Hi Tromboli. It bums me out to here that shops are still (20 years later) telling people to size to their noses :). The only factors in board sizing are weight and foot size in relation to an individual board design. Board calculators are possibly even worse. We put this up as a good natured warning never to rely on them:

 
#37 ·
and EatRideSleep

They were lamar strap ons. I'm sure it was used but it was in great condition, it looked new.



But I have a new question! I went riding today, first time this season, and I rented a 146 which seemed fine but I did notice my legs seemed really wide set. Is that something that just has to do with how you set it up or is that the board?
 
#38 ·
Great that you got out there today and tried out a 146! Stance width options can vary by board, but it could have been the way the rental person set them up for you (or left as-was without changing them for your stance). So, it's sort of difficult to answer that question without having seen it.

It will be important, however, for you to find the most comfortable stance for you. That's personal preference and not something that has precise guidelines.
 
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