Snowboarding Forum - Snowboard Enthusiast Forums banner

Board decision help please?

6K views 25 replies 10 participants last post by  Leo 
#1 ·
I'm looking at a snowboard to buy and im veering towards Lib Tech, due to reviews and magne traction
but i'm open to most boards. I'm 6 foot 1 165 lbs Goofy footed and i want a good all mountain board for
around 600 or less but I can go a bit over.

I was looking at the Lib Tech Dark Series, Attack banana, gnu riders choice and a couple of others
I don't really know much about other brands and such which is why i'm here!

Any help will be largely appreciated, emailing me on jacksoncollins1994@gmail.com will make it easier for me
to talk but here should be fine as well

Many thanks

-Jackson
 
#3 ·
With a budget of $600 just for your snowboard, your options are WIDE open. Could you be a little more specific with your riding style? Do you ride any park? If so, are you more jumps or more jibs? Do you like to charge hard and tackle difficult terrain or are you into carving up groomers?

"All-mountain" is too vague.
 
#5 ·
Thanks for the help

Uhmm not to sure what style i am with rocker, camber and all of that i've only rented boards before
With my normal shoes (rabens, vans) I'm US MENS 12 so i think i have to get a wide board
I was looking at the gnu billy goat but there are no wide version, so my feet would hang over .8cm (8mm)

Im goofy footed, by all mountain i mean just going down mountain runs (groomers) and just being quick and doing jumps not so much park with pipes and rails, boxes. I just want an agile board that goes down mountain runs and handles well and is good with jumps and control

All the help is much appreciated

PS: I'm intermediate skill level

Thanks!
 
#6 ·
Do you own boots or have you just been hiring them so far?

If you don't have any, I'd really suggest that the first priority with that 600 is to get some decent, comfy boots! Your budget is plenty to get a nice pair, a decent deck, and still have some leftover for refreshments on the slope :)

Being a size 12, you might want to consider getting a boot with a reduced footprint size, such as the Burton Imperial or Salomon F20. I've heard good things about both these boots and it would open up your board choice a bit more as you may get away without having to go for a wide board.

The Capita Totally Fk'n Awesome may be a good option for you - it's what I ride and I'm a 80% mountain, 20% park kind of guy. It's not officially a 'wide' board, however it is made a bit wider than standard - I ride a 159 and the width is 25.9cm i think.
 
#7 ·
Magnetraction is overrated in my opinion. In fact I think it's too much and not the best for someone honing their skills.

Look at the Arbor Coda 157 (griptech makes up for nonwide), Signal Omni 156 Wide, Ride Berzerker 155 but you'll have to check your stance width and angles with your bindings of choice ON the board to see if you clear it, Flow Drifter 156 (do the same thing as with the Berzerker), Salomon Grip 158w (this one will ride a bit shorter with the shape and rocker profile and all), I quite enjoyed this years Forum Destroyer Doubledog for an all mountain twin so if they didn't change it for '13 get a 156w, Nitro Team Gullwing Wide 157, Nitro Pro Series Eero (will fit 12's)...

I can give more details about each one if requested.
 
#9 ·
For the boots, I'm buying a pair along with the board

The budget for the board is 600$ I'm also buying boots and bindings alongside as extra costs

With magnetraction, i've just found all positive reviews which is why i thought it would be a good option

Also, lib tech have really good reviews for boards which is why i was more towards them and haven't really looked
into other board brands. I lack experience with a lot of boards as all i've done in the past is rent I'm just looking for a really good board that is suitable for all mountain riding and just terrain jumps on the run not much park riding

Thanks a lot for all the help
 
#11 ·
Wait until the season is here and demo some boards. Try out some different companies because everyone is trying different stuff with camber profiles, sidecuts, etc. Plenty of great options out there, but ultimately it comes down to what you like and what works best for you. It just doesn't seem to me that you've ridden enough boards to know what you like, so spending big money on one right now just doesn't make much sense.
 
#13 · (Edited)
Magne very much locks you into your turn. It takes over once you put it on edge.

There are a few brands you'll run into that have better marketing than actual product. With few exceptions the whole of Mervin is like that when you factor cost across the rest of the industry. Meaning for every Lib/Gnu out there I can probably name at least 3 boards that probably ride better or similarly for less money. Also they don't full edge wrap their boards and no matter how many times a fanboy or rep will argue with me, it does not improve durability. It promotes delams and those tucked edges get ripped out more than you think. Anyways, this is my opinion (that I back with real experience), and this is pretty much why you see only positive reviews. Also, personal reviews are a bit swayed as no one really wants to admit that they just dropped $600 on something they hate.

As for the Prior, I really can't say whether they are great boards or not as I have no first hand experience and don't really know anyone else that does, but I do know they have relatively thinner bases. Meaning easier to core shot. If you're still getting you all mountain legs under you it's not the best investment.

good reliable reviews here
 
#14 ·
Magne very much locks you into your turn. It takes over once you put it on edge.

There are a few brands you'll run into that have better marketing than actual product. With few exceptions the whole of Mervin is like that when you factor cost across the rest of the industry. Meaning for every Lib/Gnu out there I can probably name at least 3 boards that probably ride better or similarly for less money. Also they don't full edge wrap their boards and no matter how many times a fanboy or rep will argue with me, it does not improve durability. It promotes delams and those tucked edges get ripped out more than you think.

As for the Prior, I really can't say whether or not they are great boards or not, but I do know they have relatively thinner bases. Meaning easier to core shot. If you're still getting you all mountain legs under you it's not the best investment.
What board would you recommend and bindings, i'm considering the burton imperial boots for the reduced foot print. The kind of all mountain I'm going to be doing won't be swerving in and out of trees and hardcore mountain steeps. Just mountain runs at a resort with occasional jumps.

I'm not experienced in testing snowboards as the snowboards i have used, i don't remember although any help would be much appreciated in deciding on what board to get, my recommended width is 258 my recommended height is 160 but I want to make sure it's an agile board with fast curving

Thanks

-Jackson
 
#15 · (Edited)
Seriously dude, go ride some boards. It doesn't matter what others recommend when you can't really even give anyone an idea of what you're even wanting because, quite frankly, you don't even know.

GO DEMO SOME SHIT. If you had at least some idea of what you like in terms of camber, etc. then people could give you some decent recommendations, but given what you've provided, any recommendations are essentially a total shot in the dark.

Right now, it just seems like you're hellbent on buying something and you're soaking up marketing hype. That's a great way to spend a shit ton of money and not end up with what's right for you. Buy some boots that fit and are comfortable. If they're reduced footprint, great. But, understand that most reduced footprint boots aren't going to be particularly warm. When you reduce footprint, you have to remove bulk and bulk = insulation. If you're not at least a size 11, you don't need to even worry about a reduced footprint.
*Just re-read and saw that you're a 12. Reduced footprint would definitely help you. Also look into the Salomon F series. But, don't buy boots simply because they're a reduced footprint. If the boots that fit you best aren't, buy them anyway and get a wide board. Nothing is more important than well fitting boots.
 
#16 ·
there are some places where it's not too easy to demo anything. *cough* edmonton.
Well, you still can, but I think it works like $40/day, which is a pretty big chunk of change.
Also, I'm not sure where the thin bases thing comes from, I'll take a picture tomorrow, but I think it's around the same? Or I'm biased in my own thinking.
 
#17 · (Edited)
Honestly its hearsay as I stated I don't have any first hand experience.

Unless you work in the Prior factory I don't see how you can take a picture to show their bases aren't thinner...

OP: I recommended a bunch already. For boots you should ignore anyone that gives advice over the internet and go to a shop. You won't know if it fits till its on your foot. As far as footprint reduction, there are plenty of boards that will fit your probably size 12's so don't worry about trying to get a "smaller" boot. Just focus on what fits your foot best.

For bindings, I can't say enough good things about Raiden Phantoms, Flow NXT-AT's, or Flux DMCC Lights.
 
#18 ·
Unwrapped edge on inside of swallowtail, a bit over 1mm not including dampening foil. Seems fine to me. The ones I linked have full edge wrap. Think of it this way, they use the same materials and construction as winterstick, and that's good enough for me. Still no pic, tomorrow if I remember.
Yes they are very good boards, can even get a spearhead for 400 if that's your thing. Also check out nidecker maybe.
Flux bindings are awesome, unless you have narrow feet. Pick to match flex of board
 
#20 ·
I have narrow feet and I still love Flux! I just downsize to mediums.

Nidecker has me a little sketched out right now due to some of the production issues that have been seen in some of the Jones boards - particularly the splits. Hopefully they get it all worked out because some of those Jones boards look siiiiiiick!
 
#21 ·
Testing out boards

Testing out boards is hard and a lot of money, if you go down for a snowtrip and rent that would mean i'd change everyday to test out
different snowboards, thats why im looking at best rated boards, the boards i've done in the past i don't even remember what types they were

-Thanks
 
#22 ·
New Board for 600...

Check out the Never Summer Proto CT for an all mountain board leaning more towards park or the neversummer heritage for a very well balanced all mountain board.. both come in a wide version.. DC also has some pretty sweet boards now.. that new flat rocker flat profile is awesome for jibbing pressing and popping.. really easy to manipulate! Where ever you do decide to order from.. call them and ask to see if they give military discounts.. most stores usually do and all you have to do is tell them that you are in.. I saved about 100 bucks on my 2012 evo on evo.com... although i am in the military.. i dont think of it as lying if you're not in the military... rather i'd call it fellow boarders helping each other out!:rolleyes: when you do buy your board.. also make sure to tell them to send some vinyls/ decals with it.. most stores have a shit ton of them lying around.. you just gotta ask!!!
side note.. just picked up some gnu park bindings.. had union kfc's.. dont think im ever going back!
 
#24 ·
debatable whether EST is worth it. The ease of use is, but the price... not so much. Maybe a normal binding with EST plates? Burton has those and so does flux (no extra cost from them)
skunk ape is good too, you COULD look at gnu, it's mervin too so some of them have the same tech and materials as lib. Billy goat maybe?

Edit: nvm same price LOL
 
#25 ·
Your shop dude is an idiot. EST is not a scam. Do I personally endorse it? No, I like my knees un-blown. One loose screw on EST lets the whole damn binding twist and you die. Even on like Raiden mini discs that only use two screws, if one is loose the binding just jiggles a bit. However is does give a bit better board feel and flex and allows for nearly infinite stance options. It does what they say. I just don't think its really better enough to justify the propriety.

CustomX? Really? Hell no don't buy that. It's a full cambered gnarly carving/freeride board. From Burton look at the Sherlock, but the grip isn't fantastic if your concerned with special edge tech level of ice grip.
 
#26 ·
I agree with Nivek. That shop guy gave you horrid advice. What knowledgeable rider would suggest a Custom X to a rider coming off rentals? Sure, you can ride it, but it will likely ride you first.

I'm 50/50 with EST. I personally wouldn't buy one, but I do love riding them at demos. The board feel and flex is nice and so far, none have failed me. Still, the whole EST system makes me sketch. My sister-in-law rides an EST setup and I check her bindings after every run to make sure it's still tight (it has never loosened, but she isn't an aggressive rider).

Magnetraction is something I am a fan of. The "too grippy" aspect of it can be resolved with a light detune. You can detune magnetraction without losing that great edge hold on the ice. That's the thing though, do you ride a ton of icey conditions? I do... I also hate that Mervin boards don't have full edge wraps.

Look for a mid to mid-stiff flexing snowboard. You'll probably like a directional twin better than a true twin since you don't do park, but twins are just fine.

Burton Joystick Snowboard 2012

K2 Lifelike Snowboard 2012

Never Summer SL or Proto Snowboards | Never Summer Industries - Snowboards, Longboards, Clothing and Accessories - Powered by CLVR TV

I haven't tried Arbor yet, but hear nothing but good things about them so check them out as well.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top