Babs

well, as very often - long time reader but first time poster... I was trying to look for a similar information in the forum, but did not succeed (I am sorry if it still is there somewhere)

So first shortly some data: 75 kg (165 lbs), 184cm (6.03ft), foot size EU44-45, but Salomon Dialogue boots are in size US12. Riding for 2.5 seasons only (perhaps close to 30-35 days in total), I call myself confident beginner - can do European red slopes, just started trying some very light off piste in between of slopes, and just started some small jumps form 1 -2 ft kickers. Not really planning any park riding (as perhaps a bit too old - getting close to 40), primarily will stay on groomers, maybe some time later on (next season) will try some light freeride, but nothing too fancy/advanced.

So my dilemma: last year and this year I was renting Nitro Team Gullwing W162. I did not really have an opportunity to compare to other boards, but the board seem to be very well rated, at least in Europe. However two things seem a bit strange to me: difficult to keep a flat speed and turns maybe not that easy (but that could be also because of my inexperience). And this year I have chance to buy out the same board I am riding for quite good price (together with Burton Missions), but I am not really sure I want it. So was checking around for alternatives and found two potential "candidates": Never Summer Legacy or Heritage X. So here is the question: how those compare to Nitro Team Gullwing? Shall I better keep the board I have (Nitro), which shall be sufficient enough, or look for NS? If NS - which one would be better for my type of riding or planning? And advice would be very much appreciated, as I do not really have a chance to try NS boards - the only closest shop which claim to be NS representative, have nothing in stock. Thank you very much in advance!

PS. In case of NS, I was actually thinking about 158 size. Considering those are wide boards, guess shall be OK. Or...?

jdang307

No idea on the gulling but the Legacy is way more board than you need, for the riding you describe. No need to look at the Heritage IMO

Babs

Thanks a lot for your suggestion! But may I ask you why: is Legacy better because I am novice (but I would like to have something to grow in as I progress)? Or just because the riding I have described? Cause perhaps I misunderstood from previous descriptions/reviews that Heritage is actually more for groomers/freeride (that's basically what I want to do as soon as I grow in), while Legacy is more for more on fun/freestile side of the things. And unless 2014 Legacy version will have it, carbonium laminate of Heritage looks very tempting

jdang307

The legacy is a quiver killer. You can play with it, or ride fairly big with it. And by big I don't mean Art of Flight big. But a properly sized legacy will let you ride almost any mountain within the ski area.

If you want the carbonium look at the proto

The Heritage is a much more advanced board from what I've read. The SL, which I have ridden, is very very beginner friendly, and is more than capable of doing most resort riding.

If you want the Heritage get it. I just think it might be a bit more board then you want unless you are really going to cruise the groomers fast.

Babs

Thanks a ton, jdang307! Perhaps Legacy is the way to go as you say. It's still very tempting to find out how does it compare to Nitro. But perhaps here are not many which tried both...

trapper

From what I understand, the Legacy is going to be more forgiving in terms of catching edges and turning than the Heritage. But I went with a Heritage as a low-mid level intermediate and had absolutely no problems with it catching edges. In fact I'm amazed at how easy that board turns. Granted, I'm much taller and heavier than you, but my Heritage is also a 166w and I can assure I am generally stuck riding pretty shitty snow most of the time.

I love my board and am very glad I chose it over the Legacy, which I was initially considering. But I'm also not into park stuff either so keep that in mind as well.

Babs

Well, trapper, now you confused me

By the way, went to the shop which sells NS today, and salesman tried to convince me that at my weight/height size 161 or even 163 is to go for Legacy... Is it really so? I was pretty sure about 159 for me... I am still a bit skeptical about shop salesman which try to size a board "up to chin"...

Sudden_Death

At 165 lbs the 159 should be more than long enough.

BigmountainVMD

Don't listen to the shop guy, at your weight, anything in the mid to upper 150s would be way better than low 160s. I would personally recommend the 156 Legacy, or the 156 Gullwing, as your size 12s will still fit, and your weight/ability level is not enough to merit a longer board. I'm not sure how stiff the Nitro is, but the Legacy 156 is fine for you.

I'll add in that I am 91 kg and 190 cm and ride a 157 NS Proto CT. So you will be fine on the 156.

Basti

I'd also go with the Legacy. The Team Gullwing is a very good board but it has a crazy amount of rocker between the feet (reminds me a bit of first generation Flying V by Burton) which makes it a bit more squirrely and not as stable as a Legacy. In the end you can't go wrong with either board.