when to go with a wide board?

Hello peoples,

I'm a guy, 6'1", 150lbs, shoe size: 10.5. Looking to get a board for this season. I mostly freeride (live in Chicago), dont plan to do much park, but do want to get into jumps/flips/180s/360s etc, so the lighter the board (maybe even shorter) the better. I like speed, so good stability at high speeds is a must, also must carve well. 80% of riding will be groomed, not powder.

...so looking for some suggestions, i hear good things about Ride, Forum, Stepchild, Never Summer. I also hear Burton is overrated/overpriced for the build quality. Someone recommended a 2009 Custom X 160 ($700 retail), but it's hard to catch a new one on ebay that goes for $465 (i've seen 2 go for that already).

also, i'm not sure how to determine when a wide board is needed. Is there a general rule of thumb for how much overhang your boots can have on each side before u need to go to a wide? The boots that seemed to fit very well for me were Salomon Symbio 28s or 28.5s...if that says anything.

If someone can recommend a good maybe stiffish board for my purposes (perhaps sub-$500), i'd appreciate it.

thanks,
Leon

[legallyillegal]

You don't need a wide board. Mid-wide at most.

Wide boards are generally reserved for size 12 boots and bigger.

[Extremo]

You want to stay as narrow as you can for freeride and 25.5 is more than enough for 10.5 boots, so try and stay under that. I'd go with something between 157 and 159 for length since you wont be doing a lot of jibs. There are really so many boards out there in the range, quality, and price you're looking for. You want a sick stable freestyle oriented all mtn board then go with the Nitro Team.

i got an NS Titan 160 on order, hopefully it fits the bill.