[NoReflow]

I've been snowboarding for 15 years, prefer free-riding mostly, trees, hiking for powder if I'm lucky enough to get out of Vermont. Rode a Burton Custom 164 with Burton Freestyle bindings circa 1999 until the board delaminated in '03, then got roped into a Nitro Naturals 165 (kills my out of shape legs by the end of the day) with Burton Mission Doom bindings (Burton Sabbath boots) since then. Consider my overall skill expert on the mountain, less than average in the park - sign of my age I guess. Now my buddy is asking me if I can help him buy his first board/bindings and I just don't know anything about the equipment these days.

So my question for those of you who've kept on top of equipment for the past 8 years or so is...is the equipment now significantly different than it was a few years back? And if so, is it the boots, the bindings, the board, all three? I'm partly wondering if I'm like the skier who's still on 210 straight skis, and missed the parabolic thing. Now that my buddy has been looking into buying new stuff, I'm getting tempted to upgrade my own setup, although my 40 days-on-the-hill are definitely a thing of the past.

BTW, anyone else been on a Nitro Naturals to compare to what you're riding now?

Thx.

Board: Nitro Naturals '03 165
Bindings: Burton Mission Doom L
Boots: Burton Sabbath '01 10.5
Height: 6 ft
Weight: 185
Angles: +15, +3

[sedition]

ok, from what I know (and someone PLEASE correct me if I am wrong) boards have not evolved all that much over the last five years, where bindings have. Prior to 5 years ago, I can't comment, b/c I was on a little riding hiatus for a bit.

[Mr. Right]

Ok, I haven't been snowboarding solidly for that long but my first few times out my equipment was that old, and all my friends have been riding for a long time. I would say bindings and boots have come a LONG way when it comes to durability, responsiveness, and comfort. SOME boards have come a long way (magnetraction, etc.) but most boards you see are just that, snowboards.

[lisevolution]

I agree with the two people above, yes there have been some changes and growth in the boards themselves, mostly lightening and using different types of wood for the cores but in general they are still the same as a few years ago. The binding tech has probably changed the most though with Flow stepping up big time and the introduction of the Cap strap for your toes as well as just overall comfort along with responsiveness. Boots are in the same boat with heat moldable liners now and dual zone lacing systems etc.