DiamondCarver

At the moment i'm a decent intermediate rider(can hit double blacks, tree runs, and average kickers/rails), but i have beginner/low end gear(snowboard with no brand name and SOBE graphics[got it at a yard sale when i was 10], LAMAR MX15 bindings, SNOWJAM boots). The snowboard is stiff and heavy as !@#$, the bindings are very weak and a strap literally fell off on the mountain on sunday, and the boots are ugly and somewhat uncomfortable.

The issue is that i'm only 15 and can't really buy my own gear yet, so i rely on my dad to get me new stuff every now and then(even though this is the only board i've used since the LAMAR i learned on), but i come from a very money-conscious family. So when i recently told him new gear is essential, he just wants to head over to BIG 5 and pick up another LAMAR/5150/MORROW board, some 30-50 dollar bindings, and find some used boots somewhere! My dad thinks that ALL snowboard gear is the same and names don't matter. He also thinks i just want expensive flashy gear(not the case!)

Basically, my progression/fun factor is being restricted by crap gear, so how do i get my point across to my dad?

BTW, my family's not poor at all, just very price conscious.

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Stormin' Normin

SMDSkata

Get a job? I had the same bindings, and with enough duct tape, they held together.

darkninja

What you need is a good analogy to get him to see that with equipment you usually get what you pay for. Its like a car sure they all get you from point A to B, but some are more comfortable, reliable, better gas mileage, etc. I'm sure that you family does not all drive geo metros now do they .

Right now deals on good gear is dirt cheap. NOW is the time to buy new gear.

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09 Bataleon Evil Twin 155
08 Burton Cartels
08 DC Super Park BOA's

12+ years riding a plank down snow

Bataleon Evil Twin Review:
http://www.snowboardingforum.com/equ...evil-twin.html

SMDSkata

Well too

BigC_ 13

you could always try and get a job to buy your own gear, that's what i did when I was 15.

Either that or somehow convince your pops about the quality difference,
Even if you just take him to a store with that carries a range of bindings from crap to good and just show him the quality difference between the bindings, it is obvious for anyone to see.

And try to explain to him like its a car, you can pay barely any money and get a shitty little beater car to a BMW, a huge difference.

Mrs.Queez

good call darkninja, I would try that approach. Try comparing it to something that he knows* - Is he a golfer? Compare your bindings to a high quality driver, ect. . .

Or offer to get a summer-job and pay for 1/2 the gear.

I remember back when my parents got me the cheapo stuff and there motto was basically, "You get-what you get" I didn't realize how great I had it back then.

BurtonAvenger

Here's what you need to do. Got a local sports authority near you that still has its winter stock in? If the answer is yes go down there and see if they still have the first year Omatic boards they're solid and fun to ride. I think my friend picked up a Super for like 139 bucks a couple weeks ago. If they've shipped out the winter stock as them how hard it would be to transfer in either an Awesome, of a Wiig for you. That right there keeps your dad happy as the price isn't high and the board is quality. Then find a k2 dealer that has the formulas for sale, most places are selling those for around 119 bucks right now. Solid binding that can do it all. As far as boots try on a bunch and don't skimp there.

Or metal up and get a job. I got my first job when I was 12, I paid cash for my first snowboard set up and every one since.

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Angry Snowboarder Because someone has to call it how they see it!

danmyersmn

Better yet, I bet you can get a discount off purchases as an employee of sports authority.

Birk

Say it like it is; to buy cheap gear is effectivly more expencive. You'll have to change the bindings and boots often, cause they fall apart, as for the board itself try comparing a slingshot to a m249. Sure theyre both weapons, but one is for kids, the other actually works.
Besides, he prob told you at one point something like "If you're gonna do something, do it properly, not half-assed!" BOOM - throw that shit back at him

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zeBirk.
ASL?

Enigmatic

hey I used to be in your exact same situation, my fam had money but my dad didn't want to blow it on brand new gear, just because he was 'teaching' me something.

So, after alot of patience and searching I learned to look for good deals.

my latest setup is a '07 Burton Custom with 08 Rome 390 bindings and it cost just under $200

Ebay is key.