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Buying first snowboard, advice/opinions appreciated

3K views 32 replies 10 participants last post by  DavidPham 
#1 · (Edited)
Hey guys, looking to buy my first snowboard/bindings/boots after years of renting, trying to catch end-of-season deals.

I grew up on the US East Coast, first skiing and then snowboarding in the Poconos and sometimes Killington. Recently spent some time in Asia and went boarding in Niseko several times—couldn't believe what I'd been missing out on. I'm back on the East Coast but will probably have to venture out west to find good snow again.

I'd say I've progressed to an intermediate level, still trying to perfect my turns while going on increasingly difficult slopes/trails (intermediate to advanced), and interested in learning tricks and venturing into the park. Loved going through the powder in Japan.

Originally I intended to get entry-level gear, but then I thought if I'll probably want to upgrade soon, might as well buy something that will last and I can grow into.

Haha and here's the thing, I've already bought the board/bindings/boots after doing some research, but wanted to get some validation from you guys here. I've included prices as well so you guys can tell me if I paid too much. (Board and bindings can still be returned if completely shot down, but boots can't.)

FYI I'm 5'7", 150-155 lbs, shoe size 9.5.

  • BOARD: Yes Typo (2016) in 152, $270
  • BINDINGS: Rome Katana (2016) in M/L, $163
  • BOOTS: ThirtyTwo Exit (2014) in 9.5, $100

Advice? Opinions? Thanks everyone!
 
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#2 ·
Hey guys, looking to buy my first snowboard/bindings/boots after years of renting, trying to catch end-of-season deals.

I grew up on the US East Coast, first skiing and then snowboarding in the Poconos and sometimes Killington. Recently spent some time in Asia and went boarding in Niseko several times—couldn't believe what I'd been missing out on. I'm back on the East Coast but will probably have to venture out west to find good snow again.

I'd say I've progressed to an intermediate level, still trying to perfect my turns while going on increasingly difficult slopes/trails, and interested in learning tricks and venturing into the park. Loved going through the powder in Japan.

Originally I intended to get entry-level gear, but then I thought if I'll probably want to upgrade soon, might as well buy something that will last and I can grow into.

Haha and here's the thing, I've already bought the board/bindings/boots after doing some research, but wanted to get some validation from you guys here. I've included prices as well so you guys can tell me if I paid too much. (Board and bindings can still be returned if completely shot down, but boots can't.)

FYI I'm 5'7", 150-155 lbs, shoe size 9.5.

  • BOARD: Yes Typo (2016) in 152, $270
  • BINDINGS: Rome Katana (2016) in M/L, $163
  • BOOTS: ThirtyTwo Exit (2014) in 9.5, $100

Advice? Opinions? Thanks everyone!
Decent prices, board is small but maybe you are small.

A bit pricey on the bindings but whatever, nothing worth freaking out about.

What size street shoe do you wear? (If you way 10-11, ur golden, if 9-9.5, them 9.5 probalby too big)
 
#3 ·
I saw the same thing, shoe size and boot size are the same. Most riders I know size down anywhere from ½ to 1½ sizes when it comes to a snowboard boot. Did you try on the boots before purchasing? Keep in mind they will pack out. Also, the boots are 2014, did you buy these a year or two ago or buy older boots?

That's not a bad price for those bindings, I'm seeing a lot of $179 online. My gripe with Rome bindings is I have had multiple issues with bad ratchets on 390s and Targas.
 
#4 ·
Thanks for the quick reactions guys!

Boots: My street shoe size is 9.5. I've tried the boots on with my boarding socks and it was a pretty snug fit—my toes are just touching the front inside end. Liners haven't been heat molded yet though. Older model was on sale at ThirtyTwo's web site, got them a couple months ago.

Bindings: Got the Katanas after reading a lot of rave reviews in these forums, thinking their adjustability will help me figure out my personal preferences. Lifetime warranty and praise for Rome customer service also were factors. ctoma, where did you see $179? Cheapest I found was $192 at Backcountry, less 15% cashback.
 
#7 ·
Don't expect to be dialed in exactly on your first purchase, there's people here who've been boarding forever yet they're not happy with their gear (especially in this forum :wink:). riding styles change all the time, going from groomers to park to back country. need different boards for different stuff.
 
#11 ·
Board and bindings are good, boots probably too big and too soft. Head over to the boot forum and read WiredSports thread on properly measuring your foot for snowboard boots.

That said, they'll be really comfortable for the first few days. After maybe 10 days or so they'll have packed out and softened up, and you'll realise you want a stiffer boot as well. So could be worth just sticking with them for now, and likely end up in an 8.5-9 in a stiffer boot.
 
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#14 ·
Yep, I started in a pair of size 11 Exits actually hah, served me well enough at the time. Now I'm down a full size to 10s and at least double the stiffness, probably triple actually.

If you can return them it may be worthwhile downsizing to say a size 9 Lashed (touch stiffer) but really this early on with gear don't worry about it too much, you'll soon learn what you'd like to change about it.
 
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#16 ·
Yeah it's definitely worth measuring your feet properly to find out if you're wide or narrow as well as getting the right length, I was just giving an easy option of a boot from the same brand that's slightly smaller and slightly stiffer, so it depends how deep down the rabbit hole you want to go ;) Soon you'll be measuring everything like me haha.
 
#18 ·
If you're getting new boots you may as well go all the way down the rabbit hole (nice analogy). Measure everything and you will end up with some pretty awesome boots.
Ha well based on everything else I probably haven't exactly been timid about venturing some distance into Wonderland.

Measured my feet and they both came out to be 26.6 cm L x 10.7 cm W. Now if there were only a Bat-Signal for @Wiredsport ....
 
#22 ·
Ah crap I was never aware I had wide feet. I'm not too sure how to measure width though, is it a perpendicular measurement at the widest part of the foot? I did it again, and ball of my foot to edge of little toe is 10.3 cm, and it's the same from my arch to the meaty area directly across.
 
#23 ·
Pulled the trigger on a pair of ThirtyTwo Session (2014) in size 9 for $120. Size chart on product page says size 9 corresponds to 27.0 cm (while size 8 is 26.5 cm, and my foot length is 26.6). Boot flex is rated Stiff/Medium, whereas the Exit was rated Soft.

Methinks this is a better choice? Thanks for the input everyone. :notworthy:
 
#24 ·
Setup in the flesh!

Thanks so much for the feedback everyone, especially Phedder on the boots. Wanted to show everybody what I ended up with:



  • BOARD: Yes Typo (2015/16) in 152, $270
  • BINDINGS: Rome Katana (2015/16) in M/L, $163
  • BOOTS: ThirtyTwo Session (2014/15) in 9.0, $120

Can't wait to try these out in a few months. Additional input welcome! Thanks again.
 

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#25 ·
Thanks so much for the feedback everyone, especially Phedder on the boots. Wanted to show everybody what I ended up with:



  • BOARD: Yes Typo (2015/16) in 152, $270
  • BINDINGS: Rome Katana (2015/16) in M/L, $163
  • BOOTS: ThirtyTwo Session (2014/15) in 9.0, $120

Can't wait to try these out in a few months. Additional input welcome! Thanks again.
Perfect.
Your other boots were too soft.
 
#29 ·
Ah they do exist then? Just hadn't come across one myself in all the rentals I tried and the boards I viewed in shops (though they were all wrapped in plastic so probably couldn't tell if some were matte).

Are there pros/cons to matte vs. glossy?
 
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