Snowboarding Forum - Snowboard Enthusiast Forums banner

Hi I'm Tiff! :D

4K views 53 replies 18 participants last post by  f00bar 
#1 ·
Greetings from Australia,

I’ve been an on and off snowboarder, averaging weeklong trips every second year or so since ~2010. But I foresee myself visiting the great mountains of Victoria/NSW more frequently starting next season. I mainly ride all-mountain and am comfortable cruising down most black runs at Mt Hotham, which I’ve just returned from after 2 excruciatingly long years. In my most recent trip I’ve started trying to expand my riding skills by doing some freestyling (simple stuff like tail/nose presses, ollies/nollies, drop ins etc), although only on the easy runs. I think I’d like to play in the park one day.

Currently, I’m riding entirely on rental gear but I’m looking to invest in my own stuff as a graduation present to myself. I’ve never owned my own board or boots so I’m quite excited.
 
#4 ·
Alright come on guys don't be scaring her off now, she has come here for the support and knowledge of other boarders.

I do agree with getting your boots first, but if you can get your entire kit set up at once I recommend doing so. Easier to adapt and such.
One thing that you should think about is what kind of board you would want to end up getting, so if you want to get a park board since you
had mentioned that you want to end up in the park some day. Or perhaps just get an all mountain as typically you cant go wrong with that,
and on the days that you really want to try hitting up the park you could either use your board or rent a park board from your local shop.

Anyways, welcome to Snowboarding Forum. Hope you enjoy your stay!
 
#6 ·
First tip.....

Buy some gear girl. Damn rentals usually suck. Your riding will progress way faster with your own stuff. Even low quality gear that you own will be 10 times better than any rentals and last several seasons. You have probably spent several hundred on rentals in the past few years and that would have gotten you a set of half-decent gear.

Second tip...

You probably already know this since you can ride but here it is anyhow. Above-all make sure your boots fit right. Lots of guys on here can help you with fitting advice, hence the joke about feet pictures haha. Wiredsport in particular is religious about boot fitting, has lots of knowledge, and is always willing to help.



On a side note: I have snowboarded in Australia before. I was at Thredbo in 2002 for a few days. Fun little mountain and we had decent snow. Alot of people talk shit about Australian snow but I had a great time when I was there, maybe I just got lucky. Funny seeing Kangroos and Wombats on the way to mountain. Anyhow welcome.
 
#7 ·
Thanks everyone! I'll be visiting a few shops in Melbourne when I get there to try on boots as each of them stock a few different brands. I'm thinking to spend a little more on boots to get a higher end one (more sectioning in the laces, fit etc.) in hopes that I'd appreciate it more and it'll last longer. There wasn't much information on the boot buying guide other than fit, but are there different types of boots for different styles of riding?

As for the board, I'm still at a loss to what sort of camber I'd be after or what 'level' of board to go for. For example, is a NS Infinity too advanced for me?
 
#15 ·
So I've finally made my way into a shop and they have, what I believe, is a great sale on. And I'm currently eyeing the NS photo type 2 and a Capita jess kimura. Any thoughts on these and what other boards I maybe should consider?
 
#11 ·
Naw,..! Dems Hobbitses feets if ever I saw 'em! :grin:

Juss strap those puppies into the binders bareback & Ride!! >:)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Deacon
#14 ·
So as far as the board goes, at this point size is more important than camber profile, tech, etc. etc. etc. Buy something that you're in the centre of the weight range for (i.e. if you're 70 kg, buy a board with a 60-80 kg weight range).

This way you'll have something short enough to really work on turning progression, but not so short that you'll overpower it when you start getting quick.

Above all: have fun
 
#16 ·
The last rental board I used was 140cm but according to all the sizing guides that was too small for me. Currently weighing 57kg, I'm looking at buying a board that is around 142-145cm. However, my weight tends to fluctuate between 52-58kg depending on my training season. It'll be interesting once next winter rolls around to see how much of a difference length to weight ratio will make.

I forgot to add in the last post, picking up the NS proto type two was incredibly light compared to the other boards! And having a feel in person, I like it's mid flex profile. Same with the Capita Jess Kimura. Both not noodles but has nice pop to it (look at me attempting lingo; did I do it right?). I had a look at the Salomon gypsum and Rossi Diva magtek and they both felt too stiff.
 
#22 · (Edited)
Given your feet are only 23cm long, and you're riding in Australia, I'd suggest the 142 Kimura Pro. Just checking their specs, the 142 has a waist width of 22.9cm, and you'd still notice a considerable step up in performance over your 140 rental board.

If you really want the Proto, I'd suggest getting stiff boots and stiff bindings. The 142 has a waist width of 23.4, and the 145 23.6. What that means is at the inserts and with binding angles taken into account, your feet are probably going to be around 1.5cm inside the edges of the board, meaning you'll really struggle to get proper leverage over the boards edges. Even at 22.9 the Kimura is still a tad wide, though I'm sure your rental board has been too wide as well.

This site has you bang in the middle weight range for the 142 Kimura as well, if you get any lighter the 145s would certainly be bigger than you need for the conditions you ride, both length and width. http://www.melbournesnowboard.com.au/products/capita-jess-kimura-2017
 
#24 ·
I was at that store this morning! Unfortunately they're fresh out of 142's and I don't know of any other shops in Melbourne that has it. :( by the way, this is what my feet look like on the 145 proto.

Will keep online shopping in the mean time.
 
#28 ·
This thread has some good insight;

http://www.snowboardingforum.com/boards/144778-small-boot-snowboarders-support-group.html

A lot of talk about how finding more appropriate width boards made a world of difference. Personally I've never ridden a board with a wider waist than my foot is long, though I'd love to give it a try, and I actually want wider boards for aggressive carving. But I sure as hell notice a difference in edge to edge response from 25.2 to 26.0, though sidecut, board profile and stiffness all play a big role there too.
 
#30 ·
@Phedder that's because you're a guy and have more sizing options, i.e. regular, mid wide, wide. I looked at multiple boards and if I went by my foot size alone I'd be bottoming out in almost every snowboard --138, 142, etc.


Maybe this is where asym side cut comes in handy :giggle:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Seppuccu
#31 ·
I've certainly considered waist widths while checking out various boards. I've even started a thread about it under equipment-->boards but that discussion never really took off. Thanks for your link to the other thread, Phedder but there seems to be mixed opinions regarding matching foot length to waist widths, but I can certainly see the advantage in leverage.

Same boat as Rogue, I bottom out in everything. So far, I've found that Capita makes the narrowest boards in relation to length. But that really means that I'm limiting my choices to just that brand.

Shopping update: I've tried out a range of boots from Deeluxe, Salomon and Thirty Two... My favourite fit so far is a Salomon Ivy Boa Str8JCKT (size 23.5, however no size smaller in stock). This is rated as a mid flex boot.
 
#35 ·
Welcome to the forums, and remember to focus on BOOTS NOT BOARDS first! :)

I think neni and Rogue have pretty much nailed it when it comes to waist width. All of you who are religious about waist width ought to compare waist width of female boards to length of female feet. And then bulk some. ;) Or just lose a few, fatso. ;) ;)
 
#36 ·
Oh, and about boots... Reasonably there *should* be some supply of female Burton boots left, so try to try some of their higher end stuff, like Felix or Ritual. They run pretty much true to size, so if you DO have perfect feet ;) a US size 6 *should* fit you. Should.
 
#37 ·
Sorry if this is a dumb question... but why do you need to buy boots before buying a board? There are great sales on boots, boards and bindings at the moment and I'd really like to take advantage of that. However, I'm currently struggling to find boots in my size so I'm willing to forfeit the discounted prices and wait for new stock to come in to get the right fitting boots. Does this mean I shouldn't buy board and bindings now despite knowing what length to go for?

Right now I'm heavily leaning toward getting the NS proto type 2 in 145cm, since the jess kimura is no longer available.
 
#39 ·
What he means is: Don't scrimp on the boots to get a "fancy" board. Good boots and a cheap board are better than a good board and cheap boots any day.

I should say good fitting boots. Ultimately fit is THE most important aspect of boots. Try on as many pairs as you can. They should be very snug, with no sore points, and it's okay for your toes to touch the front when standing straight up, as long as they don't touch when you get into an athletic stance.

Good luck and enjoy
 
#40 ·
So I've decided to go with the NS proto type 2. According to Melbourne snowboards website, I sit smack bang in the middle of 145cm. But compared to all other board brands, this seems pretty long! Most other brands, I'd be on 142. Is it just a never summer thing to run longer?

A couple of reasons for me to size down from the recommended length to 142cm I. The NS... Smaller waist width, Australian snow conditions and teal base (instead of the black in 145).

What do you guys reckon? I've already got the 145 sitting at home. Should I keep it or exchange it?
 
#41 ·
I'm looking at the ns catalog and they don't have a suggested weight on their boards. Get the 142 if you want to do park, 145 if you want to go fast. 142 if you want to focus on butters. If you ever want to go to japan or canada like aussies love doing, go 145.


I like black bases for easy non ugly repairs.
 
#45 · (Edited)
Hi Neni,

I know that you know this but just for clarity, waist width is tricky because nothing happens at the waist. Width at the inserts that you use is the key.

On that snowflake (and not knowing the board) we could surmise from the 24.2 waist that the board would allow barefoot edge overhang at women's size 8.5 to 9 at normal stance angles. Not bad, but still a bit sad for those ladies below size 8.

It is astounding how small a foot size range all women's snowboards are designed for. Have a look at the total width range for women's boards from any of the major brands (including all sizes of all models). It is typically ~ 1 cm (one boot size) from the narrowest board to the widest board that they produce...and that 1 cm is focused largely to allow an ideal fit for foot sizes between sizes 8 and 9.

Even so, I am always very stoked to see smaller companies and custom builders that are making killer gear for women shredders.
 
#46 ·
Women have far less options when it comes to gear and the fact that we are out there killing it on the options we have is a testament to our grit and ability to ride what we have. Be it "toy" sized decks as Neni likes to call 148s or beastly planks, we shred them all.
 
#48 ·
That increases width even more....

Ladies choice ww 151 is 244 men's riders choice is 251 as an example
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top