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Matt from Ontario

4K views 36 replies 8 participants last post by  boardneub 
#1 ·
Hey guys/girls new user here (as the UN suggests) as well as a new snow boarder. Came across this site while looking for some reviews. This is going to be my first season on a board and I'm looking to grab some equipment. I come from quite a few years of wake-boarding experience and now i want something to do in the winter. Ive been doing some looking around and price comparing with trying to understand what differentiates the 99 dollar bindings to the 300+ ones, beside build quality.
So I came here in hope that the forum could help me! From what I've learned so far, there are 3 styles of board types, park, mountain and freestyle im just looking for a mediocre board that can do all three to some degree. Also been looking at bindings and besides the name, i dont have much clue as to the difference of what makes one superior of the other. So this is what I have picked
2012 Burton Freestyle Bindings lower end
TechNine Split T Black 2012 higher end
2012 Nitro Raiden Wizard Bindings and those just match the blue/white/black color scheme I have going on.. as for boots..
32 Summit Black 2012 higher end
2011 Northwave Force Black Boots lower end
Know Im sure most of you will have mixed opinions and experiences about those, but is it really more worth it to buy the "better" more expensive stuff? Im sure as hell not gonna ask the associates that question..

Also looking for a board, but they are suppper pricey know that season opener is around and all the 2012 gear is out.. I heard the golden spot for board length for the avg. rider is from chin to nose, making me 158cm to 162cm..
 
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#2 ·
Hey, Matt. Couple of things. First, the board length rule of thumb assumes you are of average weight for your height. If you're heavier, lengthen the board a bit. Weight is actually far more important than height. Most boards have a size chart. If they specify weight and height on the chart, give priority to weight.

Second, generally speaking higher price gives you things like better quality ratchets on the bindings, better padding underfoot, extras like canting, highback adjustment (sideways), quality in general. Same idea with boards.

Third, if your budget is such that you have to make compromises, then spend the most money on the boots. Bad-fitting boots will ruin the experience faster than anything. And heel-lift will just kill your turns.

Last, ask yourself two questions: 1) How certain are you that you'll stick with snowboarding, and 2) what kind of riding will you do?

If you're just giving it a try and you may or may not stick with it, just buy a used board and bindings, until you're sure you want to stick with it. If you're not sure about #2, same answer. Once you decide what you want, definitely spend the bucks to get good equipment. It does make a difference once you're past noob stage.
 
#3 · (Edited)
Thanks for that. Well im pretty much 6' and 160~ lbs.. Ive always liked 2 sports in life, snowboarding and mountain biking. I cant do the mountain biking so ill do the snowboarding! And Ive done it a few times in the past and its great fun. As for ride type, blue mountain and glen eden are thee closest slopes to me, and I don't see me going to Whistler anytime soon :( If I get good fast, maybe Tramblen out in Montreal.. So for a riding type I would go with freestyle with some park action as a mountain i wont see for a while...

So the boots are the best investment eh..? Guess ill have to do some more thinking on the pair. Any recommendations?

What are things to consider or look at when buying boots? Obviously in person would be the best so i can wear them and feel the support/rigidity/flexibility of them and the comfort level.

http://www.sportchek.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=4291740&cp=3733354.10968095.3767838.3942146
 
#4 ·
Nike Kaiju's. My friend bought a pair yesterday and yes they have a hefty price tag ($350) but I stepped into them and fell in love. But if I were you, and not sure if you are going to stick with snowboarding for sure, or your budget doesn't quite fit that, go for a pair of Burton boots. It's what I ride in, and only around $200 for a pair of good quality boots. It'll also help a ton, if you want new gear, to try to buy 2011 models on everything you can. You can still find great discounts, and for the most part they're the same as 2012 models, you just have to compare the tech specs, then research the differences and base your decision off that.
 
#6 ·
I suppose I didn't take that into consideration. If you're dead set on sticking with snowboarding you might as well, just buy 2012 stuff, if you think you may not want to continue into next season you could be out of a lot of money. This hobby happens to be quite an expensive one to get started.
 
#7 ·
your height/weight, i wouldnt go over a 157/158 and primarily look in the 152-155 range...if you are at all decent at wakeboarding, you will excell fast on the snow...i wakeboarded for 6 years and was hitting kickers, rails, and just slaying the mountain my first trip out, so id say go ahead and get yourself some good gear off the rip...if i were you i would be looking at any rocker/reverse camber board since its shaped the same as a wakeboard
 
#8 · (Edited)
Yea well my b day is next week so between my mom/sister/dad ill get boots and bindings and then ill cough out the 300+ for the board...

another note whats with these credits?
<<

I really think I'm going to get Burton Moto Snowboard Boots 2011/2010, i saw them at sportscheck and they have a decent price 150$.. And burton seems to be a trusted name. Ill try them on in store.
 
#11 ·
Burton makes quality boots and outerware, dont buy shit at sportchek its all overpriced and they only have a couple recent products, everything else is 2010 models or older, not sure where you live, Im going to guess toronto because you listed glen eden and blue as your 2 mountains, check out the local board shops, I don't know any in toronto, but honestly buying online wouldn't be a bad idea, my suggestion would be to look for a 2011 or 2012 flow verve in your size for a board, go with some k2 formula's for bindings or hurrithanes, and whatever boots in store fit you best! there are ALOT of other companies out there that make (in my mind) better bang for your buck gear then burton.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Ahh alright thanks. starting to put together my outfit.. Westbeach jacket, boots some bindings and going to have to look for some gloves and a board. Im pretty stern on getting a good deal on this stuff, so i do check prices and for the above listed they are pretty standard priced across numerous shops.. Ive checked a few board shops from google and only some have online stock. Ill probably go visit a few once i have a good idea of what i want/need..
 
#14 ·
Yea i have huge feet, size 10 shoes at least some need 11/12.. I'm going to have to make sure my boots fit nice and snug but are comfortable. I was really comfortable on a wakeboard, if i wiped it was trying new stuff! What would you recommend with a stiffness/flex rating based on what i said, and around a 153cm board would be ideal..?
 
#15 ·
anything really midrange flex wise would be good

unless your like 8 years old size 10 feet is pretty normal... haha

when I started I was about 165 pounds and started on a 152, Im now 185 on the same board, and yea its a little small.. but im going into my 3rd year and it still does the trick! especially where we ride because your never riding powder or going super fast.
 
#17 ·
I don't knpw a whole lot about that sierra, they are rebranded boards I think, just can't remember which company! haha

and that ride board is a very beginner oriented board. You will grow out of it within the year, I know ride is a solid company but I don't know much about that specific board, just that it is a low end board and you will outgrow it super fast.

Try checking the canadian etailers thread in tthe boards ssection of this forum, the thread is stickied, they list all the online board shops, look for anything from flow, yea you pay for shipping, but you will get a solid deck that will last you atleast a couple years.
 
#20 ·
I would try raiding some of the local snowboarding stores in town for some old models. Some local stores listed below. I would recommend sanction, boardshop and meltdown.

Sanction
Meltdown
Boardshop
Corbetts
So Hip It Hurts
Sign of Skiers
Skis and Bikes
Hogtown

Larger retailer (I would only go in there if you know something specific you want)
Sportinglife
Sportscheck
 
#28 ·
Nice! Since you wakeboard, the way that feels most comfortable doing that will probably feel the most comfortable on a snowboard. Stance width depends on the person, but having a narrower stance gives you more power and a wider more stability. You always want your front binding to have a larger angle or the same as your back binding (true-duck). You can start out with a forward stance, but duck tends to be a little more natural and easy to learn on. I would maybe start out with the back foot @ -9, and the front foot at +12. I personally ride -9/+15
 
#30 ·
good shit bro...yea, i would set up your shit as close to as it is on your wakeboard as possible, that way you should be pretty comfy from the get go, and then do minor adjustments from there once youve ridden if you feel you need to ....im reg on my wakeboard, so obviously same on snow, and my stance is one in from max width, and at +12,-9
 
#32 ·
Only blue brother. I can't be bothered with Horseshoe or Mount st Louis. If im heading north, I go straight to blue. Actually - there is a golf course in my hood - looks fantastic for some middle of the night sneaky runs.... but with this SHITE weather we are having, I wonder if we will get any snow at all....... :(
 
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