grafta

Start with boots. If your existing pair don't fit, get some that do.

Then move onto bindings, do they fit your boots ok?

If they do and they're on a board, ride it!

Have a bash at riding your option 160. If that's what you rode as a grom then it'll be fine now.

I'd try not to spend a ton on new gear straight away, as you ride you'll break or wear out your old gear and figure out pretty quick what you'll actually need.

You'll figure out what kind of riding you like best in the process too, this dictate what kind of gear you want... you'd probably be just guessing if you drop bux on everything before the season even starts...

Just my 2cents!

hktrdr

Which is actually the method that Never Summer customer service told me to use to size my next board
Me thinks not...

maverick42

thanks man. sounds like solid advice to me. one thing I am clueless on is pants. what are some good pairs that aren't wicked expensive? I dont wanna be freezing my ass off on the mountain.

snowklinger

Good outerwear IS expensive. If u want cheap you'll have to go used...or just plain cheap (think, wet ass). Beware of used outerwear, as it may look good, but perhaps it is because the idiot washed it 20 times and now its not going to dispel water for shit. Proper care of high end outerwear that both breathes and repels water is critical to its functional longevity.

Anything Goretex is a good choice.

Brand doesn't really matter unless you are going for backcountry survival gear. Arcteryx and Patagonia make fine products, but I don't personally need an $800 shell. However you ARE looking at about $200msrp starting price for a decent pair with acceptable tech. Try to score something off last years models at your local shop labor day sale this weekend, whiskeymilitia, etc...

So get whatever suits your price and function needs, look for goretex and numbers like 10,000/10,000 or higher and you'll be fine.

I personally go with Volcom, lots of cool stash pockets, ventilation, zip-tech pant/jacket integration for powder, goretex.

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is it late october yet?

maverick42

Awesome, Thanks man. I will check out pants and see what I can find.

HoboMaster

Oh, and as far as pants and jackets go, I would suggest getting stuff without insulation. Great part about shells is that you can just throw on more layers if it's cold, and if not you're not baking in a dutch oven. It's just a lot more versatile. Thermal underwear/shirts are your friend.

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PowderHound and TreeNinja

maverick42

I think my jacket fits the bill. my burton has an inner liner that is removable so it has worked well for layering in the past. would the volcom loft 5 pants work well for layering? is it a decent pant?

slyder

Since your in college do you have a buddy that rides or a friends friend.
If you don't want to spend cash you might be able to borrow someones old gear.
Worth asking, this is if your stuff doesn't work out.

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Thanks
-Slyder

maverick42

I have a buddy who used to ride but he is significantly shorter than I am so I am skeptical on if some of his extra stuff would work. asking around is not a bad idea either tho.