[Mrmurdoch]

Hey everyone, beginner snowboarder here! I'm really excited to join this community and excel at this sport but I'm having a bit of trouble figuring out what works for my body type regarding gear ect. My body type is very unique as I'm a very short man of 4'10, around 130-135lbs. Low to the ground and strong...I don't want to get gear that is not good enough quality but it seems like the only boards, boots (size 5 kids), bindings I'll ever be able to ride are children, perhaps women? I've heard some people say to stay away from kids and then others to say to go for them.

Does anyone have any advice in any capacity as to any specific boards, shoes, ect to buy for myself? I'm sure someone else has been in this awkward in-between position. I rode a 130cm board the other day and it seemed like something I would outgrow pretty quickly so I bought I 138cm board, it hits the bottom of my nose. Hope I didn't go too big.

Thanks!

 

[Mrmurdoch]

Also look at K2 - they've got some good unisex options like the Passport and Excavator - really depends also what you're looking for in a board. Jones also do some really good womens boards with graphics that are pretty neutral like their Mind Expander, Stratos and Flagship range.

Waist width is something to be mindful of though with a Size 5 kids - did I read that right? Find a good boot/binding match I'd suggest and then look for a suitable board.

Gotcha. That's kinda what I was thinking. Any opinion as to whether I should go for kids bindings or womens

 

[Mrmurdoch]

Also look at K2 - they've got some good unisex options like the Passport and Excavator - really depends also what you're looking for in a board. Jones also do some really good womens boards with graphics that are pretty neutral like their Mind Expander, Stratos and Flagship range.

Waist width is something to be mindful of though with a Size 5 kids - did I read that right? Find a good boot/binding match I'd suggest and then look for a suitable board.

Gotcha. That's kinda what I was thinking. Any opinion as to whether I should go for kids bindings or womens. Yep I'm a kids size 5

 

[Mrmurdoch]

Check out the Ride Bindings… they’re unisex and go down to small and should still be robust. The whole line looks the same:

Unisex Bindings | RIDE Snowboards

Aluminum or composite, RIDE has you covered. The best snowboard bindings on the planet built for durability and performance.undefined

ridesnowboards.com

For boots, measure your bare foot against the wall and determine your Mondo sizing. Ride goes down to size 5 adult… but not sure if that’s what your looking for?

Snowboard Boot Size Web Tool - Mondo, Brannock &amp...

STOKED! Snowboardbootsizer.com We have a new project that we have been working on which we wanted to share with the SBF faithful. When complete it will be a suite of web tools that we hope will be helpful as an informational early step in the gear selection process. As some of you know we...

www.snowboardingforum.com

A 138 sounds small for your weight… not just for float in powder, but possibly a limp noodle.

What's a limp noodle??

 

[Mrmurdoch]

Cooked spaghetti… no resistance to bending, it just flops around.

A softer board may be easier to learn on, but once you get going faster it’s not going to feel stable.

I’m 5’8” with an 8.5 boot... a few years ago I was only 140 lbs and I was still riding really stiff boards (though I’ve had a lot of experience). Back in the 90’s I was only 120lbs and learning on full camber boards… initially a 159 (which was big), but I got a 155 that I rode for years. I’m not saying to go with that big of a board, but definitely look at the weight ranges rather than just the length.

what board did you get?

I got a nitro icon 38. Can't find any info on it so I'm guessing it's an older model. I paid $50 for that and these Burton synchro bindings which I think r gonna be just too big.

I don't have snowboard boots yet and even now I'm concerned that at a size 5 I won't have adequate overhang on the board. I don't see how if I get a bigger board how my feet will remain big enough to turn it ect...

 

[Mrmurdoch]

Surely your feet are 235mm and not 130mm?

You got me. I honestly don't know. But I know I wear a child's size shoe of 5 and I believe the snowboard boots I wore other day were a 5 youth.

 

[Mrmurdoch]

Where r u getting those 2 numbers? I don't understand.

 

[Mrmurdoch]

At 135-140 ish lbs you should probbaly ride a 148-150 mid soft board. 138 does sound a little small for your weight.
As for boot sizing, you can probbaly find some more neutral looking woman's boots and bindings.

Are boards that length usually same width as 138. I can't see my feet having any overhang on something that much wider than a 38

 

[Mrmurdoch]

No they get wider the longer they go but no overhang is a good thing. People with big feet are trying to have no overhang.

From what I've read you need a tiny bit of overhang to control board properly and that underhang can be an issue as well.