Snowboards

[~Backdraft~]

Hey, I want to buy a snowboard, boots, and bindings. For those of you who snowboard, what do you suggest for a beginner to get for gear? Any websites I should check? What should I look for? Also, what (in your opinion) is better, step ins or straps?

Thanks

[Cliffio]

straps will always be better

but step ins are quicker and easier

so its really preference, if you just wanna have fun and do simple riding, i would go with step-ins otherwise go with some nice straps

[~Backdraft~]

Okay thanks, Thats what i was thinking too, I heard that the step ins can be a pain when snow gets inbetween the boots and bindings.

Oh yea, the kind of riding I like to do is freeride, I just go around the whole mountain.

Any suggestions on a board for a beginner?

[Cliffio]

honestly i would go with anything that burton makes, their stuff is soo solid

how much are you looking to spend on a board?

there is always K2 as well but im not a big fan

forum boards are nice

other than that i dunno

its really about the money that you can spend, nice boards are gonna cost you, decent ones, not soo much

just dont buy crappy gear, just like in paintball, your gonna regret it

[~Backdraft~]

Okay, thanks alot cliffio...I'm probably only lookin to under 300...and thats kinda pushing it. But then again, Thats a good point, If its like paintball, dont buy crap first...so maybe i'll save up the extra $$$ and pay for a good board.

[Snooky]

backdraft i went snowboarding for first time this year and i would suggest the step-ins. theya re easy and ull be on ur a$$ so much that straps will be a pain. i rode a burton board and another kind that was called rossenol or sumthing like that. the burton was alot nicer. hope this helps.

[Cliffio]

yes like i said the step ins are nice, but the downside to them are:
the boots are harder and can be painful

the step ins are sometimes not the best and can hurt your feet

performance wise you cant do better than a really nice pair of straps, and are the most comfy

Cliff

[~Backdraft~]

Last time I went snowboarding I used a Rossignol board. I found that it was rather heavy and thick compared to some of the forum and burton boards I saw other people using. I still think I'm going to get a good pair of straps

[manike]

If you are a big guy then get a big enough board. Nothing worse than powder to play in and having your board sinking under you I ride a Burton Canyon

I've got step in's with back/heal supports. They are great but not as comfy as strapped bindings and soft boots. I do like the convenience of them though. Some of my friends ski and step in's mean I can get hooked in while on the ski lift easily or at the bottom of the lift slope quickly so they don't have to keep waiting for me

Next time I buy boots I'll get softs and strap bindings, probably with a quick release system.

manike

[Quiet]

Buddy,
Don't get your boots online, they are the biggest thing that will affect your riding, they have to fit perfectly.
When you try them on for the first time your toes should be just a hair away from the end, if they're a little tight don't worry they'll pack out.

If you get step ins the best are the Burton SIS and the K2 clicker systems, the problem is that these limit the availability for boots, remember what I said earlier.

I have to disagree with Cliffio on manufacturers. Burtons and Forum boards wear out really quickly. They're nice if you don't mind buying your boards frequently. I find after about 3 weeks there is a noticable drop in performance. Mind you I ride more in a week than many people do in a season.

[Quiet]

Another thing,
buy some good after market insoles for your boots, most companies skimp on them to keep costs down.

[manike]

I like my Burton stuff. I have the Burton Step in's also.

Quiet, he said he's a beginner so I wouldn't expect him to put his equipment thought quite as much as yourself

But I agree 100% that you must buy your boots by trying them on and not over the net. It is VERY important to get good comfortable boots. And as pointed out this can change your bindings requirements.

manike

[Quiet]

Custom molded liners are great, but I nver suggest that to start off with. Should we mention that he should buy a directional freeride board, its easier to turn, and suited to his riding if he likes to go all mountain.

[~Backdraft~]

Thanks alot you've been a gig help. I wasn't really planning on buying anything online, There is a store near my town that sells snowboards and things. I'm just looking around online to see whats out there, what are good deals and things like that, So that way I have a good idea on what i want when i go into the store.

Quiet, what do you mean by custom molded liners, are those just inserts for the boots or something?

[Quiet]

No they are complete liners.
Pull out your old ones, put them in, then they get molded.
Two ways, heat molding, foam injection. You have to go through a little bit of pain to get them molded, but you get boots that are a comfy as slippers. Oh ya, they cost a couple hundred bucks for good ones too. Unless you plan on riding a lot I don't really recommend them if you are not stinking rich.