Snowboard Help

C

cannaguts666

Member
I need help from one of the snowboarders on here that knows their shit. I have a bunch of questions and I know there's a couple of you knuckledraggers on here.

Boards? Bindings? Boots? I need a full run down. More so on boots than anything. Is it like buying ski boots, different flex? Or is it just whatever company you think makes the cutest ones?

+Karma for the help
 
Snowboards aren't rated with a flex, I'd imagine because they don't really flex when strapped in, let alone on their own. For bindings, just pick one you like but union has my recommendations. For boards, libtech, never summer, etc. I would stay away from Burton, quality isn't on par with the ones I've listed. Good Luck :)
 
They do have flex ratings for boots. Its usually 1-10 with 10 being the stiffest. They are like ski boots have different fits so you still need to go get fitted just like you do a ski boot.
 
^yeah getting the right flex binding is as important as the boot. The high back offers much of the support so there are different stiffness. Softer is usually park and stiffer free ride, but like skiing, there is never a rule that works in every situation.

Try to go to some board shops and chat to the staff.
 
There are a ton of parrallels with skiing equipment when choosing snowboard gear so you should be familiar with most of the concepts like flex, shape and materials.

Regarding boots, each boot (like shoes) are built on a mold called a Last. The Last is each brand's interpretation of average foot dimensions. Some brands have wider toe areas, others wider ankles etc etc. The only way to know if a boot fits you is to try them on. Brands don't change their lasts very often so you can usually rely on the fact that if one model of boot fits you perfectly, the other boots in the line of the same size will do too. When it comes to flex, there is definitely a degree of personal preference, but softer boots tend to be intended for freestyle use and stiffer boots for freeriding and pipe riding, where support and response are favoured over looseness and tweakability. When choosing lacing systems, some of the newer speed lacing systems are really good, but are a pain to replace when they break.

The comment above about Burton not having the product quality that Lib and Never Summer have is complete garbage, they're not the biggest snowboard manufacturer on the planet because they make crap.
 
Like with any equipment its best to visit your local shop and speak to someone who is knowledgable about the gear. You can talk to them about the type of riding you like to do and what works best for you.

Boards:

Like skis they all have different, heights, widths, side cut radius, camber, and flex ratings. If you know a bit about skis vs your skill level you can transition that information to a snowboard. Make sure you pay attention to your boot size when looking at board widths. You want your toes and heels to hang over just a tiny bit. If you have a size 9 boot or smaller you can get a normal width snowboard. 10 or larger you need to look for boards that are labeled as midwide. 12 or larger you need to look for wide boards.

Boots:

Same stuff as ski boots. You want to get a flex that works with your skill level and style of riding. Some snowboard boots will pack out more than others so before you purchase make sure to do your research. I usually buy my snowboard boots a size smaller than my shoe size. It's uncomfortable for the first week but once they pack out its good to go. You don't want a boot that fits perfectly out of the box. After a week or so they will be too big and your feet will slide around.

Bindings:

Similar to boots. get a pair that fits your boots well and is geared towards the type of riding you like to do.

For all your equipment a good rule of thumb is if you like to do a lot more jib/buttery style of riding you will want softer equipment. If you like to go fast and charge then get stiffer stuff. Once you've narrowed down the type of riding you generally do and your skill level you can start to hone in on some more specific gear options.

If you have any more questions feel free to PM me.
 
Is there anything wrong with having a wide board over a mid wide if say you're a size 10 1/2-11?

And do brands of boots work better with same brand bindings? Burton to Burton, etc.
 
You don't want a wide board unless you have bigger feet. If the boar extends beyond your toes and heels you will have trouble getting it on edge. Not really sure how to explain it technically but you need the edge to be under those parts of your feet so you can get the leverage to edge quickly and effectively.

Bindings and boots from the same manufacturer will fit together seamlessly but I have yet to discover any boot binding company that doesn't work together. Most snowboarders, unless they are sponsored, don't usually have the same binding and boot. You should buy the boots before or at the same time as the bindings to make sure they fit. Sizing of the bindings matter. If you have size 10 or smaller boot look to M bindings. There are a lot of adjustments that can be made to bindings to make them fit your boots perfectly. It's usually better to get bindings that at their default setting are a bit too small for your boots. You can then adjust the straps and everything to make them fit. Having bindings too big will make it difficult to get the response you need.

Going to a shop is the easiest way. You can see first hand what I am trying to explain. You want everything to fit together as cleanly as possible. You can look at some beginners/gapers who's gear looks all sized weird. Their boots are too big and hang out all weird from their bindings and off their board. The people who know how to snowboard well will have a set up that looks like it came as one piece.
 
Cool cool, thanks for the advice. I get what you're saying about the board width and bindings as well as the size of the boots. I'll know what to look for now when I go. I always fear that unless I find this information out for myself from people who know what the fuck they're talking about I'm gonna get jewed when I go to buy the stuff.

Just because they work at a ski/snowboard shop doesn't mean they know what the fuck they're talking about.
 
Yeah I'm switching for doing that gay stuff. I'm sick of being a fruit booter. I wanna look cool on the hill, get chicks and make spansoredisd teams yo.
 
If a snowboard boot fits you won't want to take it off. If your foot does not feel like it's in nirvana then it does not fit.

I like burton boots because they are short and wide (like my feet)

If you have skinny feet I would look at Nike

buy a pair of shred soles, they are amazing.

as far as bindings go. STAY AWAY FROM FLOW. The fast entry sounds great but in reality its just akward.
 
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