So I went SNOWBOARDING for the first time this weekend (took a beating)

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Posted by Venomized93 (Member # 55) on :

Well this weekend I headed up to S.Lake Tahoe and went to HEAVENLY. Let me tell you. Snowbaording for the first time was a hell of an experience for me. I've never done snowboarding or skiing. I was totally unprepared clothing wise. I had the pants (rented) but no damn waterproof jacket. So I wore my SF GIANTS jacket (LOL). Surprisingly the jacket on the outside was soaked but the inside lining never got through with water. I bought some DRAGON goggles for 35 bucks on sale and some gloves. But the goggles would get foggy and hard to see through them at times. So next time I plan on buying some good gear to have.

As for the snowboarding, HOLY crap I took a beating I must a fell at least 50 times, 4-6 back of the head slams and an elbow to the chest (feels like a broken a rib. LOL) I was trying to break the fall and had my arms close in towards my chest. Well when I landed stomach/chest first to the ground. My elbows drove into my upper chest area. I thought I had broke an upper rib. For a second it took my wind out. That shit hurted. I must of stayed on the ground for 5 minutes. That happened on SATURDAY, so when I went today I was snowboarding in some big pain. Everytime I fell It felt like I was being punched on a FAT ass bruise feeling. Also, I hit my head on some hard ass snow when I fell a couple of times. I'm thinking of getting a helmet. In the end I'm kind of getting the hang of it but have a lot more learning before I can go to the bigger slopes.

Now I want to get some GOOD/QUALITY gear from the boards all the way to the head gear. What brands are good and where should I buy it and what time of the year? Thanks

[ April 25, 2006, 02:44 AM: Message edited by: Venomized93 ]

Posted by whyteLX5.0 (Member # 6023) on :

sounds fun. For brands wise i'd stick with the well known, like forum, lib tech, burton, ride, etc.. They all have really good boards. From all terrain riding to full park riding. The size of the board depends on your height. Bindings you might as well just get the same brand as the board,its just easier. Goggles dont spend too much. Spy,dragon,burton etc. just make sure on they say anti fog on them. As for pants n jacket just make sure they dont make you really stiff. You can sacrafice being semi warm for movement. Also waterproof is a must. Boots IMO 32 boots are the best boots out there. They flex like there almost broken in. Try it at a store, bend a 32 boot then bend a burton and notice the difference. The the helmet you cant do with out. You fell on thawed snow which makes hard ice. If you went earlier in the season there wouldnt be that much ice. Just get a beanie. If you have any more questions just pm me

Posted by tonster (Member # 6093) on :

boards: lib tech, gnu, atomic, ride, nitro (burton=overpriced nowadays, their low end stuff pretty much sucks, but their >$500 boards are still pretty awesome)

boots: 32's all the way. i've had vans, northwaves, and burtons, and they come nowhere close to the quality and feel of 32's

bindings: rides, flows, drakes are all great brands to consider

my suggestion, first pick out your boots before anything else. they are the most important thing in a setup. i'd take 32s with cheap bindings and a shoddy board over shitty boots on a burton custom setup anyday. the better the boots the better the experience. once you picked out your boots, take those boots with you and find out which bindings work well with them just by simply strapping them in. see how it fits, see how it looks, etc. lastly, choose your board. contrary to what many believe, board size should be determined by your weight (not your height) and the type of riding you want to do. tri-city in fremont is gone, but i believe the owner opened up a new store in sac or try wintersport warehouse in santa clara. right now would be the best time to jump on some deals, as the season is pretty much over.

Posted by bottled02GT?? (Member # 1772) on :

quote:
Originally posted by tonster:
boards:(burton=overpriced nowadays, their low end stuff pretty much sucks, but their >$500 boards are still pretty awesome)

boots: 32's all the way. i've had vans, northwaves, and burtons, and they come nowhere close to the quality and feel of 32's

32s all the way had a pair for years, now i got burtons and theyre close. As far as board u hit that perfect, Burtons boards are great but now over priced. Can still get a decent board for 350-500.....go to copelands, lame as it sounds they have some sweet board, boot and binding packages.

Posted by Venomized93 (Member # 55) on :

Thanks for the replies. Right now I'm looking at the boots. Which of these two would you get? Also, are these good boots or would you recommend others, and why?

Here are the two that I like so far:
Vans Fargo

Found: HERE

And these:

ThirtyTwo

Except the ThirtyTwo I haven't found my size online anywere (Sz 13)
Found:
HERE

Thanks

[ April 25, 2006, 12:15 AM: Message edited by: Venomized93 ]

Posted by bottled02GT?? (Member # 1772) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Venomized93:
Thanks for the replies. Right now I'm looking at the boots. Which of these two would you get? Also, are these good boots or would you recommend others, and why?
ThirtyTwo

Except the ThirtyTwo I haven't found my size online anywere (Sz 13)
Thanks

DUDE i know how much a pain in the ass that can be, i wear a 13 as well. Heres my boots. THe Hail from burton, very nice i almost like them better than my old 32s

Link
http://www.burton.com/gear/products.asp?productID=58

Posted by whyteLX5.0 (Member # 6023) on :

32's hands down! 32's are very comfortable the vans are kinda sketchy. its really up to you, just go to the stores and try them on and see what flexes and feels more comfortable. The 32's inner sole may feel tight and stiff at first but there made to be heated up with a hair dryer and then you stuff your foot in there so the inner sole molds to your foot for a perfect fit.

Posted by 166 Merlot (Member # 1549) on :

that shit is fun huh, I rented a board like 5 times this season thinking that I wasn't really gonna go and was pretty much waiting for the end of the season so I could get a deal... oh well

Wait till you start getting air!

What size board does everyone ride? I'm not sure what I should get, everytime I rented one they gave me a 155, im 5'10" and 185lbs

Posted by tonster (Member # 6093) on :

i have that exact pair of 32's lashed, except in my size of course. awesome boots, perfect if you do mostly park riding. i'm 5'5" and 170lbs and i ride a 153 atomic hatchet. so i'm thinking a 155 for you is a good size for park. if you do freeriding you could maybe go a little longer. now although its best to get a board based on your weight, nothing beats getting a board you feel comfortable with. if your weight says you should ride a 155, but you ride better with a 159, go with the 159.

Posted by Venomized93 (Member # 55) on :

I'm 6'2 at 225 lbs. I think if Im reading the board size right I need something in the 167 or higher boards. I might be wrong. So I need to do some more searching. How did those ThirtyTwos feel? Did they break in easy/fast? When you say park riding, what do you mean? I was thinking of the category that I fall in is Mountain riding/freeride. Somewhere in between. I want a board that is somewhat beginners but that also allows me to grow out of and can adapt to my new level of snowboarding when I get better. So that I dont have to go out and pay again for another board.

Posted by spegull03 (Member # 2842) on :

quote:
Originally posted by bottled02GT??:

quote:
Originally posted by Venomized93:
Thanks for the replies. Right now I'm looking at the boots. Which of these two would you get? Also, are these good boots or would you recommend others, and why?
ThirtyTwo

Except the ThirtyTwo I haven't found my size online anywere (Sz 13)
Thanks
DUDE i know how much a pain in the ass that can be, i wear a 13 as well. Heres my boots. THe Hail from burton, very nice i almost like them better than my old 32s

Link
http://www.burton.com/gear/products.asp?productID=58

i have those same hails, they ROCK
[Whoo Whooooo!]

and deals are to be found, if you know where to look [Wink]

Posted by bottled02GT?? (Member # 1772) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Venomized93:
I'm 6'2 at 225 lbs. I think if Im reading the board size right I need something in the 167 or higher boards. I might be wrong. So I need to do some more searching.

For ur size (im 6'2 210, used to be 225) depending on how quick u learn or how it feels to you, you can start as low as a 160 and go up from there. I use a 161 for a lil fun and a 165 jus to cruise around. [patriot]

Posted by TRIXSNK (Member # 2844) on :

FYI

I would be careful going with the VANS and the "BOA" system.

I just shipped back my old VANS Encores due to the BOA system failing while riding [Eek!]

Needless to say i was pissed and thank god i didn't hurt myself [Roll Eyes]

When i called VANS they said they had a massive recall on all their boots with the BOA system and so they sent me a pair of DANNY KASS' III since i didn't want another pair to break on me.

Since they ended up giving me a new pair i'll use them for a bit but the next brand i'll probably try out a pair of 32's and i have a size 11.5 boot [Big Grin]

Good luck and [Whoo Whooooo!]

i'm going to KIRKWOOD tomorrow [dance]

[ April 25, 2006, 05:05 PM: Message edited by: TRIXSNK ]

Posted by shiftylx (Member # 2670) on :

lol, i can just imagine you with a mortorcycle helmet on, falling on your ass all the way down the slopes!

the pics would be priceless!

Posted by BUKSING (Member # 6594) on :

i got those vans fargo with boa...used it all season with no problems..still looks new...got them on clearance when tri city went out of business... i think they're bad ass...never going back to laces...so much faster. plus they give you replacement wires and tool in a tiny baggy so you could even fix it should you have an emergency....

also got a sick ass board...burton viper 163...last one during the clearance... had a price tag of $899... and got 70% off for clearance...suckers! but then again...ive been boarding for 5+ years...

all i know is i heard some resorts would be open on the 4th of july...im there for sure!

[ April 26, 2006, 02:05 AM: Message edited by: BUKSING ]

Posted by Venomized93 (Member # 55) on :

quote:
Originally posted by BUKSING:
i got those vans fargo with boa...used it all season with no problems..still looks new...got them on clearance when tri city went out of business... i think they're bad ass...never going back to laces...so much faster. plus they give you replacement wires and tool in a tiny baggy so you could even fix it should you have an emergency....

also got a sick ass board...burton viper 163...last one during the clearance... had a price tag of $899... and got 70% off for clearance...suckers! but then again...ive been boarding for 5+ years...

all i know is i heard some resorts would be open on the 4th of july...im there for sure!

How much did you pick up your VAN FARGO BOAs for? Just curious.

Posted by BUKSING (Member # 6594) on :

man...everything i got was on clearance...i got everything...board, boots and bindings... i think the boots were probably less than $150.... and i just checked online...seen a few in the $150+ range. but you might want to try them on in person..since boot sizes vary from actual shoe sizes... but i definately like them... no more sore fingers tightening the hell out of the old school laces...

Posted by Venomized93 (Member # 55) on :

quote:
Originally posted by BUKSING:
man...everything i got was on clearance...i got everything...board, boots and bindings... i think the boots were probably less than $150.... and i just checked online...seen a few in the $150+ range. but you might want to try them on in person..since boot sizes vary from actual shoe sizes... but i definately like them... no more sore fingers tightening the hell out of the old school laces...

How do your boots fit? I actually found a sweet deal on the VANS (not sure if Im getting them still). But they have a size 14. I wear a size 13 in real shoes. Did the VANS sizes come to true sizes in shoes or were they a size smaller or bigger. Let me know if you can thanks. Whats your actual shoe size and what size did you get in your VANS boa? Thanks

Posted by RiddlerGT (Member # 113) on :

well from my years of experience of riding I usually like to go on the small side of boots. Definitley go try them on do not do the mail order without trying. All of them fit different

Posted by Venomized93 (Member # 55) on :

They don't have them anywhere near the bay area anymore. I can only find them online, espcially in my size [Frown]

Posted by tonster (Member # 6093) on :

you could just try another pair of vans boots. from personal experience sizing from model to model from one manufacturer doesn't really vary. i've bought three different pairs of thirty-twos throughout the years all at the same size. but still, its always best to try on the pair you're gonna end up buying.

Posted by Venomized93 (Member # 55) on :

quote:
Originally posted by tonster:
you could just try another pair of vans boots. from personal experience sizing from model to model from one manufacturer doesn't really vary. i've bought three different pairs of thirty-twos throughout the years all at the same size. but still, its always best to try on the pair you're gonna end up buying.

See there are no VANS dealer that have my size at the moment that are close. Thats why I want to ask BUSKING how his felt.

Posted by spegull03 (Member # 2842) on :

quote:
Originally posted by RiddlerGT:
well from my years of experience of riding I usually like to go on the small side of boots. Definitley go try them on do not do the mail order without trying. All of them fit different

this man knows. k2 and 32 fit pretty true, Burtons slightly big, northwave/vans about 1/2 size small, etc.

BUKSING - do you mean the Burton Vapor? that thing is siiiick [Cool]

Posted by Venomized93 (Member # 55) on :

So 14 would be perfect then. I wear a 13 in regular shoes and those are perfect. So 14 would be perfect for the VANS. I really want to try one in person, but no one has them local. So Im thinking of taking a chance and worst case scenario I would have to ship them back with my own money. I really like those black look of the VANS though, but the ThirtyTwos are my second choice at the moment, but not by far.

Posted by spegull03 (Member # 2842) on :

quote:
Originally posted by Venomized93:
So 14 would be perfect then. I wear a 13 in regular shoes and those are perfect. So 14 would be perfect for the VANS. I really want to try one in person, but no one has them local. So Im thinking of taking a chance and worst case scenario I would have to ship them back with my own money. I really like those black look of the VANS though, but the ThirtyTwos are my second choice at the moment, but not by far.

i would go with the 13s. couple reasons why:
1. most people tend to buy street shoes large, since it makes em more comfoerable. big boots will actually hurt your feet more since your foot slides around and hits the front of the boot, making your toes black and blue and your nails to fall off (potentially)
2. boots break in after using them. you might gain up to half a size depending how much air is in the boot liner. do you think a 14.5 is gonna fit?
3. you can make boots bigget, but you cant make em smaller. any reputable winter sports shop can do custom boot fits. they can strech the toes out(longer and wider), can tighten the heel up, loosen it, etc. its pretty much impossible to make em smaller

also, i dont think ive seen anyone mention a wide board. with those big ass boots, you are gonna need a wide board so your toes and heels dont hit the snow when you turn.

[ April 27, 2006, 11:44 AM: Message edited by: spegull03 ]

Posted by TRIXSNK (Member # 2844) on :

I wear a size 11.5 - 12 regular shoe size(depending on brand)

And i ended up with 11.5 VANS

As i said before be careful with the BOA's!

I tend to ride all over but end up riding more and more park catching air and jibbin around so i tend to put a lot of pressure on my boots.

Just call VANS sutomer service and ask them about the recall on the BOA system to see what they say as it may be my specific model that was affected [Confused]

VANS, Inc.
800.826.7800 Ext: 5859
15700 Shoemaker Ave.
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

p.s. I just picked up a nice LIB TECH board Dark series 155 mainly for riding in the park. My other board is a Rossignol 160.

Posted by spegull03 (Member # 2842) on :

quote:
Originally posted by TRIXSNK:
I wear a size 11.5 - 12 regular shoe size(depending on brand)

And i ended up with 11.5 VANS

As i said before be careful with the BOA's!

I tend to ride all over but end up riding more and more park catching air and jibbin around so i tend to put a lot of pressure on my boots.

Just call VANS sutomer service and ask them about the recall on the BOA system to see what they say as it may be my specific model that was affected

VANS, Inc.
800.826.7800 Ext: 5859
15700 Shoemaker Ave.
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

p.s. I just picked up a nice LIB TECH board Dark series 155 mainly for riding in the park. My other board is a Rossignol 160.

were your vans the encores? i had a pair, rode em once, and sent em back to vans! those things hurt like a sonofabitch [Mad]

my new burtons feel like heaven compared to those things haha

Posted by TRIXSNK (Member # 2844) on :

quote:
Originally posted by spegull03:

quote:
Originally posted by TRIXSNK:
I wear a size 11.5 - 12 regular shoe size(depending on brand)

And i ended up with 11.5 VANS

As i said before be careful with the BOA's!

I tend to ride all over but end up riding more and more park catching air and jibbin around so i tend to put a lot of pressure on my boots.

Just call VANS sutomer service and ask them about the recall on the BOA system to see what they say as it may be my specific model that was affected

VANS, Inc.
800.826.7800 Ext: 5859
15700 Shoemaker Ave.
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670

p.s. I just picked up a nice LIB TECH board Dark series 155 mainly for riding in the park. My other board is a Rossignol 160.
were your vans the encores? i had a pair, rode em once, and sent em back to vans! those things hurt like a sonofabitch my new burtons feel like heaven compared to those things haha

Yup they were ENCORES [Roll Eyes]

Thought they were comfy when i got them but as i rode more and more i could never get them to feel snug in the areas i needed and when i cranked them down they would put pressure at really bad points [Mad]

Got the Danny Kass' III now and i really like them but they are a bit on the hefty side.

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