Snowboarders, HELP!! Updated!

[Villers]

Hi!

Im off on a trip soon and I need some advice on what to do regarding gear.

The background is that Ive had one previous lesson and a day on the learner slope on some scottish mountain last year. This years plan is to get some indoor lessons then head off to Bulgaria for a week in Feb.

I was just planning on getting a jacket, some gloves, some goggles and then hiring the gear over there but I can't help wondering if buying my own board/boots/bindings would be a better idea? My thinking is that it looks like £130 ish for the week for Ski hire, after which I just give it back. Its probably not going to be a decent set of kit and its not going to be looked after. On top of this me and the mrs want to go to Canada next winter and I could use the gear again, unless I hate it then I can just sell on.

What do you think? Im I going to far too fast?

The plan is to pick up either a cheapo board or second hand one (reccomendations for manufacturers would be good here too!), the same for bindings. Im expecting to pay £120-£150 for these. Also the boots can be up to £100, been looking at Burton Moto for this.

So what do you think, am I being a bit naieve or is it a better idea to learn with my own board and take it with me?

Cheers
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[5v3d3b0]

If you seriously want this don't get a crap board.. It doesn't make sense to spend as much on the boots as on the board and bindings.
My mate has the Burton Motos and likes them, I have the Hail but they're a bit more expensive.
For boards I recommend Forum, K2 and Burton. The good thing about Forum boards is that they're usually better value for money than Burton cause it's not as well known. I have a Forum destroyer with Burton custom bindings (but added capstraps later on) and the Hail boots. The board was on special offer from 500 to 320 cause I know the guy and it's a small shop in Spain
https://www.boarderz.ru/Snow/equip/Art952/11413000.jpg

Also note that if you get a Burton board you can only use Burton bindings, but burton bindings go on any board
If you can't afford to lash out a lot of cash, just get the boots for now. It really makes a MASSIVE difference to your comfort. And you won't have to put up with 400 people's sweaty feet

[Villers]

Nice one!

My biggest problem is that theres virtually nowhere near me that stocks any of this stuff so Im sort of shopping blind here. I dont think I could justify £320 for the board unfortunately. I was thinking the boots would have to be better quality as I'd be in them all day. I thought that possibly because IM a beginner Im not going to notice the difference between boards?

Oh and is there a rule of thumb for sizing boots? Half a size up or whatever?
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[5v3d3b0]

I can't really tell you how to size boots... It's a bit of a no go if you can't try them on first and I don't have mine here to check the size..
I know you won't feel the difference in the board, but the boots will make a huge difference. Is there no shop somewhat close to you that stocks boots? I'd probably rent a board this time and buy your own boots, then next time you get a board and bindings maybe second hand.
I was given a piece of shit board with piece of shit bindings. 10 year old stuff. The bindings were manual, as in you had to push the straps in with no lever to help you. Nightmare.
I bought boots to start off. The next year I bought bindings. The next the board. Total it's about 700 quid, and I did NOT have that money in one go

[Villers]

Im definately going to get some boots. If a second hand board/bindings turns up I may be tempted too.

We have a snowboarding shop in Keswick called the 'Sick and the Wrong', I went last week and it was the size of a broom cupboard with little stock. Thats about 30 miles away, the next is carlisle longtown which is 45-50 miles and only stocks some generic stuff. Im going to have a look through there but they dont do burton and the likes.

I just put Forum Snowboard into google and got loads of forums lol!!
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[MaybeGuy]

spend as much as you can on boots. you're wearing them all day and you want the best you can afford.

in my experience, hire stuff is cheap stuff, and is nowhere near as good as the high end stuff.
get some vans boas if your a tart. no laces and no fannying around for 5 minutes trying to get them on. it takes literally 20 seconds to be locked and loaded.

as for boards, most manufacturers do varying compounds and dimensions. its a case of finding what model is for you. all boards at the end of the day do the same thing, so get one depending on the type of stuff you want to be doing.

wider boards for powder, shorter for freestyle stuff. height wise, general riding should be about top lip height, freestyle roughly chin height.

make sure wen sizing up the board, its not too narrow for your feet. it makes a shit riding experience catching your toes on the ground.

at the learning stage, having a posh board or a cheap board wont matter at all, so as long as its the right size, get whatevers cheapest. they all do the basics. then you can get a better board to suit the type of riding you prefer after experiencing a little on whatever you've got.

you dont want to slap on brand new boots for a days riding, so break them in first etc.

bindings are the next thing down from boots. get the best you can afford after decent boots. similar to boards, they all do the same thing, but you get VERY varying qualities. so just shop around till you see some that fit what your after. spend at least 80 quid on these.

my setup is:
vans boa boots
burton custom brew bindings
santa cruz wide pan board.

the board cost a fair bit, but it's got tarty additions like dimpled base to lessen suction, narrow waist and wider nose and tail for sharper turning etc.

post what you want to get before you buy it.

lots of love,
matt
snowboarding instructor
x

EDIT:
i've got a board and bindings here you can have for 150 quid. they're not great, but they do the job. board could do with a good service though.

https://file026b.bebo.com/4/large/2007/03/07/12/54656704a3787911258b778239416l.jpg

mines the one with the green bindings, the one on offer is the other one.
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[LankyPaddy]

Buy your own boots and maybe your own bindings.

Hire boards once your out there.

Means you can change the style of board you have day to day to match the condition and find a length/width/stiffness/style of board you like.

Once you know what kind of board you want, you can buy one

Edit:
I've got:
Burton Driver X Boots
Burton Mission Bindings
As for a board I own a Nitro Atlas but I worked in a ski shop for season so used to take different ones out most days, K2 Titan was simply awesome
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Say, do you have any Gatorade? I'm afraid I left all my electrolytes with your daughter.
Current bike: SV650S K8

[Villers]

Thanks Matt thats pretty much what I was looking for (without the x's of course, but its all nice anyway!).

I'll get some decent boots to start and then look at some decent bindings. As long as the board is a decent size it sounds like I can't go wrong.

Now we are on the subject, a local firm sell stuff by a company called Rossignol, mainly bindings. They also see cheapo boards by somneone called Pale. Sound like shite but Im wondering if youve heard of them?

Thanks guys for the info!
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[MaybeGuy]

rossignol specialises mainly in skis, but they've been around forever so i suppose its not a bad starting point.

heres my ''local''.

https://www.unleashedonline.co.uk/

probably a bit of a treck, but i buy everything from this guy. he's called charlie and could probably do you a good deal as long as you ask.

i got my bindings from him, last in stock as they sold quick as fuck, for £50 off RRP

pay for my ticket and ill be your personal instructor. would probably work out cheaper
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[Villers]

Wow, what an offer Matt I'll have to think about it!!

I'll check out that website and see where it is and report back. Thanks for the help so far!! I'm going to the place today that sells the rossignol stuff so I'll be back with a report about that!
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[Villers]

Well I went to the place where they sold the rossignol stuff and it was utter shite. I knew this when i said 'Im after a pair of boots in about size 9 up to £120' and the bloke said they didnt have anything that expensive

Anyway what they had looked ok but the quality was poor.

Ive found a pair of Salomon Synapse boots for £99. What do you think matt?
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[MaybeGuy]

sounds like a pretty good price as long as its this seasons model.
its about right for previous ones.

heres what i'd reccomend for the same price. i'm a size 11 and my boots are size 12 though. US? im not sure. check before you buy.

https://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Vans-Encore-09-White-Black-Boots/4059540/product.html?cid=133635#

i got the 07 ones of these, so for the end of season sale its looking pretty good price wise.

its all personal preference though really. the best thing to do is go and try on the ones you like and find out which is the most comfortable.
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[Villers]

Those vans look pretty good, not in my size on that site unfortunately. Im normally an 8, the ones I tried on today were 9.5. US seems to be half a size up on UK if I remember correctly.

Ive seen the same model of Salomon boots for £170, so Im guessing they ar elast years model. Which if Im honest doesnt really bother me that much.

The whole thing with not being near anything is pissing me off. I will have to spend 40 or 50 quid to get anywhere to try these boots on, Im better off ordering them and sending them back if they don't fit!!
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[Villers]

SNOWBOARD GURU MATT!!!!

More help required!! A local shop (sick and wrong in Keswick) has just got their 2010 stock and the website is updated. They have the Burton Moto's for £140, which seem quite good, they are the 2010 boot aswell so the price seems ok, what do you think?

Also what are 'Bonfire' Jackets like? Like this one here, I was watching one on ebay but is was £100, these are down to £50...

https://www.sickandwrong.co.uk/item/prod/Bonfire+Volt+Jacket/1859/

Cheers!
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[MaybeGuy]

sounds about right for the boots price wise. I paid that for my vans boas iirc when they were new that season.

As for jackets, anything goes really as long as you can move in it etc and it isnt too heavy.
You can pay extra for tarty bits like tracking devices, but if its your first trip then your likely to just stick to on piste or mild powder/off piste so wont have much use for it.

With equipment, its pretty difficult to find cheap discounted stuff unless your friendly with shop owners or something. Have you thought of looking in america? Postage will be a lot, but it will generally be cheaper and have more variety.
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[MaybeGuy]

sounds about right for the boots price wise. I paid that for my vans boas iirc when they were new that season.

As for jackets, anything goes really as long as you can move in it etc and it isnt too heavy.
You can pay extra for tarty bits like tracking devices, but if its your first trip then your likely to just stick to on piste or mild powder/off piste so wont have much use for it.

With equipment, its pretty difficult to find cheap discounted stuff unless your friendly with shop owners or something. Have you thought of looking in america? Postage will be a lot, but it will generally be cheaper and have more variety.
____________________
Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[MaybeGuy]

sounds about right for the boots price wise. I paid that for my vans boas iirc when they were new that season.

As for jackets, anything goes really as long as you can move in it etc and it isnt too heavy.
You can pay extra for tarty bits like tracking devices, but if its your first trip then your likely to just stick to on piste or mild powder/off piste so wont have much use for it.

With equipment, its pretty difficult to find cheap discounted stuff unless your friendly with shop owners or something. Have you thought of looking in america? Postage will be a lot, but it will generally be cheaper and have more variety.
____________________
Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[dibbster]

Just a question, how much will it cost you to take your board etc with you on the plane? Worth taking that into account.
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Suzuki RF 600 - The two wheeled Testarossa (Deceased)
Suzuki GSXR - Now stops on a sixpence; SBK3's
www.bikepics.com/members/dibbster

[Oz.]

No idea what anyone else has said as I just started seeing people say get these boots or try these boots.

First thing I will say is try your boots on in a shop, trust me you don't want boots that dont fit properly, it will just be a waste of time and you will get frustrated. I had a pair of Burton Motos when I went out to Whistler last winter for the season, I just bought them after trying them on for 3 mins and not trying anything else on. A week into mountain opening and I was out pounding the streets of whistler looking for new boots. My heel was lifting, the ankles were to loose they had massively packed out (a problem with all burton boots), turns became a bitch, I was having to twist my foot in my boot at times! My own fault I should have known better. Cost me a lot in the long run not getting the right boots, less money for me to spend during the season Ha by the time it go to April I was eating 25 cent packets of noodles for every meal, but it was worth it, being able to get up every day and ride every day for nearly 6 months, lot of fresh pow and first tracks. Anyway I digress.

I must have spent 3 hours going between shops trying on all different sorts of boots, the people selling you boots will be riders themselves so don't be thinking "man they are gonna get pissed with me for wanting to try all the boots on".

I ended up with 2 pairs of boots. These for park(gotta whore them out they look sick!): https://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=75759&id=529285476 and some Salomon Pledge.

The Pledge were amazing, the best boot I have ever worn, BUT thats because they were the right shape for MY feet, the ones that felt the best after trying so many on and my riding came on massively after that. The Burton Jeremy Jones were sweet for a while but became way to flexxy for my tastes.

So yeah the biggest thing I can say is DO NOT buy boots off anyone recommendation. Try them on.

If I was you I would get a few of my mates together, plan a day trip to Chill Factor the Indoor Snow slope in Manchester, check out Snow and Cock and def go speak to the cool dudes in Subvert try some boots on. You will even be able to demo some boards from both stores to. This way you get to try on boots before you buy AND you get to ride and get some practice in.

[Villers]

Thanks for the advice guys!

Im off to a place in Keswick onSaturday to look at the moto boots and if they are any good I'll get them heat moulded etc.

Ive given up looking at them on the net, its a waste of time!
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[Oz.]

[Villers]

[Villers]

Well I went to the snowboarding shop in Keswick (sick and wrong). I took your advice and tried not to have my heart set on anything. I spent a good hour trying on everything in and just outside of my budget.

I did like the Burton Moto boots but they had a funny feel to them. I also tried on some Vans but they didnt seem the right shape for my foot.

I ended up with a pair of Salomon Savage, they are white but I didnt really mind. I spent ten minutes walking round the shop with a burton on one foot and the salomon on the other. In the end I couldnt decide, but the burton boot squeeked so I picked the other. Ended up with a size 8.5, I normally wear an 8.

Thanks again guys, next step is finding a board thats cheap but not shit!
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS

[MaybeGuy]

you might want to get board and bindings together, so save a bit first.

if your just trying stuff out, have a look at snow pro bindings. theyre cheap and shit, but certain models are fully adjustable without the need for any tools. meaning if you want to try a new stance or whatever, you can do it there and then rather than carrying tools around.

ratchet straps too. they're about 50 quid new i think.

as for boards, they're like bikes. you'll never be able to use it to its full potential for any aspect, so best to get an all rounder like a K2 spitfire etc. then decide what you like best after that, and get a board to suit.

that way, the board works slightly better for what you like doing, and will still do all the other stuff. obviously dont go getting a 175 powder board.
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[Villers]

Cheers matt. I'll see what crops up but for 50 quid that doesnt sound too bad. Ive been looking at 155cm all mountain/freestyle boards. My boots are an 8.5 so Im imagining that most 155's will be suitable for my size of feet?
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RS125 > CBR6 > SV650S > ZX636R > GSX1300RZ Hayabusa > 06 RSVR Mille > SV1000S > Street Triple 765 RS