New Snowboard

Leonaerd · Post by **Leonaerd** » November 12, 2005, 1:52 am

I've been a snowboard freak for 7 years now, but have been using the same board for the past 5. I've since grown 50-some pounds and probably close to half a foot in height. It's time I gone done goin' get me some new board.

All inbred-speak aside, The two boards I have been looking at the most have been the Burton T6 and the Burton Custom X. Noting the prices, one can grasp the fact that I don't have a limit to the money I'm willing to spend, as I snowboard often and the board I go with will be the only one I use for many years to come.

I am 6'4, 180 pounds, wear size 13 shoes (size 12 boots), and have Flow's standard bindings. What I would like to know is what comparisons y'all could offer on other brands' boards, as I have been out of the Snowboard-hardware loop for 5 years. Any insight to competitive brands' offerings (and also your personal preferences) would be much appreciated.

Also, the board I am currently using is a mega-undersized Airwalk (no name) 155cm-w board.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » November 12, 2005, 2:05 am

burton is top quality. there are some other brands that compare, maybe even top it, but it is all opinionated at that end. like you said, you dont have a limit on money to spend on a board, so any other high end boards are all up to users discretion. i would buy one of those definately, if i had the extra money/time to spend on snowboarding. other than that i do have a morrow board that i use a lot and is sufficient. however, i dont really do tricks, jumps, halfpipes, etc. so i dont really need a top end board.

i do, ironically, spend a shitload of money on clothing. north face ftw.

Truant · Post by **Truant** » November 13, 2005, 2:43 pm

I'd recommend Burton, but that's because I can be a brand whore.

As far as which board to pick, it depends on what sort of riding you do the most. They make boards that are more geared towards certain styles, or certain terrain types, and some boards, like the Custom X you linked, that are made to do everything, but of course with that comes the fact that it won't be the optimal board in an specific area.

So figure out what and how you like to ride the most, and see if a certain board fits that!

Leonaerd · Post by **Leonaerd** » November 13, 2005, 10:37 pm

I ended up going with the Burton T6. I put on my bindings and elevators today, now all I need is snow. =(

The dude at my local ski shop managed to get me $50 off the board, and also gave me $80 worth of accessories (elevator + new plates for my Flows) for free. And to think I had considered buying the board online!

Xyphir · Post by **Xyphir** » November 14, 2005, 1:46 pm

I've only been boarding for a year. This will be my second season, although I went riding about 20 times last season. I rented and demoed the entire season, giving me the opportunity to try many different boots and board combos. I'm 5'10", 150 lbs, and ended liking Airwalk women's boots. My feet are quite narrow and I couldn't find men's boots to fit. I like a TIGHT fit. It's not a fashion show for me, and functionality is the most important factor. I really wanted a Never Summer board since they're local, but settled on a Ride 156. I freeride for the most part, but have started taking some jumps so I was looking for a board with a little pop and a little parabolic. I considered getting a split board so I could cross-country ski. I was thinking about doing a hut trip in the rockies, but they're hideously expensive. My bindings are Burton. I'm not a label whore, but... North Face, Mountain Hardware, & AcrTeryx own.

Congratz on the new board. If you're ever in Colorado send me a PM.

masteen · Post by **masteen** » November 14, 2005, 2:09 pm

The big problem with snow is it's fucking cold

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » November 14, 2005, 5:15 pm

snow > flood

below the belt BURN!

masteen · Post by **masteen** » November 14, 2005, 5:21 pm

Hey, could have been worse. Could have been an avalanche!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » November 14, 2005, 6:44 pm

It's 82° in sunny Phoenix today with no rain or snow! The only thing missing here are THOs.

Xyphir · Post by **Xyphir** » November 15, 2005, 5:55 pm

Arapahoe Basin has gotten about three feet of snow within the last 3 days. We got a dusting yesterday afternoon, with the temperature dropping to 30 this afternoon. I can't concentrate at work after seeing the new Warren Miller movie. Wish I was going skiing instead of snowshoeing this weekend.

Leonaerd · Post by **Leonaerd** » November 30, 2005, 6:58 pm

I've gone riding a few times on my new board, and I don't think words can adequately express how big of a performance boost I've received as a result. Edge-to-edge is quicker, the max speed is way higher, and it has -way- more pop off of jumps.

Problem is, my most recent time out, my bindings broke. I had Flow's bottom-of-the-line model, which, though inexpensive, still suited my needs nicely. But it's painfully obvious to me now that I should have at least gone to a mid-price model, because the durability sacrificed in order to get a lower price really isn't worth the money. Instead of being able to use the bindings for several seasons, I now have to buy new ones after only having used mine for one full season, which really bites the wallet.

Naturally, I won't be sacrificing durability for cost this time, and in fact am looking to get a carbon fiber hi-back model. My choices so far have been narrowed down to Drake's Podium, and Burton's P1 Carbon. I've played around with them a bit in my local ski shop, and haven't really given much thought into which one I prefer. They both feel remarkably comfortable, and both virtually eliminate toe / heel drag (a problem for those of us with big boots), even on a non-wide board like my T6.

What kind of bindings do y'all have? What recommendations can you give? I'm open to suggestions.