Snow board/boots/bindings buying help ?

Rev. Kitchen

Right im all set to buy my own gear this year but as ive allways rented and im only a beginner i dont know what i should be looking for when it comes to boards/boots and bindings.

Any tips or recomendations im looking for decent enough stuff but there is no point buying really top class stuff just yet but i do want good quality gear.

Don1

Well, I'm not an expert, but I'll do my best!

1) The board should be of decent enough quality, no point in buying something crap as it'll be worse than rental quality! I'm not saying spend a fortune, just don't go for bargain basement.

2) The bindings in my opinion make a huge difference and should not be cheaped out on. When getting them make sure the high back forward angle is adjustable, as when you improve you'll most likely tip this further forward for more control. The high back, should have very little flex as any flex reduces response and feel.
Aim for a balance between lightweight and strength.
Toe caps (go over the front and top of your toes for max hold) are very desireable also.
I love my Burton Customs, as they are not super expensive but are damn good. I'm sure others will advise other alternatives.

3) With boots, the main priority is comfort!!! After this, they should fit good, with no major gap as they will stretch with use.
A removable/washable liner is a good thing, as they'll stink after a while!!
Make sure the back of the boot is a good bit higher than the highback to spread the pressure along your leg.
After that, a good grippy sole for walking around in snow/ice a decent lacing system, and a relatively rigid constuction and you should be laughing.

Hope this helped somewhat!

Rev. Kitchen

Cheers for that im thinking of getting the burton customs bindings, ive been doing some reading up on stuff today they seem to be widely recomended.

Is there any where in Ireland that i can buy boots in, i think im better off ordering the board and bindings online but i think im better off going to a shop and actually trying on the boots first.

Im off snowboarding in march prob andorra so i might wait untill then to get the boots.

I think i have about 400euro to spend to get me kitted out 100 on boots 100 on bindings 200 on the board roughly

where should i look to buy the stuff i dont want to get ripped off or sold a lemon.

Don1

I think you should consider the second hand market. You could a get last seasons board with low use and bindings for a good price then just get new boots. I got my DC Phase boots in the Kildare Outlet Quiksilver shop for €92, half price! I had a voucher too, so they only cost €16 but anyway!!
You could check out adverts.ie as there seems to be a fair amount of boards on there. I'm not just saying this as mine is, but this is where I'd go if I was buying.

Overflow

http://www.snowgo.com/archives/2003/11/17/beginners_guide_to_choosing_a_snowboard.php

Rev. Kitchen

Did some searching on ebay ended up getting a Burton crash 160 and Burton custom bindings for 150 euro its in pretty good nick the bottom has a few stratches from general use but nothing major. Got a brand ne wpair of Vans boots for 75 euro and a bag for 26.

All kitted out for 250 !!! cant wait now

Overflow

Sweet deal! Its great having your own gear!

Rev. Kitchen

Yea i cant wait now off to Arisnal on the 9th of march was there before a long time ago and liked it. only thing is im flying to amsterdam for the weekend at the end of my week so thats an extra flight with extra check in bags fee's:mad:

Should i try waxing it myself ? or should i wait till i get there they normally have some guy that will do it on site. Or will it make any difference to me a good beginner ?