First Board & Bindings

peterjmaxwell

Hey guys,

First time posting in this forum and looking for some advice!

have been snowboarding 3 times now (as recently as Andorra at new years) and have caught the bug big time and am heading again on the 19th but i think it's time to get my own board and bindings.

One of the biggest problems i've had has been foot pain in my bindings. The bindings are either too loose resulting in poor control and lots of falls or too tight resulting in lots of pain which i then have to loosen for a minute or two and then rachet up again to start off.

Have any of you guys use the rear entry bindings from Flow or K2, I'm considering a pair of these as it would be easier to find a setting that worked and then just clip out without having to mess with rachets constantly.

on the topic of boards, the last board i used was Burton Cruzer 156 (Rental). I liked it the most of the boards i've used so far and i guess would like to get something along those lines. Any reccomendations?

Do people purchase in ireland here or online? I was tempted to take a trip to Snow + Rock in Dundrum for a look but thought i'd ask first!

arodabomb

Awesome that you've caught the boarding bug. I spend my year looking forward to winters now!

Regarding bindings tightness, this is probably down to a badly fitted boot. What happens most of the time is that with a badly fitted boot, i.e. too loose, you overcompensate with the bindings and tighten them to get your foot secure. With a properly fitted boot (i.e. snug, not too tight, it is best to get fitted by someone who knows their stuff if you don't), you won't have to crank down the bindings until they hurt.

The rear entry bindings have their fans and their haters. I'm not a fan, I think they don't offer the same adjustments on slope and they are harder to get the fit just right. I also find the highbacks aren't rigid enough for proper free-riding. There are lots of threads on the internet comparing step in/regular bindings, have a read through. But check that you don't have problem with boot fit first, that is the most common cause of sore feet, also if you have high arches check out superfeet, I don't ride without them.

Regarding the board, the cruzer might be a little on the beginner side of things depending on how much boarding you've done/what your standard is. It is a really easy board to ride, but you might grow out of it pretty quick. My advice would be to go secondhand or pick up a last seasons model in the resort. That way you don't shell out loads on a board that you outgrow.

Buying in Ireland can be pricey, snow and rock are good, so are great outdoors. In GO they have two guys (I think Ciaran and Eoin) who really know their stuff, I haven't found the same knowledge in snow and rock but I might have just met the wrong guys. In resort shops should already be flogging stuff, especially last season's gear. Ebay can have some good secondhand stuff too. Have a chat to the guys in GO and S&R, they'll be able to advise you better.

Make sure you size your board correctly too, look up the manufacturers spec for your weight.

I actually learned on a Lidl board for the first few times, crap board but was only 50€, then upgraded to a lib tech T.rice when I knew what I wanted.

paulharte

^^^^^^^^^^ this guy is on the money

hans aus dtschl

What he said, it's the boots.

Prefer normal bindings too, even though I don't need the highback to be super rigid (i like freestyle).

Few things to add:
Park boards can be cheaper so could be worth investigating.
Perhaps spend the first money on boots. Let them dictate the rest of the budget.
And go through as many boots as you can until you find the right ones.

JKC

All the guys here are on the money.

When buying your first set of gear, it's the 3 Bs, Boots, Bindings, Board!
I would spend as much as you can afford on your boots, try on as many as you can, in S&R they will heat mould the insert of the boot for you to make if fit perfectly. While you’re getting you boot ask what size binding would suit the boot. And get suggestions for board type to suit your style of riding, level, boot size & weight.

You can buy boots on the web, but nothing beats trying on before buying, and it saves a lot of hassle. Then wear the boots around the house, to really break them in, ignore the weird looks from everyone, come boarding time you’re boots will feel like slippers!

I ride Flow Fives, and I like them. Spend a bit of time adjusting them before you hit the slopes, and it should work, but with any binding adjustment is always ongoing. I am also keen to try Burton & Rome bindings (The Rome Targa especially!).

If you getting a board: http://www.bargainboards.co.uk is a great site, as they can recommend a board to suit your ability, size, riding terrain, etc. They also have a great range of other gear, helmets, jackets, pants, bindings, boots, etc.

Failing that get the following:
1. A winning lotto ticket, for the BIG money!
2. Burton Cartel bindings.
3. Burton Custom.
4. Some body armour.
5. Seasons pass for Canada\North America!
6. Get out and shred!
Hope this helps!