What type of snowboard set-up would you recommend for me???

I'm looking for a light-weight, durable, respectable brand, and affordable board, boots, and bindings. I have been snowboarding 6 times already in real snow and powder and I think it's time to get my own setup. I know how to snowboard and I have no problem except I need to work on my toe-side. I am a goofy rider and I only want to ride, no tricks or jumping for me, just riding. Thanks in advance.

What type of snowboard set-up would you recommend for me???
I'd suggest you not look into Burton. they are decent but overrated and pricey.





Look into either Forum (their Recon board is an excellent board for someone like you), Rome (look into the Agent), or Never Summer (I'd recommend the System. It is still a midrange board but it is absolutely bulletproof. I got mine on sale and can't bring myself to get rid of it. I absolutely love that board... when it finally breaks (it's on it's 3rd season now), I'll probably have a little funeral for it)





As for boots, try DC or 32 they make really comfy boots (32 has heat moldable custom insoles and air cushons and all sorts of neat stuff), or check out the Salomon F-20's they're classic. I hear burton makes rockin boots but I've never ridden them. Actually this is where you should not cut any corners. Your boots are your wheels man, and nothing ruins a good day on the mountain like some uncomfortable boots.





Bindings, just got shop for em. you probably don't need anything high end but you don't need beginner stuff. Try K2 or Ride, they make pretty decent cheap stuff
Reply:Most brands these days make good boards but its important to pick a board that suits your level of riding and your style of riding. As you are a new rider id recommend going for an entry level all mountain board. Some good boards that would suit you are Forum Recon, Burton Clash, Gnu Carbon High Beam, Nitro Revolt, K2 Select. All thse boards are easy to ride and learn on but are still progressive enough to last you a couple of years after you have learned the basics, and as they are all entry level they are all realitivly cheap to buy.


For bindings again go for a cheap entry level set made by a good brand. Ride make especially good bindings other brands worth checking out are K2, Flow, Drake etc.


For boots you cant go by other peoples recommendations as all people have different shape feet and what suits one person may not suit another. You need to try on a range of boots made by different brands and go with the ones that are most comfee and fit your feet the best. Generally brands like Northwave and Salomon suit people with narrow feet and 32 and Vans suit people with wider feet. But foot shape also comes into it, so you can only tell by trying alot of boots on what are best for you. Try not to be influence by brand, style, colour or even price when buying boots always go for the most comfee and the best fit. Hope this helps, good luck with the riding.
Reply:blow, and I mean BLOW your budget on your boots. nothing destroys a good trip out to the slopes than sore feet. i ski, so the prices are a little different, but i paid almost as much for both skis AND bindings as I did just my boots but it's totally worth it.





anyway, my sister snowboards so she can also attest to the boot thing. don't be afraid to spend over 150 bucks on just your boots.





anyway burton is a nice brand, but way too expensive in my opinion. I had a nice pair of liquid boots and a liquid board (i used to snowboard) which i really liked and they were relatively cheap and good quality. burton bindings are really good and not as overpriced as their boards.





oh and make sure you get some sweet snowpants that are like cargo pants - you need lots of pockets to hold your beer in!! nothing beats riding up the lift and having a brew or stopping in the tree line and chugging a cold one.
Reply:Depending how much you want to spend I'd recommend checking out some Lib Tech boards. They're a small(er) company out of Sequim, near Seattle. Their boards have a neat sidecut pattern that's totally new and I've heard from friends that it's fantastic.





Gnu, Option and Forum all make really nice boards too. I don't know what models in particular to recommend to you but I'd suggest going to a board shop and befriending employees. They have some sales going on now and might cut your a better deal than the sticker and will be able to pick out the right board for you.





I use Drake bindings and thirtytwo boots and would recommend them to anyone.



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