Help! 5'-10", size 12 foot, male, 46 years,. 200lbs, what size board, bindings?

[mrjavaman]

Hi, I really hope you can help me.  I am a beginner’s snowboarder trying to find the right board and bindings.  I am 5 feet, 10.5 inches tall, 200 pounds, size 12 (maybe 12.5) boots, a 46 year-old man.  I just want to get down the mountain smoothly doing smooth turns.  I don't want to jump rails or boxes, just enjoy a smooth hill.  I thought I was progressing on rented equipment here in southern California.  After my third trip to the mountains, I bought equipment.  I bought a Ride Fleetwood Wide board, 158 CM long and 265mm waist per the sticker on the board.  I also used Burton Cartel bindings and size 12 Burton Moto boots.  On my first trip, I could not control this darn board!, it felt huge and unruly compared to the rental snowboards.   I body slammed a couple times which did not really happen with the rented boards.  Also, I finally tried heel side edging and turns for the first time.  My toes got smashed and and pinched! (Is it the toe straps on the Cartel bindings??)  I feel I lost progress with this board, like it was huge and uncontrollable compared to the other boards.  While still at Mountain High, I widened my stance almost to the maximum, and it helped some, but not completely.  I wish I had noted the brand and size of my previous rented boards.  Can you please give me your advice?  Should I buy a smaller board?  A more narrow board?  Should I widen my stance to the maximum?  Get bindings that where the lower strap is over the instep rather than over the toes?  Thanks in advance. 

[Frosty]

Sounds like good gear.  Could be a couple different things.

1) Conditions.  They always change.  It would be difficult to go into it very far, but just let me express that EVERY day out the conditions will be different.  Some conditions make you a hero and others make you a fool.

2) Fit and configuration.  You mentioned about your "My toes got smashed and and pinched".  This is not good.  It could be due to a few different things.  Please reply with a description of your boots and how they fit and feel when on and laced up good.  Next, strap a boot into the binding and tell me how much your toe overhangs and heel overhangs specifically.

Additionally, I would not recommend MAX stance width setting.  Yes, a wider platform provides you stability but may hinder flexibility and range of motion.

I look forward to your reply.

[mrjavaman]

Hi again

I ride regular foot, not goofy.  My rear boot extends one inch over the heel and one inch over the toes.  My front foot hangs a bit less because I cant that one about 15 degrees forward.   

I wear Burton Moto boots.  These are the ones with the boa system.  They have the thin pull cords, not the BOA twist knob.  I was advised to pull the chords very tight.  I was told by the salesman that these are a relatively soft boot.   

Originally, I had Burton Cartel bindings with the toe strap.  But those were cramping my toes.  Yesterday I bought some Ride “Beta” bindings.  These have the strap going over the instep.  This strap can be converted to a toe strap.  You can use the front strap on either the toes or the instep. 

The salesman also suggested I buy the Burton “Elevator” plates.  These are two spacer plates.  One goes beneath each binding.  They elevate the rider about a half inch above the board.  The salesman was saying that this elevation might give me the bit more leverage and response with the snowboard that I am seeking. 

Perhaps I need a board that has a narrower waist?  Thanks for your opinions. 

[mrjavaman]

I forgot to add:  when I lace them tight as suggested, they are quite constricting.  I have to loosen them often because my feet fall asleep. 

[Frosty]

Hi again

I ride regular foot, not goofy.  My rear boot extends one inch over the heel and one inch over the toes.  My front foot hangs a bit less because I cant that one about 15 degrees forward.   

I wear Burton Moto boots.  These are the ones with the boa system.  They have the thin pull cords, not the BOA twist knob.  I was advised to pull the chords very tight.  I was told by the salesman that these are a relatively soft boot.   

Originally, I had Burton Cartel bindings with the toe strap.  But those were cramping my toes.  Yesterday I bought some Ride “Beta” bindings.  These have the strap going over the instep.  This strap can be converted to a toe strap.  You can use the front strap on either the toes or the instep. 

The salesman also suggested I buy the Burton “Elevator” plates.  These are two spacer plates.  One goes beneath each binding.  They elevate the rider about a half inch above the board.  The salesman was saying that this elevation might give me the bit more leverage and response with the snowboard that I am seeking. 

Perhaps I need a board that has a narrower waist?  Thanks for your opinions. 

If you have one inch overhang on heel and toe, seems to me like you have the right width board.  You may have actually been renting a non-wide board and got used to the over-ease of edging on that setup.  If you have never taken a lesson before I highly recommend it.  A good instructor can show you efficient stances for performing heel-side and toe-side manuvers.

Riser plates I do not recommend.  They are just kinda contraversial.  I question their structural integrity/safety at times.  Not that I am totally against them.  They DO offer better leverage as advertised.  You may want to try them, but again they are not something I recommend to people.

I do recommend nice, performance insoles for your snowboard boots.  I have ones called "Down Unders" and I really like them.  I also like the new Burton Insoles and some Dr Sholes models.  They can increase overall comfort and performance on the board.

The FIT of your boots is very important too.  Too large and your foot can move within the boot and toes can hit the end.  Too small and toes will hit the end too.  Yes, you want your laces tight.  Perhaps very tight, but not too tight, i.e. hindering comfort or blood circulation.

Additionally, new gear needs to be "broken in".  The first couple times out with spankin new gear is fun but is never optimal.