New gear (boots, bindings and board) for intermediate snowboarder!

[Bunny]

Hello Frosty rider forum members!
I've just recently registered for these forums after looking at the expansive amount of information that the website had. Before I get into my tib-bits on gear I just wanted to say that the sizing chart that the Frosty site is AMAZING - It was exactly what i was looking for and it has a lot of excellent recommendations.

Now the reason why I'm posting or even signing up for these forums is because I am having a huge issue with narrowing down my search. At first I was looking for used boards within my local community through craigslist, but then I've come to a realization that no matter what board I buy from there I'm always going to be conscious of it being used / scuffed. I understand the whole 'paying money' ordeal that I'm going to have to oblige to but as a college student I'm not allowed to splurg on the best of the best - just something to keep in mind.

So here are my stats -
I'm male,
5 feet 8-9 inches
goofy rider
8 1/2 - 9 size feet
and I'm about 155 pounds.

My ideal board according to the charts are around 156 - 158 size boards and I would like to have the option to have both freestyle and freeride on my board.
I'm about a intermediate rider (meaning I just finally got down the whole consistently carving and not falling every 6 seconds and breaking my tail bone phase) and I've landed on what I think is my ideal boards - the Forum Recon Snowboard 156 or the Rossignol Legion Snowboard 156. My question to the forums is - should i stick with 156 over any of the other sizes? i'm not sure if the 2 centimeters will make a huge difference or not but as of right now I think I would like more control over speed. And my other question is, is the increase in price going to make a difference between the two boards or are they relatively similar in terms of skill and style?

On to the boots..
being the intermediate boarder that I am, I've been feeling out the rentals and I've grown uncomfortable with most of the ones that I use. The main issue being that my heels seem to always be able to lift up after a couple of hours making me feel very insecure. I can still ride fine but the snugness is gone. Is that a typical thing? Are there ways to prevent it? Are there certain types of boots I should be more aware about to stay away / look into? I'll be honest by saying I dislike the shoe lace style boots and really like the ratchet.. spinning dial system a lot more. are there any recommendations for boots that anyone could lead me towards?
P.S. I'm aware of boots can be very selective and choosy with how it can vary from person to person but I just wanted to know if anyone has run into the same problem and has good experiences with certain types of boots.

last but not least bindings.
I've asked a few of my snowboarding buddies about bindings and they pretty much said, "the more metal, the better." Does the truth hurts (saying that the more metal, the more money and that it's a better idea to buy ones with the metal cranks)?

 Anywho, thanks for taking the time to read my post! I greatly appreciate any feedback!

-w

[Frosty]

Welcome bunny, thanks for the good words.  We are really excited about the FR Community too and feel free to post or PM me any suggestions you have.

Board.  Waist width is going to be more important.  Since you have smaller boot size I would lean toward  the Rossi Legion since it's waist width is a bit narrower, offerring better control especially on hardpack and groomers.

Boots.  Boa is awesome.  I tried some new model on in a shop a coulle weeks ago and they were awesome.  The boa (coiled wire) holds the foot in so nice and snug and the flex is really supportive and snooth.  These will be so much more snug for you, it will make the rentals seem like you are wearing a paper bag for a boot.  The ones I tried were Thirty Two Exus Boa.
http://www.the-house.com/tt2stw09gb9zz-thirtytwo-snowboard-boots.html
The shop in Portland I wen tto wanted nearly $200 for these boots and The House has them for only $120 (or $10 less with board purchase).  That is insainely CHEAP!

Bindings. You might want other opinions on bindings.  I am a Flow binding guy, so I recommend them, but if you want more traditional, I dunno.  There are a lot of good binding makers out there, Burton, K2, Ride, etc...

[Travis Hightower]

This is just my opinion, but my stats match yours except weight. i go between 148 and 155 depending on what
ive eaten all week (i go to the gym and run, so my weight constantly changes).
I also have a Forum Recon, but its a 146, and I have a Forum Manual 156, basically the same
board just 2 different graphics and sizes, and honestly I wouldnt go over a 156.
Sometimes the shear length of the 156 for my height/weight makes it uncontrollable, depending
on conditions, and going too far in the opposite direction will make hitting runs slow and boring.
My favorite all time board is a 154, and I know its 2cm...but it does make all the difference
to me in the world. There hasn't been a condition that I cannot ride that one.

As far as price, when summer rolls around, most boards drop to 50-60 percent off, so if you can stand
to wait, you can get a 5 star board for a 2 star price. During the summer months, boards that
were 5-600 dollars will be half that, unless they were a limited run or a hard to find,
(look up libtech skate banana..if you FIND one..they're still expensive)

I like frosty's choice on boots. And when you get your own, you can use a heat gun, or a hair
dryer to make them fit more snug. There are several youtube videos on how to "shrink"
your liner to make the heels fit tighter. My boots came with instructions on how to do this
and I can dig them up if you want to know.

I dont know about the "more metal the better" rule. I have Ride Lx bindings, and every piece
that can possibly be metal, is metal..I  think they handle great. My favorite binding for sure,
but I also have Flow something or other I cant remember the type..all plastic, and they are
a little more comfortable, due to them having alittle more foam. But the truth is, bindings
are going to break. They just are. I dont know if any really outlast the others, I've broken
several boards, but nothing more than a toe strap on a binding (which is replaceable) but
theres nothing on the Ride Lx bindings that will break making you replace the entire binding.
But I haven't broken anything on the Flow's which are all plastic...so lets leave that to debate.

[Bunny]

Frosty & Travz -
Thanks for the feedback! I'm taking heavy consideration into what you guys have been telling me.

So I've been talking with many people about the board selections and someone mentioned to me that the Legion is heavily used in parks then just mountain. Now I've always wanted my share of air but I've had a few too many bad falls and I'm a bit more prone to lean towards the mountain right now   With Travz's recommendations I may have to follow up on his suggestion with going for a Forum Recon and purchase one during the off season (thanks for that awesome tip.. when do the off season sales start? and does it apply to online retailers as well?).

As for the boots, My cousin has told me that he's had bad experiences with the boots, "my first boots were just like those.... (boas by thirtytwo) and they sucked. Unless you get a dual boa system, the foot area (as opposed to the ankle) is never tight enough." Anyone else seem to have that effect from those boots? And I was looking for the dual boa system that he was talking about but I couldn't find anything on it.. anyone have any ideas what he may have been suggesting?
I'm still highly considering these boots because of the recommendations from the two of you... but I just want to see how this kink plays out before I make any final decision.

Bindings... I think from everyone that I've spoken / wrote to, It's been pretty unanimous that Flow is their favorite choice for bindings. I really like the 'slip in' system that have that the Flow Flite 2 has... anyone have any comments on those? Also Travz - I tried googling for the Ride Lx Bindings that you have but I couldn't find anything. Is it under a different name?

Last but not least - Do the of season prices affect boots and bindings too? If so I'll just wait until then to buy my gear :B

Thanks again to the two of you for replying! This is helping me VASTLY!

-b

[Frosty]

I personally did not experience that with the basic 32 Boa boot, I guess it just depends on your foot and ankle shape; although I have heard the Dual Boa is really nice for fixing the problem.

[Travis Hightower]

bunny

aiight i googled ride lx (lowercase L) and it comes up with everything. I think its rides top binding
so anywhere that sells ride stuff should sell those. the ex's arnt bad either. and a word about flows,
ok, yes they are a step in type. they are easier than straps. they are however NOT the ultimate
most simple thing ever created, and just dont get pulled in by the hype. i use flows on my park
board because they are simpler and quicker, but they arnt a "put your boot in and click" binding.
you have to wiggle your boot in under the full foot strap, and then use the high back wedge the
boot into position, then lock. i do love mine, but the 1st time i used them i was all excited about
the step-click things my friends told me (who ironically did not have flows) and found out its
not that simple. It is a great binding though, just dont let anyone fool you into telling you its a
TRUE step in.

The end of the season sales do apply to bindings and boots, but usually not as much as boards.
ie, you're not going to get a $300 k2 clicker binding for $100. 20% is about the norm, and you
can sometimes find 40% or so. if you dont like the boas, laces arnt bad. i have the forum constant
boots and i love them. they walk and look like converse all stars, which is why i bought them.

if you're not looking for park, you should look into a better board. the recon is almost directly
made for park. its soft for rails, and cheap so you can replace it easily if you break it on a
jump. its good on ice for carving because it gives alot more which keeps you from catching
edges, which is also nice, but if you're looking for a good forum board for all mountain riding,
i suggest the Grudge. its a heavy flex board and has a kick back stance for powder and alpine
riding. its my main board, and they still sell last years model for cheap..like around $300
or less. of course ebay probably has some used ones, but this is one TOUGH board, so
even a used one isnt going to have any damage to hurt it unless the edges are screwed
from rails. its very responsive, and if you do want to catch some serious air, that flex 6
will hurl you like you've never been hucked before. ha!

the sales should be starting up shortly! marchish is going to be a good time to look,
but june looks better. just keep lookin till you find that deal that says OH MY GOD BUY
ME NOW !@#$ ARRGH BBHABHABHABH, and yes, thats exactly how it will sound
in your head happy hunting! keep up with the questions and we'll do our
best to answer them. thats what we're here for.

[Josh]

lmao travz   lmao

Ya end of the season, beginning of the season sales are awesome.  You can proly start to find some good deals now if you look.................... ........................ ....................

Boa boots are nice - i think theyre the future for sure.   The ultimate boa system would be one with three knobs : one for the top one for the bottom and one for the liner.  Yeaaaaa
I myself have serious heel hold issues with liike every boot ive every worn i think and on thing i do is i like hold the top of the front of the boot back while tightening to make sure theres like no wiggle room.  That helps.   
Im not sure if that applies to this topic tho.  Im tired

[Frosty]

Hey, what did ya end up purchasing?

[Bunny]

Hey Frosty!
At the moment I'm still waiting for the deals to start rolling in from the end of the season so I haven't picked up any gear yet.
I've decided to go flow bindings, forum grudge or a legion depending on my finances at that particular moment!
Thanks again for the help on the selection

[Frosty]

Yeah, this time of year brings GREAT DEALS.  Keep us posted, OK?  Later!

[Bunny]

So where is everyone looking for their gear? The House has been my main source for prices but what other sites have people been keeping track of?

[Frosty]

You can find a list of online snowboard shops here.

At DogFunk.com, check the lower left for the "clearance bin".

At Summit Online, all snowboarding gear is on sale right now (40%-60 percent).  I think I saw a Flow Merc board in there for like $170, that's insanely cheap!

AltRec has a clearance section with Burton and Ride boards under $250.

There are just so many steal-delas out there right now.  Take a look

[Bunny]

Hey everyone,
Thanks again for all the support on my board choices and everything!
So the board that I ended up purchasing was a Forum 156 Record for around $180, Ride Jackson Coiler Snowboard Boots for $139.95, and Flow M9 Snowboard Binding for $134.54.

I'm super stoked about my purchase and I'll make sure to report back on the board as soon as I give it a go this up coming weekend

[Frosty]

I never heard of a Forum Record.  Do you mean a Forum Recon?  The Ride boots seem really sweet.  I think you will like the Boa Coil.  And the Flow M9's are awesome, they have the ratchet on the side or on-the-fly dialing 

[Bunny]

Hahaha! You're absolutely right. Sorry about the typo - It is definitely the RECON I'll wait until i get more into this and more money before I make the big purchase of a nicer board.