After taking ski lessons last year and now this year trying snowboarding two weeks ago, I decided that I would like to get into snowboarding.

I found a pair of leftover demo Northwave Vintage Size 8 at a shop that needed a home and it seems to fit well according to the various faqs and readings I've done on the net.

Now, I need to select a binding to go with the boots. Since my size in sorta in between the Small and Medium, which would you recommended?

For a beginner, what are some decent bindings to buy?
Seems like the more expensive bindings has more metal in the ratchet mechanism. Is that what I should look for? Recommendations?

I'm still lost as to what board to get. I've read enough faqs and stuff but when you're at the shop or even looking for used boards on Ebay, I don't know what works for me.

Maybe some info would help.

I'll probably be around the IL/WI/MI/IA so that's the sort of quality "mtns" we have. I'm 5' 7" and 150lbs. I will probably do mostly freeriding and leave tricks for much later. I've already got a Ti rod in my femur from my past motorcycle roadracing career so I don't see myself doing too much tricks and stuff.

Does that help in giving you guys some info to give suggestions?