bindings 4 a rookie...

redlodge wrote:
hey lr,
When I say normal shops I mean the massive super stores that carry tons
of schlock that people snap up, if you live in a mountain town or have
a good board shop you can find the stuff I have. However, we do get
access to off the radar brands like Ghost, Compatriot, Illuminati, and
a bunch of others. The next time I see a Ghost will be the first.

http://www.ghostriderx.com
http://www.compatriotsnowboards.com
http://www.ill23.com
http://www.smokinsnowboards.com

Thinking about buying one of those Ghost boards, the Swiss. Got an
Atomic last season and it is time for a new ride, just not sure what to
get.

Not sure what to make of your observation about skinny ankles. My feet
are big and my boots fit like a champ, I do have skinny ankles and I
like the BOA because I can really tighten it up to make it snug. Kind
of works for me but everyone is different so get what makes you happy.
I just like the fact that I can walk to the lift with loose boots,
ride up, and make a couple of twists and have nice tight boots for
riding. No fussing around with laces but that is just me.

Thanks for the links! I've only heard about Illuminati. Heck, Smoking
Snowboards is in my backyard although I guess they are in North Lake
and I'm way way South lake. Their tech page looks like they know what
they are doing, I'm definitely going to check them out as SFO
snowboards carries them (shop where I go my Nideckers from).

Compatriot boards seems interesting, but they only make two models for
people with regular size feet (a 155 freestyle and a 162 freeride).
What do you like about the Ghost boards? Aside from the hybrid-cap
construction, they seem to be really into their glow in the dark base
material... what's the ride like?

redlodge wrote:
Not sure what to make of your observation about skinny ankles. My feet
are big and my boots fit like a champ, I do have skinny ankles and I
like the BOA because I can really tighten it up to make it snug.

I meant to say that I wanted to really crank down on the ankles... but
if I do that, the forefoot area is also tightened (which creates a
pressure point on my instep) so I either have to chooes between loose
ankle or crushed foot. Heat-moldable liners like the ones in Salomon
(and Thirtytwo) help a lot, but I still like to tight each area
individually.

Thanks 4 all the information guys. I definately won't buy a burton
binding... Not that I don't like them, they're simply not availible 4 me.
I'm just a student and in my country snowboard stuff ain't cheap. My budget
is strictly limited.

As 4 the boots, I already have ones. I bought the Salomon boots 4 women(the
Ivy model?). They make them a bit tighter than those 4 men and my ankles and
feet are skinny, this makes them perfect 4 me. And what's also important 4
me, they've got this quick lacing system with kevlar laces... I just can't
wait to check their performance.

"redlodge" ) writes:
Just some more info for ego the newbie, whatever boots you have take
them to the dumpster and pitch them. Then go out and buy a pair of
boots with the wire lacing system (BOA). I cannot describe how easy
they are to get tight which is essential for boarding. Normal laces
are a bitch sometimes (especially when frigid cold) and the BOA system
is just turning a knob. Check out this link, it has all the boot
companies that carry the system.
http://www.boatechnology.com/boa.php...owboard&drill=

Simple system that I went for but didn't work well for me. I got rid of my
Flow TXP's with BOA becuase it was killing the front part
of my ankle; the shape of my foot didn't fit with the shape of the boot
when I tightened them up. Its too bad they didn't set them up with two
zones to allow you to customize tightness on the top and bottom. Crank it
tight and its too much in some areas, and not enough in others.

I waffled between Salomon Malamutes and Burton Driver X's and went with
the Driver X's because of the narrow fit of the Malamutes didn't fit well.

BTW, Driver X is more comfortable and pretty fast to do up as well, just
pull on the handle for the lower foot, then again for the upper foot.

Steve.

Steven Slaby wrote:
Simple system that I went for but didn't work well for me. I got rid of my
Flow TXP's with BOA becuase it was killing the front part
of my ankle; the shape of my foot didn't fit with the shape of the boot
when I tightened them up. Its too bad they didn't set them up with two
zones to allow you to customize tightness on the top and bottom. Crank it
tight and its too much in some areas, and not enough in others.

I waffled between Salomon Malamutes and Burton Driver X's and went with
the Driver X's because of the narrow fit of the Malamutes didn't fit well.

BTW, Driver X is more comfortable and pretty fast to do up as well, just
pull on the handle for the lower foot, then again for the upper foot.

Yea, this exactly what I was saying. I have narrow feet and so I went
the other way with the Malamutes. I've never seen Burton's Speed Zone
Lacing system, but looks a lot like the Salomon system, but from what
you say it has a lower and upper foot boot tighteners, which would let
you customize the tightness for the two zones which is pretty cool.
Including the L-pads with the boot is great as normally you have to
take your boot to a bootfitter to do that (and most people don't know
they can do that to help heelhold). Also I notice that Burton is
putting better-quality footbeds into their boots, which is nice as most
companies just stick in a thin foam insole that gets you no arch or
heel support. I like it when companies innovate behind your back
(although usually tend to hype up the less important but more "cool"
stuff they do).

"lonerider" wrote in message
ups.com...

Steven Slaby wrote:
Simple system that I went for but didn't work well for me. I got rid of
my
snip - get rid of BOA boots

I waffled between Salomon Malamutes and Burton Driver X's and went with
the Driver X's because of the narrow fit of the Malamutes didn't fit
well.

BTW, Driver X is more comfortable and pretty fast to do up as well, just
pull on the handle for the lower foot, then again for the upper foot.

Snip - Malamutes/Burton

take your boot to a bootfitter to do that (and most people don't know
they can do that to help heelhold). Also I notice that Burton is
putting better-quality footbeds into their boots, which is nice as most
companies just stick in a thin foam insole that gets you no arch or
heel support. I like it when companies innovate behind your back
(although usually tend to hype up the less important but more "cool"
stuff they do).


I had two pairs of the Malamutes and liked them with my Flows. Switched to
the Burton P1 Carbon bindings and switched boots as well to the Burton Ions.
BTW- narrow feet 10.5 size. With the J Bar inserts I get I nice tight heel
fit. The Dual zone lacing has allowed me to "dial in" how tight I want them.
I find that with the cap strap and moving the back straps up higher I don't
have to tighten the boots as much as I thought I would so I have warmer feet
with less discomfort at the end of the day. With the Carbon highback being
so stiff, I went with the "softer" boots. Really like the mix. Didn't have
the Driver-Xs in my size so I can't comment on them. Would like to try the
SL-8's next year.

I think many that don't like Burton think they have sold out to marketing,
but I think they have done quite a bit in the technology side in both boards
and bindings. Don't have much of their clothing.

tg wrote:

"lonerider" wrote in message
ups.com...
I find that with the cap strap and moving the back straps up higher I don't
have to tighten the boots as much as I thought I would so I have warmer feet
with less discomfort at the end of the day. With the Carbon highback being
so stiff, I went with the "softer" boots.

I too have noticed moving my top strap back and higher I get better
responsiveness on toesides. My Nideckers kind of have a "half cap
strap" that goes over the toe of the boot... and I've been considering
buying Capstraps from my P1MDs... but already fit weally well not.

I think many that don't like Burton think they have sold out to marketing,
but I think they have done quite a bit in the technology side in both boards
and bindings. Don't have much of their clothing.

Part of Burton has definitely sold out to marketing... they definitely
make a lot of items that are more marketing hype than anything else
(like a board with "recessed" edges specifically for jibbing). However,
I agree they do still surprising me occasionally with some good
down-to-earth product innovation and improvement. I see it as I can
recommend certain products from Burton... but I can't recommend *any*
product from the company like I can with Ride, Salomon, Nitro, Nidecker
where even the entry-level stuff is pretty solid.