REVscene Automotive Forum - View Single Post - never been skiing/snowboarding need help...

woob · 12-24-2011, 01:34 PM

woob's impromptu guide to snowboarding softgoods (and boots) v0.1

This is all based on personal experience so take everything with a grain of salt. Brands I've recommended are brands I've actually used and are not based on stuff I've just read on some random website by some guy who knows some other guy who has used the gear.

I suggest you spend the most on the equipment that goes the lowest on your body and spend less as you go up (i.e boots>pants>jacket>accessories).

Boots: If your feet feel like shit, I guarantee you will feel like shit as well. Boot fit is really hard to get right and some brands fit differently than others, so try on as many different boots as possible before you buy. I suggest not skimping in the boot department. Invest in some nice socks too. Seriously, treat your feet well.
Brands: Celsius, Vans *but my feet are probably different from yours so try on EVERYTHING

Pants: Some people can ride in jeans, but you're new so you'll probably want pants that are more waterproof than that. You'll probably spend as much time on your ass as your feet. I suggest a minimum 15000mm waterproof rating with fully taped seams to keep your ass dry. Of course if you can spend, a waterproof/breathable membrane like Gore-Tex Pro Shell is top of the line.
Brands: NFA (but they are dead now). Next pair will probably be Airblaster.

Jacket: If you're on a budget, here's where you cheap out. If not, the best product will have an extremely breathable waterproof membrane like Gore-Tex Pro Shell, eVent or Schoeller c_change. And unless you plan on being waste-deep in the powpow you may not even need a waste gaiter/powder skirt. High-end brands that I can't afford (yet) and are both local: Westcomb, Arc'teryx
Brands: Mammut, NFA (again, they are dead)

Base Layer: Anything that wicks moisture and will repel odor. Merino wool, or wool in general, is number one in this category and is very good for temperature management as well. Synthetic polyester blend (polypro) base layers work just as well but will likely start to smell sooner than merino (I'm not a super smelly person so I wouldn't really know).
Brands: no-name brand merino wool, Under Armour, Helly Hansen, Earth (?)

Helmet: May not prevent a concussion, but will definitely prevent your brains from splattering all over the hardpack.
Brands: Bern, K2

Goggles: If it fits, it's fine. When fitting goggles, look for things like a gap in the nose bridge (there shouldn't be one). Also, bigger lens = bigger field of view. Probably obvious but dark lenses (bronze, persimmon, black, red) are for bright days and light lenses (rose, yellow, clear) are for overcast days or night riding. I have one pair for each situation, but if you're only getting one goggle, a persimmon or rose lens with a mirror finish is a good all-rounder. A mirror outer finish will reduce glare. Not all goggles are created equal when it comes to venting and fogging so read some reviews.
Brands: Von Zipper, Spy

Gloves: Whatever fits and grips. Mittens will hold water out better because they have less seams, but you sacrifice dexterity. Gore-Tex/eVent + fully taped are as good as you'll get here. If your hands are too cold, buy some merino or polypro liner gloves from MEC.
Brands: Burton, a friend who is a cat- and heli-ski guide uses work gloves from Home Depot that are not waterproof at all but it's your call.

Random gear and tips:

I also use an UnderArmour ColdGear hood as my face mask when the weather calls for it. The UA hood is a poly blend, but merino wool works here too.
Don't place your goggles on your forehead between runs. They WILL fog up and you WILL be annoyed
Stomp pads look ridiculous and you don't need them
TRY ON ALL BOOTS
rent your hardgoods before buying in case you don't even like the sport, but buying a good jacket/pants can be useful for all outdoor activities

Where to buy:

W. 4th and Burrard are where the ski/board shops are (Comor, Pacific Boarder, Boardroom, Showcase). You'll find hardgoods here, as well as softgoods from brands like Volcom, Burton AK, Airblaster, Grenade, Special Blend, etc.
Broadway and Columbia are where the outdoor goods stores are (MEC, Valhalla Pure, Europe Bound, Hillsound, etc.). They carry the high end waterproof pants and jackets from brands like The North Face, Arc'teryx, Marmot, Patagonia, Mammut, Westcomb, etc.
SportChek has deals every now and then, but their product is quite diluted and they tend to stock brands' lower-end gear. Worth a look is they have sales on but def not my #1 stop.
North Shore Ski and Board on Lonsdale in North Van has treated me well. There's also another Boardroom a few block north of it on Lonsdale.

12-24-2011, 01:34 PM	#16
woob Rs has made me the man i am today! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Vancouver Posts: 3,189 Thanked 1,699 Times in 446 Posts Failed 148 Times in 52 Posts	woob's impromptu guide to snowboarding softgoods (and boots) v0.1 This is all based on personal experience so take everything with a grain of salt. Brands I've recommended are brands I've actually used and are not based on stuff I've just read on some random website by some guy who knows some other guy who has used the gear. I suggest you spend the most on the equipment that goes the lowest on your body and spend less as you go up (i.e boots>pants>jacket>accessories). Boots: If your feet feel like shit, I guarantee you will feel like shit as well. Boot fit is really hard to get right and some brands fit differently than others, so try on as many different boots as possible before you buy. I suggest not skimping in the boot department. Invest in some nice socks too. Seriously, treat your feet well. Brands: Celsius, Vans but my feet are probably different from yours so try on EVERYTHING Pants:* Some people can ride in jeans, but you're new so you'll probably want pants that are more waterproof than that. You'll probably spend as much time on your ass as your feet. I suggest a minimum 15000mm waterproof rating with fully taped seams to keep your ass dry. Of course if you can spend, a waterproof/breathable membrane like Gore-Tex Pro Shell is top of the line. Brands: NFA (but they are dead now). Next pair will probably be Airblaster. Jacket: If you're on a budget, here's where you cheap out. If not, the best product will have an extremely breathable waterproof membrane like Gore-Tex Pro Shell, eVent or Schoeller c_change. And unless you plan on being waste-deep in the powpow you may not even need a waste gaiter/powder skirt. High-end brands that I can't afford (yet) and are both local: Westcomb, Arc'teryx Brands: Mammut, NFA (again, they are dead) Base Layer: Anything that wicks moisture and will repel odor. Merino wool, or wool in general, is number one in this category and is very good for temperature management as well. Synthetic polyester blend (polypro) base layers work just as well but will likely start to smell sooner than merino (I'm not a super smelly person so I wouldn't really know). Brands: no-name brand merino wool, Under Armour, Helly Hansen, Earth (?) Helmet: May not prevent a concussion, but will definitely prevent your brains from splattering all over the hardpack. Brands: Bern, K2 Goggles: If it fits, it's fine. When fitting goggles, look for things like a gap in the nose bridge (there shouldn't be one). Also, bigger lens = bigger field of view. Probably obvious but dark lenses (bronze, persimmon, black, red) are for bright days and light lenses (rose, yellow, clear) are for overcast days or night riding. I have one pair for each situation, but if you're only getting one goggle, a persimmon or rose lens with a mirror finish is a good all-rounder. A mirror outer finish will reduce glare. Not all goggles are created equal when it comes to venting and fogging so read some reviews. Brands: Von Zipper, Spy Gloves: Whatever fits and grips. Mittens will hold water out better because they have less seams, but you sacrifice dexterity. Gore-Tex/eVent + fully taped are as good as you'll get here. If your hands are too cold, buy some merino or polypro liner gloves from MEC. Brands: Burton, a friend who is a cat- and heli-ski guide uses work gloves from Home Depot that are not waterproof at all but it's your call. Random gear and tips: I also use an UnderArmour ColdGear hood as my face mask when the weather calls for it. The UA hood is a poly blend, but merino wool works here too. Don't place your goggles on your forehead between runs. They WILL fog up and you WILL be annoyed Stomp pads look ridiculous and you don't need them TRY ON ALL BOOTS rent your hardgoods before buying in case you don't even like the sport, but buying a good jacket/pants can be useful for all outdoor activities Where to buy: W. 4th and Burrard are where the ski/board shops are (Comor, Pacific Boarder, Boardroom, Showcase). You'll find hardgoods here, as well as softgoods from brands like Volcom, Burton AK, Airblaster, Grenade, Special Blend, etc. Broadway and Columbia are where the outdoor goods stores are (MEC, Valhalla Pure, Europe Bound, Hillsound, etc.). They carry the high end waterproof pants and jackets from brands like The North Face, Arc'teryx, Marmot, Patagonia, Mammut, Westcomb, etc. SportChek has deals every now and then, but their product is quite diluted and they tend to stock brands' lower-end gear. Worth a look is they have sales on but def not my #1 stop. North Shore Ski and Board on Lonsdale in North Van has treated me well. There's also another Boardroom a few block north of it on Lonsdale. Last edited by woob; 12-24-2011 at 01:49 PM.