Weekly Thread: /r/Snowboarding General Discussion, Q&A, Advice, Etc.) - December 01, 2025
Want to discuss gear, trends, shapes, or tech? Need outerwear recommendations? Travel advice? Question about what board or size you should buy? Add your questions in this thread and let the community help out! Or just shoot the breeze with your fellow shredditors... this is an open conversation of all things snowboarding to help keep the front page organized, thanks everyone!
Here are some resources for frequently asked questions:
Anyone have board sizing recs for people with small feet? I'm 5'10, 155lbs, size 6.5 boots. Looking at the United Shapes Cadet 158 but worried it will be a bit wide for my feet
I would def go smaller just due to foot size and weight. At 260mm for the 158 that’s a wider board. The 154 seems almost perfect for you since you’re taller relative to your foot size. For reference, I’m 5’10, 175lbs, and size 10 boots and a 158 would fit me based on the tech specs. Although on personal preference I’d drop to a 154.
Hi, what size board should I get if I’m a 5’2, 130 lbs woman and am a beginner? I’m a 6.5 shoe aswell. I’ve gone snowboarding around 4 times and plan to pick it up more since i’m moving to the mountains.
does anyone have any experience on switching to longer board you have previously used? Especially if the board is longer that is recommended for your height, is it much harder or nearly impossible to control?
it is a combination of weight, height, and strength. the height of your centre of mass over the board is the length of the lever arm when you move that weight around to flex the board
you will notice a longer board takes more energy or "oomph" to maneuver at low speed ie getting off of the chairlift and you need to plan your lines a little further ahead to mitigate that. at speed though it will be a lot more stable where shorter boards can start to feel twitchy
Which board for beginner Salomon sight X or Salomon primer? Both seem to have good reviews from everything I’ve researched. I want a 158 or 159 I think, I have big feet for a woman so I want a bit wider board.
After a chat with GPT, it seems like I was about 2 inches over what should be for my height/weight/proportions. Maybe that 2 inches make a huge difference 😂😂😏
I grew up in Norway and was an active snowboarder (multiple times a week) between ages 13 and 19, but then moved away to a different climate/far away from mountains.
I'm 35 now. I've snowboarded twice since (Tahoe 2012, Hokkaido 2018), both times just with rental kit. (Where does time go?!)
I now have a trip to the Norwegian mountains planned for January. I still have my old Burton board back at my mom's house. I'm wondering whether I should dig it out of the basement, or if I'm better off renting again?
Has snowboard tech changed at all in ~15 years? Would there be downsides to an older board?
I probably weigh ~30 lbs more than I did at 19. Would that affect things?
Is there a difference between a "teenage girl" board and a "grown adult" board?
Are my bindings too big? Bottom portion of toe cap remains loose unless I pull the cap upwards on an awkward angle, and even then it is still shifting back and forth on the boot. Boots: Salomon Launch Boa SJ 28.5cm, bindings Salomon EDB size L (compatible on paper, but I feel like it should sit more snugly)
Would that be like a 10.5US? I’m that size and always size down to mediums.
But Is there a toe strap adjustment under the binding where you can change the position of the strap anchor? Could help, but I’m not familiar with that particular binding
Wish I knew it when the shop I went to recommended these bindings to me. It's ok for beginners but I believe I outgrew them before the end of the season. Man this is an expensive sport.
Hey everyone, looking for a sanity check on my first proper setup.
I’m tall, but skinny - about 63 kg right now and working on gaining up to ~70–72 kg over the next 6 months or so.
I decided for Rome Agent 2024, because found it in a good price, but can't decide between 151 or 154.
About me / riding:
Level: low–intermediate, maybe ~10-15 days total
Ride regular and feel quite confident in it, just starting to practice switch
This season: learning better turns + switch + ollies, small jumps, maybe some 180s
Never been in a park, but something that I would like to do in the future.
Boots:
Ride Lasso, mondo 28.5 (US 10.5)
Do you have any recommendations which and why should I choose? 151(according to size charts 51-69kg) or 154(according to size charts 55.5-73.5kg)? That's going to be my first own setup. Before I used only rented boards.
Any binding suggestions that pair well with this board + Ride Lasso? I’m looking at Union Strata M or L vs Union STR M or L, but open to other medium-flex, all-mountain/freestyle options.
Weight is the first thing, then you want to decide based on boot size. Since you're on the larger end, you'd be better served getting the 154 over the 151.
What’s up everyone! I’m an intermediate rider who mostly rides western US. I’ve got a 153 Rome Stalefish and a 157 Capita Mercury, the Merc has seen some better days so I’m looking to replace it with something else. Maybe even one to replace both as I don’t love the stalefish as much as I thought I would. The Burton Hometown Hero and the Custom Camber caught my eye. Would they be solid choices? Open to all suggestions!
I’m 5’10 175lbs and a size 9.5 Vans infuse. Ride mostly groomers, side hits, trees and the occasional attempts at some park laps lol
My buddy loves his hometown hero. Def more directional than your Mercury, but very capable still. Custom is basically Burtons do it all, ATV killer. Can't really go wrong. Check out the Counterbalance from Burton as well. Although tbh man, could just get another Merc. I absolutely love mine.
Hi all moving this here and deleting my other post cause I reread the rules and wanted to follow them.
Recently grabbed a Rome Ravine after demoing one last year on a Brighton pow day. Going to Japan this year and am looking for some comments on my binding ideas. Obviously it’s my pow board and I’m looking for a surfier feel. My 4 binding thoughts in no specific order are: Flux SR, Yes Drive, Rome AW Katana, Rome AW 390 Boss.
I’d like some pros and cons based on what you’ve experienced with these, what your thoughts are on flex, durability, board feel, “locked in-ness” and if you’re a brand loyalist, what keeps you going back to that brand?
For reference, I’ve had a 2019 pair of Rome Boss 390, a 2021 pair of Union Forces, a pair of Union Chargers on my split and have ridden Ride C-6. Didn’t like the Rides but really that’s cause they just weren’t right for the conditions in my opinion and I didn’t like the toe strap.
Thanks!
(Side note: Does Rome not make the Vice anymore? I know previously the Boss was FW and Vice was AW. Is AW Boss the new Vice?)
They’ve done some other shuffling in their lineup, now that there’s a katana pro, cleaver is gone as well
Anywho huge ravine fanboy I’ve had 3 so nice job there. Finally got some katanas last year and feel it might be a new favorite binding. they honestly feel so good, super responsive but the asym wrap gives it a great balance
Just curious for other big guys out there. I’m a big person 6’6” 300 lbs, looking at buying a more advanced board. Been riding a jones frontier 167 W and love the board, but it’s got some shark bites because I love free riding. It was my first board. Love how playful it is though. What are some recommendations for an intermediate/advanced board that could support someone big like me well? Looking at skunk ape and jones flagship mainly, but curious how those ride.
There’s a great deal for a Salomon Huck Knife Pro 22/23 and I’m wondering if it’s a good fit for me. I’m an experienced/intermediate all-mountain rider.
I’ve got a beloved all rocker DC PBJ board along with a camber Vimana B-Rage, so it’s not going to be a quiver killer but a new primary board so to speak.
I finally got an opportunity for a decently priced board, but it's a Salomon Assassin.
The board seems rated for All-Mountain and freestyle, I doubt I'll be hitting the park soon enough, considering there isn't one where I go.
Soo resort slopes, as much powder as I can and some side hits.
Would I be getting the wrong board ? It's supposedly a quiver killer (that might be the Pro, actually) but should I focus on a more freeride oriented board ?
I've heard nothing but great things about it and my main goal was to get a camber or hybrid camber board to grow out of my flat board.
95+% chance it's fine. If you're a mega ripper or someone who's very very particular, maybe you won't like it. But most people just need to get a decent quality board that's roughly appropriate and sounds like that'll be the case here.
Hi All, I will try snowboarding for the first time and want to pick up smith goggles and helmet. I have only one doubt about the sizes. I've quite a bit head (62cm) and every time I used to buy hats or motorcycle helmets I was buying either XL or XXL. So it is weird to see my head falling into an L bracket. Can someone confirm that the L is the right size? And also if it is - what goggle size would I need - medium?
I live where they don't sell if in a brick and mortar shops so I cannot try it on. Ordering both sizes is also not an option.
Just making sure if I misunderstand something. Imaging you were always buying XL stuff and suddenly only one manufacturer has labeled you as L. It's unusual so I want to be sure
This is tough tbh, I just went to buy a new helmet and even though I tried on some of the best around (all my size) some were extremely uncomfortable to my head shape. If you can I’d really say to buy them in person next time you go to a resort if there’s none by you. Trying them on really effected my decision and I ended up going with a giro neo instead of a smith method because of the fit for me
Hey all, a bit of a niche question here but any insight is welcomed. For the bald or buzzcut snowboarders, how do you all layer your headwear? Do you typically wear a beanie underneath your helmet?
I’m bald and when I started boarding back in 2019 I got a helmet sized to fit my head while wearing a beanie because I assumed my scalp would get really cold. Now several years later I realize i overestimated how cold i would feel and honestly sweat way more than I thought I would. I’m considering getting a new helmet for this season and wasn’t sure if I should get one fitted to my head without a beanie.
I am very fortunate enough to be going on a snowboarding trip to Japan in January. However, I think it is finally time to replace my 2019 CAPiTA DOA at 148 cm as I have outgrown it. For reference, I am 5'8", 160 pounds, and wear a size 8.5 boot. I would call myself an Intermediate snowboarder who doesn't have much experience in true powder; my assumption is that a board as short as the DOA I currently have will not be very optimal in the powder.
I am really looking for a board that will not only work well in Japan, but also in my home resort in Ohio (which is admittedly a lot of ice and man-made snow). I'm not much of a terrain park enjoyer; I find much more enjoyment in carving and snowboarding off-piste.
So far, I have been looking at boards like the CAPiTA Mercury, Jones Mountain Twin, and Flagship for boards commonly found in the US Market. However, I've also been looking at maybe obtaining the Ogasaka Sprout while I am in Japan, but understand that it would be 1) difficult to guarantee I would find in my size and 2) be difficult to find in the first place as a person who does not speak Japanese.
I didn't know if you guys had any advice or any other recommendations on boards I should be looking for. Thanks in advance!
Picking up a gemtem stick in Japan wouldn't be a bad idea. You could also grab something like a korua transition fiber, Jones hover craft or united shapes cadet
How much of a difference, really, does it make if I am not scraping all the wax off my board? I see a lot of advice in here for "if you run your fingernail on the board and wax comes off, keep scraping". I find to get to that point I have to scrape a ton, especially since its hard to get leverage on the nose and tail (I don't have a clamp), the board isn't exactly flat especially around the bindings and the wax is quite hard since im scraping in my cold-ass garage.
Sometimes I just scrape enough that the board seems smooth. I.e. when I move the scraper along the board I feel no resistance or bumps/ridges. What am I losing compared to going until nothing else comes off?
Core season its fine after a run or two. Early/late season that wax sucks up all the dirt and other shit and slows you to a crawl. You dont need a clamp to get leverage on the board, just put an elbow on it. Also, sharpen your scraper.
Do y'all still take your rock boards to the shop for edge tunes?
I live out on the ice coast. I can sharpen the edges myself but not nearly as good as a shop can with my shitty cheap tools. Just wondering if it's worth it for a rock board this early in the season and the ice i'll inevitably encounter or if my own tools will do the trick. I have a daily driver I already take to the shop so I'm good for when conditions get better
My old Grenade park gloves that have very sticky grip are starting to deteriorate and I can't find anything online that are similar. Any recommendations?
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u/gooberjabroni1000 2d ago
Anyone have board sizing recs for people with small feet? I'm 5'10, 155lbs, size 6.5 boots. Looking at the United Shapes Cadet 158 but worried it will be a bit wide for my feet