Hey you snowboarders!

[lovelife22 0]

It's that time of year again!! Anyone out there know some good brands for snowboarding boots? Comfy and solid quality? I have VANS right now, but they KILL my feet...Saloman good boots (saw a bunch on the REI outlet website)? Will they work with FLOW bindings? Any input would be awesome! THANKS!!

[davedlg 0]

First of all are your flow bindings step in or strapped bindings? If they are strapped bindings, you should be able to fit almost any boot. If they are step in, you have limited your binding choice significantly. I have airwalk boots and I love them. They are very warm and comfortable and ride great!

[skycat 0]

I have 2 pairs of Solomons and Derek has 1 pair, we both love them. What kind of riding you are doing, depending on the kind of riding will depend on the boot.

Only thing with them is after a season you need new insoles cause the padding in the bottom gets crushed. For a frame of reference, we board every weekend so the boots get a real workout.
Heck I've already got 4 days of boarding in this season.

My Freestyle boots - http://www.rei.com/product/47828897.htm?

My Freeride boots - http://www.rei.com/product/47828904.htm
I actually like these the best

Fly it like you stole it!

[davedlg 0]

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Heck I've already got 4 days of boarding in this season

4 days? You're lucky. I have only managed to get up once so far. (It would have been twice more last weekend if I hadn't been sick)

Oh well, that first bludbird champagne powder day at Vail should fix everything

[Stumpy 284]

I had the top of the range Salomon last year and they were comfy as slippers!!! I think its like anything - if they fit your feet then go for it - i personally can't wear Vans for example coz tehy are just the wrong shape.

As for Flow, I don't think there should be too much problem, however again i think your feet have to be the right shape for them. I couldn't dial out the heel lift i was getting in Flow Bindings no matter which boots i tried, flows own or anything else, but i have a mate who swears by them. That was a shame as i think as a concept the flows are so convenient and are superb. Just make sure you try them in the shop and REALLY try to move your boot in the binding - w would suggest you screw the binding to the board, step into it, then get someone else to stand on the board while you try and pull your foot back out. If it doesn't move and its comfy then you are onto a winner.

hope that helps,

dave

Never try to eat more than you can lift

[gravityizsexy 0]

can never go wrong with trendy burton...
no complaints from me.

"'Someday is not a day in my week'"

[lovelife22 0]

Awesome! Those are really nice...they seem perfect for me. I have been boarding 4 years now, don't do
crazy jumps or anything, but just enjoy the fresh pow-pow!! These should work w/the flow bindings...thanks so much!

I HAVE NOT made it out yet, but hoping too VERY soon!!

[livendive 8]

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can never go wrong with trendy burton...
no complaints from me.

The higher end burton's are nice, but the cheapos are, well, cheap. Heel lift sucks.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[lovelife22 0]

So what is the biggest difference b/t freestly and freeride boots? can you tell that much???

[skycat 0]

Hey I updated the 2nd link, my copy paste must have been stuck.

I have Ivys for Freeride which means it's an all mountain boot.

I have Kianas for Freestyle which means they are for doing tricks or really bumpy terain.

Fly it like you stole it!

[flyangel2 2]

Yea that Kelly is a whore. She even had to show me her new jacket on Sunday.

~snowboard whore
~gear whore

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[davedlg 0]

In my opinion, in a ski or snowboard system, the boot is the most crucial element to your performance on the slopes. The most important thing when choosing a ski or snowboard boot is to take your time, try on lots of boots and buy the one that fits the best. Getting lots of suggestions is great, but everyone's foot is shaped differently. Dont just go out and buy whatever seems to be the most popular boot at the time. Every hour you spend trying on different boots will be worth it when you are on the mountain with a really comfortable boot instead of something you just rushed out and bought. I have a lot of friends who did just that and spent many miserable runs slowly breaking their boots in. The other thing I would reccomend is custom insoles. Yes, they are fairly pricey, but they are worth every penny. I got several pair of custom insoles several years ago, and it truely makes you a better rider.

[skycat 0]

I agree 100% with your comment, when I bought my Ivy's I spent 30 minutes walking around REI to make sure I could deal with standing in them all day.

Since you like powder and all mountain riding look for something with a stiff upper/stiff forward lean like the Ivy has. That way your shins and calves become part of the steering mechanism, with my Kianas the uppers are really flexible so my feet have to do all the work.

And yes, yes I am a gear whore and trying to get out of denial. I mean having 2 snowboard & boot sets, plus 2 jackets and pants really doesn't make me a gear whore, I mean It's only 2 sets of everything.

Fly it like you stole it!

[skycurlycat 0]

I LOVE my DC boots. They have air pump in them so they're snugged when I go riding. You should focus on the boot fitting right and comfortable range. You don't want your feet/ankles to move around so much, can sprain or break it if pummel into the snow! I freeride and this coming up season I will start hitting the parks:-) CAN'T wait...my boyfriend and I are head to snowy Park City, UT on Dec 6 for the week, yahoo!

PMS #113
PMTS #19

[lovelife22 0]

Quote

In my opinion, in a ski or snowboard system, the boot is the most crucial element to your performance on the slopes. The most important thing when choosing a ski or snowboard boot is to take your time, try on lots of boots and buy the one that fits the best. Getting lots of suggestions is great, but everyone's foot is shaped differently. Dont just go out and buy whatever seems to be the most popular boot at the time. Every hour you spend trying on different boots will be worth it when you are on the mountain with a really comfortable boot instead of something you just rushed out and bought. I have a lot of friends who did just that and spent many miserable runs slowly breaking their boots in. The other thing I would reccomend is custom insoles. Yes, they are fairly pricey, but they are worth every penny. I got several pair of custom insoles several years ago, and it truely makes you a better rider.

Absolutely! I DID NOT spend enough $$$ on my last boots, thus the feet falling asleep everytime i boarded being miserable the whole time! So this season, I am gonna suck it up and spend the $$$ I need too!!! I want happy feet this year!

[skycat 0]

Quote

I LOVE my DC boots. They have air pump in them so they're snugged when I go riding. You should focus on the boot fitting right and comfortable range. You don't want your feet/ankles to move around so much, can sprain or break it if pummel into the snow! I freeride and this coming up season I will start hitting the parks:-) CAN'T wait...my boyfriend and I are head to snowy Park City, UT on Dec 6 for the week, yahoo!

Watch your knees when you hit the park, and get wrist guards. The majority of injuryies I've seen have been broken wrists and tore up knees.

Fly it like you stole it!

[flyangel2 2]

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Watch your knees when you hit the park, and get wrist guards. The majority of injuryies I've seen have been broken wrists and tore up knees.

Humm, I don't see one mention about a helmet For me, I'm never on the slopes without mine. It has saved me more then once in some tree runs.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[skycat 0]

Hey now, I have a deal going, when he gets one I'll get one.

Fly it like you stole it!

[flyangel2 2]

So, kind of like the old saying. If he jumps off a cliff will you follow? He jumps off cliffs and I haven't seen you follow.

Hey, I can only work on you two one at a time. You're going to be easy, it's Hook that I'll have to spend way more time getting the helmet on him.

For being Mr. and Miss Safety, I can't believe you guys don't wear helmets

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[skycat 0]

hehehe....well if he would quit loosing his canopies I probably would have made a jump or 2 by now.

Actually I was looking at helmets a few min ago, I just have to go and try some more on. As for him wearing one, well he will wear his sidewinder to take video. "Hey baby will you get some video of me?"

Fly it like you stole it!

[davedlg 0]

Helmets are like AAD's...you dont need one to ski and people have skied successfully and survived for years without one. BUT if the time comes that it will save your life, you will be glad you made that investment. Personally, I bought one several years ago when I started racing and I have worn it ever since. In fact, on the first run of the first day I had the helmet I took the hardest wreck I have ever taken skiing and I was glad I had it on when my head hit packed snow at 40 MPH. Another bonus: they keep your head, and thus your whole body warm.