Setups that work

[Rider X]

As of today, I'm riding a 156 Lamar Hetzel Lite, Switch Step-In HIGHBACKS, and Vans boots.

It all works for me, but my boots are greying (they were white).

[Stu Brodie]

step ins??? you're not serious are you?

[Rider X]

Yup. Have you ever ridden Switch Highbacks?

Don't think so. I'd be suprised if anyone around here had.

So don't knock it 'till you try it, because chances are, I'm better then you.

[Stu Brodie]

the best step in...is only as good as a decent pair of straps...and top of the line straps cant be beat period

[boarder_patrol]

i got a k2 satellite wide (158) with plasma v6 bindings.... seeing im more of an advanced beginner, it works for me.

[Rider X]

Only say what you can back up, Stu. What is your point anyways? What is your set of criterion for a 'better' pair of bindings, since you obviously regard step-ins as inferior technology. More importantly, this forum is for "Reviews - Try out a new board? Post what you think here." No one asked you for your editorials about other people's hardware choices. It's nice that you have such a strong opinion, but you need to tone down your approach.

You enter a battle of wits unarmed.

[Stu Brodie]

im just saying why settle for anythin less, especially when it comes to bindings, thats the only thing on the board that put a funk in your whole ride if they're not kosh, steps are alright for a little while but they get loose way to quick they just cant take the abuse of a good pair of straps, so why ride something thats doesnt give u the responsive feel that straps do and doesnt last as long, plus u dont have to deal with the stuff gettin clogged full of ice and if u eat it in the pow you dont have to worry about steppin back in, but whatever i just know i'd never go all on a setup that u have to rely on two metal clips to hold u to the board

[GNUworld]

OK, let's give the step-in vs. strap-in holy wars a break. Who cares. I have seen professional all-mountain and heli-boarding riders who use step-ins and love them. If you like them, use them. If you don't like them, don't buy them. 'Nuff said. Let's get back to the topic of this forum -- reviews.

Last month I got a pair of Salomon Malamute boots, Salomon SP4 "shaped" bindings, and an Option Signature 164.

The boots are really stiff. They're still a lot more flexible than hardboots, though. They have a nice thick pad over the top of my foot that spreads out the pressure from the heel strap, and thermal plastic in the heel that the shop molded to my feet. I get zero heel lift with these babies, and have awesome ankle support and edge-to-edge control. If you get a pair, wear them around the house a bit before you go boarding to break them in.

The SP4 bindings are really nice, but are pretty heavy. If I was shopping for replacements, a big point would be weight. But I really like the fact that the toe strap doesn't come all the way open - you just loosen the strap and fold it forward over the toe of your boot. It makes strapping in a lot faster because you don't have to thread the toe strap into the buckle. I also like the "shaped" highback. I ride with high angles (30 front, 21 back), so the wings on the top of the highback give me some extra support on heelside carves.

The Option Signature 164 is awesome. Great pop, nice and stiff, stable at high speed, bashes through ice and crappy snow, but still responsive and able to turn on a dime in trees and bumps.

[Rider X]

Hey, GNUworld you must be REALLY TALL! Because a 164 isn't going to be very responsive to anyone under about 6'3". That is a giant board, man.
Just a shot in the dark, but did you slalom ski before you snowboarded? I did and for a long time I had to have a ton of angle on my bindings so I felt like I was riding slalom... it just reminded me of that to hear such steep angles on the bindings - rock on.

[GNUworld]

Nah, I'm five foot ten. But I weigh 220 pounds so most smaller, more flexible boards fold up like an old wallet or stutter across the snow when I carve hard.

You're right, I should have mentioned my weight in the review, because the Option Signature 164 could be kind of unresponsive for someone who's a lot lighter than me. I wouldn't recommend that length for anyone who weighs less than about 170 lbs, unless they're an advanced rider who pushes the limits, and wants a stiff fast ride.

I also wouldn't recommend that board for a beginning rider. It's not very forgiving of poor style at low speed. It's not bad, but a first-day beginner might have a hard time controlling it compared to a more flexible board.

But oh, what a ride. It's a religious experience.

Having a really long board makes spins and jump turns (moguls) harder, but it's a lot more stable and easier to control when you're going really fast. Pete Thorndike on the US Snowboard Team rides a 182 for GS races, and he's 5 foot 11, 180 lbs.

I rode a slalom course once, it was a lot of fun. I do love going fast and taking hard turns. But I don't have the equipment for serious racing, and I was never any good at skiing. :-)

[Swarthy]

Anyone remember the old Sims bail-style bindings?
It was a metal latch that hooked over a metal buckle.
Two hinges were the only moving parts.
That's cool.

Step-in bindings are weak and never ridden by pros except when they're sponsored by the likes of Switch. The problems? Too high off the board (unless you're racing, and then you probably want a plate system) and the center of force is right at the middle of the binding where you're given the least effect on your edges.

[Rider X]

Who cares about the retarded battle between steps and straps? Ride what you have and have fun. Everyone has their own opinions of what's "the best" but what it boils down to is skill. Those lacking in skills would benefit themselves to not offer their valuable advice about things they are not informed on. They're all doing the same thing - attaching your boot to the board. If you want to ***** about something, try the screws. What's supposed to keep them from breaking?

Take a hint: shut up.

[GNUworld]

OK, I was willing to let the straps vs. step-ins thread die like it deserves. But RiderX is right, posting basically "your setup sucks" is just rude. This really is BS, who cares. Use the right tool for your technique. Ride what you like.

Anyway, unless someone is ASKING me for help with their setup or technique, I'm not going to be a RUDE ASSH0LE and say their setup sucks, even if I think it does. For example, I don't like Flow bindings, but some people swear by them. Who am I to tell them they're wrong? Maybe they just don't work for ME, but for them it might be the best possible setup.

I ride straps, and I love 'em. But I've ridden clickers and switch step-ins too and they both work fine. The upward "center of force" is in the screws that hold the binding to the board. Just like straps. The downward "center of force" is at the heel or toe. Just like straps. Even if all high-end strap binders did put your feet closer to the board than switch step-ins (and they don't), being higher off the board is an advantage. Take a look at the risers that pro snowboard racers use. They prevent boot drag and give you better leverage on the board's edge. Some of the newest high-end strap bindings lift your feet off the board higher than switch step-ins do.

[Rider X]

GNUworld - props.

[415 w210]

straps vs clicks blaa blaa. who cares ride waht works. most of you problaly never even seen a setup like mine and you'd probably knock it right away. it almost a decade old now, contact burton ( the kind that had horseshoe shaped bindings where your boot is directly on the board), but it rides sweeter than anything I've tried so far.

i see all these young kids in the newest gear their mommy's just bought them all the time... these are the same kids that ask what kind of board IS that?.......they cant ride worth shit.

i know this is my first post and all, but i thought this forum has for what works because i tried it and not what i dont think works.

personally i don't like step ins, doesn't mean they dont work for someone else, but more important DUDE INTRODUCED ME TO A NEW STEPIN, maybe these are better, maybe not, but at least i ihave something new to try.

lets share our knowledge, not revel in our ignorance

[Swarthy]

For instance, maybe we could talk about how we USED to set up our boards, back when we thought we knew what we were doing... I used to have my Gnu Kinetic set up with the standard Elfgen bindings, the ones with the tongue built in. I thought I was a speedy rider so I cranked the bindings around for a "real agressive" stance. After about half an hour I was getting blisters on my feet and cramps in my legs. Not to mention the fact that my "snowboard" boots were actually Sorel snow (not board) boots. Those were the days.

And regarding mommies buying us our gear: I'm the proud owner of a pair of K2 T1's which I never had to go out and buy myself... Thanks Mom!

[asoundlife]

I learned on an Option Sig 164 (2002) . I'm 5'11 , 165lbs.. I disagree that it is harder to learn on. When first learning you don't have to worry about bending the board and giving the board enough pressure to decamber it. You're mainly concerned with the ability to just change edges, which always involves (as a beginner) just doing simple falling leaf drills, and traversing the slopes, switching edges by pushing your back foot forward and back to change edges.

However, by the end of the season, when you start to learn how to truly carve, you run into a problem. Carving required a lot more pressure applied to the edge, and because of this, carving took much longer to learn (I wouldn't apply enough pressure, and the edge would slip on me when I was trying to hold a carve-- this took about a couple weeks to solve, I realized I had to put about twice as much pressure by bending my knees quite a bit more, and lowering the center to keep a better balance). Trees were fun, it took a bit more energy to manouever the board though..

A word of warning to those who wish to buy an adanced board to begin on.. you can only progress so far by yourself before you need to see someone do it properly. Carving is an art that cannot be read about on how to perfect, it must be seen and copied.. especially when the board may be a little bigger than most beginner boards. Don't give up and you'll make it.

Anyways, have a pair of burton customs and forum peter line boots for this setup.

My other setup is a Burton Seven with Ride Team bindings. A great setup overall.

The forum boots were a mistake, the boot slams the arch and after about 30mins of riding 1 of 2 things happen. 1) you feel like you want to cut your foot off your in so much pain. 2) your foot falls asleep.
Solution: heel cups.. raises the heal a quater inch to bypass the enomorous and misplaced arch (a little bit). The boots do keep the feet warm, and with the heel cups it works out fine (an extra $20). For $250 boots, those things should be gods.

cheers.

[Eastsideslider7]

6'2" 165 lbs. size 12 boot.

I ride an Elan Boulevarde 158 wide. I love the flex i get on it and the fact that its easy to spin. I also love the fact that when i board with my friends and go through powder, i glide over the top and they sink in. I ride Drake f-40's but this year i'm stepping up to F-50's. I have o;ld Rossi 5 stage boots... Yeah about $575 all together. But hey it works for me.

[jpm35]

I've only been snowboarding for a year and just rented a board last year. But this year, I went out and actually dropped some decent money on some new gear. I got size 11 k2 t1 boots, the new MFM technine bindings, and an option vinson 160 wide. Am I gonna end up killing myself out there or what?

[asoundlife]

I've only been snowboarding for a year and just rented a board last year. But this year, I went out and actually dropped some decent money on some new gear. I got size 11 k2 t1 boots, the new MFM technine bindings, and an option vinson 160 wide. Am I gonna end up killing myself out there or what?

Height , weight? .. If you're within the 'weight range' of the board, than its usually alright. You prolly won't kill yourself.. Hell I weight 165 and ride a 164 for freeriding. Learning is a bit more difficult, but not impossible.

Style will also come into play if you want a shorter board or longer board (freestyle vs. freeride) .

[jpm35]

Height , weight? .. If you're within the 'weight range' of the board, than its usually alright. You prolly won't kill yourself.. Hell I weight 165 and ride a 164 for freeriding. Learning is a bit more difficult, but not impossible.

Style will also come into play if you want a shorter board or longer board (freestyle vs. freeride) .


I'm 6'0 and 225. Definitely not on the light side.

[asoundlife]

You'll be fine.. you'll probably find that you will want a longer board later on for free riding. A longer board with freeriding will keep you up ontop of the powder better..

Have a g'season man.. good luck with the new setup!

[Rider X]

Anyone have or ridden a Ride Timeless? I could get a brand new one for a pretty low price, but the bastard won't let me ride it first, so if anyone has some personal feedback about it, that would be sweet.

[mrperson60]

as of now im riding a 154 nitro suprateam, with burton mission bindings and nirto team boots

[Stu Brodie]

i need new bindings...those missions work pretty good for ya? i was thinking about those or some burton customs...

[Rider X]

I got rid of the Switch Step-in Highbacks, and practically all my other snowboarding gear this year. For boots, I got the DC Stealth - the ones with the little air pump in them and the heat warmer pocket in the bottom. My bindings are the new Ride SPi's, and I have to say the difference in stability is enormous. I kinda agree with you who say strap ins are better, but it still depends on the application. My new board is the '04 Forum Destroyer Raider. In my opinion, a great jibbing board with the right balance of flex and pop for park work. Wouldn't really recommend freeriding with it, but you can if you want. Not really a beginner's board.

Anyways, that's my stuff. If we're going to restart the trend since last year, begin the flaming. I stand by my gear choices.

[bluebrooks]

K2 '04 instinct, 159 (new)
K2 clickers (yes, the ones you see on rentals) (5 seasons used)
K2 boots (3 seasons used) (don't know the model offhand, but they're tall, with the wratchet strap over the front)

I just posted in another thread about step-ins and why I ride them, so I won't get into that again here.
It's enough to know I ride very well, love my setup, and won't change unless someone shows me the light.

I'm not a big lover of K2 or anything, it just sort of worked out that I have all their gear now. While I can give the boots and bindings I true thumbs up, I am still a little sketchy about the board. I love the ride thus far, but am having a few deck problems. we'll see.

[Eastsideslider7]

i dumped my f-40's at the beginning of the season and bought Salmon SP3's. The f-40's had a big problem with hardware vibrating and coming loose. I like the salomons because of the little rubber gaskets that separate the screws from the baseplate, they provide really good dampening and keep the hardware on tight.

[thegock319]

164cm? burton bullet for $75 on eBay (bad shape)

drake f-60s

vans fargos w/ boa cable laces

6'1" 203lbs

[Proboskus]

Right now I'm riding a (please don't laugh...I'm broke) A-snowboards 164....board..it gets the job done. Old skool(2000/01?) Forum bindings and Salomon boots, the name escapes me. I've had the boots and bindings for about 5 years and my board is almost a year old. I had the same problem with the hardware rattling loose on my bindings. Plumbers tape slows down the problem but doesn't get rid of it. Anyone recommend some bindings? Strap-ins, price isn't really a problem. I can save money. I kinda got a Burton board in mind. I've heard great things from them. I used to have a Ride concept which was the best board I ever tried. Does Ride still make top notch stuff? Their bindings look really nice. Anyway I should prolly stop rambling.....heh

[Eastsideslider7]

SP3's, SPX's. both by Salomon.

[crx]

Burton Custom 162
Drake Matrix Bindings
Northwave Quest Boots with Boa Laces.

Drake and Northwave are pretty much the same company, although Drake only makes bindings and Northwave only makes boots. They seem like they were made for eachother, because they were! Custom is the sickest all around board Ive ever ridden. The drakes have the right plate for the burton 3 hole system but you have too really crank on the screws from keeping them from getting loose.

[_St0ked0ut]

dude, you guys... switch bindings are hella sick bindings, they never freeze up or anything i'v used them myself... i would highly recommend somebody who wants step ins to get switch... there really well made also.. www.switchbindings.com .... check it out

stoked :)

[Vagabond]

My setup:

Board: Nitro Suprateam, Fallen series;
Bindings: Nitro Rapidfire SST Pro step-ins;
Boots: Nitro Aura

by the way, these step-ins are nothing like the older versions, the boot is attached to the board from front (below the toes) and back (below the heel). The boot is like glued to the board :)

www.nitrousa.com


VB

[JAmes]

I got rid of the Switch Step-in Highbacks, and practically all my other snowboarding gear this year. For boots, I got the DC Stealth - the ones with the little air pump in them and the heat warmer pocket in the bottom. My bindings are the new Ride SPi's, and I have to say the difference in stability is enormous. I kinda agree with you who say strap ins are better, but it still depends on the application. My new board is the '04 Forum Destroyer Raider. In my opinion, a great jibbing board with the right balance of flex and pop for park work. Wouldn't really recommend freeriding with it, but you can if you want. Not really a beginner's board.

Anyways, that's my stuff. If we're going to restart the trend since last year, begin the flaming. I stand by my gear choices.


ok i dunno if anyone said this about stepins, its that people dont like them because of how they feel, well more like how they hold your boot.... in stepins your boot is being held in at the bottom and makes for a diffrent feel because your boot is not being held down like they are in normal bindings so people end up hating them because of how they feel, to people who are used to stepins its quite diffrent.... i myself never liked stepins... its all opinions

[rage]

I don't like them because I have to dig snow out of them. I guess i'm just lazy,

[snwbdrhoon]

step-ins: good for instructing, when you're in and out all the time...
prefer SI's when i was instructing

otherwise: what's the point? performance isn't the level of a regular strap binding...

[thisisgoing2hur]

6'2 215 size 11 boot
-04 Burton Custom 166cm
-'05 Burton Mission
-'05 Burton Freestyle

All Burton but I got a big discount :) picking it up this weekend and hopefully testing it up in VT- Hit me up if you want to meet up and cannonball it up there.

BTW what the hell are Flows and what makes them special

[Greedy88]

Hey guys this is my first post, just surfing on the net and stumbled on the site. Im riding
- 2004 Burton Code 160
- Burton Missions
- 32 Lashed
Had to upgrade this year cause my last set-up was gettin horrible, bought a firefly from sportchek just to start off with but now on to better and bigger things.