Snowboard Gear
Snowboarding Gear for This Year
As we approach the halfway point of August, I can almost taste the snow. Okay, maybe that’s a bit of an exaggeration; but when you have nothing to do but golf and bike for six months you start to fantasize about all the awesome things you’ll be able to do again in a few short months. Besides, the Toronto Ski and Snowboard Show will be upon us in a measly two months. And this year, I’m gettin’ gear!
A new snowboard?
Unfortunately, a new snowboard isn’t in the plans this year. Having purchased the Ride Catalyst at the end of 2005, it’s still too early for a new one. Besides, the board has served me well and only has one hole I’ve had to fill to date. So one more year on this board. After that, I might get a bigger one than handles pow a little better. Or maybe it’s just my pow skills that need help…
A new bag. Definitely.
My snowboard bag is lame. I bought it for something like thirty bucks when I got my first snowboard, and it’s now beat to shit. It says “FIREFLY” on it. (Canadian riders, you’ll know why this is slightly embarassing.) It’s been on probably half a dozen plane trips and several bus trips. It’s got holes. It has no pockets! It’s time for a new bag.
I’m not sure what kind of bag I’m gonna get but it’s gonna say BURTON instead of FIREFLY and have a bunch of wicked pockets. Ooh, and maybe wheels. Okay, the wheels might be overkill.
Walkie talkies
Having walkie talkies on the ski hill is wicked. Not only can you find your slow-assed buddies who disappear when they get stuck digging themselves out of a mountain of pow, or make a wrong turn, or when they decide that “one more run” actually means “head down to the Longhorn to start getting pissed”, but they’re also great for yelling things like, “CHANNEL EIGHT IS A ‘FAMILY’ CHANNEL? LIKE HELL IT IS! I’LL SAY WHATEVER I <insert creative expletive here> WANT!”
Boots
Another lame component of my setup is boots. I’ve had white and red Kemper boots forever. The tightening laces are torn. They’re scuffed. They take forever to lace up. They’re probably half a size too big. I hate them. And did I mention they’re white and red? It’s time for new boots! I’m hoping to score a deal at the Ski and Snowboard show.
Knee Brace
Awwww yeah, I’m getting a badass knee brace soon. Running starts next month, so I’m gonna need one of those robotic knee braces to make sure my surgically repaired ACL, which will be at around 80% operating capacity by then, stays happy.
Check it out. This brace looks positively robotic!
Discussion
5 comments for “Snowboarding Gear for This Year”
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I would suggest a Burton AK backpack. I have recently bought one and I love it. I got the 22.5L which is the best for all around purposes. Not too big and but I still can fit a 15.4 inch laptop in it. That shovel pocket is perfect for it but it doesnt have padding so make I make sure I slip a sock or anythign at the bottom to absord the shock when I put the bag on the floor.
I got it on ebay for 80$ us but it was well worth it. The material is amazing and the finishing touches are very well made. I saw some after selling for less than 50
I have been looking at most of the backpacks from Burton and choosing one basically all comes down to what you really need.
I had a Gravis bag before and it lasted me 6 years… I had multiple cheap bags before I understood that buying about 2 cheap 25$ backpacks a year at these low quality bag stores will cost you 300 for 6 years OR you just buy a very good one for 100 $ which wont rip when you drop heavy books in them.
I recommend the whole AK series, they are build tuff and they wont rip if you zoom by a tree branch or get caught in the chair lift… hehehe
Forgot to say how much I cant wait for this season, last year was my first season but I skateboarded for about 5 years and I skiied when I was a younger so it all came natural to me. I m still far away from the snow parc but I intend to ride at least 3 times a week at Bromont in Quebec…
Been watching too many snowboard videos, checking the new clothing lines and dreaming about back country
Thanks for the comments! Bromont looks pretty sweet — the layout actually kind of reminds me of Tremblant.
I’ve thought about backpacks, but I’m not sure. I might pick one up this year. Thing is, a lot of my riding is done in Ontario, which means I’ll never be on the slopes for more than 10 minutes per run (and that’s if I’m moving waaaay slowly). And even when I’m at other resorts I don’t head into the backcountry too much. Though that will change, so maybe this is the year of the bag.. hmmm..
Cheers,
adam
The countdown has already been started.
I’m also looking for walkie talkies, but after using my cousins’ set last year, I want to find one with a way to activate and deactivate the talking without having to pull it out of my pockets and holding it in my hands.
1. That countdown is awesome.
2. You’re right about that. All I hear all day from friends with radios is high-volume static.