Any recomendations on Snowkiting gear

[Mark Johnson]

I am in the market for some new boots bindings and harness.
Not sure if I want the k2 cinch or the burton flow bindings?
Anyone try the BOA system on boots?
Mystic blazer waist or seat?
Or any other options?
Way to many choices sense I last bought boots and bindings.
Any input on any of these or other brands would be welcomed. Thanks.

[Marty Lowe]

Mark,
I have switched from Flow bindings to K2 Cinch,
I found they gave me the same easy entry as the Flow,
but I like the ability to get more forward lean at the ankle.
I think the new Flow may be different.

The Mystic waist and seat have the same feel,
Just leg straps on the seat.
I have the seat blazer,
The spreader bar sits to low for me,
You use a seat harness, it will be what your use to.
I'll sell it to you for $100 bucks. ($160 retail)

-Marty

[tjacques]

mark i am in the same delemia. i have really never snowboarded. last year i telemarked. this year i want to learn toeside. my friend wants to sell me a snowboard 160cm. with bindings conventional straps. and a set of snowboard boots. i tried the boots on and they fit. everything looks in good shape. he wants 200.00? what do you think should I be more picky?
todd

[Marty Lowe]

my friend wants to sell me a snowboard 160cm. with bindings conventional straps. and a set of snowboard boots. i tried the boots on and they fit. everything looks in good shape. he wants 200.00? what do you think should I be more picky?
todd

The size of the board sounds good.
One handed binding release and entry are a bonus,
such as the Flow and Cinch. Conventional bindings take two hands
I recommend a true twin tip board.
or at least being able to get your bindings as centered as possible.
I notice the dis advantages of a centered directional mostly in the powder,
the stiffer tail won't float as good.

-Marty

[Mark Johnson]

Todd what kind of board?
Also I think the Park City Ski And Snowboard swap is still going on this weekend. You might try there.
Some boards are made very heavy and to flexy.
I am riding a Burton 171 that is pretty stiff but not stiff like the race boards. Not sure if this is the best board for kiting but its what I am use to riding at the resorts.
If you want to try a snowboard befor you buy I could set you up with my old gear to test it out. Size 10 1/2 boot I think, clicker bindings, they work ok if the snow isnt to sticky. I think I have a couple old board around.

[btjsfca]

I bought a pair of Flows last season, and they are really sweet. They're the NXT ATs. Aluminum baseplate, somewhat less material on the top strap. Good stuff. The Cinch's have a loyal following, and I hear the quality is much better than it used to be, but they use a different system than the Flows which (in my opinion) is inferior to the Flow system. I've heard the first couple iterations of the Cinch's had problems with the cable breaking. The Cinch is also a heavier binding than the Flows.

But, I need to say that any regular snowboard bindings aren't made for kiting. We've got a totally different stance; specifically, we don't need forward lean. Yeah it helps to edge upwind, but what it does is force your legs to be bent, so you're working your quads on every tack, and there's little relief, so you have to break more often. The word on the street is that you can take regular bindings and remove the highback and then you can use a more kiting-specific stance that will save your legs and give you longer sessions. With the Flows or the Cinch, you can't even try it. So you may want to give this a shot before you sink in for some new bindings that you don't have the option to customize.

It may also be that I'm a bad snowkiter and it's *my* stance that's effed up and that you don't have these problems. In which case, I say go with the Flow! (yuk-yuk-yuk)

-J

[Mark Johnson]

The kid over at the new Sports Chalet here in West Jordan was showing me that the Cinches did open a bit more wide than the Flows. Not sure how much this matters. They also had I think 3 different versions of the Flows and 2 versions of the Cinches.
By the way they were doing a pretty cool skateboard and BMX show out front of the store for the grand opening this weekend.

[tjacques]

well after reading what marty said and talking to a few other boarders this morning i went to the pc swap. i bought a used twin tip 160 wide style for 65. new k2 cinch bindings for 170. and new burtons boots for 75. i was ready to buy used stuff from my friend for 200 tommorow but think for 100 more i have better bindings. thanks for input from you guys. bring on the snow!!!! first time in a long time i am looking forward to winter wind, thanks to kiting.

todd

[Marty Lowe]

The word on the street is that you can take regular bindings and remove the highback and then you can use a more kiting-specific stance that will save your legs and give you longer sessions.
-J

I was under the impression that most kiters taking the backs off, were on hardpack. It doesn't sound right in the powder. Post your opinions if you try it.


I found out today that just because a board says twin, it can still have a progressive core cut, that makes it stiffer on one end, even if you get the stance centered.

-Marty

[Jacob Buzianis]

Board or ski recommended-

twin tip board

board-150cm-165cm

ski- 160cm- 180cm

Wide at least 26cm in the center (snowboard Manufacture called it Wide board)

Wide board give more room to edge and float more on the powder days.

Straighter side cut as possible to reduce the board trying to carve when you are edging straight.

Flexy board for cruiser

Stiff or Poppy board for freestyler or charger

Less or no camber


snowboard binding recommended-

easy to get in and out of the binding

Keep your high back on regardless

Highback should have at least 80 degree tilt or more to prevent you from damaging your knee, ALS, and MCL.

Get Switch blade for hardpack snow or Icy condition for cruiser, not for freestyler

K2 clicker binding

Flow Binding

K2 cinch

Burton binding

Set your binding duck style at least 10 degree front and -10 degree back.
No more then 20 degree front and -20 degree back. Find you your comfortable stance.


Todd, excellent choice on those stuff you bought.

[Jason Klein]

i tried removing the back of the bindings last year. it did make it easier to get in and out, but i had to pull up with my toes in order to keep the board on the back edge (it was on firm snow), which left my shins burning after just a few minutes. not recommeded.

[Kenny]

If you can find a pair of K2 Clicker bindings and a pair of boots that fit you on ebay, that is an excellent route to go. I am still using mine after 7 years of snowkiting.

[Jacob Buzianis]

Removing the Highback is a serious risk to your knee even the K2 clicker binding with out the forward lend. It can make your knee to lock when you land or hit hard bump.

Get the K2 clicker with the forward lend if you can find any

Also, there an old Rossignal snowboard binding that has step in with the highback. They work pretty good.

Don't get the old Burton step in. Those didn't work out very well for most rider because of the complication getting the boots in the binding. A small ice stuck in the binding or boot is a bugger to get it out.

[tjacques]

jacob thanks but i owe it all to marty, JK, and mark for guiding me. big kudos to JK for going with me and saving me hundreds!!! he was way cool and told me his mistakes, and found every deal in the place. he has a knact for finding cheap sheot!!! Kenny thanks for youre 2 cents on kites, I truly listen to veterans. I do want a foil though, maybe a 12 frenzy. the reason is i get work late and have small window to have fun, less pumping, ride more. is a 14 too big?????????
t

[Marty Lowe]

Just a little off topic.

I'd really like to get Billy's thoughts on boards.

Chime in, with your board background, I'd like to hear your thoughts.


-Marty