Attn Boarders: What board Recs for a Big Fella?

[BeanDip4All]

The nerdlurve is in the market for a new snowboard. He's a third-year intermediate level boarder who generally rides blues and blacks, not too fast but getting faster (thankyouohthankyoulord)

Biggest issue is size- he has enormous feet (size 13/14 wide) and his toes tend to stick out over the side and hit the snow on normal boards. He's 6'4 and 235lbs in case that is also pertinent. Rides goofy.

He currently rides an Arbor Roundhouse 150cm which is seeming too small (and apparently other boarders on the lift are telling him it's too small).

The short list he is looking at right now:
Burton Custom X Wide 168
Arbor Roundhouse Wide 167
Never Summer Titan TX Wide 169

Thoughts on these? Any others that should be added to the list?

Thank you for any thoughts and input!
Cheers,
C
here is a photo of me about to receive a snowball beatdown to help you in your assessment:

[fortysix&2]

...Biggest issue is size- he has enormous feet (size 13/14 wide) and his toes tend to stick out over the side and hit the snow on normal boards. He's 6'4 and 235lbs in case that is also pertinent. Rides goofy.

If you're looking for all mountain/freeriding:

I'm 6'1, 200 (too much beer this year), and I ride a Never Summer Titan 172 in Colorado. I wish I could get this board in a 180 - 185. I am Mondo 30 (about 12-13 US), and only have toe drag in rare cases where I'm managing steep (50+ degree) and icy terrain in bounds.

Don't be affraid to go big! Good luck

[neck beard]

NS Titan if for no other reason that he will own it forever. But IMO go longer than the 69 at his size.

[givethepigeye]

While a longer board is certainly good, no argument there - I happen to have a 164 Never Summer Titan TX under a bed that is not going to be used since I switched to skis. Could be had for cheap (I am 6'1 or 2" or so, 195-200). Agree with all things above about the NS decks. I have a NS Summit also (172) but it is a more directional board.

[blunder]

lib-tech skunk ape?

haven't tried it but the lib'techs iv'e tried have been very fun and able too handle some abuse (not as much as NS though).

[arild]

Northfork Snowboards (our very own DoughboyShredder) - look him up and see what he can offer. At that height/weight combo, I´d go for something 170+ sized.

[Name Redacted]

Go Never Summer, The Titan or a Legacy. I prefer the legacy personally, the titan is directional and really stiff. Legacy is easier to spin and ride switch. The legacy is a wide board as well.

The only other company I would look at would be Venture.

[sidewall]

Holy shit, get him off that 150 ASAP! I don't know how he's been riding that. I'd get the Never Summer since they are supposed to be really burly boards and he is such a big dude. But like someone else said, something in the 170 range or a 167, etc.

[doughboyshredder]

Northfork Snowboards (our very own DoughboyShredder) - look him up and see what he can offer. At that height/weight combo, I´d go for something 170+ sized.

Thanks arild!

Big Twin in a 170 with a 27 cm waist would be perfect. Gotta get next seasons graphics out. Going to be similar but the mountain will be hand painted. For an intermediate I would suggest the damp model, which is a little bit more forgiving.

I am doing pre orders earlier this season. Probably April and May.

As far as the 3 that you mentioned.

Everyone loves NS around here. They are bomber, but they are also real stiff and snappy. As an intermediate this board might toss him around a little.

Burton. Well, Burton sucks.

That arbor is an awesome board. A little more forgiving than the NS and still a great company to support.

[hitek79]

A 150!?!?!?! No wonder he's slow. He'll immediately be faster on a properly sized board.

I'm going to recommend the Titan as well.

[4matic]

Wide boards suck..

Get the narrowest board he can and for extra clearance use Palmer Power Link system. The Power Link system is awesome regardless of foot size btw if you primarily freeride.

http://www.palmerproject.com/menu1/p...r-link-system/

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorge.../PAL0079M.html

And, DO NOT, get a board that is too long. I hooked an intermediate buddy here at work who is 6' 7" with a wideish 156 and he loves it.

[ANort]

So being a 6'6" with size 16 feet I had some toe drag issues and lifts between board and binding do help give a few more degrees. And perhaps more power to edge which could be good on a wide board.

Here's an example but I am sure you can find them chearper somewhere.

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorge...079&mv_pc=r126

Seem kinda spendy but I found them helpful..

Ditto. upsize from 150. I was looking at venture but went to skis instead a few years back since they make all of there boards in wide.

I have an old pair of risers (but only 10mm rise not current 20mm )you guys could have for beer money.

[doughboyshredder]

Wide boards suck..

Get the narrowest board he can and for extra clearance use Palmer Power Link system. The Power Link system is awesome regardless of foot size btw if you primarily freeride.

http://www.palmerproject.com/menu1/p...r-link-system/

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorge.../PAL0079M.html

And, DO NOT, get a board that is too long. I hooked an intermediate buddy here at work who is 6' 7" with a wideish 156 and he loves it.

First of all wide boards do not suck. What sucks is having a board that is not appropriately sized for your boot size, stance angles, and stance width.

The power link system is ridiculous for anyone that is not boardercross racing or 100% focused on free carving. Adding weight to the board so that you can ride a slightly narrower board is ridiculous. The main advantage to the power link is the ability to ride with cant. An intermediate has no need for it.

What's too long? There is no such thing. You can have a board that is too long for a type of riding in some conditions.

For example if someone that was 6'7 tried to ride a 156 at alpy on a pooh day it would make for some hilarious footage.

If I take my 198 in to the park on an ice day, that's, well pointless.

[refried]

My favorite board again this year is my Smokin' Snowboards 172 (KT-22 now), It's the perfect everday board. Nothing fancy, no rocker or magnatraction just a good solid well made old school board.
http://www.smokinsnowboards.com/inde...d=12&Itemid=13
I agree, the board is way too small, I have a 159 Ranquet and it feels like a skateboard. I only bought it for riding really tight trees

[4matic]

First of all wide boards do not suck. What sucks is having a board that is not appropriately sized for your boot size, stance angles, and stance width.

The power link system is ridiculous for anyone that is not boardercross racing or 100% focused on free carving. Adding weight to the board so that you can ride a slightly narrower board is ridiculous. The main advantage to the power link is the ability to ride with cant. An intermediate has no need for it.

What's too long? There is no such thing. You can have a board that is too long for a type of riding in some conditions.

For example if someone that was 6'7 tried to ride a 156 at alpy on a pooh day it would make for some hilarious footage.

If I take my 198 in to the park on an ice day, that's, well pointless.

Power Link does not add cant. It does a couple things: It stiffens the board between the bidings and therefore applies a more solid edge and the weight addition is relatively insignificant but the advantage of a little weight is it mitigates deflection. It also allows me to ride a slightly longer board beause I have more leverage to the edge and more control.

Here's a few more reviews of the Power Link:

http://www.backcountry.com/outdoorge...s.html#reviews

[arild]

What you´re not taking into account are the obvious benefits of a wider, longer board.
-Better float.
-More suited to the weight of the rider (come on, you don´t put 230 lbs on a 156. Really), making it less prone to snap.
-Better snow feel (compared to risers, which suck).
-Better having a board too long than too short. Makes you a stronger rider. And a 170/27 board for mr Beandip is neither too long nor too wide. Transition period from that 150, sure, but nothing he won´t handle.

Doughboy, PM coming your way. Love the shape of that Molester!

Beandip: If you haven´t already, see if you can force him to try on some Salomon F-series boots, given his weight, the F22 might feel soft, and the F24 will be very nice. Footprint reducing, super cush boots.

[doughboyshredder]

Doughboy, PM coming your way. Love the shape of that Molester!

Going to offer it with rockered tip and tail next year. I am loving the rockered tip on my reaper, and I know it will translate great to the molester.

Here is a shot of a few of the twins I built a little while ago.

[Spyplane]

The NS legacy would be my suggestion. I would go 172 for his size, as a good all around size. I have a 165 and I'm 5'11" 200+ and I wish I would've gone a little bigger. Once he gets used to turning a bigger board (I bet he can 1080 that 150cm) he'll be solid.

[Turd Ferguson]

Beandip: If you haven´t already, see if you can force him to try on some Salomon F-series boots, given his weight, the F22 might feel soft, and the F24 will be very nice. Footprint reducing, super cush boots.

In my experience the F series boots will never work with wide feet.

Regarding boards, in addition to the NS recommendations, I'd take a look at Prior - they have a lot of offerings designed for big feet.

[Shepherd Wong]

I think he really might need to go custom. I have 11 sized boots and my current board is a Legacy at 26.9 underfoot and could never see going any more narrow, even with my pretty duck stance. I'd think he also should keep it at around 165-170 in length if he wants an all around resort board.

[4matic]

Kirkwood has a great demo program for passholders. I think it is $30 and they let you try up to five different setups.

[The Dude]

If he is interested, I have an Arbor Element 167 Wide from a few years ago, barely used, great condition that I could sell. Drop me a PM if interested.

[neck beard]

Fuck this.

You have your future as a couple to consider.

Teach him to ski. Doesn't mean he can't board, but the sooner he learns to ski the better. It is a life long skill for most couples

[arild]

In my experience the F series boots will never work with wide feet.

Regarding boards, in addition to the NS recommendations, I'd take a look at Prior - they have a lot of offerings designed for big feet.

Didn´t know that! I gave them up at some point and started riding Mallis, the luxuries of a removable liner and all.

[arild]

Going to offer it with rockered tip and tail next year. I am loving the rockered tip on my reaper, and I know it will translate great to the molester.

Here is a shot of a few of the twins I built a little while ago.

Pretty pretty boards! Love those blunt tip shapes..

Oh, another pro for wider boards: They traverse a hell of a lot better.