Board and binding advice
Hey guy
Before now ive only used rental equipment because i was with my family and buying gear that would become to small without being used seemed pointless. Ive been to the snow 5 times now, i would say im about an intermediate rider (and hooked for life), i know how i like to ride, but have never looked into what i was riding on or what i should buy.
I ride all mountain but love to just play on anything and everything, everywhere on the mountain. So im looking for a board that loves butters, jibs and big airs, but can still handle the fast, steep, rock dropping double blacks.
Ive been looking around and ive got my eyes on a Burton 2012 Hero 158 and a pair of Burton 2012 Mission EST bindings. (I am 172cm, 60kg)
Im not set in stone on either board or bindings, so any advice or suggestions would be great.
Im also very curious to peoples thoughts and experiences with the EST bindings and the channel.
Cheers
Dylan
Hey DylanV,
Welcome to Boardworld. 
Where will you be riding? Australia? Overseas? Both?
My first instinct is to say don’t get the Hero. It’s a sick board but very buttery. So unless you’re only riding park, I’d look at something else. Also that 158 is too big for you. You’re only 60kg, you definitely don’t need to be riding something so big.
A good starting point is looking at the common camber profiles available. I just finished putting together the camber profile article here. Please have a read through and let us know which you think would appeal to you the most. That way, we can help you narrow down the specific models within each brand.
It sounds to me like you’re looking for something versatile. Have a look at the hyrbid camber profiles. If you’re looking at the Burton range, look at something like the Burton Custom Flying V.
You can’t go wrong with the Missions. They are a solid choice and really good value at that particular price point. However, if you can afford the difference, I would step up to the Cartels. Either will serve you well though.
I’ve been riding EST/Channel since it first came in. I’m a fan of the system, I think it works really well. You get increased board feel with the ESTs and you can adjust your stance exactly how you want it. For me, the stance adjustability is a big plus. The disadvantage of using EST bindings is they only work on a Burton Channel board. So if you get a non-Burton board, the bindings won’t work.
Let me know if you have any questions.
I plan to ride NZ this year hopefully, and then maybe japan or just perisher (depends on funds) the year after and then in about 3 years im going to spend atleast a year in Canada.
Yea i was wondering if it would be too buttery or not, i read your camber profile article last night actually, great work on it, i have been looking around alot and im very familiar with profiles burton and a few other brands have to offer.
ATM im going through the Aus board stores list you have put together and i found a board ive been interested in for a long time on RPS, the DC MLF 156 2010. i absolutely loved the graphics the first time i saw it, it seems to have some pretty solid reviews. any thoughts on it?
A mate of mine tried out this board in NZ this year on the park and on the groomers, he said it was good but he also tried out a DC tone http://store.dcshoes.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11979719&clickid=body_rv_img which he said was the best board he had ever used. That day he also tested a gnu pickle and a lib tech skate banana. Hard to find, but maybe worth a look if you are looking at DC boards
Yeah, my first instinct would be not to go the HERO as well, as while it is a fun board to ride in the park it’s not the board for bombin blacks!!!!!
And like rider says again, step up from the Missions if ya goin with Burton!!!!!
The DC MLF was a transworld good wood winner when it first hit the scene, but again I’m pretty sure that it is a little bit on the soft side, and wont be that great on the fast hardpack!!!!!
I have got myself a YES Tasman(iac) that I am yet to ride, but there are reviews on here and a couple of other BW Crew have got them and love them!!!!!
I have ridden the YES Basic, and absolutely loved the feel of the camber profile that YES do (CamRock), the main reason for me buyin the Tasman(iac) in the first place!!!!!
I have coupled the board with a pair of FLUX TT30’s (Cause won them here on Boardworld in a comp!!!!! Yeewww!!!!!), but would have gone with a pair of FLUX even if I had to buy them myself!!!!! Either the TT30’s or for a real stiff/responsive binding and ya have the cash, the DMCC (The newer version of my other set of FLUX bindings, The Super Diamond!!!!!)
*Give it a while and everyone will point out that I am a FLUX NUT too!!!!! 
Hi Dylan,
Rider is spot on. I’ve ridden the Hero. It was a fun, playful board and awesome for buttering but you wouldn’t want it as an all-mountain board. I rode a full rocker version, there might be a Flying V shaped Hero too, which may be more versatile. Although still mega soft no doubt.
Also agree that 158 is too big. I’m roughly 80kg and 6 foot 4 and I have a Custom Flying V 160, which feels just the right length for a do everything board.
I also really like the channel system. EST bindings work great in every way but it is kinda annoying that you are limited to only Burton boards. Not a big deal though if you like your board.
I would rate the Cartels over the Missions too. When I used the Missions I found them a bit too soft. I do own Cartels though so maybe I am a bit biased 
I plan to ride NZ this year hopefully, and then maybe japan or just perisher (depends on funds) the year after and then in about 3 years im going to spend atleast a year in Canada.
Yea i was wondering if it would be too buttery or not, i read your camber profile article last night actually, great work on it, i have been looking around alot and im very familiar with profiles burton and a few other brands have to offer.
ATM im going through the Aus board stores list you have put together and i found a board ive been interested in for a long time on RPS, the DC MLF 156 2010. i absolutely loved the graphics the first time i saw it, it seems to have some pretty solid reviews. any thoughts on it?
Cool, so versatility is the key. You need something to work in all snow conditions.
The MLF is a good board but I still think a 156cm board is too big for you. Try not to worry so much about the graphics - they come and go with the seasons. The board is potentially going to last you several years, so there’s more important things to consider.
To give you an idea, I’m 170cm and weigh 65kg. When I’m riding overseas (and I love riding fast on big terrain i.e, I need stability), the biggest I usually ride is 154. This can get me through any terrain, bombs any run, and is fine on big powder days. In Australia, I ride even shorter; the biggest being 152. This season I was mainly riding a 150 and it was perfect. To be honest, those sizes aren’t even small for my weight.
If I were you, I would be looking for a hybrid camber board, somewhere around the 152/154 mark. The hybrid camber profile will give you versatility through a range of conditions. The size is a nice versatile size for you (how old are you? are you growing?). It’s going to be small enough to play around on, butter, jib etc., but it still has enough size for bombing runs, carving, floating through pow etc.
Two boards I would suggest looking at are the Burton Custom Flying V and the YES Basic - both feature opposite camber profiles depending on what you prefer. If you’re interested, you can read my review of the YES Tasman(iac) here. It has the same type of camber profile as the Basic (CamRock).
Also agree that 158 is too big. I’m roughly 80kg and 6 foot 4 and I have a Custom Flying V 160, which feels just the right length for a do everything board.
what size would you recommend for me?
*Edit* already answered above, thanks
What size boot do ya wear also, Dyl?????
What size boot do ya wear also, Dyl?????
about a 10 (9.5 smallest to 10.50 biggest)
You should be fine on most standard width boards with 9.5 - 10.5, depending ont he actual boot.
Do you have boots yet? How old are you? Still growing?
You should be fine on most standard width boards with 9.5 - 10.5, depending ont he actual boot.
Do you have boots yet? How old are you? Still growing?
No i dont have boots yet, i want to buy them in person so i can try them on first, im 18 and i think ive done almost all of my growing
That should all be fine then. What size (skate / sports) shoes do you usually wear?
Absolutely. Make sure you go into a snowboard store and get fitted properly for boots.
actually i could be up to an 11, i just looked at and tried on a few pair of skate shoes i have laying around and i fit into 10s but my usual pair are 11s, they are snug around my foot but i have abit of toe room, i suppose its also going to deppend on the brand and there shape of boot, but id still say 10.5
I find with most people, snowboard boots are approximately half a size smaller than their skate shoes (if fitted properly).
Anyway, the first step should be getting you into a pair of boots. Once you know what size and model boots you’ll be wearing, we will be able to decide if you need a slightly wider board. I’m guessing you will be fine though, on a standard waist width board.
Let me know if you have any further questions. 
Thanks everyone for all the help, i think ill go with the Burton Custom Flying V 151, can anyone help me out with a store i can find one available in that size or even a runout model one size anywhere from 150-154