Comments on: Snowboard Review: 12-13 Never Summer SL

By: Shay

Shay — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 03:48:24 +0000

Mel, It wasn’t too drastic a difference for me. But I also ride a lot of boards with varying widths and they don’t effect me too much. I can still ride the 25 ww’s just as fine as the 23-24 ww’s. But matching up to your boot size is good if you don’t want something slower edge to edge or wider than you need.

By: Mel K

Mel K — Tue, 19 Jun 2012 00:38:22 +0000

Thanks Gags. I was always told that you should have at least 1/4″ overhang toe and heel for a proper board fit. The waist width of the 155 SL is 25.1cm measured at the narrowest point of the board. The waist width at the closest binding inserts would probably be at least 25.5cm given the sidecut of the board, which is at my boot size (size 7.5 = 25.5cm), and assuming 0 degree binding angles. Since I ride at 15/-3 angles, the actual waist width would even be greater so no part of my feet would have overhang over the board to pressure the edges. Since Shay is a woman’s size 8, her feet are actually smaller and I would hazard a guess that with the angles she rides she has no overhang, which intuitively would make a more sluggish ride. I understand boots are bigger and provide an *apparent* overhang but it’s probably not right to say that the padding of the boots creates leverage.

Anyway, maybe having reverse camber can offset any handling issues with no overhang…eagerly awaiting her thoughts and on riding other men’s boards which can even be wider.

By: Frank

Frank — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 21:24:12 +0000

Hi Gags,
Just curious to know, I guess you prefer wider snowboard ? Cause at size 10US, I thought somebody can ride normal waist snowboard where when you have like 11US and over it is recommended to go wide snowboard?
I do have a question on NS for 2013… I like to ride fast and charge but at the same time like the twin approach freestyle… what we will suggest me to go between Heritage 158 or 160… or even SL 158 or 161? ( currently coming from Lib Tech Lando 160, 2009 BTX) and I am 9US size and 170pds thanks

By: gags

gags — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 15:08:23 +0000

Please note the graphics were updated between the material submitted for Shay’s review and now. New graphics should be up on the NS website in about 1 1/2 months.

Mel, I’ll let Shay answer your foot size question but I’ll chime in – I think most riders size 7.5 can leverage a 25cm waist board but it’s all about personal preferance. I’d demo it to be sure to see if it’s right for you. Just for your reference I’m 195# and size 10 and mostly ride a 155 Proto CTX (waist width 26.1) all over the mtn…..you’d be fine on the 153 at 165# and probably can leverage that 155 back and forth with your feet as well if you want a longer board. Enjoy

By: Mel K

Mel K — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 14:52:23 +0000

Great review! Quick question though. I noticed you rode a 153 SL in last year’s review and a 155 SL this time around. Being that the difference in waist width between both boards are so big (24.4 vs. 25.1 mm), did you notice a difference in edge to edge? For your size 8 feet I would’ve thought the smaller waist width board was more ideal.

Reason I’m asking is that I have pretty small feet (size 7.5 boots) which is more ideal for the 153 board but my weight at 165lbs justifies a 155cm board. With your size 8 woman’s feet (smaller than mine), did the 155 boardyou tested ride more sluggishly than the 153 from last year? Or did you really didn’t notice any difference?

Thanks!

By: Mel K

Mel K — Mon, 11 Jun 2012 21:34:43 +0000

Thanks!