importance of waist width or length - Suggestions for 100lb rider, size 5 boot?
I know "what size board should I buy" qusations are really tired, but I have to ask.
So I'm going back and forth between a 139 and a 143 board length on a Roxy Ally BTX. I weight 100lbs, and wear a womens size 5 boot (Burton mint). I'm also about 5 feet tall but don't know if that matters much. It a directional twin and I'll be using mostly for crusing groomers and early morning pow after a storm. I'm still a beginner, just getting down linking turns last season, so I def don't want something I can't control, but don't want to get stuck in pow either.
So my dilema is waist width - is 23.7 cm going to be too wide for my little foot? Should I go with the 139?
I've also been looking at the Arbor Cadence, but it only comes in a 143 - but the waist is 23.4
The Rossignol Temptation and Tesla both look like good "first boards" (but no btx or ctx), and their 143's have a 23 cm waist.
Also does 5 cm make a difference on board length? Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Ok I've decided to go with the Roxy in a 139. :) I've ridden boards that were too wide for me, and I didn't have much toe edge control, which really sucked when I was trying to learn. So the waist on this board is closer to 23 cm. I looked up a size conversion chart and looks like I wear a UK 2.5. Even though this board is shorter, I think it'll still perform good in powder given the tech specs.
I'm super concerned about riding powder because I was in Mammoth last year during an epic storm, and the conditions were awesome on groomed runs. But I went off track and got stuck by myself in really deep powder for something like 20min (which felt like hours!). The whole time I sat there thinking, "Am I going to die here?!" It was a real struggle to get out of the hole, back on my board and cut through that stuff to the bottom. NEVER want to go through that again!
I hate that they never have small boards to demo! I'm so glad to get some advice from someone who is relatively my size - you helped a lot, thanks!! :)
Glad I could help! I have to say, it's unusual to find someone who is relatively the same size (as us!), so I thought I just had to post a reply!
I know what you mean about getting stuck in deeeeep pow, that happened to me in Banff when I was a beginner and I thought my heart was going to stop! It put me off riding it as every time I got the opportunity, I got the fear... I decided then that I'd leave riding pow until I improved - I needed to master riding groomers before I got back in the deep stuff! It's such a different technique and I wasn't really very clued up when I first waded in which was a mistake. If you're nervous, master one first then you'll have the confidence to move on. And when you do give it a go, make sure you ride with someone so at least you won't feel isolated even if they can't come and dig you out!
Let us know how you get on with your new toy :)
Hi Ladies,
I think I qualify for joing your club too! I also have UK size 3 feet and weigh 116lbs and am about 5'3". I am also looking to get the Roxy Ally and am deciding between the 143 and the 147. I currently ride the 146 Eco Pop so with the sizes offered on the Roxy Ally I was very confused! Do I go 1cm longer which probably makes no difference or 3cm shorter which might make a difference but not a lot. I am off to Whistler in January to hopefully ride some powder but I also want to play around on the piste and find some natural hits here and there and progress in an all-mountain freestyle kind of way. As the 147 is bang in the middle of their range I am inclined to pick the 143 because that is what I would usually do on any other board ranges. Go towards the lower end. But my big fear is getting stuck in the pow too! However, I know that is probably going to happen anyway as I don't have much experience riding in it.
So, I will get it and let you know how it goes! Nes - Have you managed to ride yours yet?
Victoria
By the way - what a pain in the arse it is to get boots! I bought Salomon Ivy's last year in a UK 3 from TSA and this year they are only stocking them from a size 3.5. Every other store I checked out were only stocking boots from a size 4. What is that about???!!!
Sorry, rant over!
5' 3"?? Practically a giant !! ;D
Feeling the pain on the boots front, I ended up getting mine in Canada on hols and I'm dreading the day they die on me!
In terms of your board length, I'd be inclined to go a bit shorter, but that's my personal pref because I like having a board I can throw around. 147 sounds like it could be a wee bit long to me, perhaps check the recommended weight range? If you're doing ok on a 146 though, it's probably going to be fine and will be great in the pow!
Happy shopping, let us know what you go for!
T x
Hey Nes :) Ah, the age old question...
Well, I'm 119 lb and 4' 11'' with UK size 3 feet and have had boards in sizes 139, 142, 143 and 144. Basically I've had no problems with the waist width on any of these boards (although I don't know the exact size) and since your feet are bigger (assuming you're UK size 5?), I can't see you really having problems. As always, see if you can try before you buy, that's the best way to go! It's actually something I've never considered...(the waist length I mean, not the trying before you buy which incidentally never ever happens for me as the demo boards are always ma-hoo-sive!)
In terms of the length, you're small and light so you could probably go for the 139 and not sink in the pow (providing the board is not too stiff), although having said that, I've not had chance to test my 139 in anything remotely deep yet so I would take my advice here with caution! I personally don't feel worried about getting in the pow on my 139 though.
With boards being built for so many different purposes, it's really hard to give good advice, but I have to say, for messing around (jumping and generally throwing myself about!), the 139 length is killing it, so always have in mind what you primarily want to use the board for and buy accordingly :)
Let us know what you choose!