PatriceNYC Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 I still love my hard boot setup with my Coiler but if I were to also get a soft boot set up what would people recommend for a woman? I have heard that the Lib Tech boards have great edge hold and that Roxy is the lady version. Appreciate thoughts. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lowrider Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 I haven't personally tried one yet but Bruce is now making some of those roundie tail BX boards now. You might want to give him a call or text for some input ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordmetroland Posted May 10, 2014 Report Share Posted May 10, 2014 Not sure I can speak to the women's side of things, but I do ride softboots exclusively so I might be of some help. I have a Donek Hazelwood 200 and a Lib Tech Skunk Ape 170, both freeride boards. The Lib is wayyyy lighter but not nearly so confident in its tracking. My guess is that they have similar edge hold, but the Donek's is through tortional stiffness and the Lib through Magnetraction. I haven't noticed the grabbiness that others have mentioned. I love them both, but for different reasons. I have Ride El Hefe bindings on both and really like their comfort, responsiveness, stiffness and adjustability. I don't think they make a women's version, but suspect they have something close. A board builder recently said he'd heard good things about Now bindings, so I'm tempted to try them next year. I'm also trying to locate a pair of Catek FR2s, but no luck yet. I'm switching off between Nike Lunarendor and DC Status boots. The Nikes have great heel hold, stiffness and comfort. The lace ups work surprisingly well but take some time to crank down. I think there's a women's Vapen, which would be similar in the important ways. The DCs are nice, stiff, and compact, with a Boa closure. Just not as supportive and comfy as the Nikes. Not sure if this is what you're looking for, but happy to answer any other questions you might have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike T Posted May 11, 2014 Report Share Posted May 11, 2014 My wife rides softies exclusively these days after a brief foray into alpine some years ago. She tends to prefer carvier softie boards. Like me she has a quiver, the 4 that get the most ride time are: a Donek Saber which is her go-to board, a Coiler Softie for when the snow is on the firmer side, a Donek Nomad for powder days, and an old Donek Phoenix as a rock/park board. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael.a Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 Get a banana board :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bordy Posted May 12, 2014 Report Share Posted May 12, 2014 I still love my hard boot setup with my Coiler but if I were to also get a soft boot set up what would people recommend for a woman? I have heard that the Lib Tech boards have great edge hold and that Roxy is the lady version. Appreciate thoughts. Thanks! Demo days, the best carving snowboard for you, is the one you like to carve the most. So many boards rail turns now, go try some out at a demo,style shop. Match the width to your foot size, the flex to your weight and go have fun, it is just a soft boot set up... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scrapster Posted May 13, 2014 Report Share Posted May 13, 2014 Go for it! Softy carving is a vast, largely untapped area of pure bliss... The biggest difference you'll find is that most softy boards like to make tight, slalom-like turns because of their deep side cuts, and most are a little slower edge to edge because of their increased width. There are exceptions out there (if you're looking for something different), but you have to search for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtslalom Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 Patrice, I think you should go with Ride Double Agent bindings, Burton Ion boots, and a Lib Tech Skunk Ape 160's. Having ridden with you for many days I also think that you can get on just about any deck and carve it. See you next season. JT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordmetroland Posted May 15, 2014 Report Share Posted May 15, 2014 Patrice,I think you should go with Ride Double Agent bindings, Burton Ion boots, and a Lib Tech Skunk Ape 160's I think the Double Agents were discontinued a couple years ago. Looks like they were somewhere between the El Hefe and the Capo in stiffness/price. I like the El Hefe a lot. Ions are a nice, light, stiffer boot, but they gave me nerve damage in my left foot, so I'm less inclined to recommend them, but everyone's feet are different... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nvsnowlion Posted May 21, 2014 Report Share Posted May 21, 2014 (edited) I ride a Donek Incline for soft boot riding. I really like the Bomber Power Plate system with it. Try that Power Plate if you think you are still going to want to carve hard in the softies. It makes a real difference getting on edge quicker. And I think with it's smaller footprint it does allow better board flex. Not sure how this set up would work for a girl. I guess it would depend on how aggressive you ride. But I say go with Donek and you won't be disappointed. Edited May 22, 2014 by nvsnowlion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatriceNYC Posted October 9, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 Thanks all for the imput! I chatted with someone at a shop today and they are recommending the Gnu Ladies Choice in size 148.5. Seems tiny - I may have to go up to the 151.5 or 153.5 (I'm not sure what is with the ".5"s.) For boots the Ride Hera and bindings Burton Escade or Lexa. No decision made yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
www.oldsnowboards.com Posted October 9, 2014 Report Share Posted October 9, 2014 (edited) Patrice, sounds like you are getting some great advice. I definitely fall into the "Try a few boards and get what works for you" . There are allot of great products out there now for women (typically lighter flexing) . If you are interested I have a K2 "Mix" 154cm in good shape. I will ship it to you for 150$ Bryan http://www.trusnow.com/K2-Mix-Snowboard.asp oldsnowboards at gmail Edited October 9, 2014 by www.oldsnowboards.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowboardingJ Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Thanks all for the imput! I chatted with someone at a shop today and they are recommending the Gnu Ladies Choice in size 148.5. Seems tiny - I may have to go up to the 151.5 or 153.5 (I'm not sure what is with the ".5"s.) For boots the Ride Hera and bindings Burton Escade or Lexa. No decision made yet! just got my wife this binding last week http://store.christysports.com/catalog/clearance/snowboard/womens_snowboard_bindings_clearance/ride-fame-snowboard-binding-womens-2013 I also got a jamie lynn C3 the end of last season, haven't try it yet. http://mtnweekly.com/reviews/snowboards/snowboard-reviews/first-look-lib-tech-phoenix-series-jamie-lynn-snowboard-review Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Buggs Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Look at Flow binding. Easy in and out and great energy transmission Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatriceNYC Posted October 13, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 OK guys, what size board would I get? Do you go smaller when not on a true carving board? 149? 152? 155? (I'm 5'4") Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobby Buggs Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 Im gonna go out on a limb here and say because you come from carving your gonna want a little more board and be at home using it. 152 is as low as I would say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordmetroland Posted October 13, 2014 Report Share Posted October 13, 2014 OK guys, what size board would I get? Do you go smaller when not on a true carving board? 149? 152? 155? (I'm 5'4") Thanks!! I'd have to ask what you're planning on using it for? Flotation? Park? A break from routine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatriceNYC Posted October 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 Yes, just a break from routine. I still want to do big carves but I don't want to always HAVE to be carving. Some days I will definitely still use the Coiler but other days I may just want to carve some runs and not other runs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowboardingJ Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 Yes, just a break from routine. I still want to do big carves but I don't want to always HAVE to be carving. Some days I will definitely still use the Coiler but other days I may just want to carve some runs and not other runs. Hi Patrice, since you mentioned carve, beware of the Burton bindings which the toe piece only act as a cap. That increase the footprint somewhat. The new Lexa has a hole in the middle, that may change the footprint aspect depends where it sits. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordmetroland Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 Yes, just a break from routine. I still want to do big carves but I don't want to always HAVE to be carving. Some days I will definitely still use the Coiler but other days I may just want to carve some runs and not other runs. That's helpful. For the life of me, I can't figure out why the softboot industry insists on shrinking the typical board. I've heard claims of "reduced swing weight" but, realistically, how many people will fail to complete that 900 owing to the weight of 5cm of board length? Maybe it's just a push to make boards easier to handle? I'd size up knowing you're looking to carve and probably carve fast, not learn tricks with names that are impossible to remember. Also, Ride toe straps are quite low profile compared to some other brands and the material is really sticky. Good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowboardingJ Posted October 14, 2014 Report Share Posted October 14, 2014 (edited) .... Also, Ride toe straps are quite low profile compared to some other brands and the material is really sticky. Good luck! Out of all the bindings I tried, the lowest profile binding goes to Flow, since it does not have a heel loop. However, the forward lean was just too tame for my liking.... and the straps sitting kinda low. I'm very interest in the GNU/SP fastec bindings. Probably looking to buy by the end of this season. The toe cap increasing the footprint should have been canceled by not having a heel loop, and toe underhang was never issue to me. And since it limits the toe to heel movement, it should be easier to apply massive forward lean. Anyone have any experience with that? Edited October 14, 2014 by SnowboardingJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xy9ine Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 Lib Tech Skunk Ape 170 is that a new version? curious how they work as a fun hog freecarving rig. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordmetroland Posted October 17, 2014 Report Share Posted October 17, 2014 Not sure how long the Skunk Ape has been around in the Lib Tech lineup? I have the ultrawide 170 HP version and really like it, but fear it won't see much use this season. It's lively and pops a bit between turns, and seems to anticipate where I want to go. It floats nicely in soft snow and seems to carve well on piste. It's a pretty nice all-around ride, but lacks the confidence of some other boards in going through chop. My real complaint is that I wish they made it in something bigger than 170. I had the 180 but the extruded base was laggy. This one's much faster/slippery, but I'd love another 10-20 (or 30?) cms! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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