| Smelly boots, chintzy bindings, and rock-beaten | | | | models available for rent from most rental shops. |
| decks; this is the common snowboard rental | | | | Demos usually cost a bit more than average rentals, |
| experience. How long do you have to use this | | | | but they are a great way to start shopping for your |
| second-hand crap anyway? | | | | first setup by testing several available-for-purchase |
| Plus, renting equipment is generally a hassle and can | | | | models. Demos are like sticking your toe in the pool, |
| get expensive fast. Wouldn't it just be cheaper and | | | | instead of just jumping in. |
| easier to invest in your own gear and pay a one-time | | | | 3. Go feet first |
| fee? | | | | If you are really itching to get out of your rental |
| Keep these tips in mind as you consider whether or | | | | gear, but you are unsure how much you will ride or |
| not owning your own snowboard equipment would | | | | you simply don't have the cash for a decent full |
| be worth it... | | | | setup, consider spending some dough on your first |
| 1. For first-timers | | | | pair of snowboard boots. |
| If you've never been snowboarding before, you | | | | Boots are the single worst part of the rental |
| should always rent--in fact, you may want to rent | | | | experience. Most rental books reek something fierce; |
| the first few times you head to the hill. | | | | they are all packed out from having so many pairs of |
| Rental boards are tailor-made to help a new rider | | | | feet in them and usually the liners are so beat that |
| through the learning process. Plus, with a rental board | | | | the boot offers virtually no support. |
| you don't have to worry about damage when you | | | | Probably 80% of the difficulties people experience |
| ride off of the trail and into the dirt. | | | | when using rentals come from poor boot fit. |
| Even if you are planning a longer vacation and the | | | | One thing in snowboarding you will hear over and |
| price of renting seems greater than buying, you are | | | | over, "Boots are the most important piece of your |
| better off sticking with the rental equipment. You | | | | equipment". Since boots are the first step in relaying |
| might find that after the first few full days of | | | | your movements into snowboarding, they should be |
| snowboarding, you need a few days off to | | | | the first piece of equipment you invest in. |
| recuperate; you won't be needing a board the entire | | | | I guarantee that owning your own pair of custom-fit |
| vacation after all. | | | | boots will make more of difference on snow than |
| 2. Don't rent, demo | | | | any board or binding will. This article from the Angry |
| If you can shape turns down a green slope, it might | | | | Snowboarder features excellent tips on getting a |
| be time to start thinking about customized gear as | | | | boot that's practically made for you. |
| you start to further advance your skills. | | | | One final tip: you will know when you need to buy |
| But if you don't get that many days on the hill, | | | | your own snowboard gear. You will feel like your |
| maybe you don't need to spend all of that money | | | | rental gear doesn't turn hard enough, or go fast |
| just yet? | | | | enough, or pop high enough; and depending on which |
| A renter who is looking for an upgrade without | | | | of those it is, you will also have a good idea of what |
| making a commitment should consider demoing. | | | | to look for in your first setup. |
| Demos are legit, name-brand board, boot and binding | | | | |