ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, December 23, 1996 TAG: 9612240009
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JON CAWLEY
SNOWBOARDS: All snowboards are constructed basically the same, consisting of a wood core surrounded by fiberglass layers and metal edges. Some children's models, however, are made with foam cores. The wood core is used for the most part because of the greater flexibility range over other materials, said Will Clark, assistant manager of CMT Sporting Goods ski shop.
Adult snowboard prices at CMT begin at about $280, for the board only without bindings, and continue up the price scale to about $469. Themore you pay the better the materials - up to a point.
"After that you're just buying the name and graphic," Clark said. "A lot of boarders will buy a board just because the graphics are cool."
Rik Beital, the Southeast sales representative for the Burton snowboard company, said prospective snowboard buyers should "try to keep it 1-2-3 simple."
1. Consider board size. Your weight, not height, is the primary determining factor.
2. The boarders style of riding is more important than skill level. Snowboards come in five riding styles: technical freestyle, freestyle, freeriding, freecarving and racing.
3. The rider's budget.
BINDINGS: CMT's selection of bindings starts at $90 for adults and $85 for children and goes up to $179.
The two main types of bindings are soft-boot and plate. Soft-boot bindings are made of plastic, have a high back for support that is separate from the boot and require the rider to strap the binding to the boot. Plate bindings have a metal construction, lack straps and allow boarders to simply click their feet in similar to ski bindings. Plate bindings do not have a high back; instead, they require a harder ski-type boot with the support built in.
With either choice, the most important decision is adjustability and riding style. Both plate and soft-boot bindings are designed to coincide with the five riding styles of snowboards.
BOOTS: Snowboard boots should be lightweight and comfortable. Like bindings, boots come in two types, soft and hard, and are designed for the five styles of riding. CMT's selection of boots starts at $95 and runs up to $250.
Snowboard ``boots are rapidly evolving. There's a whole lot more technology in boards than boots, but it's getting better," said CMT's ski department manager, Chip Mangus. "I think you'll see some major changes in the next few years."
CLOTHING: Avoid cotton and pursue fabrics, such as Capilene, that draw moisture away from the body. Cotton absorbs moisture, lowering the wearer's body temperature.
As a second thermal layer, fleece is rapidly becoming wool's replacement because it is more comfortable and lighter, Mangus said.
Outer layers, including pants, gloves and jackets, should be waterproof, capitalizing on innovative materials such as Gore-Tex and Thinsulate with breathable waterproof designs.
LENGTH: Medium: 62 linesby CNB