Snowboard Reviews, Articles, News & More
Padding & Protection
05-06 Crash Pads Pro Pant with Tail Shield Review
0These shorts provide padding and warmth without being excessively bulky.
These shorts are very unobtrusive way to protect yourself. I fractured my tailbone last year snowboarding after two hard falls that could have happened to anyone. It is too late to go back in time to see if the pads would have done anything in those instances; but now that I am more fragile, I feel some comfort in knowing there is at least some kind of barrier between myself and those nasty wrecks.
In my experience, these shorts are an advantage for two reasons. Not only do they provide protection for behind and in crucial areas around your thighs (i.e. rail wrecks), they also will keep you warm. On lifts, or as you sit on the side of the slopes for a break, it makes a huge difference.
When I first put them on I was sure the whole world could tell I was wearing pads, but I was assured they could not by many different people. In fact, many pros are wearing pads, but we the observers cannot necessarily tell. It takes a little while to get used to them and they you forget you have them on.
A disadvantage is that you have to make sure to have snowpants that will fit over the pads- it may require buying bigger snowpants. The padding isn’t too bulky, but it does add thickness. Another important point is to make sure the pads fit you correctly. There is not guarantee that they will prevent you from injury to begin with, but as I said they can definitely help. They will not be as effective if they are not properly fitted so make sure to purchase the size that will fit you and give you the utmost protection.
I have been wearing the Crash Pads more consistently and am pleased to have them as an option. I really suggest them for anyone who will be learning new tricks and taking falls.
05-06 Uvex Hawk Review
0It is worth the money to buy a helmet that fits your head even if it is not as multi-use.
This helmet has a unique feature: it changes sizes easily. I really like the concept, but am not sold on it yet. There is a wheel that turns a ratchet at the back of the helmet to increase and decrease size, but I noticed that it didn’t necessarily make for the perfect fit. The helmet does tighten so that it will not fall off but when I shook my head I could tell it was still really big around my temples. The fact that the circumference size changes does not make a difference higher up on your head where the helmet remains same size and you have extra room. I also found the helmet to be extremely uncomfortable because of the pressure point where it was tightened. If I lessened that pressure, it was too big.
I liked the padding around the forehead, especially because it is not overly soft, it is more porous and wicks moisture, however, the top of the helmet has no padding and was uncomfortable; I quickly noticed the top of my head getting sore.
The helmet shell itself is a good style, kind of a skate-helmet look, but the earflaps, which are not removable, really butcher the overall appearance. They are way too long because the shell is cut higher up on the head.
It is hard to keep goggles attached to the helmet if they are not on your eyes because there are small grooves for the band to fit into rather than something that clips. The grooves are not deep enough to actually make the goggles stay.
The helmet is a good step in the direction of multi-use, however, until it can fit all head sizes safely, it is not there yet. As a rental, it would be better than no helmet, but this is not a helmet I would buy.
03-04 Crash Pads Pro Pant with Tail Shield Review
0All-in-all, these are a great pair of pads. I would definitely recommend them to any rider, from a beginner who is just starting to venture out and wants the extra reassurance, to the rail dominator who is just trying to step it up a little father.
For the last 11 years Crash Pads has been making pads for all sorts of extreme sports. Their snowboard pad line is designed to provide protection without compromising freedom of motion or comfort; something that, for the most part, they accomplish. The Coolmax material fits tight to your skin, and provides a good base layer, wicking moisture and keeping you warm. The pads are welded to the outside of the Coolmax, and are shaped and arranged in ways that let them fit the contours of your body. The pads aren’t at all bulky, and most of the time people can’t tell that you’re wearing them.
As rail extermination progressed to more and more technical levels, many professional riders started wearing pads under their snowpants. All it takes is one bad bail to make you wish you had those pads on. The week before these pads arrived for testing I took a fall on a rail, which left a 12×4″ bruise on the side of my left leg in a place where the pad would have covered. I couldn’t flex my quadriceps for about a week because the muscle was so bruised up.
My only complaint about the Pro Shorts is that the tailbone pad is a little uncomfortable. It isn’t too bad when you put them on, but after hiking around for a while, it can begin to feel like you’ve got a big piece of foam padding giving you a wedgie. However, the tailbone is an essential place to pad, so hopefully Crash Pads can just tweak the pad a little bit and make it fit better.
03-04 Arnette Jet Wing Review
0The helmet is not a multi-impact helmet, and with so many new multi-impacts coming in the low $100s, I think the Jet Wing is overpriced. If you can find a good deal on it though, it is a well performing helmet.
Arnette’s Jet Wing helmet isn’t anything spectacular or new, but it is definitely a solid helmet that will protect your head. It is vented, but the vents aren’t huge; it is better suited to colder days and freeriding than it is for pipe hiking. However, it isn’t so insulated that you’re going to find yourself overheating. The helmet has clean, smooth lines, and looks pretty stylish. The paint on the helmet is pretty scratch and ding resistant; it took some pretty hard intentional hits against metal to get any marks at all. It isn’t as light as some helmets I’ve tested, but it also isn’t super heavy; I’m not going to award or dock extra points for the weight.
I do like the helmet’s fit. The ear flaps are well done, and I really like the way that they hug your ears. The majority of the ear padding fits around your ears to keep wind out, and the material directly over your ears is a thinner, wind-resistant material. The result is that it keeps your ears warm while still allowing you to hear pretty well. The flaps are removable, so you can pop them out if you are getting warm.
01-02 Snowboard Buddy Helmet Buddy Review
0Helmet Buddies provide a helpful solution to taking care of expensive gear. If you like the Helmet Buddy, also check out the Snowboard Buddy. Both are somewhat over priced but they work well.
Great for all types of helmets (biking, snowmachine/snowmobile, motorcycle, and, of course, snowboarding) this one size fits all “helmet sock” serves as an effective protective layer. No need to be afraid to throw your helmet in the back of the car, in your bag, or in your closet because the strong tear and run resistant material will keep your helmet from getting scratched up. Now, obviously if you hit a tree while wearing the helmet, ummm, that might add some scratches. It has a drawstring to tighten it to fit the helmet. When not being used, it may be rolled up and stored in a pocket or left in the car.
01-02 Leedom Limit High-Cut Review
0All in all, a good, typical helmet.
This helmet has some unique qualities. Like most helmets, it is not specific to guys or girls. It looks like a combination of a skate helmet, a freestyle/pipe helmet and a freeride helmet all in one. Its color is a mix of glossy black and dull black with silver writing. It fits comfortably and works well with goggles.
The awesome feature on this helmet is a tab on the top that opens or closes to control airflow. When hiking a park or pipe, it is easy to cool off by opening the vents. On the same note, if you are doing longer runs it is nice to be able to close the vents for warmth.
It comes with ear pads that may be removed for warmer conditions. The chin strap is comfortable and adjusts well to fit different sizes.