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Benjamin Woods

Snowboarder // Mountain Biker

Benjamin Woods: #489 of 91,688 Top 500 Gear Guru More Information

17 Reviews:

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11 Answers:

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  • Stomping Grounds:

    Oakdale, MN
  • Bio:

    I've been snowboarding since 1990, although not nearly as often, long, or as well as the past 5 years. I live to ride, especially powder when I can make it out west. Hoping to fulfill my lifetime goal of snowboarding on all 7 continents, plus at least one heli-drop. Avid disc-golfer as well. Mountain-bike for staying fit in the off-season and getting outside. Pray for snow!

    I am now an official convert to longboarding. For 08/09 I purchased a Rad-Air Tanker 200cm and mounted it with Catek FR2 EVO's. Using the new Vans Contra BOA boots for support. Like much of my gear, none of this is sold on here to review, but is all excellent. My last setup, for contrast, was a 06/07 Ride Yukon 168, Ride SPi, and Vans Fargo BOA.

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Yakima Big PowderHound Snow Roof Rack

January 9, 2009

Just measured mine on my car. The total width is about 31" or about 75cm. The actual width useable for equiptment is about 23" or roughly 58cm. I snowboard and have two wide versions, and if placed properly I can still fit 4 boards; I have fit 2 snowboards and 3 pair of skis on this at once.

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Burton Vapor Snowboard

January 7, 2009

Thanks for everyone's feedback. Being an Engineer and a Burton rider for 23 years, Burton always seems to be ahead of the curve. I appreciated the weight comparison above however I can't seem to find anything that discusses swing weight vs. board weight. Does anyone have these specs? The above boards mentioned are as light or lighter however I can't find any info about how the weight is distributed on them. If I understand what Burton has tried to accomplish, then it would seem that their board may be slightly heavier however the weight is more centered so the swing weight is reduced thus allowing you to pull an extra 180 or 360' from time to time. I just spent the money for this board so I hope it isn't all hype. I'll give my post ride feedback after this weekend.--------------------------------------------------------Excellent point about weight vs. swing weight.All these boards are designed as all-mountain boards, not freestyle/park boards. If you are buying this simply for swing weight but not flex, weight, sidecut, etc, you are missing the point. Buy a board and ride it for what you need, not simply because it has a low weight or swing weight.I can not directly answer your question, as it appears nobody has this data online for swing weight. However, if you look at the profile for both the Vapor and the Ultralight, they taper drastically as it moves away from the center twoard the nose or tail. I don't think I would be going out on a limb to say the Vapor and the Ultralight are quite close in this catagory. I can not speak to the Inverse.-BW

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Nidecker Ultralight UG Snowboard

January 7, 2009

1) Lighten up. No one should care as much as you seem to about tenths of a pound off your snowboard.2) You contradict yourself. You say this is not the lightest snowboard available, then you say the champ is the Nidecker Ultralight, which is this board.3) If you want to gripe, put it in a review. Not a question.----------------------------------------------------------The question was a reply to my answer I provided to a question on the Vapor. BackCountry.com lists this at 5.5 pounds, but Nidecker lists it as 5.1 pounds. Either way, it is still lighter than the Vapor, or the Inverse.-BW

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Yakima 48 Inch RoundBar - 1 Pair

January 7, 2009

Yes, but check the yakima rack fit guide: http://www.yakima.com/Consumer/Step1.aspxYou will need Q-Towers and Q-Clips that are vehicle specific. You don't need a fairing, but it will be quieter with one.-BW

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Under Armour Base 2.0 Crew Top - Long-Sleeve - Men's

January 7, 2009

This is the top....fit by chest size, not waist size. I went a size too large for me and they work great...I also have long arms for my size, and these fit like traditional clothing, meaning the arms are not quite long enough (not an issue for snowboarding). They are NOT designed to be super tight like the neoprene or spandex style base layers, but they will wick moisture much better, plus retain heat better. Best thermals I have owned, hands down.-BW

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Under Armour Base 2.0 Crew Top - Long-Sleeve - Men's

January 7, 2009

No. It is a base layer designed to wick moisture and retain warmth. I use these with just shell type snowboarding pants and jackets down to about 0° and nothing else for layers, occaisonally opening vents to dump excess heat. My outwear is windproof, which is what you actually want to be windproof, not your base layer. Layering correctly is very important.-BW

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Under Armour Base 2.0 Midweight Legging - Men's

January 7, 2009

Not a fan of this company as the goal instead of warmth is more trying to make the person look thinner , go with a columbia or marmot , mountainharwear made and tested--------------------------------------------------------I was skeptical of Under Armour for snowboarding, but these are excellent base layers....best i have used, in fact. Who cares if you are a fan of th company if the gear works right for your needs? Sizing is pretty true to form, so order as listed. I wear these (top and bottom) with only shell snowboarding pants and jacket down to 0° and still have to open vents to dump heat. Make SURE you have windproof outwear (which you should as base layers are designed to wick moisture and retain warmth, not stop the wind).-BW

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Yakima Q Towers - set of 4

January 7, 2009

They fit the same cars. Q-Towers may have minor changes to the foot-pads or materials used in construction, but the design is the same. I have the old Q-Towers, but needed to get the correct clips for my car.....the new clips came with new footpads, which were slightly different than the old ones but work just fine. The only thing you will ever change to fit a car are the specific Q-Clip.

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Oakley Goggle Case

January 7, 2009

not really, I actually screwed up my crowbars more using this case than just having them in the bag------------------------------------------------------------------As noted, it was made for the A-frame and O-frame. I hav friends with Wisdoms and Crowbars, neither of which will fit safely.

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Oakley A Frame Goggle Replacement Lenses

January 7, 2009

I have sensitive eyes, hence the plethora of lens's I have collected. For me, the HI Yellow is one of the best, but can be too bright for others. The HI Persimmon adds the same definition to features as the HI Yellow, but is not as bright. I would suggest trying that for starters. If that is too bright for you, I am at a loss fo first-hand feedback and hope others can offer better advice.

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Good travel dryer

Therm-ic Boot Dryer 120v

Therm-ic Boot Dryer 120v

Rating for this product: 4 January 7, 2009

Just got this cheap on tramdock. Work great for boots. Use a power inverter for your car and have your boots warm when you need to put them on. Packs small for travel. The only drawback is a feature a very similar one I had before this had: secondary arms that extended opposite the boot ones to simultaneously dry gloves. Sure, this isn't marketed as such, but it is a simple addition they shoudl have done (especially for the retail price on this). My old one died after about 2 years of use, sometimes being left on over-night to dry multiple pairs of gloves/boots. Not as quiet as my Peet Feet dryer, but certainly not as large. Overall a good dryer for boots.

Helpful Votes: 1 Yes | 0 No

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SmartWool PhD Ski Mid Sock

January 6, 2009

I have 11.5 (US) and the XL fits me perfect...should be good for your 12's.

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Good stomp pad

DAKINE Pyramid Studs

DAKINE Pyramid Studs

Rating for this product: 4 December 30, 2008

If applied correctly, these will stay put and last a long time. I love this style of stomp pad the most, as they work better due to the spacing, traction, and durability. Plus, if one were to fall off, you still have 8 others. The best one I have used is by Stomp, but those are hard to find. The Bakoda and Dakine ones are nearly as goood and you won't be dissapointed.

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Perfect socks

SmartWool PhD Ski Mid Sock

SmartWool PhD Ski Mid Sock

Rating for this product: 5 December 30, 2008

I have these and the PhD snowboard socks (which aren't sold here). I am a snowboarder, but both work great. Very soft, comfortable, and wicks moisture extremely well. I have 19" calves and these come all the way over them and stay put while maintaining comfort. These are way better than the Burton socks I had before.

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Decent wax

DAKINE Nitrous Cake Wax

DAKINE Nitrous Cake Wax

Rating for this product: 4 December 18, 2008

Not the best, but not the worst. Worked well, especially blended for correct temp range. Good value for the price.

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Excellent sock, even for snowboarding

SmartWool Ski Sock - Medium

SmartWool Ski Sock - Medium

Rating for this product: 5 December 17, 2008

I purchased 2 pair of these last season and they are excellent, even after 85 days on the slopes. I am 6'2" 230#, and have very large calves and these still fit over them to the knee and don't fall down; despite this, they also do not cut circulation. Warm, wick moisture and keep my feet dry, and always comfortable. No odor as well, at least after washing :) Best sock ever.

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Mainstay goggle

Oakley A Frame Goggle

Oakley A Frame Goggle

Rating for this product: 5 December 17, 2008

Even with a big had and a helmet, these fit great. I have two pairs and love them. I have tried various goggles that friends have from Smith to Bolle to Dragon and more, but I love my A-Frames. Comfortable with a great field of vision. Easy to interchange lens's. Backed by Oakley's warranty and customer service (which I have never had a problem with after 10+ years of purchasing their products).

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Excellent options, easy to swap

Oakley A Frame Goggle Replacement Lenses

Oakley A Frame Goggle Replacement Lenses

Rating for this product: 5 December 17, 2008

I have several lens's for my two A-Frames (some of which may not be available now). Standard persimmon, VR-50, Fire, Chrome Iridium, and HI Yellow. Depending on conditions and lighting, each have their uses. Fro blue-bird days I prefer the Chrome Iridium or Fire. For overcast days, the VR50 or persimmon come in handy. For flat light, night, or poor snow conditions I highly recommend the HI Yellow; this lens is my single most used, as it makes the definition stand out in everything. The HI Yellow is almost like wearing headlights if you ride at night! I will say this: each person's eyes are different, so which lens works best for you is subjective; read all feedback before making a decision.

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My favorrite Oakley's

Oakley Juliet Sunglasses - Polarized Lens

Oakley Juliet Sunglasses - Polarized Lens

Rating for this product: 5 December 17, 2008

I purchased these way back in 2002, although from Sunglasses Hut as they had exclusive Emerald lens's then. Since then I have purchased the Plasma Polarized lens' as replacements and love them even more. Extremely durable. Excellent vision and fit. Brought them to the Oakley store many times to get new ear-socks and nose-bombs, sometimes they even hook me up for free! I have had Jackets, Full-Metal Jackets, Five's, O-Wires, and more and these are my favorites. Excellent pair of sunglasses.

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Nice kit for a beginner

DAKINE Quick Tune Tuning Kit

DAKINE Quick Tune Tuning Kit

Rating for this product: 5 December 17, 2008

I got this as a gift last year. I already had an iron, scrapers, corks, files, etc. This is great to keep in your backpack. Assuming you have a few other essentials, this should round out your needs at home plus provide quick tuning options when on the slopes. Excellent value.

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Good protection for A-Frame

Oakley Goggle Case

Oakley Goggle Case

Rating for this product: 5 December 17, 2008

I have one of these for my 2 A-Frames. Works great, as described. Sure, some other tools wish it fit an extra lens, but it was never listed to do so, so why rate down? Rate a product on how it functions, not what you wish it could be...that is feedback for the manufacturer to improve it. That being said, the case works good and I simply keep my extra lenses wrapped in bandanas and stack them behind this in my backpack...works like a charm.

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Best base layer I have tried

Under Armour Base 2.0 Midweight Legging - Men's

Under Armour Base 2.0 Midweight Legging - Men's

Rating for this product: 5 December 17, 2008

I have tried several other brands, and I admit I was skeptical of Under Armor (just like Nike), but these are amazing. They fit tight, but not like many others I have tried. They move with you and are not restrictive. I am a big guy, coming in at 6'2" and 230#, and the XL works great. I sweat easily, and these wick moisture better than anything I have tried and keep me warm and dry. Synthetic, but seem to not retain odor as easily as others. Excellent thermals.

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Good overall rack

Yakima Big PowderHound Snow Roof Rack

Yakima Big PowderHound Snow Roof Rack

Rating for this product: 4 December 17, 2008

4 stars due to durability, as the plastic around my lock-cores broke; I can still latch and use them, but can not lock them. Worked for about 75 days. I have a Yukon 168 (wide board) and a Mountain 159 (also wide). I could fit both of them and 2 others on this easily. Also note I did NOT need to use the inclines to do this and I have a Toyota Camry. Stop being lazy and fold your highbacks in completely, then ratchet the straps over them....should let boards fit upside-down on 90% of vehicles; common sense wins, and so do you!

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Easy to install, reliable

Yakima Q Towers - set of 4

Yakima Q Towers - set of 4

Rating for this product: 5 December 17, 2008

Solid and reliable. Instructions and installation are easy. Transferable to multiple vehicles (with proper Q Clips). Well worth the money.

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Good cross-bars

Yakima 48 Inch RoundBar - 1 Pair

Yakima 48 Inch RoundBar - 1 Pair

Rating for this product: 5 December 17, 2008

Very sturdy and durable. The paint and plastic end-caps will come off before these die. I simply sand and re-paint them before each snowboarding season. I super-glued the end-caps on and no longer have issues with them :) Yakima rates them for around 170#, but I am confident they could hold more; I'm sure that's just a precaution to cover their butt.

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Excellent full-rated helmet

Bern Brentwood w/ Visor Knit Helmet

Bern Brentwood w/ Visor Knit Helmet

Rating for this product: 5 December 16, 2008

I have the regular version (non-visored liner). Liners interchange easily and snap into place. Very comfortable, light, and low-profile. Worn in 50° weather with no liner, or as cold as -38° with insulated liner and a neoprene face mask with no issues. Also fully rated helmet for safety, not a "hard-hat" rated piece of junk you get over-charged for (do some research if you don't understand). Highly reccomended.

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Excellent Glove

DAKINE Frontier Glove

DAKINE Frontier Glove

Rating for this product: 5 December 16, 2008

I'm a big guy (6'2", 230#), so i got XL size and they are comfortable. Warm, wick moisture well, and definately water-proof. Excellent contruction compared to most golves I have purchased (this goes for DaKine in general). I wish they had safety straps along with the gauntlets, but they still function perfectly.

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Poor quality

Burton Profile Glove - Men's

Burton Profile Glove - Men's

Rating for this product: 1 December 16, 2008

I'm sorry, but Burton makes the least durable gloves I have ever purchased. I had last year's Profile Mitts, plus this years Profile gloves (this product). Both went to hell within 30 days. The rubber palm/fingers suck and will cut/tear quickly. The stiching sucks on both the exterior and interior...both pairs had seam seperations between the interior gauntlet and the insulation, plus both had issues with stitch around the rubber and the fabric exteriors. They were very comfortable and warm for the few days they made it, but for the same price I can get DaKine which has lasted me at least an entire season, not a month.

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