did you have the last version? this bag looks sweet! but you're comments concern me a bit....is there too much focus on the strap connection points? is that why the seams started to tear? also for the cooler part i would think that the re-freezable fake ice would alleviate that problem....

Dude, I just bought the vapor, but I will say that I would take lib tech over burton every time w/o hesitation. I think Mervin mfg makes the best boards out there. They are on the cutting edge of technology. Everytime I hear about a new tech, it's from lib tech first. I just retired my lib tech.

Hey man, I just went through this process.

Short and skinny, My friend has a custom x and this year hit a rock...(Nothing his never summer can't handle..nothing major at all, i was there) The gouge went to the core, the board is pretty much done for. His is 2 years old too so the warranty was expired, and he bought it from a shop.

They seem pretty fragile, I know this goes against most posts but this is just my experience.

I've been riding a while and have an old lib tech jaimie lynn from 01/02 or 02/03 can't really remember, anyways it's OLD! but so pretty.. :) and a custom from 05/06. So it's time for a new stick, this year the custom was donated to a friend...and the lib will go towards a bench.

I ended up buying both! hahaha a 162 T6 day before yesterday and a 159 Vapor! Brociety just had the vapor on today for 449! and I said Fcuk it! SOLD. Keep your eyes glued to that brociety.com and w/a little patience you'll see all 3 on there for dirt cheap (u prob already knew that)

The T6 will rock the big mtn runs for me and I'm anxious as hell to see what this vapor is about and if I don't like it, I can send it back for a full refund! I got both for the price of a new T6! lol...i'm still smiling. Anyways, I hope that helps...

My friends experience w/the custom x kinda scared me away from it, but it's a bad-ass machine for sure! Just seems a bit.....brittle

PS Thanks Back country....these mo fo's rock!

I think there's a lot of other circumstances you should consider that could help to you deciding....first how close do you live to the mountains? Will your parents be able to drop you off on the weekends? Do you only get to go once a year? If you only get to take the yearly family vacation, I would wait...you still have a lot to grow, and by the time your 15-16, you will have outgrown this board. With bindings and boots, you will end up spending more than you would if you rented a good couple of demo boards. When you're a little older and not growing so much would be the time to buy a board. Especially after you've gotten a feel for the type of riding you want to do.

But, if you're able to go often, and really just want your own board, Then I would prob go a different route. B/C you will soon outgrow the capabilities of this stick. Hope that helps :-)

I would go w/the gnu in a heartbeat.... cyrus has hit the nail on the head, I snapped my friends 162 clash in the terrain park, (it was his first year and he just wanted instant gratification) but he got a good deal, he paid 150 so not a total loss. In fact, I gave him my custom to make up for it. As you get better you will end up leaving this board behind and regret dropping the 2 bills on it...trust me....

P.S. Mervin Mfg makes awesome boards!!!!

Fred you're crazy! yabadaba doo!