How much flex should a ski boot have?
821741
There really is no definitive answer to that question. How stiff your boots are, like with skis, is a personal preference. Generally, higher performance boots will be stiffer but with all the Terrain Park Skiing going on there are a whole bunch of high performance ski boots being made that are softer. As far as space around your calf, there really should be very little but your ankles are more important to consider. Your ankle should have very little movement and your heel should not come up off the bottom of the boot. If your ankle is secure then the space around your calf will matter less
768130
ride snowboards have a great Freestyle (park) boards with a lot of wide options. I am 6', 170 and size 12, i have a 159 santa cruz board (regular),  a 154 ride (reg) and a 131 nidecker (reg) for park. i tried a wide board once and hated it. i couldn't cut and carve as quick as i could with a reg board. I adjusted my bindings perfectly so i have zero toe or heel drag. they also make "risers" it lifts the binding a bit so you get no toe drag. My favorite setup i have for just freeriding is '06 santa cruz 'duo freedom' board, '06 ride SPI bindings, and '06 ride 'amp' boots\n\nLong time boarder...snowboard instructor at california resort
762863
You just make sure you have enough air and cross them, either under you or behind your back.  If under you, it helps to grab one ski so you keep your form in the air.
758160
You know, people get all worked up over the "best ski".\n\nThere is no such thing. Pretty much all manufacturers create quality skis. I have ridden on practically everything, have skied for 30 years, raced, coached, instructed, and skied some pretty crazy stuff, and find no real difference between brands. So asking for a company and model doesn't make sense to me.\n\nThe only thing you should concern yourself with is the use - which you listed practically everything, and the length, which the ski shop will help you out with.\n\nBut to answer your questions on type of ski to get - there isn't one ski that does it all well, and for 12 year old kids, there aren't a huge amount of options. If he likes to style in the park, ride the rails, then twin tips are what you want - incidentally, twins are also good in powder.\n\nHowever, they won't be good on ice.\n\nYour best bet is an all-mountain ski, which will carve on ice, and handle crud well, plus is fine in the park. Concerning powder, well, the lad is just 12. He will float in the powder on 2x4's. Kids don't need to worry about powder skis yet.\n\nHope this helps - remember - any brand is fine - go for an all-mountain type of ski. Unless if you talk to him he really wants twins. Those are fine - I have a pair as well, they will just be a little less efficient on ice and crud.
149984
Very rough guide,\n\nThey should come up to eye level. Unless you have an unusually large forehead in which case i don't know.\n\nBut as mentioned a ski shop should guide you right.\n\nI'd shop around, you can get some great deals!
975850
i have no idea, but as a red-blooded american guy i implore all females to investigate the fine art of flexibility. good times.\n\ngirls that can do the splits and place their ankles behind their ears ROCK!!!!\n\ngood luck
769494
Remember that a rental shop will almost always put you on a board at the smallest end of your weight range. The best way to get sized up for a snowboard is to head into your local snowboard shop (not a big box store like Big 5, they don't know what they're talking about) and talk to the folks there. The length of a board has very little to do with how tall you are. Your weight, ability level, style of riding and the conditions you ride in all play a role in the length of board you choose.\n\nBy far, the most important decision you need to make is about your boots. Spend the most time here and if need be, the most money as well. Never buy the first pair of boots you have tried on and don't sacrifice comfort or performance to save a few bucks. There is nothing worse than boots that don't fit right. As far as fit is concerned, if a boot fits perfectly in the store then it is TOO BIG. A perfect fit is one in which you would think to yourself "If this boot were a bit bigger it would fit perfectly." Boots stretch after a few uses and you don't want your feet to be swimming in your boots.\n\nAs far as costs are concerned, snowboarding is expensive. There are definitely deals to be found but you can spend anywhere between $500 and $2000 just on equipment. Boards cost anywhere between $300 and $1000, bindings $100 to $500 and boots can be about that much as well. Remember, don't skimp on your boots and also don't forget to save some money for other important items. Items like gloves, goggles, pants, jacket, long underwear are very important. You could have the greatest setup in the world but may not be able to enjoy it because you can't see and are soaking wet.
52614
volkl has great skis, very springy for a stiff german style stick.  i prefer the 5 star as an all round ski for many conditions. it may be important to decide where you'll be most often skiing though.  is the snow usually dry groomed off piste heavy and that sort of thing.  this will help answer what waist you should primarily look at. also your weight height skiing style. see a pro where you do most of your skiing, pick her brains and then decide later based on the many factors outside of whats in their shop.  also look at sierratrading post for deals on ski packages.  i know they were offering a great pair of rossi carvers for about 500 bucks.
802072
Try the bigger brands, such as head, fischer, atomic, salamon for the skis. You should be able to get a good pair of intermediate ones for that price. I recomend salamon for boots.
1051673
Riffle iron shaft has different flex as well although people often say they are stiffer than dynamic gold. I would think normal or regular for Riffle is 5.0, 5.5 would be strong, and 6.0 would be stiff.\n\nSay you generally have a driver swing speed of a 100-110 miles per hour, you could go for 6.0. 90 miles for 5.5, 85 miles for 5.0 and so on.
66788
You need one leg balance, as you use leg motions much like skates. They go very fast!\n\nhttp://gorp.away.com/gorp/activity/skiing/skateski.htm
1053772
Does it feel good on your foot.  It should give you room to expand since your feet will grow slightly.  Make sure ther is room in the toe area too.  \n\nYou definatley want the brake in the back.  When I was learning how to ride a bike I enjoyed it so much I didn't remember how to use the brakes so I went straight into a light pole.  \n\nThe brakes on blades can be a little tough at first.  You will have to use balance.  \n\nRoller Blading is great and a good exercise too.  Don't do any fancy tricks at first.\n\nNow about buying them...\n\nGo to a sporting store like Dicks Sporting Goods or something of the like.  Shop around there and a few others.  If you see a pair you like then that's the way to go.  The can range from $40-$150.  So it is all a matter of what looks and feels good.  Try going to the roller rink and get a leg in(pun).  The rentals are crap but you will get a feel for size.\n\nGood luck.
345595
Its all about how you feel and how you ride.  If you tend to do more freeriding you want an alpine style setup (positive angle on front binding and 0 or positive angle on your back binding).  If you do more park or street rails you want to go duck footed (positive angle on front binding and negative angle on back binding).  Try differet setups out to see what you like best and remember its all about personal preference and everyone's setup is different.  The more traditional, beginner setup is +15 degrees front, and 0 degrees back.  I myself ride +15 front and -12 back.
844723
Go used for the bindings and deck, spring for some new boots. You want a board that is both height and weight appropriate. The typical way of finding out the right size is somewhere between the chin and nose of your kid while the board is stood up. Boards are measured in cm fyi) \nIf your kid is too light for the board, there will be no way he can control it no matter how good he is. Likewise if he gets into the park and he's too heavy for it, it will break. \nWhen you go to buy a board, bend it. Put the nose against the floor, hold the tail in one hand, and push on the middle with the other. Don't be afraid to push hard. Try to think about the pressure your applying and your sons weight.\nFor bindings let him have strap-ins, they take a little longer but I believe they are safer and give you a better hold on your board. If you are getting them used go for Burtons, they are hands down the safest and most reliable, espically when you don't know where they've been.\nBoots should fit tighter than normal kids shoes, avoid the 'room for growth' because that will make his foot slip around inside and make control more difficult. \nI bought my board for a grand total of around $300 and that was with a name brand helmet, and name brand everything else. \nI got mine aftermarket, which for you would be the end of this season when the sellers want to get rid of their stock. if your son can wait, try to get to the end of season sales and pick him out something nice. In the meanwhile you can lease a board for the entire season from a ski/snowboard shop for around $100-$200 or rent daily from your mountain. \nI hope these tips and advice help you out.\nTell your son to have fun!
724445
Being a touch thick, what are key ratios?
111863
it depends. if your legs aren't strong enough then it will be really hard and you wont be able to ski as well. if your legs are strong enough and your just doing powder then you should do whats comfterable same with if you have a soft ski. if you have a stiff ski then you probally want to do it. also if you race you would want to do it . good luck!
323797
I used to ski on Salomons but they lose their stifness very quickly.  I now ski on Atomics which have been great.  As always, you get what you pay for!