Ride Contraband – Review

Ride Contraband

Binding: Ride Contraband

Truly as advertised the Ride Contraband is a very light binding that is quick to strap into. I got to ride them for a few days but, this was all after a fairly lengthy and apparently “worth it time to set up”.  Overall I found the contrabands a little uncomfortable but just incomparable to the rome 390’s  or the union force’s. The extra maybe 15 seconds it takes to do up the second strap on other bindings is worth it. For shredding around the mountain and in the park I found them sloppy and well unresponsive. This is all after being stoked to try these bindings and then maybe the contraband was not for me, but I do know I am going to stick with my 390’s.

Grades:
Construction: B-
Flex: Medium
Weight: Light
Comfort: B-
Size: Fits true to size
Usage: All mountain / Park
Overall: B -

Edited: November 4th, 2009

Rome Libertine – Review

Boot: Rome Libertine (size 10)

Rome Libertine

Want a snowboard boot that feels like a skate shoe? The Rome Libertine out of the box is one of the most comfy boots I have ever had on my feet! I got a set of these on recommendation from a really good friend who has had a set for a few years now. I am so glad I took his advice. The Rome Libertine is a light, well supportive,  comfortable, park boot that gives you the flexibility that all park riders demand. I had a great season on these boots and are very happy with their performance and durability. Once they were broken in, which took no time at all, these boots were phenomenal, I was floored.  The libertines were just as good on the rails as the jumps, I found they had the flex I was looking for, when trying to tweak off the jumps and rails, but the support I needed for cruising  around the mountain. On most sites these boots are listed as a medium but I would say after their break in period they turn out to be a med-soft to a soft boot with tonnes of flex. I would recommend these boots to anyone who loves doing laps in the park and will occasionally hit the mountain for some cruising. The Rome Libertine is one of the top park boots out there today!

Grades:
Construction: B+
Flex: Medium / Med-Soft
Weight: Light
Comfort: A-
Size: Fits true to size
Usage: All mountain / Park
Overall: A-

Edited: July 12th, 2009

Lib Tech Skate Banana – Review

Lib Tech Skate Banana 152

Boots: 32 Lashed / Rome Libertine

Bindings: Rome 390 (Neon) / Rome Targa

Stance: 17 / -17, 25″

Mountain:

I had been waiting to get my hands on this board for a long time;  truthfully, I was as excited as a kid in a candy store! I Went to the mountain, headed up the lift, and we’re off…  First thing I noticed was the firm grip and the strange feeling of the skate banana due to its shape… The board stuck to everything – it was amazing! Its like a snow magnet.  The banana shape was strange at first, but sweet after a few minutes of getting used too.  I was popping so high off of little lips and throwing 3’s effortlessly, and the board seemed catch free yet, grippy.  Down the runs it held up even with speed; it had a little chatter at high speeds, but it’s a 152 park board (so I wasn’t supprised).  The lib tech skate banana was smooth for carving, easy for butters,(especially after it broke in), and had so much pop.  Over the season, I de-tuned (and beat up) the edges for the park and the board was surprisingly still like griptape into the mountain. This board will make you laugh (or giggle like a little school girl) when you ride it. It’s so much fun.

Park:

And now to the playground…. After about 3 laps my jaw was on the gorund. I could not believe that the flexible banana could not only dominate on the rails and boxes but could still hold its own on the jumps.  I’ll start with rails: so much control, so much flex, and so light. Jibbing was so nice with this board; I would recommend any park rat to try this one. The skate banana’s performance on the jumps mirrored the rails and boxes. I loved how, it popped high, spun easily, and was solid on the landings; nothing to complain about. From day one to day 20 on this board the edges held even after the park abuse. After about 10 days this board becomes the butter machine, it’s a dream to ride. I am a fan!!

Summary:

Where do I even start with this one…? Good wood of the year, best of test, need I say more?  The board is sick, pick one up if you can find one!  I love mine

Grades:
Steeps/Speed: C+/B- (for a freestyle deck)
Butter: A+
Jibs: A+
Spin-a-ability: A+
Jumps: A
Pipe: Unknown
Fun: A++++!!!

Edited: July 9th, 2009

32 Lashed Boots – Review

Boot: 32 Lashed (size 10)

32 Lashed

I had always wanted to try a set of 32’s, so I picked up the lashed. First of all, I am impressed with how light and comfortable they are ( they feel lighter than my skate shoes). I wore them around my house for a week or so, to break them in a little, before taking them to the mountain. After about 4 to 5 times of riding on the 32 Lashed, and they were fully broken in! These boots are so light, I barely notice them at all. After the break-in period these boots are amazing. They feel well made, fit well, are comfortable, light, and fairly flexible. I took these boots all over the mountain, from backcountry to park to urban rails and they have been awesome! I am so stoked about these boots, they are amazing. I would say their only downfall is they are lacking a little in the cushioning department, but that’s why they are so light. Over all I would recommend these boots to anyone.

Grades:
Construction: B+
Flex: Medium / Med-Soft
Weight: Light
Comfort: A-
Size: Fits true to size
Usage: All mountain / Park
Overall: A-

Edited: July 9th, 2009

Rome Graft Review 08/09

Board: Rome Graft 155 / Graft 153

Graft 155

Boots: 32 Lashed / Rome Libertine

Bindings: Rome 390 (Neon) / Rome Targa

Stance: 17 / -17, 25″

Mountain:

I reached the top of the lift, strapped in, and got ready to take this new board on a few runs before hitting the park. This deck was nice and buttery; it felt like it wanted to be ridden on the nose or the tail. I was cruising down the run and I decided to see how well this board could ollie, and s#@! could it ollie! Despite the buttery nature of this board, it  produced a decent amount of pop.  Down the blues I found myself hopping off of everything and throwing little 180′ s and 3′ s. I was over rotating a bit at first due to the lightness of the board and to my surprise the board was very forgiving, allowing me to wash-out and not bail. This board is very nimble and easy to maneuver whether on the ground or in the air.  Then to the blacks for the speed test! I knew this would be the weak spot for the board due to its park nature, so I started down the first black to test its limits. I found the deck holding its own – very little chatter or wobbling at all. Over all, I would say it’s a stable board. (I would not recommend this board for someone looking to do a lot of speed runs or blacks.)

Park:

At the top of the park I found myself excited! This was where  the board wanted to be. As I took my first lap through the park and got comfortable, I found the board floating off the kickers ,and the landings were nice and easy. After a few more laps I hit some of the rails. The board is nice and flexible between your feet and is very easy to control. On the boxes I found the graft stable and easy to press and balance. The weight and balance of this board make a great combination – durable, yet light and nimble.  This board is truly at home in the park; this is what it was built for. Riding this board in the park was so much fun, I think I still have a smile on my face.

Summary:

Overall this board was very nice, even though you can’t do speed runs on it. I was really impressed with Rome on this one. I now know why they say it takes a skate approach to snowboarding; it feels like you are constantly in a skate park wanting to jump and spin off everything. This is a great board and I can see it becoming a favorite in my quiver or even my main ride. I love the board!  It’ll just makes you smile every time you strap it to your feet!

Grades:
Steeps/Speed: C+/B- (for a freestyle deck)
Butter: A-
Jibs: A
Spin-a-ability: A+
Jumps: A
Pipe: Unknown
Fun: A+++

I hope you enjoy this review, please feel free to leave any comments below. I will follow up when I have logged some more hours on the board.

Edited: July 9th, 2009