Got a sled...need the gear.

[Cheeto]

Spokane Snow Show is coming up in 2 weeks. I have pretty much zilch for actual riding gear and I'm told the best prices will be during the show. How much $$$ do I need to budget and what should I expect to get for the money? I can't afford to experiment with $300 jackets and $200 boots. I want stuff that works. I only want to replace stuff because it wore out, not because it didn't work worth a crap. Thanks to all, this site has helped a lot in getting me prepared to jump back into riding.

 

[cookiecutter]

First, what kind of riding will you be doing? If your out in the backcountry you need avy gear. period. After you have taken care of that you can get a pair of Klim adrenaline boots (09 model) for a little more than $100 bucks. They will not get wet, hold up well, and $100 is a great deal. I submit to others for what jacket to purchase..

There are many other things to take into account that can help keep you warm, dry, and comfortable for cheap (and after purchasing a beacon you might need cheap). Polyester base layer to wick away sweat, tightly woven wool socks, spandex pants are supremely comfortable, all these things can be purchased at wal-mart.

My days of riding with simply a parka and pants are over. I layer clothing, save money, and end up warmer and more comfortable than before.

 

[Bubba700]

Top of the list is get a beacon/shovel/prob. Contact Snowbigdeal here on the forums, it should run you about 300$ for the 3. Even if that blows your whole budget I would do that first and ride in carharts and thrift store stuff.
For boots I find last years model snowboard boots on clearance sales usuallay 75$ to 100$ for top of the line boots, watch whiskeymilitia.com or brocity.com for killer deals. If you don't wanna spend the $ on Klim. Watch those same sites and you can get top of the line pants and goggles for 65 to 75% off of retail. Makes getting great clothes easy on a great deal too. Just have to watch the sites.
If you have the cash and want klim. PM freeagent on here. They are a dealer if I recall correctly and will get you as good of deal as anywhere on klim gear.
Good luck and welcome back.

 

[RMKcowboy]

For boots I've been real happy with my Rocky boots that my MIL bought from Cabela's. They keep my feet dry and warm, and the liner is removeable so that if they get wet/sweaty I can pop them out and put them in the dryer or by the fire place to dry. They have held up well to the running boards too.
For a coat and pants I have been using cheap stuff... thin ski pants from Sportsman's Warehouse and an off-brand coat that gets the job done. Hoping to upgrade to a Klim coat sometime soon.

 

[xrated]

I use HMK boots, but have used just sorel snow boots. Really any boot that is comfortable and keeps you warm and dry will work. Be it your Sorel type boots or even a warm pair of hunting boots.

Coat just shop around. You don't need Gore-tex to be dry. I have a Hell Hanson shell I got at Cabela's for 60 bucks. Still keeps me dry even in the rain and I've had it for 4 years.

Bibs, again I got Gore-tex Cabela's brand in the bargain cave for 120 bucks and I'm on 5 years with those. Definitly cheaper then Klim.

Underneath I suggest you spend the 90 bucks for Under Armour, best winter money I have spent. Wear them all winter, not just sledding so the cost is fine. Then I know some guys get all decked in Klim layers, I've had good luck with Walmart, Traget or Old Navy fleece.

In fact my best fleece and cheapest has been bought from Old Navy, just watch the ads and clearance. Got great thick and thin pants. As well as a great light weight fleece coat that packs nicely or fits well under my shell.

Good luck and get that Avy gear first!

 

[Flit8.0]

I'll throw a vote in for avy stuff first. I have some Sorell boots and have never been cold in them. Several years ago I got a $30 fleece lined coat from Wally World and have worn it many times snowboarding and have never gotten cold with it. Don't skimp on the avy gear though.

 

[PalousePoo]

Noone has mentioned anything about helmits. Most wear motox style, DOT and snell rated, and dual lens goggles. Helmits with face shields, in my opinion, just fog quickly. Also take 2 pairs of gloves, min. The KLIM adrenalin boot really is quality, and guranteed not to leak. If your feet are prone to getting cold, these flat work, and are comfortable to walk in. Make sure you wear moisture wicking socks and undergarments. Underamour is good, but overpriced! You can buy avy gear when you decide to start climbing. Hitting the trails and meadows should be safe. Ride with experienced people who know when av. danger is high. However, even a road bank COULD slide on you, but any of us can also get hit by a bus when we leave our house too. The snow show has used clothing, but the good stuff goes fast. I have extra bibs (black) and coat (red) that's Polaris stuff I would sell, inexpensively. PM me if interested. Most used bibs will still soak through in the seat though, camp dry may help. have fun

 

[xrated]

I have to disagree with palouise. If you are riding in the mts get the avy gear even if you don't climb. It's not for you it' for your buds or the stranger who gets buried and you come across it. Another thoight is make sure and put together a survival kit. Lots of info on here for that and is also cheap insurance.

For socks I really like wool. Warm doesn't itch anymore and keeps you warm even when wet. And yes I know I live in minesota. I would never go west without the avy gear and I know for a fact the spokane guys won't go unless you have the gear, they don,t care if you are in top shelf gear

 

[jcrjet]

Stay away from the "snowmobile gear", just get some snowboarding gear. It's more plentiful, thirty percent the cost, and just as good. You'll have enough left over for a beacon, shovel, and probe.

 

[cookiecutter]

Stay away from the "snowmobile gear", just get some snowboarding gear. It's more plentiful, thirty percent the cost, and just as good. You'll have enough left over for a beacon, shovel, and probe.

Make sure you left over money is used to buy clothes, avy gear is #1. And I agree, snowmachine gear is super expensive. So far what has worked best for me is a good waterproof shell (many can be found for relatively cheap) then layering underneath. You'll save lots o money

 

[Cheeto]

Underneath I suggest you spend the 90 bucks for Under Armour, best winter money I have spent.

I already have UA ColdGear base layer. I use them at work where I'm in the truck for 10 minutes, outside the truck for 4 minutes, back in the truck for 5 etc. The UA regulates my body heat perfectly so I'm never too hot or too cold. The past 2 winters I never wore more than UA top and pants, short sleeve uniform shirt, light weight uniform pants and a $15 K-Mart fleece pullover. Overpriced? Yes...but it does work.

I'm glad to hear that some have good luck with non-sled gear. I want a jacket with plenty of "screened" vents. When I get active I sweat but I don't want snow sneaking in the vents either. A zip-in fleece liner would be nice. Maybe I better check out Sports Authority and Sports Outlet to see what they offer in snowbaording gear. Of course I have one or two gift certificates to Mountain Gear laying around here too.

My feet sweat then get cold. Wool over my cottons seems to help so I need to remember to shop for one size bigger boot. Do the Sorels offer good ankle support? The running boards on my Poo are narrow enough that I'm sure I'll be standing on the edge of them while riding. I don't want to roll an ankle while playing, my job requires me to be on my feet.

Thanks for all the info guys, keep it coming.

 

[Bubba700]

Ditch the cotton base on the feet man, stuff holds moisture, go strait to a good pair of wool boot socks, Danner or something. Your feet will never get cold.

 

[Boardbysled]

Get a pair of polypropaline base layer socks, wicks mosture away from ur skin, keepin ya warm, then wool socks over those.

 

[cookiecutter]

If you have some gift certificates to Mountain Gear, depending on their amount I would use them. Mountain Gear can have some great sales - they'll let discontinued items go for very reasonable prices.

X2 with what Bubba said. Cotton Kills

 

[Environmentalist]

Another vote for Avy gear! If your riding in the mountains, you WILL try to climb and play, along with your riding partners. For the safety for all, get a beacon, probe and shovel. I bought two beacons, so if I'm riding with someone that doesn't have one they can use it. Hope to god you will never need to use it! It's much cheaper than a funeral.

On the gear thing, you need to check out Helmet Outlet in Coeur d' Alene. Great place to buy gear and have good prices.

 

[xrated]

Get a pair of polypropaline base layer socks, wicks mosture away from ur skin, keepin ya warm, then wool socks over those.

Glad that works for someone, I tried and the base sock gets bunched up and bugs me. But for sure ditch the cotton socks.

Sorrels don't have the best ankle support but I know lots of guys who use them. Otherwise a good pair of Rocky or Danner hunting boots should work well for ya.

Don't forget some sort of backpack to carry your gear and extra layers in. I ride the midwest and always wear UA, fleece pants and shirt and then my bibs and coat. When I went west this year, Bigbull told me that wasn't needed. Just wore UA, a jersey and my bibs/coat and I was warm 90 percent of the time. I just threw a pair of fleece pants and coat/vest into my pack. Just in case I needed them. Able to wad the fleece up nice and small to save on room.

 

[Flit8.0]

The Sorells are pretty much worthless for ankle support.

 

[Cheeto]

Did a little pre-shopping yesterday. Mt Gear didn't have much and the salesman basically said the snowbord gear wouldn't hold up well to riding. Found a couple nice jackets on the site but not in the store. If the stuff costs 1/3 the price but lasts half as long I think I'd be ahead.

Sports Outlet had a nice Sessions jacket, plenty of venting, good fit, Gore-Tex etc. $200.

Cycle Gear had Klim and HMK. This was the first time I had actually laid eyes on the top-o-the-line gear. I've got to say the Klim jacket I looked at was very nice. Heavier grade fabric, sealed zippers, better cut in the hem etc. I didn't like that they come in straight sizes. I need a large/tall. The large was just a bit short in the sleeves and the XL was bulky in the chest and gut. The $400+ price about made me vomit. Sometimes I hate being a cheap bastard.

 

[RMKcowboy]

Did a little pre-shopping yesterday. Mt Gear didn't have much and the salesman basically said the snowbord gear wouldn't hold up well to riding. Found a couple nice jackets on the site but not in the store. If the stuff costs 1/3 the price but lasts half as long I think I'd be ahead.

Sports Outlet had a nice Sessions jacket, plenty of venting, good fit, Gore-Tex etc. $200.

Cycle Gear had Klim and HMK. This was the first time I had actually laid eyes on the top-o-the-line gear. I've got to say the Klim jacket I looked at was very nice. Heavier grade fabric, sealed zippers, better cut in the hem etc. I didn't like that they come in straight sizes. I need a large/tall. The large was just a bit short in the sleeves and the XL was bulky in the chest and gut. The $400+ price about made me vomit. Sometimes I hate being a cheap bastard.

Curious what your height/weight is (and if you have ape arms like me). I'm looking at cheap 09 Klim model coats but not sure if I should go L or XL.

 

[Cheeto]

6'1" 185# 24" from pit to wrist. Sorry, I'm not a tailor so I don't know how they really measure arm length.