Best snowboard shop

canyontothesky

I started snowboarding about 7 years ago and after I'd been a only few times, I bought a package deal from a shop. But I don't think they had any idea what they were doing. I hadn't been boarding in about 5 years and I went this week with my stuff and it was terrible. I was in crazy pain from heel lift and I went to a shop and traded boots with them, but it barely helped. So I need to get new everything, but this time I want someone who absolutely knows what they're talking about, won't rip me off, will actually listen to what my main problems are, and I don't care if the equipment is new or used (in fact, used is better). So, can anyone recommend a shop anywhere within driving distance, it can be in NY, CT, PA, NJ... just somewhere that really knows their stuff and where I can get this board/binding/boot suituation sorted out once and a for all. I want to trade in my current setup towards what I buy. I'm not looking for top of the line, just what will help me board like I know I should be able to. Maybe even somewhere that has a demo/rental situation, I don't know. I'm looking into Panda Sport in Bay Ridge, but I don't know anything about them, and don't care if it's in the city or not.

Thanks!

whyfi

Ride Brooklyn, a bike shop, just opened Skate Brooklyn, a skate and snowboard shop, on Flatbush. I don't know a thing about skating or 'boarding, but if they have the same competency as they do in the cycling sector, it would be good to check them out.

newbie101

The boots are the most important piece of gear in my opinion. I use Salomon Synapse boots. It took awhile to find my perfect match(everyone is different). The bindings and boards are all really good now. I use Burton P1 Carbon bindings and a new old stock 162 Arbor board. I would go to paragon or Blades and try on boots and then buy them online for 100 bucks less. Good luck. It's a great season to start riding again!!

canyontothesky

Newbie101 -- That IS a good idea about buying the boots online, or even ebay, right? I suppose I could go to various stores to get them fitted, doesn't mean I have to buy them there, so good ideae, I may hop over to Paragon and do that first, at least. What's Blades?

newbie101

http://www.blades.com/

newbie101

Ebay can bee really good. Watch the feedback and ask questions before you bid. Good luck. If you need a board or bindings or an amazing pair of 9 1/2 boots, let me know. I have a bunch of boards as well.

whyfi

newbie101 wrote: I would go to paragon or Blades and try on boots and then buy them online for 100 bucks less.

That is such a douche move. If you want customer service, pay for customer service - don't take up someones time or expertise if you have no intention of buying from them. If you're going to do the online route, buy from an online seller with a no questions asked return/exchange policy - this is exactly what I did to save $80 on my cycling shoes - it took one exchange and about two weeks back-and-forth shipping, but I saved the money and avoided douchiness.

newbie101

Maybe someday I could be a self righteous non-douche like you WhyFi.

whyfi

Doubtful.

Most employees that work in shops/departments for higher-ticket goods are either a) partially or wholly commissioned or b) need to maintain sales figures to keep their job. Why is it hard to understand that it's unethical and douchemaximus to take time away from them when they could be dealing with *real* customers instead? 'specially during the busy season. Get your head out of your "me, me, me" ass.

catwalkertexasranger

Canyon my friend.I totally agree w you that all sporting goods salespeople are liars. I bought ski equipment and was unable to qualify for the Olympics after 2 weeks of intense training. I also bought a snow board and was unable to complete a Shawn White super high tube loop move.After buying a sweet set of 200 dollar golf clubs I got not 1 but 2 buckets of balls at the practice range..and I still was unable to shoot par. I got a surfboard off of craigslist and the guy who sold it to me guaranteed that the thing could"shred"..no fuckin way..I couldn't even stand up on the board!!the guy was a liar and a drug user I think I smelled pot in his apt. I also bought a bicycle and I was unable to get on any team for the Tour de France..the bike was substandard obviously. And the fishing pole I got was a total joke!! not only the pole but the bait was defective also I didn't catch shit!! they ripped me off. I also got a skateboard from a local shop and all I was able to do was get road rash and laughed at by the area teens..the board was a complete piece of shit..I got ripped off. I am sorry that those evil money grubbing assholes didn't sell you a comfy boot binding combo 5 years ago..the nerve of those under trained scammers. It's always the equipment..

newbie101

catwalkertexasrang makes a good point. Most people need to work into a new boot. I've had sore heels with my favorite boots and allot of "bad boots". It's not an exact science. Lace em' tight in the heel and shut your mouth???