 Poster: A snowHead
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Been snowboarding for just over a year now (only been on a couple of holidays - so still a major rookie) - I've just rented equipment when I'm abroad but keen to do some indoor stuff here in the UK. Should I consider purchasing my own kit? What's the minimum you reckon I could get away with spending?
Any help would be ace!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Whenever you want
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Well I think it's a good question. Many people run off and buy toys before they know what they want or why, and it's not hugely cost effective to do that most of the time. Worse, with snowboarding at least the wrong gear can make it harder to learn, and that's a shame because it's more fun when you can do it better.
I'd talk to your instructor, who will tell you if you're likely to be able to stick at the same level for long enough to want to stick with the same board for a while. She may even suggest what boards you could look at, although my advice would be to ride several before you choose.
Indoor stuff and "the mountain" are different things, so you probably will need one board for each. An indoor board will probably be ok for the park but a bit frustrating in powder/ on piste.
Don't forget to consider transport costs (eg £50 each way for Ryanair), the cost of a padded bag, maintenance, and maybe insurance if you use it.
You can spend as much or as little as you like, it depends what you want. As a relative beginner it won't make a lot of difference - you'll likely be riding short soft boards as they're easiest. The "beginner" word isn't used in marketing, but there are other clues as to which boards are which.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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I personally think once you have fallen in love with the sport and you are 100% sure you want to pursue it then you should get your own gear. Rental equipment is low quality and it doesn't allow you get used to your own things (ie boots and board) which can be annoying and make things more difficult for you if you are still a beginner. So I would say get your own stuff 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Start from buying a boots.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@laandan, 20 years on and I'm still a rookie . . . a fast and scary one, but still a rookie  Yes, your own kit is gonna make you a GOD! . . . but don't go down the 'Gapper' road with 'all t'gear and nay idea'.
Good boots are your first purchase, medium flex, snug but not 'tight' fit (room to just wriggle yer tootsies without pushing yer nails back into their beds), they will loosen a bit and new footbeds will take up any slack after 'bedding in'. (see threads for CEM)
Bindings: Any mid range, major manufacturer product will do the job. Well made without all the bling that just adds cost or performance that is waste to your pocket and 5 years of practice. . .
. . . same for the board, mid range and major manufacturer. You need summat to grow into without it being a specialist tool for a pro.
Spend a bit and have some fun with gear you can rely on to grow with you.
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Paying for expensive ski equipment is often like buying silicon breast implants. Not a great deal of functional gain but you the fact you think others may like the look of, or envy them, makes you feel better
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@cameronphillips2000,
Like 
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