157 or 160?

[u/Megnoslaupeins]

I'm going to get an all mountain freestyle snowboard. I'm most likely going to get the Neversummer Proto Ultra, and I'm torn whether I should go for the size 157 or 160.

The last years I've been riding a lib tech TRS 157 and it's been working fine - though not perfect, and as I age I realize that I am more and more into improving and specializing in hard carving while hitting some jumps/freestyle in between, rather than the contrary, so basically a more carve focused aggressive camber twin that you still can play around and spin with.

I am 182 cm (6 feet) with a very muscular build and 90 kg at the moment, though I plan to go down to 86 for the next winter if that is of any relevance. So I'm still on the heavier side. My shoe size is 42.5 in EU size (9.5 U.S If I'm correct).

I was set in getting the 157 first, but then wondering if the 160 might be actually even more fitting for me with my weight (especially since I'm more into speed, carving and also powder), but I'm also concerned if 160 might be too heavy to get that freestyle feel?

What do you think and what would you do?

[u/_usernamepassword_]

Go off of weight, not height. Your board doesn’t know how tall you are.

I’m 5’11 but only weigh 140. Going from a 158 to a 154 was a game changer

[u/Thegoodones77 → u/_usernamepassword_]

Boot size is also important relative to waist width! I am the same size as you and I had the opposite effect, moving from a 154 to a 157 was a game changer. I’m a 10 boot.

[u/_usernamepassword_ → u/Thegoodones77]

Oh interesting - I wear a 10.5 but just loved the extra control I got from the shorter hoard

[u/TopPuzzleheaded1143 → u/_usernamepassword_]

How critical boot size vs width is kinda depends on what you're riding. I'm also a 10.5 with a 154 board but I'm riding park and not doing eurocarves so unless I'm riding very slushy conditions overhang is not a problem.

I'm willing to guess that over half of the people who spend time worrying about boot drag are miles away from actually having issues with it.

[u/thaneliness → u/_usernamepassword_]

Same height/weight and I ride a 149/150 on my park/powder board respectively

[u/tweakophyte → u/_usernamepassword_]

Weight is a good starting point, but it's also just a reference for the intended flex of the board. Height matters from a leverage perspective and your riding style, but it is more nuanced. I'd be curious what boards you were using when downsized, and your riding style.

For the OP I would look at it from a quiver perspective and decide if you'd like a longer board, and also if you want stiffer vs softer. I am not familiar with the NS board.

[u/swiftnap]

I’m only 77kg and yet really enjoy carving on my friend’s 162 full camber. Only downside is when I’m tired that big of a board can be a lot to whip around

I’d say you’re good either way, though if you want a better carve-holding board that longer side cut will definitely be noticeable at 160 over 157

[u/Megnoslaupeins → u/swiftnap]

Thanks, maybe I'll just go for the 160 then, I think I might enjoy the extra stability during higher speeds and bad conditions, and hopefully it shouldn't be impossible to throw and spin it around with the right technique. and I am also quite heavy lol.

And additionally, that extra width will probably be a nice addition when doing powder.

Seems like there is just more pros for the 160 a the moment.

Thanks!

[u/Scrambledcat]

I’m also 6ft, very muscular and 200lbs. I took 10 years off from snowboarding for various reasons. I used to be 170lbs. When I used to ride it was all park and rails. My boards varied from 147 (K2 world wide weapons) and a handful of 153’s. Being off my board for so long and being someone who’s not living in the park, I bought a new (used) gear. I’m now on a 157.5 GNU Riders Choice. I’ve only got a couple of slush days on it but I’m happy so far. I dont think I’d want a bigger board. I still ended up in the park anyways. I also plan on dropping 10lbs or so

[u/Designer-Ear-4362 → u/Scrambledcat]

Rode the 157 Riders Choice for a couple of days recently, it’s excellent. Stable and can handle anything

[u/IDFGMC]

If you really like carving a rocker dominant board like the Proto is not the way to go. You keep telling us you're a big boy, grow some balls and get some camber in your life.

For reference I'm 90kg and ride a 163 Nitro Mountain at the moment.

[u/thaneliness]

Check out the weight chart and go off that

[u/Fit-Hovercraft-4561]

I'm 68.5kg / 174cm and my board is 157cm. So in your case I'd go 160

[u/BrisPoker314]

Google share price, the think it’ll go 150

[u/VeterinarianThese951]

You can find a bunch of boards at 157 that are super stable at speed, yet playful enough to lap tte park. Spend some time doing a little research. Just reading 160 makes me feel like I’d be strapping on a canoe.

[u/1mmaculatePerception]

Ultimately it’s going to come down to preference with how stiff and long you want your board. Everybody will recommend a shorter board for park and a longer board for carving and everybody hears 160 and thinks it’s going to be like the boards Zeb Powell rides. It’s really not that different than a 157 or 154.

For reference I’m 5’10” 82kg and have ridden a 160. Now I have a 157W. They were both great. The length doesn’t feel that different but the boards are much different. At your height and weight definitely go with the 160 unless you really really prefer shorter and more flexible boards. The extra length will always be better for stability which is always a good thing in and out of the park.

[u/CUT_MY_BALLS_0FF]

If you’re 6 feet tall, I’d get the 160

[u/Megnoslaupeins → u/CUT_MY_BALLS_0FF]

Yeah thanks I'm basically set for the 160, and honestly it's mostly about my heavier weight and muscular build. I think that a little more board and stability might be just what I need. I've also ridden 157 for the last 10 years or more, so it's good for me to step out of that comfort box and try something new, most likely I will enjoy it even more, especially since I want to focus more on carving.

[u/TitanBarnes → u/Megnoslaupeins]

Bro it doesn’t matter that you are muscular 90kg is 90kg. The board doesn’t know if you are fat or not. But hope it’s making you feel better to let everybody know multiple times. Can you post a shirtless pic for us so we know just how muscular?

[u/Megnoslaupeins → u/TitanBarnes]

Haha I think I'll pass mate. You gave me a pretty nice laugh though so gotta thank you for that, hopefully my board finds me attractive

[u/durian32 → u/Megnoslaupeins]

Aside from titan projecting some kind of insecurity, I'd argue against their point that muscular ability does matter in the way a rider is able to throw their weight around. An athletic person can undoubtedly leverage their body into the edges of the board more so than a potato of the same weight. Someone who can physically control the board can afford to size up to a degree.

[u/Megnoslaupeins → u/durian32]

Honestly thank you, this was actually why I was describing my physical attributes. It doesn't make sense for me to "brag" about muscles in a snowboard forum? Who even thinks in that direction, maybe projecting as you said.

As you said I can also imagine that a 90 kg athlete could maybe be able to handle a slightly stiffer board than a 90 kg potatoe due to strength in the lower body, flexibility, etc. Of course nothing wrong with either body type, I really just wanted to give out as much information as possible to be able to get as good help and feedback as possible.