Creature Comforts

[kimchi]

Weird one but.. Stance X Injiji X Scotty Wittlake socks. Yeah, they’re weird toe socks. I could never get my feet to stop being clammy and would end up being freezing cold in a variety of conditions. Those thin, stick-on toe warmers were a band aid fix for awhile. Different boots, plenty of different socks, anti-sweat lotion, etc. Found a random pair at my local shop in 2014, no one was buying them. Owner gave me a pair for free, changed my life! I think I have 6-7 pairs in rotation now and will seek them out once a season or so for back ups.

Colder days, the AK MFI hooded base layer - thin, polartec style. I think it’s the same as the Mine77 one. It seems like it was a one and done, always my go to layering piece.

I love Injinji socks once I'm in them--- less sock slip with hard cutting movements and better temperature regulation. Never needed them snowboarding, but I love them when I'm skating or doing anything that requires a lot of sudden foot movement. But they're such a goddamn pain in the ass to get on I very rarely wear the set I own. Have to make sure each toe pocket is not flipped inside out, then perfectly line up each individual toe while putting them on.

I've casually searched for a thin set of performance "ninja" split-toe socks to split the difference, but haven't found anything yet.

[unsuspected]

Ultra thin merino socks is a must. Currently Burton but Im looking for options like Falke and others.

Mons Royale Supermons 3​/4 one-piece. All I want in a base layer. All the good things that the Ninja suit don't have, it's truly superior. Since I've got it the Ninja will never be used. Maybe not as keel like the Blaster but still.

[eleveneightnate]

I love them when I'm skating or doing anything that requires a lot of sudden foot movement.

Off topic, but I really love split toe surf booties for this reason.

[unsuspected]

@kimchi
Genomstick has ninja style socks.
https://shop.gentemstick.com/category/s ... /pid/10811

[C.Fuzzy]

Just enough to help me leave my over thinking brain behind.

Finding something to accomplish this is one of the biggest struggles I have in life. It sucks. (Disclaimer, I've never "used" any type of anything before.) This is half the reason I snowboard at all anymore. Throw on some headphones and just zone out for a little while.

In response to some of your bullets, I'm old school and still use big over the ear, corded headphones and an iPod... haha. I don't really like earbuds but would definitely consider it in order to ditch the bulky phones and cord.

For chapstick I prefer the Carmex squeeze tube. Sometimes gets a little cold and doesn't wanna come out, but at least it's not making a mess. And I usually wear a pteryclava as well so if it's cold I just cover my mouth with it.

Totally agree on the rose lens thing. I bring two pairs of Airgoggles with every time. One mirrored, one rose. Faster than switching lenses and easy enough to pack.

Might have to look into the merino socks thing. Feet comfort can be a struggle.

Yes. Snowboarding is one of the very few times when turning my brain off seems to happen for me at all. And I don't necessarily need anything to be in the flow, but sometimes if conditions suck or something has been stuck in my head, it helps to have a little something to be more present and positive. Weed and/or booze aren't good for me like they seem to be for others.

I have about 3 pair of these style earbuds. Good for snowboarding, the gym, cutting grass, working in the shop or whatever. I can usually get a full day of riding in cold weather on a charge. I can rock one in and one out of needed, and if and when they get broken, I don't feel too bad bc they're inexpensive.

[kimchi]

The one layering piece I still don't feel like I have dialed is the mid-layer, it doesn't get too cold here in the PNW and I don't usually need one but when I do my puffy feels too bulky and my fleece isn't quite warm enough. I need to try some more stuff on.

Grid fleece or if it's in the budget, lightweight active insulation. Patagonia R1 sounds like a good candidate for latter. I've heard you can find good cheap comparables at military surplus stores.

For active insulation, I really like my TNF Ventrix hoody for this purpose. It's substantially more breathable than some other options (e.g. Arc'teryx Atom LT), about comparable to the pricier Patagonia Nano-Air, and if you can usually catch TNF on mega discount compared to those other brands.

[Krazylegz1485]

Another random thing I can't ride without is my Protec padded shorts. They're kinda dual purpose in that they sorta act like compression shorts and keep the junk in place, but also have that little bit of padding that helps when my scrawny ass inevitably makes contact with the ground.

I avoided impact shorts for years for fear of them making me overly confident haha.

I still ride like a total pussy. Haha.

[Krazylegz1485]

I have about 3 pair of these style earbuds. Good for snowboarding, the gym, cutting grass, working in the shop or whatever. I can usually get a full day of riding in cold weather on a charge. I can rock one in and one out of needed, and if and when they get broken, I don't feel too bad bc they're inexpensive.

Thanks for that. For the price it's easy enough just to try them.

[Spenser]

Couple other musts for me

How could I forget tongue stiffeners? I snagged these from a customer who didn't want them, when they bought a pair of driver X probably around 2009. Didn't try them until I had a ton of days on a pair of SLX years ago, and it added a whole extra season and then some, until the boots were just coming apart. Since used them in every boot after that first couple weeks/months where they settle in… total game changer for boot longevity for me. Mostly used in ions, but now using in DC transcend. In both cases, the boot breaks down to a certain point and stays there, but with these, I get to retain more of the original support. I can pretty much go until the boot falls apart. They also add a certain "life" to a boot that isn't there otherwise… the more you push, the stiffer they get, and there is a sort of rebound effect as well. I would genuinely be kinda devastated if I ever lost them - that's how much of a difference they've made for me.

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On that note, boot fitting foam. Depends on the boot, but I add and tweak as necessary as the boot breaks down over its lifespan. Another thing which has allowed me to maximize longevity and performance.

Another one is particular earbud choice. I really dislike any noise canceling while snowboarding, so most don't work for me. I found a pair of really cheap Panasonics with the ear clip, which don't have a gummy cap, so they just sit in your ear without killing your ability to hear your surroundings. I've tried to find a Bluetooth set, but it seems like everything is noise canceling. Don't really mind the wire, would just be nice to get rid of it.

[eleveneightnate]

How could I forget tongue stiffeners?

On that note, boot fitting foam.

Inevitably need to do both of these things to my Acerras. Hopefully it makes them last a while since they're now extinct. I remember (from the boot thread) the tongue stiffeners from any brand being tough to find these days.