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Snowboarding Gear TLC--Part Two

© H.D. Lail

In the last article, I discussed how to give a little TLC to your snowboard. The same goes for your snowboard boots and bindings. These are integral parts of the interface that exists between you and your board. You may already spend hours lavishing attention on your board, but that doesn't mean a thing if your bindings and boots are in poor condition.

Next to your snowboard, the most important pieces of equipment to keep in good working order are your bindings. A broken binding just won't perform. Bindings can be either incredibly simple or incredibly complex, depending on the manufacturer. To keep yours in tip-top shape, spend a few minutes inspecting the various parts for wear and tear. Do this every time you plan on spending a day riding. You don't want to get stuck in the backcountry with a lost bolt and no means to replace it. Carefully check for loose bolts and screws. Also check the binding straps for damage, especially if you have a racheting mechanism. Most racheting devices have many small parts, including springs--and the more parts, the more likely something is to break. Don't forget to check your base-plate bolts as well, because these can become stripped and loosen every time you change your stance width or angle, which many riders do several times a season. The heel cups on some models are prone to stress breakage--look for weak spots in the plastic that might indicate a break in the future. If the heel cup actually does break, contact the manufacturer to see what your warranty covers. Make sure the adhesive toe pads or heel cup pads are still stuck where they should be--many times these fall off once they get wet.

Many riders are very attached to their snowboarding boots and treat them with the utmost respect. Your boots are what make the ride possible--if you aren't comfortable, you won't stay on the snow very long. One of the most important things you can do to maintain your boots is to waterproof them (even if the boots already claim to have this). You can buy spray, wax, or paint-on waterproofing formulas at many sporting-goods stores. Waterproofing keeps your feet warm and dry and also helps stave off boot wear and tear caused by perpetually damp fabric. While waterproofing protects the outer fabric of your boots, it doesn't do a thing for the inside. Your feet sweat, and that moisture has to go somewhere. If your feet are prone to lots of perspiration, remove the liners of your boots and loosen the laces, so that air can circulate. Or, you might invest in an actual boot dryer (the kind fisherman use to dry their waders). Since you can't just toss dirty boots into the washing machine, keep them clean by wiping with a damp cloth. You can also spot-clean any stubborn stains by putting a little mild detergent on a wet rag and rubbing in a circular motion. Your boots will be very happy if you occasionally spray them inside with Lysol to kill all the stinkies, and if you ride hard and often, replace the insoles periodically to ensure a good fit. If your laces start to fray, replace them immediately. Otherwise, they will likely break on the mountain, when your boots experience the most stress and torque from your feet and ankles. One way to prevent frayed laces is to spend a couple of bucks on a plastic shoelace cover. Many riders rest the sharp steel edges of their snowboards on their unstrapped foot while riding the lift, effectively sawing their laces apart.

The copyright of the article Snowboarding Gear TLC--Part Two in Snowboarding is owned by H.D. Lail. Permission to republish Snowboarding Gear TLC--Part Two in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.