Board - A beginner should have a board that has a beveled edge (so the edges don't catch as easily), has a little flexibility, and is sort of hourglass-shaped like a maxi-pad, so that it is relatively easy to turn.

Boots - The most important thing is that the boot always moves with your foot. Since the boot is bound to the board and you are controlling it with your feet, if your foot moves within the boot, your foot movement will not translate into board movement. Make sure you get good boots.

1. The boot should be snug from toe to heel

2. When you lift your heel while standing, your heel should not move up inside the boot. That is, the heel should not come up off the floor of the boot. Raising your heel should raise the heel of the boot too and should not make a space between your heel and the boot.

3. You should not be able to rotate your foot or ankle with respect to the boot when the boot is wedged or pinned in a stationary position. Loose boots may be a problem for women renting men's boots; their feet tend to be narrower.

Boots with dense, form-fitting foam in the heel solve problems (2) and (3). The foam is a part of the inside of the boot and protrudes into the recess of your Achilles' tendon so that when your heel comes up, it catches on the foam and the boot comes up too. Don't leave the rental equipment desk until you are happy - it could mean the difference between having control of your board and not having control of your board.

Helmet - You'll want a helmet with good visibility that doesn't block your peripheral vision, and one which doesn't deafen you so you can hear skiers and riders approach from the sides and behind. Different countries have different safety certification names. So, if it is made in Europe, it might say CE. If it is made in the US it might say Snell. They are made to crack so your head doesn't. Replace your helmet if the inside or outside becomes cracked.

Lacing up & Strapping in

Boots have lace holes and hooks. Pull hard on the laces when you lace them through the holes. Before hooking the laces through each set of hooks, tie them (like you tie your sneakers, except stop before you make a bow). After hooking the lace on the top hooks, tie them, then hook them through the bottom-most hooks again, tie them. Then hook them through the top-most hooks again and tie them in a bow. It is obvious where you put your feet on the board. The strap bindings look like sandals, except with a support for behind your ankle. Put your foot in - make sure your heel is all the way back, touching the support. Strap the ankle strap first, then the toe strap. Make sure you get them very tight. To walk around on flat ground, unstrap your tail foot. You'll feel awkward for a while. Don't sweat it. It goes away.

Clothing

your clothing should be warm, non-restrictive, water-resistant, and breathable.

Attire - Wear something you can move around in. Pants that are moderately tight, which work for skiing, won't work for snowboarding. You'll be bending your knees a lot more and twisting and squatting and balancing, so you won't want restrictive clothing. Your jacket should significantly overlap your pants so you don't get snow around your waist. So either get a long jacket that goes well below the top of your pants, or a normal-length jacket with tall ski pants underneath that cover your abs. I opted for the latter: tall ski pants ($29 USD) that looked and felt one size too large and nylon down jacket ($59 USD). I was dry, warm, and happy. Everything that touches snow must be water resistant. The lining and layer underneath don't matter much as long as they don't retain sweat. COTTON IS BAD. Chenille, fleece, or wool is good. Gore-tex is very good. You really don't have to spend a fortune, but you must spend enough to be warm, breathable, and water-resistant (read the clothing labels).

Socks - Wear only ONE pair of socks: Ideally, thick long acrylic socks with a very loose weave (turn 'them inside out to check).

Gloves - Get really warm, waterproof gloves - long ones that extend over the wrists of your jacket. Get gloves you feel comfortable in - not ones that make you feel like you're wearing the claws of a giant bear suit costume. You want gloves in which you can EASILY make a fist, for reasons I'll explain in a minute. They make warm, non-bulky gloves these days.
Goggles or glasses with polycarbonate lenses ($25 USD); these won't shatter when you fall.

Scarf - tied securely, or turtle fur (a pull-over cylindrical thingy for your neck)

I was going down a steeper part of the mountain toeside, and I reached out in front of me and touched the slope with my hand and felt it as it went by.

Robin Scott
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/snowboarders-guide-for-equipment-and-clothing-316552.html

I learned how to travel light from lightweight backpacking, then found it was just as useful to keep it light on trips overseas or driving across the country. The last time my wife and I went to Ecuador, I had 10 pounds of luggage, all in one carry-on bag, and Ana had just 8 pounds in her carry-on bag. This wasn't a short trip. We spent six weeks in Ecuador, at times on glacier-covered mountains, and at other times lounging on Pacific coast beaches.

Travel Simplicity

Why travel light? Travel simplicity. Everything is simpler when you travel light. With only carry-on luggage, we were on our way to a restaurant in Quito, while others were still waiting for their checked luggage. When we took busses our luggage was safely with us, not on the roof or in the hold below being cut open, like one time when I was in Mexico. While others struggled down the street with three heavy bags, we had our hands free and were walking comfortably because we use daypacks or small backpacks. We had less to lose, less to be stolen, less to wait for, less to pack and unpack in hotels, and less to worry about.

Light Travel Issues

There are a couple minor problems when you travel light. First, expect an extra question or two from the customs officials at the airport (Six weeks with only this?). Second, a small bag won't work if you plan to bring back many souvenirs. In this case, you can still go light. Just plan to buy a second bag at some point during the trip, to carry your acquisitions. As for the seemingly obvious issue of not having enough clothes and other things all in one or two small bags, I'll explain below why that isn't as big a problem as you may think.

How To Travel Light

Silk shirts weigh 3 ounces, and travel well if rolled up. Nylon dress socks weigh less than an ounce, and they are cool and comfortable. Poly-cotton blend t-shirts weigh 5 ounces. Supplex or other lightweight travel slacks weigh 9 ounces, and are sufficient for a fine restaurant or a walk in the woods. All of these weigh less than half of the typical travel choices, and take less space, yet function the same. There is no sacrifice involved here. For this exercise in travel simplicity, you even get to go shopping for new clothes.

You don't have to buy new clothes, however. You don't have to buy a scale and count ounces to travel light. Just choose the lighter alternative whenever you can. Set aside your lightest jacket, socks and pants for your next trip. Travel simplicity is the goal, not more complicated planning.

More Ways To Travel Light

Money replaces weight, especially in the form of a debit or credit card. Why carry two pounds of your favorite shampoo when you can simply buy small bottles as you travel. It really won't cost much more to buy things wherever you go, instead of carrying your bathroom and wardrobe with you. Also, you really don't know exactly what you'll need, particularly on an overseas trip. Buy what you need as you need it, and you won't have a pile of useless things in your luggage. Don't we all regularly unpack things at home that we never once used during the trip?

Take a lesson from long-trail hikers (backpackers who travel a trail for months). They send things, such as new shoes, to a post office on their route, ahead of time, so they'll be waiting for them. They also send home things they no longer need, such as a winter coat. The latter may be a useful practice for other travelers. If you buy bulky gifts for family or friends, why carry them around for weeks? Put them in the mail.

A Light Travel Example

What I Took For Six weeks in Ecuador:

* 8 pairs of thin nylon socks (less than an ounce per pair)
* 2 silk shirts for restaurants and discos (3 ounces each)
* 4 poly/cotton blend t-shirts (5-6 ounces each)
* 5 pair of light underwear (2-3 ounces each)
* 1 extra pair of lightweight slacks (9 ounces)
* Single layer nylon shorts for hiking or swimming (2 ounces)
* Thin gloves (1 ounce)
* Thin hat (1 ounce - honestly)
* Thin wool sweater (11 ounces)
* Waterproof/breathable rainsuit (14 ounces for the set)
* Light plastic camera (3 ounces)
* Sunglasses (1 ounce)
* Small chess set (3 ounces)
* Bathroom kit (5 ounces)
* Maps, notebook and various small things (3 or 4 pounds)

My pack weighed ten pounds, and my wife's weighed 8 pounds. We never felt deprived. I'm not suggesting that you start counting the ounces (that comes from my backpacking days), or that you buy all new lightweight things. Without spending money or thinking about it too much, you can just start setting aside your lightest shirts, socks, etc., so you can travel light on your next vacation.

John Pawlett
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/travel-light-the-how-and-why-88562.html

If you are leaving school and entering the workforce you will need a wardrobe that will take you through all situations. I suggest the following for easy care and wear.

Before you start, you should be measured by someone who is a professional… It’s always nice to have a well put together wardrobe, but if it doesn’t fit properly you will always end up looking like you are wearing borrowed clothes.

For your starter point, you should begin your wardrobe with a heather grey suit. It’s more compatible on those days when you want to mix the jacket with different trousers or the trousers with different jackets. Many more combinations can be had with grey heather than with a basic navy blue, and if it’s going to take you time to add more suits to your closet you’ll need something that can be combined with most patterns and colors, and that is heather grey.

Here’s what is required for the basic wardrobe for the businessman. Laid out from head to toe and taking in account all weather conditions.

2 hats 1 grey 1 brown
5 suits 1 heather grey 1 navy 1 striped (grey or navy) 1 brown 1 tropical linen
3 sport coats 1 Brown patterned 1 blue patterned 1 solid black
1 Tuxedo
1 dress suit (tails)
1 navy blazer
1 wool scarf
2 satin/silk/rayon scarves
1 overcoat
1 raincoat
10 dress shirts 4 white 6 patterned and colored
40 ties some wool some silk 1 linen.
2 collar bars one silver one gold
2 tie bars for the windy days
6 pair wool dress trousers for mixing and matching with jackets 2 in grey flannel
3 pair linen dress trousers that compliment and can be mixed with linen suit jacket

2 belts leather 1 black 1 brown
5 pair dress shoes 1 pair brown and 2 pair black 1 pair with rubber soles for comfort 1 pair patent leather for formal occasion
1 umbrella
12 white handkerchiefs
5 patterned handkerchiefs
1 wallet black or brown
1 briefcase black or brown
1 watch

away from the office

3 pair pajamas
1 tweed caps
2 casual jackets
1 leather jacket
5 patterned casual button front shirts
4 sweaters
3 pair soft shoes
3 pair khakis
3 pair jeans
1 pair casual unconstructed linen trousers
1 pair slippers
1 terry cloth robe
1 satin robe
Lots of socks and underwear

Anirban Bhattacharya
http://www.articlesbase.com/clothing-articles/for-the-gentleman-with-a-briefcase-full-of-paperwork-and-nothing-to-wear-755896.html