It doesn’t matter if you’re buying your first set up or your twentieth, when you buy ski and snowboard gear you want to get the best gear possible.
With all the options on the market, buying the right gear isn’t as easy as it sounds. When you’re limiting your options by buying used gear though, it can seem impossible unless you’ve been working behind the counter of a ski shop. Fortunately for you, that’s exactly what do here at ASO Mammoth.
Whether you’re just beginning your search for used ski and snowboarding gear or are at a loss after hours of searching, check out the tips we’ve put together below for help finding the best used gear out there!
Check the Waterproofing on Jackets and Pants
Most people know to check for basic signs of wear and tear such as frayed seems and torn zippers, but if you don’t check the waterproofing of a used jacket you could be left out in the cold when it’s time to hit the mountain.
If you know the brand name and model then you can easily look up the jacket or pants waterproofing, but don’t take that number and run with it. Winter gear loses its ability to repel water over time, and although there are a few solutions that will restore it you’ll need to know a product’s current waterproofing so you can pay the right price. If you look up a product’s waterproofing then you’ll see plenty of numbers that represent how waterproof it is, but you can see the basic waterproofing by simply exposing the product to water. Whether the gear repels or absorbs the water will tell you if it is still waterproofed.
Don’t Buy Used Helmets
If there is only one piece of ski and snowboard gear that you can buy new, make it your helmet.
When a piece of gear has as important a job as protecting your head, you don’t want any wear and tear, but ski and snowboard helmets lose a significant amount of their functionality after one bad crash. Without knowing the complete history of a used helmet or getting it from a place that is properly maintaining and monitoring its gear like a rental shop, you can’t completely trust that it will do its job.
For this reason, we strongly recommend that you buy a new helmet instead of buying used.
Skis and Snowboards
When it comes to buying a used board or set of skis, the two main things to keep in mind are the condition of the base and the edges.
Superficial scratches may not look great, but they’re nothing to be worried about when compared to gouges or cracks that reach all the way down to the base of the board or ski. Unless these gouges are repaired by professionals, it is only a matter of time until moisture ruins the ski or snowboard. Even professional repairs can’t fix this type of damage sometimes, so be hesitant to buy anything that has its core exposed.
Next, consider the shape the edges are in. If they’re worn down by years of hard riding, there is only so much sharpening them will do before you’ll be on the market for gear again. For this reason, it’s important to know how and where the gear was used if possible.
Check the History
If you’re buying gear from a private seller or a ski shop, ask what it was used for and how long. Different parts of the mountain cause different types of stresses on skis and snowboards, and how long they’ve been used for will help you tell how long you’ll be able to use them yourself.