Snowboarding - Christian Brooks

Christian Brooks's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu

Products in this list

Freecarver 9000s Snowboard - 2026 by Jones Snowboards — Great hard charger. I'd consider this a bit more of a very aggressive and stiff all mountain board than a true "carving board" and, on that front, its probably as much board as most anybody wants for hard charging at the resort, but man.... what a pleasure this board is to ride. I seldom if ever take this deck out on weekends as the turning radius is a little too big and its needs to be going fast to have appropriate response for maneuvering crowds, but weekday mornings on wide open groomers are quite the experience on this board. Don't size down, either -go big on this thing and use it as it was designed.
Orton Snowboard Boot - 2026 by K2 — Big fan of this design. Its on the stiffer side and designed for durability. With that in mind, if you are willing to replace the factory liner after it is worn out, you should be able to get multiple seasons out of this shell.
Gremlin Snowboard - 2026 by Gnu — Volume shifted design where you can size down a bit, this is great all mountain deck for hard charging and maneuvering crowds. A bit of rocker between the feet really allows you to manipulate this board however you wish. Great in trees, moguls, and tight terrain in general.
Level Mips Helmet by Smith Optics — You can spend more and you can spend less on a helmet. I find this particular model to be the ideal compromise between cost, safety, features and comfort.
I/O MAG ChromaPop Goggles by Smith Optics — Similar to my helmet recommendation, you can likewise spend (much) more and (much) less on goggles. I find these to be an ideal compromise. Yes, they are likely more than you *want* to spend on goggles, but they have all of the qualities and features that you want and need out out of a pair of goggles. Drop your price point from here and you start giving up what you need. Increase your price point and you are paying for luxury. These are the 4th Gen Toyota 4Runners of googles.
Men's Figment Bib by Stio — For powder days and colder days, there is no substitute for a great pair of bibs. Snowboarders need to be aware that not all bibs will fit over snowboard boots, however, this design will work just fine. 
Objective LP Insulated Glove by Stio — For resort riding, I almost always recommend leather for the sake of durability. 
Men's Skyrider Bib by Stio — For powder days and colder days, there is no substitute for a great pair of bibs. Snowboarders need to be aware that not all bibs will fit over snowboard boots, however, this design will work just fine.

Snowboarding - Christian Brooks

Christian Brooks's expert gear recommendations on Rendezvu

Products in this list

Freecarver 9000s Snowboard - 2026 by Jones Snowboards — Great hard charger. I'd consider this a bit more of a very aggressive and stiff all mountain board than a true "carving board" and, on that front, its probably as much board as most anybody wants for hard charging at the resort, but man.... what a pleasure this board is to ride. I seldom if ever take this deck out on weekends as the turning radius is a little too big and its needs to be going fast to have appropriate response for maneuvering crowds, but weekday mornings on wide open groomers are quite the experience on this board. Don't size down, either -go big on this thing and use it as it was designed.
Orton Snowboard Boot - 2026 by K2 — Big fan of this design. Its on the stiffer side and designed for durability. With that in mind, if you are willing to replace the factory liner after it is worn out, you should be able to get multiple seasons out of this shell.
Gremlin Snowboard - 2026 by Gnu — Volume shifted design where you can size down a bit, this is great all mountain deck for hard charging and maneuvering crowds. A bit of rocker between the feet really allows you to manipulate this board however you wish. Great in trees, moguls, and tight terrain in general.
Level Mips Helmet by Smith Optics — You can spend more and you can spend less on a helmet. I find this particular model to be the ideal compromise between cost, safety, features and comfort.
I/O MAG ChromaPop Goggles by Smith Optics — Similar to my helmet recommendation, you can likewise spend (much) more and (much) less on goggles. I find these to be an ideal compromise. Yes, they are likely more than you *want* to spend on goggles, but they have all of the qualities and features that you want and need out out of a pair of goggles. Drop your price point from here and you start giving up what you need. Increase your price point and you are paying for luxury. These are the 4th Gen Toyota 4Runners of googles.
Men's Figment Bib by Stio — For powder days and colder days, there is no substitute for a great pair of bibs. Snowboarders need to be aware that not all bibs will fit over snowboard boots, however, this design will work just fine. 
Objective LP Insulated Glove by Stio — For resort riding, I almost always recommend leather for the sake of durability. 
Men's Skyrider Bib by Stio — For powder days and colder days, there is no substitute for a great pair of bibs. Snowboarders need to be aware that not all bibs will fit over snowboard boots, however, this design will work just fine.