Hello and welcome to my Burton Hometown Hero review.
In this review, I will take a look at the Hometown Hero as a surfy freeride snowboard.
As per tradition here at SnowboardingProfiles.com I will give the Hometown Hero a score out of 100 (based on several factors) and see how it compares with other surfy freeride snowboards.
Overall Rating
Board: Burton Family Tree Hometown Hero
Price: $629
Style: Surfy Freeride
Flex Rating: Medium-Stiff
Flex Feel on Snow: Medium bordering on medium-stiff (6.5/10)
Rating Score: 83.3/100
Compared to other Men’s Surfy Freeride Boards
* note that the "surfy freeride" category is a new category here at Snowboarding Profiles - and represents freeride boards that are in that softer flex range - 6.5/10 or less. They're not necessarily "surfy" feeling boards as such - but "slightly softer flexing freeride" just didn't have the same ring as a category name! The Hometown Hero is more of a locked in feel than a surfy feel, but it's also not overly stiff.
Out of the 30 men’s surfy freeride snowboards that I rated:
Overview of the Hometown Hero’s Specs
Check out the tables for the Hometown Hero’s specs and available sizes.
Specs
Style: | Freeride |
Price: | $629 |
Ability Level: |  |
Flex: |  |
Feel: |  |
Turn Initiation: | Medium-Fast |
Edge-hold: |  |
Camber Profile: | |
Shape: | |
Setback Stance: | Setback 40mm |
Base: | Sintered |
Weight: | Felt Normal |
Sizing
LENGTH (cm) | Waist Width (mm) | Rec Rider Weight (lb) | Rec Rider Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
144 | 240 | 100-150 | 45-68 |
148 | 244 | 100-150 | 45-68 |
152 | 248 | 120-180 | 54-82 |
156 | 252 | 150-200 | 68-91 |
160 | 258 | 180-260+ | 82-118+ |
156W | 260 | 150-200 | 68-91 |
160W | 265 | 180-260+ | 82-118+ |
165W | 268 | 180-260+ | 82-118+ |
* note that the 2020 model only had a 152, a 156 and a 160. The rest of the sizes are new for the 2021 model. Part of the reason is that the Family Tree series from Burton are now unisex.
Who is the Hometown Hero Most Suited To?
The Hometown Hero is best suited to anyone looking for a freeride board that isn't overly stiff, but just that little bit stiffer than medium, but still very directional and oriented to riding in one direction and is still quite an aggressive ride.
And whilst being first and foremost something to carve and ride powder on, it's something that's also a good jumper.
Definitely not for the beginner and probably not even for an intermediate rider.
The Hometown Hero in More Detail
O.k. let’s take a more detailed look at what the Hometown Hero is capable of.
Demo Info
Board: Burton Hometown Hero 2020, 156cm (252mm waist width)
Date: March 9, 2019
Conditions: Sunny with some clouds and perfect visibility.
Snow was well groomed and soft on top on groomers and soft but quite tracked off groomer (but there had been quite recent snowfall and still some untouched pockets).
Bindings angles: +15/-15
Stance width: 560mm (22″)
Stance Setback: Setback 40mm
Width at Inserts: 263mm (10.35") at front insert and 262mm (10.31") at back insert
Rider Height: 6'0"
Rider Weight: 185lbs
Rider Boot Size: US10 Vans Aura
Bindings Used: Burton Malavita M
Flex
Overall it's just a shade stiffer than medium. Feels stiffer than that tip and tail, but it softens up through the middle and isn't overly stiff torsionally.
Powder
Felt nice to ride on powder. I didn't have waist deep powder or anything like that, but what I did find, the Hometown Hero felt at home there.
With a rockered nose, a tapered shape and ample setback, it's designed to perform well in powder.
Carving & Turning
Carving: Fun to carve on and you can get quite a deep aggressive carve going on it. For some reason I didn't quite get the same on a carve as on the Skeleton Key. I was expecting it to be as good or better, but I slightly preferred the Skeleton Key.
Maneuverability at slow speeds: It's pretty good in terms of slow speed maneuverability. It's not super agile, but it's pretty agile and strikes a good balance between being good on a fast, deep carve and being good in tight spaces at slower speeds.
Skidded Turns: You can, but it's not the most friendly board in terms of skidded turns or riding too casually.
Speed
It's not a speed demon, but it can handle a decent amount of speed for sure.
Uneven Terrain
It's nimble enough to navigate through bumpy terrain and is OK at going over the top of it, but felt the Skeleton Key was just that little bit better.
Good in crud, but again, I just preferred the Skeleton Key.
Let’s Break up this text with a Video
Jumps
For a freeide board it's really decent for jumps.
Pop: Good amount of pop. Quite similar to the Skeleton Key. A good bit off the Paramount, which I also rode that day, but decent enough. You've got to work a little to extract it, but don't have to work too hard.
Approach: Stable and with good maneuverability
Landing: Solid landings
Side-hits: Good, without being amazing. Decent pop and nimble enough.
Small jumps/Big Jumps: Best for medium to large jumps, IMO
Switch
It's not made for riding switch, but you can do it for sure. It's a little better than the average freeride board for this, and was certainly better than the Skeleton Key.
Spins
OK for spins. Getting the spin around was fine, and there's decent pop. OK landing and taking off switch but not great.
Jibbing
Doable, but not ideal of course. Not what this board was made for.
Butters
It felt quite stiff in the tip and tail vs the overall flex of the board, which made butters quite hard. Not a great butterer.
Score Breakdown and Final Verdict
Check out the breakdown of the score in the table below.
RATING | SCORE WEIGHTING | |
|---|---|---|
POWDER | 4.0 | 24/30 |
UNEVEN TERRAIN | 3.5 | 14/20 |
TURNING | 4.0 | 16/20 |
CARVING | 4.0 | 8/10 |
SPEED | 3.5 | 7/10 |
JUMPS | 3.5 | 3.5/5 |
SWITCH | 2.5 | 2.5/5 |
TOTAL after normalizing | 83.3/100 |
Overall, the Hometown Hero fits in the ever growing category of in between medium and stiff freeride boards. It's all round a nice ride and quite versatile for a board so directional. Nothing that I disliked about this board at all, but nothing that really stood out as amazing either.
More Info, Current Prices and Where to Buy Online
If you want to learn more about the Hometown Hero, or if you are ready to buy, or if you just want to research prices and availability, check out the links below.
If you want to check out some other freeride snowboard options, or if you want to compare how the Hometown Hero compares to other freeride snowboards, then check out the next link.
First, I just want to say thank you for what you do here! It’s amazing how you respond to all these questions.
Two-part question, 160 vs 156 and is there better choice board? flagship maybe?
I’m an old guy getting back into the sport after 7 years off. My only board is a 20-year-old ride timeless. It’s a very stiff cambered board (as far as I know). It’s the only board I have ever ridden in my 20 years at it. I’m looking at the HTH at the recommendation of the local shop here. They have me at the 160 but when I went to the burton “find my size”, they come up with 156.
I’m 175, 6 feet even. Size 10 boot. I’m riding east coast (hard packed, icy conditions). Just groomers and a guy that loves to carve and occasionally go fast to keep up with my ski buddy. When I’m by myself, I like to slow down a bit and enjoy the hill… No park, no jumps not much switch.
Is the HTH a good fit for this old guy? lol
Hi Jack
Thanks for your message.
I think the HTH is a good option for what you’re describing. The Timeless is a very stiff board, but it would have softened up a bit over 20 years (or 13 years if you haven’t been riding for 7). But still going to be very stiff. The HTH isn’t super soft, so you’re not looking at a crazy adjustment, but you might appreciate the little bit more forgiving nature of it in comparison, especially as you get back into it after a break. And should be less fatiguing by the end of the day. But given you don’t ride park and want to carve and go fast sometimes, I think the HTH fits what you’re describing well, if you’re happy to go for something less stiff and more forgiving.
Tough call on the sizing. I would put you on around a 159 as your “standard all-mountain” size. So 160 is closer to that for sure, but it’s also getting on the wider side, so the width/length combination is getting on the bigger side. The 156 is on the small side though not far off, but borderline. That said, I liked the 156 – and I’m similar specs. I think if stability at speed and float in powder are more important to you than maneuverability and ease of ride, particularly maneuverability at slower speeds, then I’d be leaning 160. If the other way around, then I’d go 156.
Flagship could definitely work too. It’s a little stiffer than the HTH, but still softer/more forgiving than the Commissioner for sure. I think the 158 would work really well size wise – as a good middle ground between being more forgiving/agile but also good and stable at speed. You could certainly also ride the Flagship in the 161, if you wanted to optimize speed/powder a little more but my instinct says 158.
What’s the size of your Commissioner?
By Commissioner you mean Timeless correct? I stood it next to the 160 HTH and it was just about the same size. Maybe a hair shorter. Well, it turns out they only have the 156 in the wide version (HTH)… It looks like they have the Flagship and Custom in 158. So, it’s the 160 or look at the other two options. Being I’m old, hip replacement, etc…, I should be slowing down a little, but you know how it is. 🙂
Do you think the longer length (160 vs 156) would provide more stability/edge control in the hard pack/icy conditions as well? We are having a bad winter so far so it’s mostly the ‘man made’ stuff… Hopefully that will change soon. Jack…
P.S. Thanks again for taking the time to help out…
Maybe I’m over thinking this? if I did the math correct, the 160 is 1.58 inch longer and .23 of inch wider… I’ll just pack on a few more burgers before I ride again… LOL…
Hi Jack
Yes you have the Math right 🙂
But that much can make more difference than you might think, in my experience.
Hi Jack
Sorry, yes, I mean Timeless. The Commissioner is the board in Ride’s line that took over from the Timeless (not the same board, but similar). I often get them confused in my head because of that!
The Custom is an option, if you’re not really seeing any significant powder very often. If you do still want some decent powder performance, then I’d be leaning more to 160 HTH or 158 Flagship.
I certainly think the 160 HTH is doable for you and if you’re not really looking to ride slow or any freestyle too often – and if it’s not much in terms of size over your Timeless, then I think it’s still going to be a little more forgiving than your timeless. But I also think the 158 Flagship would be a good bet for you as well. Don’t think there’s a wrong choice there.
Thanks man! You are awesome! Thanks for what you do!
You’re very welcome Jack. Happy riding!
Hey,
I am in between skeleton key and HTH. sizing is 158 in the key but im looking at 156/w or 160. I am 6′ 170 expert rider. like riding tight trees in pow, hard charging, quick transition, and tons of tracked out terrain wind lips etc. looking all mtn with focus on pow. size 11/11.5 photon boots. im thinking medium binding cartel x or malavita.
Hi John
Thanks for your message.
For what you’re describing, I think I’d be leaning HTH, just to give you that little bit of extra stiffness, given your ability level. Size-wise 156 would be too narrow for your boots, IMO. The 160 should be good width wise in 11 Photon’s, depending on binding angles. But if you were in 11.5s, it’s probably still too narrow, IMO. The 156W is on the shorter side for your specs, but it’s doable if you’re happy to sacrifice a little in terms of stability at speed for some extra maneuverability. A good width for your boots, IMO.
If you did go Skeleton Key, which is certainly an option, if you think you’d prefer a softer flexing board, the 158 is also borderline in terms of width. Similar in width to the 160 HTH (268mm at inserts). Even with 11s it could be pushing it, if you ride with a relatively straight back binding angle. And probably too narrow for 11.5s.
If you go HTH, then I’d go Cartel X for sure – it’s a better flex match, IMO. If you go SK, then both would work, but I’d be leaning Malavita in that case. But you could certainly still ride the SK with the Cartel X.
Hope this gives you more to go off for your decision
6’4″ 250 pounds. Typically ride a 163 wide stiff old Rome flag board. Similar ride to the custom X. Should I size up to the 165 wide, or down to the 160 wide? Typically like to ride fast, some switch, air if needed, once in a while powder.
Hi Kerry
Thanks for your message.
For your specs and how you describe your riding, I would go up to the 165W. The HTH is likely not going to feel as burly as your old board, so you’re not going to feel that extra length that much – and if you went down to 160W, I think you’d notice a big loss in terms of stability at speed versus your old board. So yeah, long story short, I’d go to the 165W for sure.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate – if I’m an intermediate rider should I worry about getting the hometown hero? People keep on saying it’s for advanced to expert so I’m worried I won’t have a good time on it. For reference I ride a yes typo now and I’ve ridden a yes PYL.
Hi Aaron
I think if you’re an upper intermediate rider, you’d get away with it. But if you’re more mid to low intermediate, if that makes sense, then it’s pushing it a bit. That said, if you were fine on the PYL, then you would be fine on the HTH, IMO – it’s certainly no more advanced than the PYL – probably slightly less so.
Sizing would be worth thinking about too. If you think it could be on the limit for you ability-wise, sizing appropriately will make sure it’s alright. Sizing is always important but even more so, if it’s borderline too advanced. You certainly wouldn’t want to go too big, which would make it harder to handle.
Hope this helps
Thanks for the response Nate. I ended up buying a 160W HTH. For reference I ride a 159W yes typo.
Just for other peoples benefit if they had the same worries as me with the HTH labelled as advanced. I rode it this weekend and the first 2 runs was a bit sketchy as I was figuring out the board but after that man it was a ton of fun, way more lively and harder charging than the yes typo. I think what makes it more advanced perhaps is that it is pretty catchy if you are going slow, it turns really fast and has a lot of spring out of turns so if you don’t have good balance it can throw you off and it wants to go really fast so if you don’t want or can’t handle that then look elsewhere.
Not sure why I was so apprehensive about the advanced label but I’m super happy with the board, very lively turning and carving and stable at speed.
Hi Aaron
Thanks for the follow up and your insights into the board. Awesome that you’re enjoying it and appreciate your helpful take on it.
Hi Nate, how would you compare the hometown hero to the Burton custom or Flying V?
Hi Jordan
Thanks for your message.
Hometown Hero (HTH) and Custom (camber) have a very similar flex. The Custom Flying V feels a little softer. Camber profile is similar on the HTH and Custom Camber as well – with the HTH being predominantly camber, but with rocker in the nose – the Custom Camber being all camber. The Flying V Custom very different camber profile – which is a much looser feel and has a lot of rocker (rocker between the feet, camber under the feet, then rocker again towards tip and tail).
So HTH is much more similar to the Custom than the Custom Flying V.
But there are a lot of differences – namely:
– the rocker in the nose
– the fact that it’s tapered directional versus the Camber’s directional twin,
– different effective length compared to overall length and contact length to overall length (both more on the Custom)
– different sidecut and other things.
In reality, this makes the HTH better in powder and the Custom better for riding switch – and better for jumps, spins etc.
But for speed and carving, very similar. Not exactly the same feel, but similar performance-wise in those areas.
Hope this gives you more to go off
Hi Nate!
I have a Yes PYL 2019 in 160 wide and would like to buy a Hometown Hero. Burton recommends 156 wide for my weight. My weight is 180 lbs. I’m a bit worried because of my US 11.5 boot size. Boots are Burton SLX. What size would you recommend? 156W or go up one size? Malavita EST or Cartel X EST would be your choosen bindings to pair with HTH?
Thanks!
Hi Gabor
Thanks for your message.
If you could also let me know your height, that would be great. Weight and boot size are more important, but I still like to take everything into account. Also, if you could let me know roughly how/where you like to ride. Aggressive? Casual? In between? Like to ride fast? Trees? Powder? Whatever you can tell me about your riding would help.
In terms of bindings, I would personally put the Cartel X on the HTH – I think they’re the slightly better flex match. Malavita works on it for sure, but if I was to choose between those, I’d go Cartel X.
Thanks for xour reply!
I’’m 6’2. Riding style is not too aggressive but I kike to go fast. I’m 45. Getting older. Hahaha
I’m mainly a resort rider, 75% groomers 25% pow or trees. It depends on the conditions.
Hi Gabor
Thanks for the extra details.
I think the 160W is probably a more pure size for your specs, but the 156W could work depending.
The width of the 156W should be fine, particularly if you had no issues on the 160W PYL. 160W PYL roughly 272mm at the front insert and 270mm at the back insert. The HTH 156W roughly 271mm at the front insert and 270mm at the back – and that’s based on a 575mm (22.6″) stance on the PYL and a 560mm (22″) stance on the HTH. So given the stance width the 156W HTH is probably marginally wider at the back insert and similar at the front.
Going 156W HTH would mean you were dropping a little in terms of effective edge versus the 160W PYL, but not as much as the overall length suggests. The HTH 156W has an EE of 117.3cm versus the 119cm on the PYL – i.e. has more effective versus overall length than the PYL. The 160W HTH has a 121.7cm effective edge – so noticeably more than the 160W PYL. All else being equal, this would typically translate to the 160W HTH feeling a little longer than the 160W PYL (all else isn’t equal and there are other factors, but that’s one worth mentioning).
It’s a tough call, because if you were looking to go no bigger than your 160W PYL, then the 160W HTH, IMO, is a touch bigger overall – it’s also wider. But the 156W is going smaller – not drastically but noticeably smaller.
If you were using this to replace your 160W PYL, then I’d be leaning 160W HTH, given that you like to ride fast, particularly if you only venture into trees when there’s powder.
If you planned to keep the PYL, then I’d be leaning 156W HTH – to give you that smaller, more nimble ride for trees in your quiver.
Hope this gives you more to go off. Apologies that it wasn’t a more definitive answer, you’re really on the cusp, so it’s a tough call, for sure.
Hi Nate!
Is the 160W much stiffer than 156W. I’ve found a local shop that has 160W only, so I can’t compare them.
Hi Gabor
Hard to say for sure. But very roughly speaking, I would guestimate that the extra length would feel around 7/10, potentially up to 7.5, but certainly no more, and more likely 7/10, compared to the 156W a 6.5/10 by my feel. That’s pretty rough though, but that would be my estimate.
Hi Nate
Would be happy to hear your thoughts on sizing for HTH, I’m 5’6, 7.5US boots (Burton Photon), and 165-170lbs.
From Burton specs both 156 and 152 seem to work, I’m leaning towards the 156 for better float and stability, but unsure how much 156 would impact maneuverability versus float with 152. I mainly ride in groomers, powder / ungroomed slopes , and between trees.
Which size from your experience might work the best for me?
Thanks for the great review!
Hi Mor
Thanks for your message.
Purely looking at length, I think you could happily ride this board up to 156 – and if the width was good for your boots, then I would be leaning 156. But with 7.5s, it’s going to be wide – and the combination of the length and width make the 156 too big, IMO. I think the 152 would work best. It’s sizing down a little bit, but it’s still wide for your boots – so the overall size is better, IMO. I think you’d feel that lack of maneuverability with the 156, mostly because of the width, and certainly the combination of the width and length. And in trees, my instinct is that it wouldn’t be great. Of course the 156 would give more float and stability, but in this case, I think the trade off is more in your favor going 152.
Hope this helps
Thanks Nate! Going with 152 make sense.
Currently I ride Yes Typo 152 (2018) which is 250mm in waist and 259mm at ref inserts thanks to the underbite, binding angels +18/-3. How do you think the 152 HTH compares to the Typo 152 in maneuverability, stability and float?
Also, would it better to go with a different board? like Yes PYL which is 250mm at waist but with underbites (though sidecut is different)
Hi Mor
The HTH in the 152 will be around 259mm at the front insert and 258mm at the back insert, so very similar in width to the 152 Typo.
In terms of float and stability, the 152 HTH will be superior there, IMO, versus the 152 Typo. In terms of maneuverability, the Typo would have it over the HTH, but it’s a very easily maneuverable board, IMO.
The PYL 156 is around 262mm at the front insert and 260mm at the back insert. You could, but I’d say it’s still borderline on the too big side. And you’re looking at going stiffer than the HTH as well, with the PYL (which might be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on your preferences).
Hi,
Here I am also considering this board. It will be a choice between a custom camber and this one I think.
I have been riding +/- 27 years about 2 weeks per year. A little park (but getting less and less), mostly groomers but jump into the powder whenever it is available although I do not go on large powder hikes anymore.
Currently riding a custom V rocker 151 (yes a full rocker) and while it is great for tricks, and also performs in powder (the float is great) I am missing control when I push the board hard on more packed snow.
Based on the review and comments here it seems I should push towards the hometown hero, as I will be keeping my custom V rocker. Or should I go Skeleton Key?
Hi Andrew
Thanks for your message.
I think between the Custom Camber and Hometown Hero that I would go Hometown Hero, because it will give you that better float in powder. That said, if you’re keeping your Custom V Rocker and think that you wouldn’t really be riding powder on the Custom Camber (i.e. on powder days, you’d take out your V Rocker), then the Custom Camber definitely works – it’s a little better in the park than the Hometown Hero, IMO. Custom Camber is fine for shallow powder. But if you think you’ll be getting the new board in moderate powder as well, then I’d go Hometown Hero for sure. Even if you didn’t think you’d ride that much powder, you could still consider the Hometown Hero, as it would represent the bigger difference to the Custom V Rocker.
Between the Hometown Hero and Skeleton Key, I think it depends on whether you want to keep things mellower or a little more aggressive. The Hometown Hero isn’t ultra aggressive, but it is a little stiffer/burlier than the Skeleton Key, which has quite a mellow flex. Again, if you’re thinking the bigger difference, then the Hometown Hero is probably a bigger difference to the Custom V rocker, but that’s really getting nit picky, because the Skeleton Key will feel very different to the V Rocker.
Hope this helps
Whats going on Nate!
Been eyeing this board for a while now and was thinking of getting this over the flight attendant. What size board do you think I should get? I’m about 5’9 and 160lbs and my burton boot size is a 10.
Thanks a bunch!
Hi Anthony
Thanks for your message.
I’d go 156 for you, for sure. 152 too small, 160 too long and 156W too wide. 156 spot on, IMO.
Hope this helps
Hey Nate.
I found your website when starting searching for a new board.
I’ve narrowed my choices to HTH or Custom Camber. I’m inclined to HTH because of powder capability.
I’m 5’7, 170lbs, boot 9.
I consider myself an intermediate rider. Don’t ride parks and very little switch riding.
I like to carve on groomings and love powder days.
Don’t leave close by a mountain, so my season is something between 15-30 days.
My question is, since the board will be my all around, is it worthy to go with the HTH even if I don’t get many powder days?
thank you
Hi Marcelo
Thanks for your message.
Yeah, I would be leaning HTH, even if you don’t get many powder days. The biggest advantage of going Custom over HTH would be if you were riding switch and park more – then you could sacrifice on the powder. But given that you don’t really do those things, the HTH makes the most sense, IMO.
Size-wise, I think the 156 would be your best size.
Hope this helps
Thank you Nate.
Will order today
You’re very welcome Marcelo. Thanks for visiting the site! If you think of it at the time, let me know how you get on, once you’ve had a chance to get it out on snow.
Hi Nate, great review! I would like to get a help with choosing sizes on the HTH. I’m 6ft and 155 lbs with 9.5 boot size(with adidas Tactical adv). I just got a Burton custom 154W for park and all mountain, but I’m interested in HTH as well. Do you think it’s gonna be too much overlap? I was looking at size 156 and 160, 156 might fit my spec better but I’m afraid it’s gonna be too similar to my custom. What do you think? I would mainly use HTH for freeride, carving and powder. Thanks in advance!
Hi Brandon
Thanks for your message.
Firstly, in terms of overlap, there will be some. But the boards are different enough and have strengths and weaknesses in different places, that they could work together. They’re a similar flex (by my feel), but the Custom Camber should feel slightly softer flexing given you’ll be riding it in the smaller size. But they’ll be fairly close flex-wise, IMO. The camber profile is similar-ish, with both being quite camber dominant, but the Hometown Hero, of course having a more directional camber profile and has that rocker in the nose that the Custom doesn’t have.
The shape is very different though. The Hometown Hero has a good amount of taper and much more setback. And the nose is longer than the tail as well, so setback on the overall length of the board is even more than the setback on effective edge (setback is always measured by how far the board is setback along the effective edge, rather than the overall length of the board – so the 40mm setback on the Hometown Hero and 12.5mm on the Custom is referring to the setback on effective edge). And plenty of other differences too (e.g. sidecut, effective edge to contact length ratio, etc). So they’re not going to feel overly similar, besides the camber and the flex.
The Hometown Hero will give you considerably better powder performance, IMO.
Size-wise, I think 156 is your best bet. It’s true, like you say, that the 160 would make it even more different to the Custom in 154W, but I think it’s just getting a bit too big for your specs. If you were going to be predominantly riding it in open terrain powder, then it’s doable, but I just think it’s not going to be a lot of fun trying to maneuver that size in tighter spaces, with your specs. If you think you will be predominantly using it for big mountain powder kind of thing, then I think 160 is an option, but otherwise, I’d stick with 156.
Hope this helps
Thank you for the reply Nate!
i have one more question regarding the board width. I ride with angles of 18 and 0, would i be okay with the overhang? i’m not too sure how wide the regular 156 is at the inserts, but i tend to go pretty deep when carving. i used to have a Custom X 156 which has same waist width of HTH 156 and i recall the Custom X was a bit narrow but, that was few years ago. I should be good with regular 156 even with my 0 angle at the back foot right?
Hi Brandon
I think you should be OK with 9.5 Tactical ADVs, but no guarantees. I measured the HTH as 262mm at the back insert – which is the insert of biggest concern for you with that zero degree angle. Custom X 156 would have been similar (assuming you’re talking 2018 or more recent model – the 2017 and earlier models were narrower). So if you felt you had issues on the 156 Custom X, you’re not going any wider on the HTH. Did you have the Tactical ADVs back then?
At a zero degree angle, I would predict you have about 3.1cm of total overhang (outersole of the Tactical ADV 9.5 being around 29.3cm and the width at inserts on the HTH being 26.2cm). That’s an overhang that typically wouldn’t cause any boot drag issues, but no guarantees of course, particularly if you had issues with the same setup on your Custom X.
i had 2016 model Custom X i believe, with 9.5 Burton Photon. would i be okay if i get my angle at -6 on my back foot? and if i have to choose between 156W and 160 for a wider option, i would be better off 156W right? i really appreciate your input.
Hi Brandon
The 2016 model Custom X had a 248mm waist in the 156. Likely around a 258mm width at inserts. With 262mm on the HTH I really think you’ll be fine. 4mm doesn’t sound like a huge difference, but when it comes to the angle you can carve out without toe drag, it does make a real difference. Also, whilst the Photon are low profile, the Tactical ADV are more low profile. The Photon I measured was 2.6cm longer than mondo, whilst the Tactical ADVs I’ve measured have come in at 1.7cm and 1.8cm longer than mondo. The Photon’s do have a steeper toe bevel on them, which helps them to be more low profile, but overall, I’d still say the Tactical ADV are more low profile. But even if you were to consider them the same, that extra width versus the Custom X should make the difference.
If you were comfortable with a 6 degree angle on your back foot, that would make some difference. Not a huge amount, but if you wanted that little bit more leeway. But I think you should be fine even at 0 deg.
If you had to choose a wider option, then yeah I’d say probably 156W – but I don’t think you have to choose a wider option.
Thanks Nate! Yes, I forgot to mentioned, my riding angles are +13/-13, I tried with -8 on my rear foot but did not like it… Also I am not an aggressive curve riders…
I have been riding a Burton Custom 158w a few years ago and liked it, however when I switched to narrower boards it felt so different so more lively (not sure if it is only because of the narrower boards, as they were also slights smaller and softer). Therefore my main concern is that if I go with the 156w I will sacrifice a response and liveliness and gain some additional weight.
Hi Jaka
With those bindings angles and if you’re not super aggressive on your carves, then I think you will be fine on the 156 and that’s the one I would choose for you.
Hi Nate,
Thank you for you input! By super aggressive we are talking about Eurocarving and such things?
Hi Jaka
Yeah like eurocarving
Great, thanks Nate! Anyway, how very different would the feeling be between riding a 156 or a 156w? Since I’m on the borderline and I’m not a beginner, would I even feel that I need to put more effort to it? I wish I could try this by my self to see how differently they really are.
Hi Jaka
I personally notice the difference quite a bit between regular width and wide widths. Just takes more energy to initiate a turn on a wide board I find – which can be fatiguing and also can start to affect your technique – and also can cause slower edge-to-edge transition. If I size down, in terms of length, a wider board, then I find that helps. But this is only true because on a wide board my feet are well inside the edges of the board. For someone with longer feet, a wide board is fine, as they can apply that pressure to the edges more easily. Given that you’re in 10.5s, assuming your feet are longer than mine, you wouldn’t notice it quite as much, but probably still to some extent. I always try to get on the narrower option if possible – so long as it’s not so narrow that it will cause boot drag.
Gotcha 🙂 Yes my feet are bigger, in fact my longer foot is 28.4 mm long (the leading one) and if I am assuming that the HH 156W is 270 mm wide at the inserts and with my riding angles that means I would have 6 mm of bare foot overhang, compared to the HH 156 where I would have 14 mm of bare foot overhang. Are my calculations on point? 🙂 So how much overhang is that sweet spot? From your previous comments I am guessing as much as possible 🙂
Hi Jaka
In terms of foot overhang you can’t really have too much, but there’s a limit with how much boot overhang. If your boots were the same length as your feet, you could have as much as 40-50mm foot overhang total (20-25mm toe, 20-25mm heel). But you don’t want too much boot overhang, so that’s where it’s limited.
With your feet being 284mm long and the width at the back insert roughly 270mm long you should have around 14mm total overhang (7mm heel and 7mm toe, if perfectly centered) – if using a zero binding angle. With more angle, that number would come down but only subtly. With the 156 you’d have 22mm of total foot overhang (11mm heel, 11mm toe), again assuming a zero binding angle. With angle that number would come down again too.
So yeah really the sweet spot is to have your feet reach the edges or with some overhang, without your boots having too much overhang, IMO. I think you get away with both. However, with 284mm feet, I would be leaning towards the 156W – since you’ve already got plenty of leverage on the edges (wouldn’t notice that much from 3-4mm once you’re already over the edges) but it would give you more leeway in terms of boot drag.
Thank you Nate! I will try to find a good deal on the 156w, otherwise I will go with the 156.
Thank you again 🙏🏻
You’re very welcome Jaka. Happy riding!
Hey Nate, one more question. 156 or 156W for Burton Photon 10.5 US boots and Malavita M bindings?
Hi Jaka
It’s borderline. I was happy with 10s on the 156. As per my reply to your comment on another post, I think the Vans Aura’s that I rode this board with have a similar amount of reduced footprint to the Photon Boas. So I would certainly be comfortable in Photon 10s. 10.5s are borderline and would depend on a couple of things.
Firstly binding angles. i.e. if you ride with quite a straight back binding angle (like 0 degrees, 3 degrees, that kind of thing), then that would certainly lean me more towards the 156W
Secondly how hard you like to carve. If you like to really get high on those edges, then that gives you more chance for boot drag. If you like to really rail your carves, then I would be leaning more 156W.
But if you like to carve, but not super aggressively and you have angles like +15/-15, that kind of thing, then I think you get away with the 156. Otherwise, I would probably go 156W.
For reference, you’re looking at roughly 5.1cm total overhang (roughly 2.6cm heel and 2.5cm toe, with even boot centering) at a 0 degree angle on the back foot.
Hope this helps.