Snowboarding Help?? Please?

ugh! Nobody really cares how you look. I'm 31 and started riding when I was 17. I even rode before work one day (wearing hospital scrubs). It was super cold but I don't fall so it wasn't that bad. People laughed at me at first, but then they realized I was riding circles around them. My absolute favorite snowboarding jacket of all time is this cheesy Columbia jacket that I just retired (after 11 years) this season. I've had Roxy, 686, Sessions etc, but that was by far the favorite one. Look for end of season deals at board shops. Marshalls and TJ MaXX also have great prices now on Sessions jackets, and Burton pants. you need a helmet. Get a cheap one at Walmart. I've been knocked unconscious even with a helmet. Or maybe without one. I can't remember. See. you need a helmet. Plus, I once fell from about 8' high (off tail grinding a box) and there was a blind spot adn the next rider landed on my head. YOU NEED A HELMET if you are going to try to go big. My best friends cousin got a spinal cord injury from going big but landing bad. Dress as dumb as you like, but wear a helmet. Also, I don't know how big you are but the kids sports section has kneepads and wrist guards. I wore these under my pants/jacket (so nobody saw how dumb they looked) when I was first trying rails and big jumps. SO, here is my advice, buy a GREAT pair of boots. GREAT. Try on tons of different types. A great pair of boots will mean you can ride 8 hrs without aching ankles or legs. Look for ones that minimize or eliminate heel slip. Pay $300 if you have too. To me, the rest really doesn't matter. I have ridden all types and sizes of boards. I now have an ARbor 150 and a burton directional 146. IF you want to go pro, ride as much as you can. buy used boards/bindings. But get great boots. Heck, buy used pants, or wear a track suit that you have waterproofed (spray waterproofer is available in the camping section of most walmarts or targets) also Nix Wax makes a wash in waterproofer. I use this to make my sweatshirts waterproof (I ride in southern CA and it's often 40+ degrees here).

Check out these guys that have really good deals on super cool stuff.http://www.levelninesports.com/

You can maybe try a local snow shop after the season's over. Usually everything goes on sale and sometimes they even have layaway. Snowboarding clothes don't measure your skill but they are specifically designed a certain way so you won't be soaking wet and cold. There's alot of things that go into the design of the jacket all the way down to the zipper just so you won't get cold. Just wait till the season's over and everything's on sale. In the mean time any type of boarding will get you more comfortable on a snowboard. Skateboarding, snowboarding, indo boarding, etc.