Snowboarding without highbacks

[Sandman_71]

Has anyone else ever tried snowboarding without highbacks?

I got a new setup this year, Sims deck with NOW bindings. New Vans boots as well. Noticed that the NOW bindings (innovative in their design due to the energy transfer right to the edges) had an option to ride without highbacks so I picked up a set of their heelcups.

First time riding the new board I left the highbacks on for about 5 runs and then swapped them out for the heelcups. Don't think I'm ever going back.

I researched it a little bit beforehand and people seemed to have the opinion that it was more beneficial in powder and on rails than anything else. I'm definitely more of an old fart than a park rat. Conditions were boilerplate that first day and seemed like no harder than with the highbacks.

Second day had more blown snow on top of the boilerplate and I was definitely getting a more skateboard like feeling to turns (I used to skate a lot on vert ramps and in pools).

Don't see any issues when I head up north to NE later on this season and spend as much time as possible in the trees.

[RENO]

I've seen them used for "Urban Riding" contests with small super flexible boards. I can see the advantage there. I've tried on a pair of the Flow Freeballers. Just didn't like them and not practical for what I like to do. I think they stopped making them a couple years ago. I like having that highback for heelside edge control. It's all fun though. Whatever floats your boat I say!

[throbster]

Try skiing, it's way better.

[RENO]

Try skiing, it's way better.

[brownman]

.. to the original question.
No.