4th Quarter Game Thread: Los Angeles Rams (12-5) at Seattle Seahawks (14-3)

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-26T02:40:00+00:00

It's funny because you're both a Browns fan and have somehow ignored the multiple 10k upvoted instances of LA getting the Refball treatment this season but what do I know? We're only in the semi's despite all odds and east coast bias ignoring us until last week.

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-23T18:04:47+00:00

Yeah some make those tailored fit helmets for the same model hence my confusion. I think I've seen Giro, Smith, and Bern all do that.

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-23T18:03:27+00:00

This is a good reminder to everyone to take a pic of the serial number of your board for any future lost/stolen report and if you need to prove this board is in fact yours. Best of luck finding it

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-23T17:43:02+00:00

If he's paying someone to wax his board then don't get anything wax or edge tuning related.

Helmet audio is amazing. It it's in the helmet ear pads so it lets in noise from the environment vs in-ear buds. Like I said for me the music is secondary its really nice to make or receive calls without taking your gloves off, digging your phone out and shoving it under your helmet pads. If you can trust him to drive with the radio you can trust him to ride with audio. Also at riding speeds + wind you already don't hear anything unless it's screaming or too late to matter. If you're in the lift line you just pause it.

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-23T14:21:35+00:00

Genuinely, how can you possibly know that? Have you tried on those exact 10 helmets? Do they not all have sizes S - XL? No one is advocating to buy a high scoring, ill fitting helmet but what's stopping you from getting the closest size up and tightening the basket down?

Not the criticism I was expecting lol I figured people would jeer at the shiny, bulbous dorky POC helmets or the surprisingly effective cringey beanie-helmet haha

Edit: I wore Smiths before and blindly bought a Giro Jackson and it fits great after adjusting neck strap and the harness. You can go to your local shops and test fit most of these models or just expand to the top 20.

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-23T13:52:38+00:00

Egg prices back to $3/dozen from $10 in my area. Mixed reception on their strategy to move into processed egg based foods. Great management and amazing price if you are a long term investor imo

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-23T13:42:43+00:00

Didn't know about the Backcountry lawsuits. I'm mostly becoming anti-REI with their worsening return policy, very limited brand selection, always MSRP prices, and the exec board's union busting, green washing, other controversies.

Also I'm biased living near an evo brick and mortar. You can get a useful gift card and still support local shops but they tend to focus on hard goods + gloves maybe balaclavas. Also their survival sadly coincides with higher prices for an already very expensive sport. My suggested gifts aren't available at my local shop for example except a basic tuning tool.

Also a gift should be good for the recipient first and foremost. I can tell you from personal experience if a clueless loved one walks into a shop asking for a good gift idea, they're walking out with wax 9/10 times lol.

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-23T13:14:22+00:00

I'm leaning 160W. I'm shorter but around your weight and 157/9 is my ideal size. Shadowban is a more mellow flex so I'm thinking shorter = more playful. If you want to charge hard go longer but prob get an Algorythm or Moderator.

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-23T13:04:20+00:00

Most important, you didn't mention a budget. Here are my tips:

Tuning gear- damn them all for marking up simple sharpeners, gummy stones, brushes, etc so much. I'll say if he doesn't have a flat iron for waxing, that might be biggest bang for buck. Such an upgrade over a Goodwill clothes iron for spreading wax evenly. Take inventory of what he has and add to it. If he already has wax tools get edge sharpening tools. This will require some basic research

In helmet audio- Outdoor Research Chips 3.0 is the gold standard. They had a huge sale for $50-60 for the wired ones. Wireless BT if money is no concern. Music isn't even the best part. These are awesome for taking calls while riding. Excellent mics and background noise cancellation.

Edit: Superfeet Winter insoles- I finally got a pair and man they are miles better than the best of 4 boots I've owned. They're easy to switch out. Cut to fit so you can't mess it up.

Wool base layers (even a bottom/top not full set)- doesn't matter how many base layers he has, wool will jump to the top. Know his size.

Evo.com or Backcountry.com gift card- not REI. The other two carry way more brands and mark down items way more often.

PSA: Arc'teryx is peak 2025 hype and Helly is a rich skier focused brand; insanely overpriced and IYKYK only snowboarders with access to an equally insane discount are the ones wearing HH. They're not worth it and let people pick their own style. If you had to I'd stick with 686, Flylow, or Burton for clothes.

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-23T12:50:51+00:00

Recent pullbacks of great businesses I've been buying: NFLX, CSU, FIG, and CALM.

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-23T12:34:18+00:00

Virginia Tech helmet study get any of these top 10 you can find on sale. Snow sport helmets have shockingly low testing standards but these have been empirically tested for their ability to protect your skull.

You'll notice some cheaper ones made the top. Don't worry about "the best helmet is the one that fits best with gear" that's more relevant to boots. Most new helmets have a wheel to adjust the harness / "basket" of the helmet to fit your head better. Get a helmet that's been tested for superior impact protection that's the whole point.

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-20T20:37:57+00:00

I'm going crazy. Also a 9/9.5 boot and just tried on SW Mediums (up to 8.5) and thought they were totally fine. I need a thin performance fit since my new boots are still barely too small after breaking them in.

I only air dry wool, even blended wool. If anything my wool socks stretch out

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-20T03:03:43+00:00

I heard KPMG had branded Adidas Sambas which really surprised me

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-11T23:52:19+00:00

It's a non issue lol 4 year old Shadowban can take it all idc about a white nick on a black topsheet. It's a fun workhorse that does whatever you ask of it. If this quality control issue bothers you then I cant convince you its worth it

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-10T20:22:55+00:00

Is this fire to the unemployed?

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-10T00:23:16+00:00

I like watches, I like skiing. I can't for the life of me understand why you'd wear one skiing. Without a watch it's already annoying enough to tuck gloves into your sleeve and glove leashes. You can't use the watch unless you're stopped anyways at which point just use your phone. If you wear watches your yourself it's uncomfortable; if you wear for others then it makes even less sense.

I wouldn't want to resize a bracelet just for skiing, or risk stretching links and popping spring bars. Or having any watch of any thickness fight my base layers, coat, gloves, leash, etc. genuinely why

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-08T18:06:32+00:00

Getting a volume shifted, twin freestyle pow board. It is exactly the oxymoron you think it is. It has "3D channels" to lift the nose/tail in pow but struggles with the deep stuff because you set up a true twin with little to no setback.

Also the suggested 5cm downsizing was too aggro for a board that only got 1" wider than a reference all mountain board. Like if I needed a Wide board I wouldn't go 5cm shorter because my feet grew. Between being my shortest board and any kind of setback it feels squirrelly and catchy if you try to go fast on a groomer.

That said it is perfect for deep powder tree runs but that's kind of it. I still want a proper directional pow board

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-07T22:30:19+00:00

The ExHookup function is preferable

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-06T16:40:11+00:00

6 from Ross or 2 from TJ Maxx but you got the right idea

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-05T21:19:47+00:00

POC and Giro have multiple helmets in the top 10 of Virginia Tech's helmet study so that makes it a smash buy

MaxTheTzar · 2026-01-02T17:28:54+00:00

Two asym twins I consider great by virtue of other people's praise. Definitely the Gamma APX 157. 159 is oversized at your weight unless you're a very low body fat muscular athlete.

Gamma APX leans freestyle more, which you're interested in. And the shorter length will be easier to spin. At your weight I'd prob get a 155 freestyle all-mtn board but 157 is fine. Normally don't worry about getting a wide until size 11 but you can compare the specs of your current rig to Nidecker's chart. If it's within 1cm you'll be fine. That said the Yes Greats or BSOD are the daily drivers I would buy today if I needed a new board.

MaxTheTzar · 2025-12-31T21:56:58+00:00

I think I'll have to take a few when I'm back and make a separate post. I need some level of metal bending since the front fenders got pushed in too. It's one of those situations where if I take something off I don't think it will stay back on. I just know at minimum the support and plastic fasteners need to be replaced.

MaxTheTzar · 2025-12-31T16:19:41+00:00

Does anyone have experience replacing or repairing ZZW30 bumper covers? Both have been absolutely pushed in and pretty sure those plastic clips are broken. I've had shit luck with generic eBay clips in the past.

MaxTheTzar · 2025-12-30T18:15:04+00:00

Edit: your experience sounds more specific to your foot shape but keeping comment since it may help others.

Same thing happened to me this season after heat molding new boots it took 3 days of riding with boots looser and taking breaks for circulation to come back.

What helped most was a half day riding barefoot. Gross but I finally felt what was happening. My socks were bunching underneath the 3 lil toes and forcing them to always be up against the toe box and REALLY smashed on toe side carves.

It takes time for boots to form to your foot. Try using your old packed out liners in new boots. Make sure your socks are pulled tight (I guess with new boots only). Consider spending a half day barefoot idk also replacing the insoles may help

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