Buying
Gear
How To Buy A Snowboard
For most riders, the purchase of a snowboard is an experience that not only fulfills
a the physical need, but also reflects the user personality.
How To Buy A Snowboard
Riding
style 
Technical
freestyle This
type of rider is most often found on the halfpipe or riding in the snowboard park.
Many of today's technical freestyle riders come to snowboarding with experience
as a skateboarder, in-line skater, BMX, or other action sports background. While
the equipment specific to this type of rider excels in park and pipe riding, it
can also be very versatile across the whole mountain.
- Technical freestyle
boards
- This
type of board is for in the half-pipe or snowboard park, and working on your spins
and tricks
- Many
technical freestyle snowboards are "signature" series boards
- Signature
series boards are made to the specifications of a pro rider
- Usually
found at the highest price points, "signature" series boards combine cutting-edge
graphics with the latest in hi-tech manufacturing
- Extremely
light board weight is the most common characteristic of these boards
Freeride While
an overused term in snowboarding, freeride is still the best way to describe the
majority of snowboarders and soon-to-be snowboarders. As it suggests, freeride
describes a user who intends to utilize the whole mountain. These riders enjoy
everything about snowboarding: the amazing feel of carving a turn on freshly groomed
slopes, the sense of flight obtained at lift-off from the big-air jump, the creativity
that can only be understood descending the half-pipe, and the feel of freedom
one gets floating in fresh powder. - Freeride
boards
- This
board is designed for boarders who want to ride the whole mountain including the
park and pipe
- Freeride
boards can be found at EVERY price point from all snowboard manufacturers
- Each
board has a unique characteristic which is a derivative of its: construction technique
and materials, shape, flex pattern, size, and graphics
- For
the most part, there isn't a "bad" board on the market
- Even
the least expensive board produced today can out-perform the "signature" series
boards of just 5 years ago
- This
is the best type of board to learn on and can be used anywhere on the mountain
Freecarve This
"type" of riding style is one of the fastest growing segments within the snowboarding
world. Commonly referred to as "cross-over," a majority of these riders were once
skiers. A freecarve rider enjoys the full-length and width a mountain has to offer,
continually transitioning from one turn to the next.
- Freecarve boards
- Freecarve boards
are most often found at the higher price points
- They
are almost always constructed with the same materials as the technical freeride
boards, but configured so that the board is more suitable for higher speeds and
cleaner carved turns
- Also,
these boards tend to be longer and are usually preferred for a great day of "freshies"
Alpine/Race Alpine/Race
riders are easily picked out of the crowd. They are always seen on groomed trails,
laying a trench in the snow with each turn. These riders "use" a snowboards edge
like no other rider. Using powerful body movements and gravity as their friend,
alpine riders enjoy the sport only when they are connected to the snow.
- Alpine/Race boards
- Alpine/Race boards
are long, narrow, stiff, and flashy
- These
boards are made for serious downhill boarders
- Because
they are for riding and carving downhill, they are stiffer and narrower than other
types of boards
- Alpine/Race
boards are not made for doing tricks
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Rider
Characteristics
Age
- When purchasing
snowboard equipment, it is important to consider the rider's age
- If
the rider is still growing, it is to be expected that the purchase be made with
growth considerations in mind
- For
the most part, age is not a determining factor in any snowboard equipment purchase
(board, boots, and bindings)
- The
effect of age is a factor in the final sizing decisions
Weight
- Weight is by far,
the most important rider characteristic in determining board size
- A
snowboard acts like a leaf spring, in that it has no clue how tall the person
standing on it is, but it does know their weight
- When
a heavy rider purchases a board that is too short, the board will have a tendency
to "wash out" or perform poorly, especially at higher speeds
- A
lighter person on a longer board will usually have problems controling their board
and initiating turns
Height
- There is a major
misconception in the general public that height is the single most important factor
in determining board size. As stated above, weight is the most important factor.
- Height
usually comes in to play when the rider's height and weight are not proportional
- An
unusually tall rider that is relatively skinny may opt for a longer board. The
leverage they gain from the added height will help offset any loss of control
they may encounter.
- The
same holds true for a heavier/shorter rider. They may benefit from a bit shorter
of a board, due to the loss of leverage from their height.
Foot
size - Snowboard
boots are sized the same as regular shoes and sneakers, therefore, your shoe size
will be the same as your boot size
- The
fit of a snowboard boot should be snug and your heel needs to stay in place when
flexed, so if you are between sizes go for the smaller size
- For
the perfect fitting boot, see Determine Your Shoe Size before making your purchase
decision
Gender
- As with weight,
gender is a critical factor in determining the appropriate equipment for the rider
- As
a rule, a women's physiology differs from a man's in three main ways: foot size,
center of gravity, and body mass- all of which effect the way a snowboarder interacts
with their equipment
- Women
almost always have a smaller foot and a lower center of gravity
- Female
riders of all abilities can find boards and boots specifically tailored to their
physiological differences
- Women's
boards are designed to take into account the riders lower center of gravity, smaller
foot size, and lighter weight
Athletic
ability - A
rider with extensive experience in other skate/board sports (surfing, skateboarding,
skiing, in-line skating, etc.) will probably want to invest more in their equipment
since they will more than likely "take" to the sport very quickly
- At
the same time, someone with little outdoor sport experience, or certain fears
that might limit their aggressiveness, might be best to keep their equipment purchase
more conservative to start
Terrain
Hard
pack and machine made snow - Hard
pack and machine made snow is usually prevalent among eastern resorts that are
required to make snow since mother nature can not be depended on to supply natural
snow
- Your
snowboarding equipment should contain more vibration control materials, such as
a rubber dampening foil, which will provide for a smoother ride across hard snow
Groomed
and natural snow - Groomed
and natural snow can be called powder or freshies
- This
type of snow is usually prevalent among western and Rocky Mountain resorts where
natural snowfall can be dependable and deep every year
- Most
riders would benefit from a longer board in a powder snow conditions. The extra
length adds additional lift and helps the rider float through the snow like a
surfer.
Variable
conditions - Anything
other than powder and hard packed man made snow can fall into this category
- Most
boards today are designed to excel in variable conditions
- Do
not be tempted to buy a short board if your riding will take you into various
conditions
- A
longer board is almost always preferable, unless you are looking for a board strictly
for technical freestyle riding or are just learning
Budget
- As with the purchase
of any sporting goods equipment, budgets are an important consideration. A rider
does not have to have the best/most expensive equipment to become a good rider
and enjoy the sport, but they MUST have the appropriate equipment.
- Usually,
the boot is the one piece of equipment in which price should not effect the purchase.
The purchase of the most comfortable boots that are appropriate for the rider
will lead to days, weeks, months, and even years worth of enjoyable riding. There
is nothing more distressing than a rider's day being ruined by uncomfortable snowboard
boots.
- With
board &bindings, it is usually okay to save a
few bucks, either by buying last years model or a brand with less marketing clout
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How To Buy Snowboard Bindings
The
characteristics of your snowboard binding will have a significant effect on your
riding experience. Although the particular snowboard binding you choose will depend
greatly on your riding style, there are also other aspects to be taken into consideration.
Price and comfort should also be top on your list of priorities.
Types
of bindings Strap
(soft) bindings - Soft
bindings are the most comfortable type of bindings and are generally used by freestyles
or freeriders
- They
provide a good feel for the board and good flex for tricks and turns
- Soft
bindings do not offer a lot of foot and ankle support and are more difficult to
put on and take off than other types of bindings
- They
are available with low, medium, and high backs to provide varying levels of support
for your heel and Achilles tendon
Plate
(hard) bindings - Hard
bindings are not as comfortable as soft or step-in bindings, but they provide
better overall support and are more similar to a ski binding
- This
type of binding is used mostly by snowboard racers and those interested in doing
some serious carving on the hill
- They
allow you to do some tight turning, but you do lose a little of the feel for the
board while gaining some lateral support
Step-in
bindings
- Step-In
bindings are the simplest bindings to get in and out of
- They
are good if you are just learning to snowboard because they offer good edge control
and are also relatively comfortable
- Because
of their convenience and ease of use, step-in bindings are becoming the fastest
growing segment of the snowboard bindings market
Your
riding stance
- There are two
ways of standing on and riding a snowboard regular and
goofy-foot:
-
Regular
riders stand with their left foot forward on the board
- Goofy-foot
riders stand with their right foot forward
- To
determine your style, run and slide across a hard floor. Whichever foot you put
in front is the foot you should have in front while boarding.
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riding style Technical
freestyle This
type of rider is most often found on the lower elevations of the mountain, hiking
the halfpipe or riding in the snowboard park. Many of today's technical freestyle
riders come to snowboarding with experience as a skateboarder, in-line skater,
BMX, or other action sports background. While the equipment specific to this type
of rider excels in park and pipe riding, it can also be very versatile across
the whole mountain at less than full-speed.
- Technical freestyle
bindings
- Technical
freestyle bindings generally use a low hiback with 2 straps for increased flexibility
and range of motion
- These
bindings are not usually value/price driven
- Most
technical freestyle bindings (either step-in or strap) are made of composite materials
in vibrant colors
- Riders
generally gain responsiveness with a minimal weight gain
Freeride While
an overused term in snowboarding, freeride is still the best way to describe the
majority of snowboarders and soon-to-be snowboarders. As it suggests, freeride
describes a user who intends to utilize the whole mountain. These riders enjoy
everything about snowboarding: the amazing feel of carving a turn on freshly groomed
slopes, the sense of flight obtained at lift-off from the big-air jump, the creativity
that can only be understood descending the half-pipe, and the feel of freedom
one gets floating in fresh powder. - Freeride
bindings
- Freeride
bindings generally have higher hiback with 2 or 3 straps for added support and
control
- These
bindings come in every shape, color, and price
- For
the most part, no matter what the specifics of each freeride binding, the general
effect on the riding experience is minimal. This holds true for both traditional/strap
bindings and Step-In bindings.
- Binding
choice is commonly a packaging decision or one of brand/price/graphics
Freecarve This
type of riding style is one of the fastest growing segments within the snowboarding
world. Commonly referred to as "cross-over," a majority of these riders were once
skiers. A freecarve rider enjoys the full-length and width a mountain has to offer,
continually transitioning from one turn to the next.
- Freecarve bindings
- As with freecarve
boots, there are very few freecarve bindings
- Those
that are freecarve specific can usually be distinguished by their third strap
- Step-In
bindings are also available in a freecarve configuration, and are almost always
manufactured from space-age composites
Alpine/Race Alpine/Race
riders are easily picked out of the crowd. They are always seen on groomed trails,
laying a trench in the snow with each turn. These riders use a snowboards edge
like no other rider. Using powerful body movements and gravity as their friend,
alpine riders enjoy the sport only when they are connected to the snow.
- Alpine/Race
bindings
- Alpine/Race
bindings are usually a plate binding with hard boots
- Metal
and composites are the only available materials for this type of binding
How
To Buy Snowboard Helmets Besides
adding comfort and boosting performance on the slopes, helmets provide an all-important
safety element. Here are the basics to help you choose the styles best suited
to your activity and the prevailing weather conditions. Helmet
basics - Most
helmets designed for wintersport use are appropriate for both skiing and snowboarding
- The
type of activity--be it recreational or competitive participation--as well as
the terrain and your own personal preference should determine the snowboard helmet
that best suits your needs
Ventilation
- If you plan to
snowboard in warm spring conditions or in temperate locales, or if you tend to
work up a sweat, consider a helmet with good ventilation that will provide airflow
and thus add to your overall comfort
- Non-ventilated
snowboard helmets restrict airflow and are generally preferable for wet, snowy,
or extremely cold conditions
Shells
- Most snowboard
helmets have a UV stabilized polycarbonite shell
that provides high strength and light weight
- The
helmet interior is usually made of expanded, double-density
polystyrene (18mm) with additional lining for comfort and protection
Full
vs. open faced - Generally,
full-face helmets are designed for competition--such as speed and slalom events--in
which the wearer is at higher risk of falling forward or hitting objects straight-on
- Open-face
helmets are more common--and less cumbersome--for recreational use
Visors
- Many snowboard
helmets come with a built-in visor, and those that don't often accept visor attachments
- Oftentimes,
it is easier to fit goggles to helmets that don't have a built-in visor, but you
should check a model's specifications to be sure
- Visors
can cut overhead glare, and can help protect your face in wet or windy weather
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styles The
type of snowboard helmet style you purchase depends on how and where you snowboard. Full
shell - Full
shell models provide complete coverage and seal out wind, precipitation and other
elements normally encountered on the slopes
- Some
also have venting to help regulate temperature
- These
are recommended if you are planning to do a lot of tricks or some faster snowboarding
Short
shell - Short
shell models offer comparable protection to full shell styles, but give less coverage
and have a less armored and constrictive feel
- Many
include venting and removable liners
- Buy
this type of helmet if you are uncomfortable with the full helmet
Competition
- Competition helmets
feature densely padded liners, structured open ear zones inside the shell, and
add-on jaw pieces for speed and slalom events
- This
may be too much if you are strictly a recreational snowboarder, but are highly
recommended if you plan on some serious competition downhilling
Youth
- Youth helmets
are simply proportioned to smaller heads and bodies
- Look
for the same safety standards as adult helmets
- Most
have pads that can be inserted or taken out to adjust to a child's head size
Return
To Top How
to fit a helmet
- A
properly fitted snowboard helmet will be comfortable and provide maximum protection
and performance
- For
the perfect fitting helmet, see Determine Your Helmet Size before making your
purchase decision
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