Choosing the right snowboard
Buying guide: finding the right snowboard
There are a few things you need to keep in mind to find the right snowboard. Start by thinking about what you will use the board for and what kind of riding you want to do. Then assess your riding level. After that, find out your shoe size, height and weight.
You might think that is all, but it isn't quite. You should also consider how much you will ride and use your snowboard. In this guide we go through each step one at a time, so you can work your way through choosing a board. We hope it makes it easier for you to make the right choice.
Where will you ride?
Where you ride is key to how long your board should be, and whether it should be soft or stiff. Here are some guidelines for different types of riding:
- On-piste or off-piste – a longer, stiffer board.
- All-round (on-piste and maybe a little park) – a medium-length, medium-stiff board.
- Park with lots of tricks – a shorter, softer board.
What is your riding style?
Your riding style determines the flex your board should have – in other words, how soft or stiff it should be. Be realistic and neither underestimate nor overestimate your ability or riding style. Get this right and you will end up with the right board and more fun on the snow.
- Slow riding or beginners, and also those who love jibbing in the park – a soft, forgiving board.
- Medium speed and a few jumps (mostly on-piste, but maybe a little off-piste) – a medium-stiff board.
- Fast, aggressive riding – a stiff board with a firmer flex in the core.
Choosing a snowboard: your weight and height
Your weight helps determine whether you should have a stiff or soft board. That said, stiffness is always a matter of taste – if you know what you prefer, go with that. Most serious brands list weight specifications for all their models, but bear in mind that these are general guidelines.
Your height determines how long your board should be. There are general guidelines, and the rule of thumb is that the board should reach from the floor to somewhere between your neck and your eyes. For a beginner, a board that reaches roughly between the neck and the chin is often a better choice.
- Park/tricks – a board that ends below the chin. Roughly 20–30 centimetres shorter than your height.
- All-round riding – a board that ends at the chin. Roughly 15–20 centimetres shorter than your height.
- Off-piste/powder – a board that ends at the nose. Roughly 10–15 centimetres shorter than your height.
How much do you ride?
How much you ride is an important factor in choosing the right board. If you don't ride very often, you may not need the newest and most advanced board on the market. Also bear in mind that the most expensive board isn't necessarily the best one for you, as it may have completely the wrong flex for your riding. Use our guide to make choosing the right board easier.
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Your shoe size
Your shoe size affects how wide your board should be. It also matters when you choose boots (see our snowboard boots guide for more help choosing the right boots). The type of boots in turn determines the board width you need. That is why it's important to find out all these measurements and sizes straight away, so you can choose the right boots for the right board.
Here is a general table showing which shoe size suits which snowboard width.
Your boots may stick out slightly over the edge of the board, but no more than 1–2 centimetres.
We understand that it isn't always easy to keep up with all the different terms. That's why we have also put together a short glossary explaining the most common terms you'll come across when choosing a snowboard.
Glossary
Rocker: The parts of the board that curve upwards.
Turning radius: Indicates whether the board is built for short or long turns, and how much radius it needs in a turn.
Nose: The front of the board.
Waist: The narrowest part of the board.
Tail: The back of the board.
Flex: Stiffness along the length of the board.
Torsion: Torsional (twisting) stiffness across the board.
Camber: The board has a regular arch under the feet that you have to "press down" into the snow.
Full camber: The arch you have to press down runs along the whole board, not just under the feet.
Reverse camber: The board has no camber, and the whole board curves upwards.
Early rise/tip rocker: The nose of the board curves upwards, which means the board has a set direction of travel.
Directional rocker: The board curves upwards more at the front than at the back.
Full rocker: The board curves upwards at both the front and back, with no camber under the feet.
