Basic Equipment selection for racers
Knowing what snowboard equipment you'll need and choosing the right board, products and accessories for snowboarding can be a daunting experience if you are not quite sure what to look for. Below are some articles with various advice on essential snowboard equipment and tips on what to look for while you are out snowboard shopping.
Snowboards
The type and size of the board that's right for you will depend on your on your preferred snowboarding style and your physique. With the rise in manufacturers over the last number of years, riders have been spoiled for choice when it comes to snowboards these days. To choose the right board, you'll need to consider several factors.
Length
The length of your board could well be the most important dimension you should consider. A short board standing vertically will reach to a height between your collar bones and your chin while a medium length board will come up to the area between your chin and nose. Any snowboards which reach out to your eye level and beyond are considered long.
Short snowboards provide greater maneuverability and are ideal for beginners or snowboarding aerialists who find them easier for spinning while grabbing air. Medium length boards are best suited to competent riders who enjoy traversing through a variety of terrain while longer boards provide increased speed and stability for advanced riders to carve big mountain or deep powder.
Width
There really isn't much room for variation when it comes to board width since the right width for you basically comes down to your foot size. Ideally, in your riding stance, your boots should be positioned evenly across the board with the length of your boots covering the width of the board from edge to edge.
Getting your board width and foot position right will provide greater edge control and subsequently assist in your control of speed and direction. Having your feet hang out over the sides of a narrow board could result in your feet touching the snow and cause you to skid or fall over from toe drag.
If you are using a board which causes you to have excessive overhang, try increasing the angle of your feet during your stance.
If you find that you are forcing your feet toward an angle of more than about 30 degrees, it may be time to get a wider board. Board manufacturers provide wide snowboards for riders with large feet. Wide boards provide better float for deep powder but are of course heavier.
Shape
The ideal shape of your board will depend on your preferred style. Freestyle boards are generally wide, short, light, soft and built for riders who enjoy performing freestyle tricks in the halfpipe and terrain park. They float well in soft powder and are a good choice for beginners due to their soft flex which allows for easier turning.
A disadvantage of freestyle snowboards is that they have less sidecut (the radius of the curve cut into the side of the board) than other boards and consequently are less than ideal for handling carved turns at high speed.
Freeride boards are multi-purpose boards which are a little stiffer and longer than freestyle boards to provide for greater speed stability and the ability to ride through a variety of snow conditions. As with freestyle boards, they are soft flexing and are great for beginners. Freeride boards also have a deeper sidecut than their freestyle counterparts which allows for the carving of precise turns.
Alpine carving or race snowboards are stiffer and narrower than all other boards and, with its flat tail, they are built primarily for forward riding and making sharp turns at high speed. The stiffness of these snowboards make them difficult to use for beginners.
Boots
Snowboard boots (along with their bindings) are designed to efficiently transfer the movements of your body while riding onto your board. To minimize any possibility of toe and heel overhang, the soles are shorter than other types of footwear of a similar size. You should, therefore, not consider wearing any other types of foot apparel for snowboarding.
The following are some factors to consider before purchasing a pair of snowboard boots.
Strap In
You'll have a little more flexibility if you decide to go with the more traditional strap-in bindings. This is because strap-in bindings should work with pretty much any non-step-in soft boots.
Soft or Hard
Unless you're an advanced rider who's into racing and high speed carving, you'll probably want to opt for soft boots. Soft boots allow for a greater range of ankle movement making them ideal for freestyle boarding and soft snow conditions.
Beginners will also appreciate the greater margin for error soft boots will allow not to mention the warmth and comfort they provide even if you just want to use them for taking a walk.
Fit
Finding a pair of boots which fit you comfortably is crucial. Exactly how tightly fitting a boot should be comes down to personal preference. Some riders have even deliberately purchased boots half a size too small to allow them to pack out perfectly onto their feet after a few rides. Others may like a little (but not too much) give to allow for a better feel for their board.
Pay attention to any discomfort, or even pain, you experience while trying on your boots. Snowboarding is meant to be fun, not an ordeal caused by undersized boots. Conversely, boots which are too loose will result in your heel lifting instead of your board during a toeside turn and will lead to a degradation in board control and, subsequently, your snowboarding experience.
Boots For Women
If you are a woman, you should probably get snowboard boots specifically designed for women. This is due to the fact that women typically have narrower heels and forefeet with lower calf muscles and as pointed out above, you'll want to get the best possible fit which is something you will most likely not get with boots for men or 'unisex' boots.
Bindings
Snowboard bindings fasten your feet to your board are an integral part of your set-up as they are responsible for transferring the energy of your movements to the snowboard. In some ways, they are even more important than your board itself. The other factors to consider when deciding on the set of bindings which are right for you are listed below.
Reliability
Consider the fact that bindings are made of numerous moving parts which are under constant pressure from your body movements during your ride. With this in mind, it would probably be a good idea to invest in bindings which are high in quality, at least in terms of the robustness of the materials used, even if it may cost a little more. The last thing you need is to have your day ruined by your bindings breaking down or, worse still, potentially injuring yourself.
Look for sturdy and strong, preferably metal, ratchets and bolts. Not all plastic is bad, but some have been known to become brittle in the extreme cold.
Having some form of warranty from the manufacturer (usually 12 months) is also a good idea apart from also having access to suppliers who can provide you with replacement parts should you need them.
Fit
Companies usually manufacture their bindings in different sizes e.g. small (S), medium (M), large (L). If you're using strap-in bindings, you'll probably want to buy your snowboard boots first (see Boots) and then purchase bindings with a matching fit.
Performance
Stiffer snowboard bindings provide better responsive control which is something you'll generally want. The trade-off, however, is usually an increase in weight. Many top technical freestyle riders prefer a softer system which provides for a greater margin of error and better recovery during a rough landing.
Ease of Use
If you're using strap-in bindings, what you'll probably want to avoid is spending unnecessary time out in the snow fidgeting and fumbling with straps which are difficult to use. Having large and fat ratchets on the toe and heel straps will allow you to quickly and easily get strapped in with a minimum of fuss.
Comfort
If you're into freestyle riding with plenty of death-defying jumps, you may prefer to look for snowboard bindings with well-padded straps as well as cushioning or dampening systems to help absorb the impact of your landings.
Jackets and Pants
Finding the right set of jacket and pants may be prove to be quite a headache with all the technical jargon associated with the great number of garments available in the market. If you are new to snowboarding, we recommend reading our article on Dressing for Snowboarding if you haven't done so already. Otherwise, if you already know all that stuff, then read on!
Fit
A good snowboard jacket should be loose enough to be comfortable without weighing you down or restricting the movement of your arms and neck. A long cut extending down to your hips will ensure that your midriff remains warm and dry at all times even with your arms raised.
Jacket cuffs should fit nicely around or inside your glove cuffs to ensure proper sealage for keeping the snow out. Good jackets should also have easily adjustable hoods which provide full mobility. Some jackets also have removable hoods for sunny days when they are not required.
Snowboard pants should also be loose enough so as to not restrict movement of your legs and waist. They should have a high waist while being long enough at the bottom to cover your boots to prevent snow from creeping into your legs. Since you'll probably be on your backside or knees more than you'll like, having reinforced bottoms and knees on your pants will be a big plus.
Waterproof
This is pretty much a no-brainer. You'll obviously want your snowboard jacket and pants to be waterproof while keeping you dry as much as possible for the duration of your ride. Clothing constructed from tried and true materials such as Gor-tex and Entrant can be reliably assured of doing the job.
Check out and compare the waterproof ratings assigned to the various jackets and pants. Because washing may sometimes decrease the ability of the material to repel water, some companies even provide an after-wash waterproof rating.
Breathability
Besides keeping water out, its imperative snowboard jacket should also allow any moisture or sweat generated from your body to escape. This is where your jacket's venting comes into play. Perspiration will probably not affect you all that much while you're in motion but once you are stationary, for example on a chair lift or at the end of the day, the cold winds have a tendency to chill any moisture retained within a poorly ventilated jacket which will cause you to shiver in discomfort.
Some snowboard jackets come with zippered vents which are under your arms and are opened when the temperature gets hot and closed when its cold. Zip-pulls attached to the zippers will allow you to open and close them without having to remove your gloves.
Toughness
Due to the physical nature of snowboarding you should look for a jacket with a tough shell that can withstand the abuse. Double- or triple-stitched seams and reinforced material on the sides of your snowboard clothing will help to further prolong their life.
Gloves
Due to the nature of snowboarding, your snowboard gloves will be subjected to plenty of punishment from regular contact with the snow and your board. As with other forms of clothing, your snowboarding gloves must keep your hands warm and dry. Having soaking wet freezing hands while you are snowboarding is a torturous experience best left only to your worst enemy.
You should consider the following factors when deciding on a pair of gloves to buy.
Gloves or Mittens
Mittens are built to cover your whole hand with only a separate section for your thumb while gloves have individual sockets for all five fingers. Some gloves also come in a special hybrid three-finger model.
In terms of water resistance, mittens generally have an advantage over gloves due to the fact that they have less seams which means less possibilities for water to seep in. Being able to keep your fingers together within a mitt will also help provide to provide you with some extra warmth.
Many people, however, prefer gloves as they provide you with the extra feel and grip you can get with your fingers to easily grasp your board, clothing and accessories.
Waterproofing and Durability
If you are planning on snowboarding for many years to come, get the toughest and most waterproof gloves you can afford.
Due to the beating that snowboard gloves take, a badly-assembled pair will probably fall apart after a few rides while a good-quality set can last for hundreds of sessions over a few seasons.
Look for snowboard gloves made from highly waterproof fabric such as Gor-tex with double-, triple-stitched or taped seams and reinforced palms and fingers. Check that the cuffs of the gloves have been effectively designed to keep the snow out when worn with your jacket.
Inner Liner
Apart from keeping your hands warm and providing some degree of comfort, a removable inner liner will help to wick away any internal moisture or perspiration generated during the day. Removing them at the end of the day or even during a lunch break (while indoors) will allow your gloves to dry quicker.
Safety and Injury-Prevention
If you are a beginner who hasn't quite mastered the technique for falling safely, you'd best be advised to wear wrist guards to prevent injuring or breaking your wrist after a hard fall. If possible, you should consider purchasing snowboard gloves which come with built-in wrist guards.
A wrist guard consists of a flat, long, tough and thick piece of plastic which is positioned onto the back of your wrist to prevent you from bending it too far backward from the force of a fall. Using them could well mean the difference between an enjoyable trip and spending the next month or so with a cast on your arm.
Goggles
You should always wear a good pair of snowboard goggles during your ride to protect your eyes from the wind, snow, bright sunlight and ultraviolet radiation. This is especially important during windy and stormy conditions. Here are some pointers when it comes to choosing a quality pair of goggles.
Fog Control
It's pretty hard to be ripping up the mountains when you can't see. Fog control is one of the most important duties your goggles must perform and it all comes down to your goggles' lens and ventilation.
There really isn't a reason for you to choose single-lens goggles unless you're absolutely strapped for cash. Always go for double-lens (or even triple-lens) goggles. These greatly assist in fog control via the presence of a chamber of air between each lens to separate the air inside your goggles from the cold extremes outside.
A well designed and constructed pair of goggles will also optimize air flow through proper venting which will further reduce the level of fogging by drawing out moisture while preventing snow intrusion.
Peripheral Vision
Because snowboarding involves movement primarily in a sideways direction, you'll want to get a pair of goggles with a wrap-around design which allows for peripheral vision. That way, you'll get as full a view as possible of your surroundings while minimizing the risk of ploughing straight into something you'd rather not hit.
Lens Color
Many snowboard goggles will allow you to change your lens according to your preference or the light conditions. Each lens color will work best based on the intensity of the sunlight for the day. Typically, a yellow or rose lens will work for cloudy overcast days while you may like to go with a dark tint or silver reflective lens for bright days. If you choose to snowboard at night, you could even opt for a clear lens.
Fit and Comfort
Needless to say, your goggles should fit comfortably on your face while sealing off the wind and snow from your eyes. A good quality pair of goggles will also be designed to fit well with a helmet by providing extra grip on its strap should you choose to wear one.
Helmets
While helmets may not look all that cool or feel comfortable, they are essential in preventing head injuries ranging from headaches to serious concussions (or worse!).
The Right Fit
Some general criteria to use when selecting a helmet include compactness and coverage over vulnerable areas. Most importantly, however, is that since helmets come in various shapes and sizes, the helmet you choose must fit your head snugly and comfortably.
Since you could be wearing it for six to eight hours a day on the slopes, a badly fitting helmet could end up giving you a headache at the end of the day. Or worse still, it might, in fact, cause more injury than it prevents in the event of a crash.
Goggles Compatibility
If you're going to a store to try on a helmet, it will be a good idea to try on the goggles you are planning to wear with it at the same time.
Some goggles are just not compatible with certain helmets which can lead to poor sealage while forcing you to work around the problem by wearing your helmet over the top of the goggle strap instead of strapping your goggles around the outside of the helmet the way it's supposed to be.
Warmth and Ventilation
Unless you wear a dual-purpose helmet (e.g. a helmet built for skateboarding or other sports too) you won't have to wear a beanie underneath your helmet. Helmets made specifically for snow sports are designed with inner linings and layers to keep your head warm. Some even come with removable ear-flaps in case it gets too warm for your liking.
Helmets may also have built in vents which can be open or closed. These are handy for keeping the warmth in on cold days or increasing the ventilation so that your head doesn't feel like a steamer on warm and sunny days.
Durability
If you ride the pipe and push the limits on a routine basis, you may like to get a helmet which can sustain multiple impacts and still provide adequate protection. Cheap helmets or helmets made for other sports may only be good for one hard collision before they must be disposed for another.
Stomp Pad and Leash
A snowboard stomp pad and leash are two of the more important accessories you'll need to round out your gear before you hit the powder. This is especially important for beginners so you can get off those chairlifts gracefully and prevent your snowboard from jetting off without you.
Snowboard Stomp Pad
Stomp pads are placed between your bindings, preferably just in front of your back foot. Stomp pads provide some means for cleaning or scraping the snow off your boots. They are particularly useful, however, when jumping off chairlifts to provide traction for your back foot which will not be strapped in to your board.
Stomping onto your pad with your back foot will provide some grip between your boots and your board allowing you to to glide away quickly from approaching riders coming from the chairlifts behind you to a safe place where you can get into your bindings again.
It's important to be able to place your foot onto the stomp pad while looking in the direction you are moving. If you are not yet comfortable with doing so, practice placing your back foot on the stomp pad without looking until it becomes second nature. Having to look down while trying to position your foot will not only slow you down but will also affect your balance and increase the chances of a collision.
If your board does not come with a built-in stomp pad, you can (and should) purchase them separately. Snowboard stomp pads are relatively inexpensive (compared to your other gear) and are not too difficult to install. Most just use some form of adhesive to stick onto your board.
Snowboard Leash
A leash is the cord or strap that connects your front foot to your front binding through the use of hooks, clips or straps. They are primarily used for preventing your snowboard from launching itself down the slopes in its own self-assigned seek and destroy mission.
Imagine having to ask the person you just flattened for your snowboard back or having to confess to the resort that you didn't have your leash attached because you need their help in locating your snowboard.
Leashes should typically come when you purchase your bindings or board. Otherwise, like snowboard stomp pads, they can be purchased separately for a smallish price.
Deciding Between Strap-In or Step-In Bindings
Deciding on whether to go with traditional strap-in snowboard bindings or the more recent step-in bindings will be one of the first decisions you need to make before purchasing your snowboard bindings and boots.
The original idea behind step-in bindings was to allow the rider to quickly step onto the board and take off with a minimum of fuss. This level of convenience would be particularly handy when jumping off the chair lift as opposed to having to sit on the cold snow or bend down to get your straps into gear.
All of this sounds good in theory but there's more to consider than just the theoretical level of convenience step-in snowboard bindings provide. Let's have a look at the advantages and disadvantages of both systems.
Convenience
As mentioned previously, step-in bindings will allow you to get attached to your board quickly and easily as opposed to the cumbersome strap-in system.
However, step-in bindings can sometimes become a real pain if they refuse to work after being clogged with snow. When this happens, you'll find yourself having to sit down or bend over to dust off the snow before being able to step-in again which, when you think about it, pretty much defeats the whole purpose of getting step-in bindings in the first place.
Response
If you're a response junkie who likes quick transfer of bodily movement straight to your board, you'll probably like the overall stiffness of the step-in interface and the fact that the base of your boots are virtually stuck tight to your board.
This level of stiffness will probably not suit freestyle riders who prefer a little bit of give, freedom of movement, and a better feel for the board that you can only get with soft boots and strap-in bindings.
Comfort
You'll sacrifice a great deal of comfort if you choose to go with step-in bindings. This is attributed to the overall stiffness of the unit as well as the general construction where the metal locking mechanism is sometimes built into the soles of the boots adding additional weight. This becomes a significant issue if you need to hike over a distance and your feet start begging you to stop.
Contrast this with traditional soft boots which, assuming you are wearing the right size, can be used for anything from riding, walking in the snow or even driving a car if you have to.
Flexibility and Choice
Speaking of the locking mechanism being built into the boots, if you decide to use step-in bindings, you'll have to purchase both boots and bindings using the same step-in interface together to make sure that they are compatible. This greatly limits your flexibility when it comes to choice of boots.
Strap-in systems, however, will work with pretty much any non-step-in boots allowing you the flexibility of choosing the most robust bindings while going for the most comfortable and fitting boots you can find.
And the Conclusion? If you're still unsure as to which snowboard bindings system to go for, you probably can't go wrong with sticking with traditional strap-in bindings. Whilst you may occasionally find yourself fumbling with the straps in frustration, the benefits you get in comparison to step-in bindings far outweigh any minor and temporary inconvenience you experience.
If you're still unconvinced, go ahead and try out some step-in bindings either by borrowing them from a friend or renting them from a shop. You could well find yourself thinking they are the best little gadget to have ever been invented for snowboarding. As with anything else, it all comes down to personal preference.
Boot Fit
One of the most important criteria when choosing the right set of snowboard boots is fit. Your boots must be snug and comfortable while you are riding. Too loose and you'll experience the dreaded heel lift where you heel lifts up from inside your boots instead of your board as you try to lean towards your toe edge.
So how do you make sure your boots are as snug as they can be? Many experienced riders have their boots cranked down really tight to get a better feel for the board and then re-tighten their laces a couple of times during the day. You could also try experimenting with different combinations of socks by either wearing a thicker pair or layering them.
Or you could get a pair of boots which come with heat-moldable inner liners. These liners sit on the inside of your boot so that they will fit perfectly according to the shape of your foot. They are made from a foam material which will be pliable when they are heated.
The process of heating up the liner and fitting them for you is usually done at the retailer's shop after you purchase your boots. (Mt. La Crosse has this service for you too.)
Toe Caps
You may like to have a little bit of space for your toes to wiggle around in inside your boot to prevent them from feeling overly tight. For this reason, many riders prefer to wear toe-caps before molding their liners.
You can use pretty make a toe-cap out of anything which will give you some space inside your boot e.g. by using a thin sock or some cloth to wrap around your toes while you step into the warm liners to mold them.
Keep in mind that there is a limit to the number of times you should re-mold them as the amount of expansion with each attempt decreases to the point where they may become too thin. You should probably be able to get about four to six decent moldings depending on the quality of the material.
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