Snowboard Size Chart | How To Choose The Right Snowboards

Source: DHgate, Tag: Outdoor Sports

Snowboards come in a wide range of styles, sizes and shapes. With a wide range of options available, choosing the right one can be quite challenging.

Snowboards are an essential part of the snowboarding experience. Selecting a snowboard is somehow similar to selecting a surfboard. Some riders like to ride peacefully and slowly while some like quicker turns and performing tricks.
Whether you are in it for a casual winter hobby or a thrill, choosing snowboards can be quite overwhelming and complicated if you do not know what you should be looking for.

When choosing a snowboard, it can be a tricky affair to narrow down your selection. We have developed this easy-to-use step-by-step guide to help you buy a snowboard that is right for you.
Step 1: Determine your experience level
Snowboards are made for various experience levels. There are 3 basic levels of snowboarding: expert, intermediate, and beginner. Many snowboards are usually made for specific experience levels. You will find a description of each snowboard telling you which experience level it is made for.
If you have never snowboarded previously, then you are a beginner snowboarder, but if you are already more solid on your feet, then you are an intermediate snowboarder. Expert snowboarders can ride very steep terrain, can adapt to conditions and elements, and have strong confidence when boarding. If you have snowboarded until you now find yourself more comfortable on your snowboard than your two feet, then you are a pro. Ensure you are considering your experience level to ensure you are getting a board that is made for your level.

If you are a beginner, you should choose a snowboard that will help you turn easily and still allows you to keep a balance over it. The snowboard should be correctly sized to help you minimize the chances of catching an edge or losing balance.
Step 2: Factor in your riding style
There are various types of snowboarding styles: backcountry, powder riding, all-mountain, freeride, and freestyle. The style of riding should be one of the factors that determine what type of snowboard you should buy.

• • Freeride riding involves snowboarding with deep carving, long, higher speeds on natural terrain. A positive camber board is ideal for free-riders as it allows for more edge control.

  • Freestyle riding basically includes tricks on the mountains or in the terrain park such as halfpipe, jumps, and riding rails and boxes. Freestyle snowboards are typically shorter with soft flex.

  • All-mountain riding is a combination of freeride and freestyle. Snowboards for all-mountain riders should have a 5 flex and a directional shape.

  • Powder riding is a riding style for those who hike in the backcountry looking for big mountain lines. For powder riding, choose snowboards that are longer and stiffer, with different cambers designed specifically to get better float when riding on snow.

  • Split boards are ideal for backcountry use since they break down into 2 separate halves for uphill travel and turning.

Step 3: Determine the right shape
The right shape for your board should be determined by your riding style. Snowboards basically come in 4 shapes: tapered, directional, twin, and twin directional. The shape descriptions are typically based on the width and length of the tail and nose.

• • Twin boards are basically asymmetrical on both ends of the board. This means that the tail and nose are of the same width and length. These snowboards are designed for freestyle riders and beginners because they can be ridden in regular and switch, or both directions. These are also great for kids

  • The directional boards are designed for one-way use with a wider and longer nose than the tail, providing more suspension as well as performance in that direction. These boards are ideal for free-riders.

  • Tapered boards are generally more extreme versions of the directional boards. They have a nose that is much wider than the tail so as to give the snowboard more float in powder. They are great for powder riding.

  • Twin directional boards have a shape that combines that of the directional board and twin board. They are ideal for all-mountain freestyle riders as they provide greater stability at higher speeds. They also allow for freestyle terrain use and switch riding.

Also, women’s snowboards tend to have softer flex and narrower waist widths while men’s snowboards have a much wider waist width with a stiffer flex.
Step 4: Determine your weight and height
Your weight and height will determine the length of the board. The length of a snowboard is measured from tip to tail. The ideal height is supposed to be between your nose and shoulder when standing. In general, a board that sits lower than the chin could be too sort for you and one that stretches above the nose is definitely too long for you. The length of the board has a significant effect on performance.

The exact length of your snowboard should be is determined by a few characteristics:

• • If you are a lighter person, a shorter board would be ideal for you. If you are heavier, the board you choose should be a bit longer.

  • Shortboards are easier to control, making them ideal for kids. However, it would be better to go for a board that is a bit longer because kids are always growing.

  • Powder riders or free riders should choose longer boards for more stability, which is needed at longer speeds.

  • If you are a kid, a beginner, or a freestyle rider then you should pick a shorter board as they are easier to spin, control, and turn.

Step 5: Measure your shoe size
Measure the size of your boots to find out the width of the snowboard you should buy. A general rule of thumb is that the shoes should extend slightly over the board’s edges by 0.5-1 inch. This way, you will be able to control your board easily when you are changing ages without having your heels and toes dragging in the snow while you curve.

Summary
While it can be tempting to choose snowboards with the best graphics you should stick to a snowboard made for your ability.