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Choose the right snowboard

Buying guide for finding the right snowboard

To find the right snowboard, there are a few things you need to consider. Start by thinking about what you will use the board for and what type of riding you want to do. Then, assess your skill level. After that, you should find out your shoe size, body height, and body weight.

You might think you're done here, but you're not. You should also consider how much you will ride and use your snowboard. In this guide, we go through each step individually, which means you will be guided through the process of choosing a board. Our hope is that this guide will make it easier for you to choose the right one.

Where will you be riding?

Where you will be riding is crucial for determining how long your board should be, as well as whether the board should be soft or hard. Below, we provide some guidelines for different types of riding:

  • Piste or off-piste – Longer and harder board.
  • All-around (piste and possibly some park) – Medium-length and medium-hard board.
  • Park with lots of tricks – Shorter and softer board.
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What's your riding style?

The style of riding you have determines the flex you should have in your board. This means how soft or hard it should be. Remember to be realistic, neither underestimate nor overestimate your ability or riding style. If you do this correctly, it will result in the right choice and more enjoyable riding.

  • Slow riding or beginners, also for those who love to jib in the park – A soft and flexible board.
  • Medium speed and some jumping (mostly on groomed slopes, but possibly some off-piste) – A medium-hard board.
  • Fast and aggressive riding – A hard board with harder flex in the core.
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Snowboard choice, your weight and height

Your weight plays a role in determining whether you should have a hard or soft board. However, hardness is always a matter of personal preference. This means that if you know what you prefer, you should base your choice on that. Most reputable brands provide weight specifications for all their models, but it's good to keep in mind that these are general guidelines.

Your height determines how long your board should be. There are general guidelines for board length, and the rule of thumb is that the snowboard should reach from the floor to your neck or eyes. This means that for a beginner, a board that reaches roughly between the neck and chin might be better.

  • Park riding/tricks – A board that ends below the chin. Approximately 20–30 centimeters shorter than your body height.
  • All-around riding – A board that ends at the chin. Approximately 15–20 centimeters shorter than your body height.
  • Off-piste/powder riding – A board that ends at the nose. Approximately 10–15 centimeters shorter than your body height.

How often do you ride?

How often you ride is an important factor in choosing the right board. If you don't ride very often, you might not need the newest and greatest on the market. Also, keep in mind that the most expensive board might not be the best board for you, as it might have completely the wrong flex for your riding style. Feel free to use our guide to help you choose the right board.

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Your shoe size

Shoe size affects the width your board should have. Your shoe size also plays a role when choosing boots (see our guide for more information on choosing the right boots). The type of boots you choose, in turn, dictates the width of the board you should have. It is therefore important to find out all these measurements and sizes directly to be able to choose the right boots for the right board.

Here you will find a general table where you can easily see which shoe size suits which snowboard width.

Your boots should extend out from the board, however, they should not extend more than 1–2 centimeters.

We understand that it's not always easy to keep up with all the different terms. Therefore, we have also created a small glossary. This results in a list that explains the most common terms related to choosing a snowboard.

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Glossary

Rocker: These are the parts of the board that are angled upwards.
Turning radius: Indicates how short or long-turning the board is and determines how much radius the board needs for a turn.
Tip: The front part of the board.
Waist: The narrowest part of the board.
Tail: The back part of the board.
Flex: Stiffness lengthwise.
Torsion: Torsional stiffness sideways.
Camber: Means there is a regular arch under the foot in the board, where you have to "press it down" into the snow.
Full camber: Means that the arch of the board that you have to press down is under the entire board, not specifically under the foot.
Reverse Camber: Means that the board has no arch, and the entire board is bowed upwards.
Early Rise/Tip rocker: Means that the tip of the board is angled upwards, which means it has a given direction of travel.
Directional Rocker: Means that the board is angled more upwards at the front than at the back.
Full Rocker: Means that the board is angled upwards at both the front and back, without camber under the foot.