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Another board length thread

1K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  OU812 
#1 ·
Hey all. I keep getting different answers about this, so I figured I'd ask here.

I'm pretty new to snowboarding, and am slowing finding my way into the community more and more. I've been wanting to join a snowboarding forum for a while now. I figure now is as good a time as any, since I have a question. I am buying a new board.

My buddy is moving out of town, and is selling his board for very VERY cheap, but I get the feeling it's too big for me... As in WAAAAY too big.

I'm a pretty small guy, 5'10'' and about 140-145 pounds.

The board in question is a freestyle, 160cm long board. My gut tells me it's far too big, but a few other I know said it should be alright (I don't exactly 100% trust their judgement though, as they themselves admit they are very amateur boarders).

What do you guys think?
 
#5 ·
Hi AK,

It is a mistake to look for "your board size". No rider has a single tip to tip length that will be correct in every board (i.e. 154 or 160). The correct length will vary (greatly) by the specific model that you are considering.

Rider height (5'10") is also not a factor. Only your weight (140 lbs) and foot size (???) will determine the correct size in any given model.

Sooooo, what is your foot size?

Please measure your foot using this method:

Kick your heel (barefoot please, no socks) back against a wall. Mark the floor exactly at the tip of your toe (the one that sticks out furthest - which toe this is will vary by rider). Measure from the mark on the floor to the wall. That is your foot length and is the only measurement that you will want to use. Measure in centimeters if possible, but if not, take inches and multiply by 2.54 (example: an 11.25 inch foot x 2.54 = 28.57 centimeters).
 
#6 ·
If its a Gentem Stick buy it ASAP :) Best boards in the world and handmade in Japan. But let us know what the board is. If your just learning the 160 may be a little big for your height. If your looking to ride powder all the time it may be perfect. I don't agree with the above about rider height has no factor on board length. I have never had a board come to above my nose, not even my splitboard or boards for heli skiing in Haines.
 
#7 ·
From our fit tips:

Where your nose is, does not determine what size of snowboard you should ride!

...or your chin, ears, shoulders or any other body part for that matter. These are the silliest rules for sizing boards that could possibly be imagined, and yet they persist. We hear new ones everyday, "my friend told me that a board should come to in between my chin and my nose." Why, are you planning to nibble on it? Buying based on these generalities is good way to end up with a completely inappropriate board. Why do such rules exist? It is due to the fact that finding the right board takes a bit of research and knowledge. The easy way, however incorrect, is much quicker. A snowboard reacts to only two factors, how much pressure is being applied to it (rider weight), and where that pressure is coming from (foot size and position). Boards are designed around riders of a certain weight range. The total weight range for a given board will be around 50 pounds (although manufacturers tend to exaggerate this range to make their products sellable to a wider variety of customers). Two men who stand six feet tall and whose noses are at identical heights, may be separated by 100 pounds of weight. This would change the boards that they should ride by two entire categories of stiffness and running length. You will also want to make sure that the board is appropriate for your foot size. Up to 1 centimeter of barefoot overhang for both the toe and heel sides (yes, overhang) off the edge of your board is ideal (when measured at the stance width and angle that you will ride).
 
#8 ·
From our fit tips:

You will also want to make sure that the board is appropriate for your foot size. Up to 1 centimeter of barefoot overhang for both the toe and heel sides (yes, overhang) off the edge of your board is ideal (when measured at the stance width and angle that you will ride).
Not to hijack this thread, but... is this true for women as well? I have a size 5.5 foot (in snowboard boots, more like 6.5 in street shoes) and for my foot to hang off the edges I would have to attach my bindings to a ski!
 
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