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How To Buy, Choose & Size The Perfect Snowboard For You

121K views 166 replies 69 participants last post by  Laguna Freak 
#1 · (Edited)
Intro:

So you've decided to buy a snowboard. Awesome! The following guide will break down how to pick the perfect snowboard that's right for you and the type of terrain you ride.

Video guide:



Text guide:

How to choose a snowboard

To choose a snowboard, you’ll need to decide on 5 main areas: Size, Flex, Width, Shape & Camber. Don’t worry if you don’t understand these words, I’ll explain each term, as well as tell you which areas work best for what.

Remember that as you get more experienced, personal preference will play a bigger role in what you’ll prefer, these are only starting points. There are no set rules on what you have to snowboard with.

Part 1: Snowboard Sizing

Everyone buying a snowboard always gives their height and weight and asks what size they need. It’s not that simple. How flexible or strong a board is, will change the recommended weight for that board’s size.

For example: A 154 cm snowboard might usually have a recommended weight of about 65 kg, but if this particular snowboard is really flexible and built with lighter but weaker materials, the snowboard might instead have a recommended weight of about 60kg.

Also: Never a snowboard based on height. Rarely ever does height play a big role in the size of snowboard you need. This is a common mistake that even many experienced snowboarders will make.

Always aim to pick your size based mainly on your weight and what you want to ride.

Picking a snowboard size based on weight

Below is a list of some very rough weight ranges and their matching snowboard sizes. Remember that certain snowboards may be built slightly weaker or stronger, which will alter their weight range.

If you’d like a more exact weight range for a particular snowboard, you can ask any good snowboard store for a copy of the recommended specifications given to them by the snowboard brand.

Alternatively, you can email the company directly and they should be able to give you the exact recommend weight range for their snowboards.

Rough weight ranges and recommend snowboard sizes

100 to 120 lbs (45 to 54.5 kg) = 140 to 145 cm
120 to 130 lbs (55 to 59 kg) = 140 to 150 cm
130 to 140 lbs (59 to 63.5 kg) = 145 to 150 cm
140 to 150 lbs (63.5 to 68 kg) = 145 to 155 cm
150 to 160 lbs (69 to 72.5 kg) = 150 to 155 cm
160 to 170 lbs (72.5 to 77 kg) = 150 to 160 cm
170 to 180 lbs (77 to 81.5 kg) = 155 to 160 cm
180 to 190 lbs (81.5 to 86 kg) = 155 to 165 cm
190 to 200 lbs (86 to 91 kg) = 160 to 170 cm
200 to 250 lbs (91 to 113 kg) = 165 to 180 cm
250+ lbs (113+ kg) = 180 to 190 cm

Recommended snowboard sizes change depending on the terrain you’re riding

Besides the above recommend sizes, you should also choose the size of your snowboard based on the type of riding you’ll be doing.

All Mountain / Ride Everything - You’ll want to be at roughly the middle of the recommended size for your weight.

Powder - Large! Aim for as big a snowboard as you feel comfortable with riding. Bigger snowboards help you to float better in powder.

Just be aware that a huge snowboard may be fun in powder, but won’t be ideal for any other types of riding (and if you intend to ride in the trees you may not want too big of a snowboard).

Park / Freestyle - You’ll want a slightly smaller sized snowboard than average. A smaller size helps you to spin and move your snowboard with less effort.
The exception to this rule is if you’ll be riding on very large jumps. If so, you may want an average to slightly longer sized snowboard for greater stability.

Rails / Urban Freestyle - A lot shorter than average. If all you’ll be riding is rails, you want a really short snowboard to make it easy to spin and perform rail tricks

Part 2: Picking the right flex

Flex describes the flexibility of your snowboard. Companies usually have some sort of chart saying the flexibility or a number system. Lower numbers usually mean more flexible and higher numbers mean less flexible.

Eg – A 5 would be average flex, a 1 would be super flexible and a 10 would be insanely stiff.

Note: This is FAR from a foolproof way to figure out the flex of a snowboard, so take this with a grain of salt because snowboard flex isn't just about how much you can bend it horizontally, but the torsional flex as well.

In general, beginner riders will prefer a more flexible snowboard because it’s more forgiving for bad technique and mistakes.

What flex is best for what type of riding?

All Mountain / Ride Everything – Medium flex or slightly stiffer. About a 5 to 7 out of 10.

Powder / Freeride – Medium to super stiff, 6 to 9 out of 10

Park / Freestyle – Medium, but go stiffer if you ride bigger jumps. Aim for 4 to 6/7 out of 10.

Rails / Urban Freestyle – Super flexible. This will make it easier for nose and tail presses and jibbing/butters. Look for a 2 or 3 out of 10 (just don't expect it to be that stable on jumps and at speed).

Part 3: Picking the right width

This is how wide your snowboard needs to be. Snowboards usually come in regular width or wide. Typically, you’ll only require a wide snowboard if you have large feet.

The best way to make sure you’ve got the right width is to bring your snowboard boots when you buy a snowboard and put them where your bindings would be. If the toe and heel of your boot hangs out more than about 1 inch on each side, you may need to consider looking at a wide or mid-wide snowboard.

Some snowboards may be slightly thinner than average so you may not need a wide snowboard but rather, you might just need to pick a different snowboard that has a slightly wider width without needing to go to an actual wide sized snowboard.

Part 4: Picking the right shape

Shape is exactly like it sounds. It’s how the snowboard is shaped and how symmetrical the nose and tail of the snowboard are.

In simple speak, it’s basically asking 'Which direction will you be riding most of the time?'

Do you spend your time riding regular, switch (riding with your back foot leading first) or some mix of both.

Below are the 3 most common snowboard shapes and the type of riding that they are best suited for:

Note: Companies will have different names for them but you’ll be able to tell which is which by the description.

Twin – This means the snowboard is shaped completely symmetrical. There’s no difference in shape, whether you ride it switch or regular. Great for someone who spends a lot of time riding switch.

Twin snowboards are typically used for freestyle and terrain park riding.

Twin-ish - Nearly a twin, but usually just a tiny bit longer / larger in the nose area of your snowboard. Twin-ish snowboards are meant for riding both regular and switch. They're designed for those who spend their time doing a majority of freestyle riding, but with a little bit of all mountain riding as well.

Directional - The nose of the snowboard is longer / fatter than the tail of the snowboard. It's designed for someone who rides regular a majority of the time.

Remember, these shape descriptions are just recommendations and are not set in stone. For example, you’ll find A LOT of very good riders who do freestyle on a directional board.

Part 5: Picking the right camber

Note: This is a basic look at camber, for a more detailed guide to camber I'd check out our separate stickied thread on camber profiles.



Camber is the direction which the bottom of your board curves. There are 4 main types of camber (and a billionzilliontrillion sub types of hybrid camber):

Regular, reverse, flat / zero camber and hybrid camber.

Think of a banana.

Regular camber – The banana is curving down

Reverse camber - The banana is curving up

Zero / Flat camber – You somehow made the banana completely straight.

Hybrid camber - This is some sort of mix between regular and reverse camber. One common form of hybrid camber is regular camber in the middle with reverse towards the ends of your snowboard, but you'll find many different types of hybrid camber.

What camber works for what type of riding?

Note: These are general guidelines of how a type of camber tends to act, but sometimes you'll find a board which performs very different from how you'd expect it's camber to behave.

Regular camber – Offers great stability for riding fast and hitting big jumps

Reverse camber – Great for easy float in powder. Also great for freestyle riding that’s only focused on just rails and boxes due to being easy to press and play around.

Zero / Flat camber - Used as a middle ground between regular camber and reverse camber.

Hybrid camber – Can be used for all situations depending on how the hybrid camber was built. By mixing regular and reverse camber, companies are able to make many different types of hybrid cambers. This means you can have one hybrid camber that's been built for freestyle and another that's been built for powder.

Snowboard companies have many names for their hybrid camber combinations, so you’ll need to look at the description and shape and often ride the actual board to figure out how many hybrid camber boards perform.

Every hybrid camber is a little different because every company builds it a little bit differently.
 

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#2 ·
One last tip for choosing a snowboard

Just remember that choosing a snowboard is a lot of personal preference. There is no set rule on what you must have.

To name a notable exception: Torstein Horgmo. He's one of the top freestyle snowboarders in the world. Instead of a longer snowboard, he prefers a short snowboard for hitting big jumps because he says it makes it easier for him to land.

All these tips are meant as guidelines, but you should feel free to experiment a little. As you become more experienced, you'll begin to realize what works best for you.

Oh and always test the snowboard out in person if possible. It's by far the best way to actually know how a board performs.
 
#3 ·
What snow board should I get?

New at using this cite but I'm trying to figure out what board I should go with this upcoming season I'm 5'8 145lbs. I ride a lot of everything but I would say my style is finesse I like jumps and rails I love natural features I like riding through trees. Last year was my first year riding I rode a junker 5150 vice 155 I learned a lot on it but it was very stiff hard for me to flex it and could not butter at all. I was looking at the never summer evo but can't decide between a 152 or a 154. And I don't even know if that's the right for and if maybe I should also consider other options.
 
#92 · (Edited)
New at using this cite but I'm trying to figure out what board I should go with this upcoming season I'm 5'8 145lbs. I ride a lot of everything but I would say my style is finesse I like jumps and rails I love natural features I like riding through trees. Last year was my first year riding I rode a junker 5150 vice 155 I learned a lot on it but it was very stiff hard for me to flex it and could not butter at all. I was looking at the never summer evo but can't decide between a 152 or a 154. And I don't even know if that's the right for and if maybe I should also consider other options.
Hey aaronxthoman,

I thought I'd give you some advice since we are practically the same size. I'm 5'8"-9", 145lbs on average. Been same size my entire life. Boot size 9.5 (shoes 9/9.5). Ride a 157 Neversummer Premier but going down to a 155... I'll break it down below:

Since I started riding as a teenager back in 2003, I have been riding an old school Neversummer Premier (the closest board now is the NS Heritage, except the Premier had the old school original camber shape). The board is also a medium-stiff and very damp, all mtn free ride champ. I got it as a kid when I came upon a good deal and jumped on it end of season. It was a 157, it fit up to my chin, which I felt would work just fine. I had no other choice as this was the only model and I couldn't wait until next season to pay $500++ for a new board.

I grew up riding this board, the 157 EVERYWHERE. Groomers, Trees, Pow, Park (nothing too crazy on rails). It works almost everywhere except hardcore rails which I don't do really either way. It's great, I love how it literally shreds. It leans towards more freeride with the 157 size, so a 155 would be slightly easier for both our height/weight and riding style. Now that I have much more experience here is how my go to sizing will be with future boards:


All MTN/FreeRide - 154-156 with 155 the sweet spot for everything
FreeRide/Pow - 157-162 with 158 the sweet spot for everything (honestly don't care for boards over 160, that's just me)
Park/Freestyle - 145-153 with 150 the sweet spot for everything (145 for rails only)


I always break down the % of my total riding and go from there. Personally, I mostly freeride with natural jumps, ride pow and trees, a few boxes, not too crazy on rails so lean heavy into an All MTN board. My next board will be an Academy Graduate (Never summer makes them) 155. They have an awesome board called The Team which is more park friendly but still can do all mountain (I would get that in a 152). Lastly, they have a board geared for park but can also do some free ride called the propacamba. This board won the 2019 good wood award (!) and you can get it in a 145 (rails and urban), 150 (park dominant) or 153 (a bit of everything, but I would get The Team board in 152) if you ride at least 50% non-park. The graduate is the most stiff/damp, the Team is the all around pro model, and the Procamba is the park/rails heavy board. A nice quiver they offer. Next year there is even a powder board. If you are an advanced rider and do mostly freeride get the Academy (I am), oherwise I'd go with the Team to kick a$$ everywhere including the entire park.

Since we on the lighter side of things, we don't need a longer board to compensate for extra weight. I'm going to Academy boards because they are literally made by Never summer and use camber technology (and all other NS technology). They are cheaper and you can get them for bigger discounts end of season. What you sacrifice is a fancy graphic or name recognition (who cares though, right?). I'm a NS fan boy but I don't care for their rocker profile. I do like their tech and build quality and graphics. I want my sharp camber edge to bomb and carve everything in existence. That's why my next board will be the Academy Graduate 155cm.

Cheers, I really hope this helps! NS is the bomb! They also make Sims in the same factory. There are many good companies out there. I like durability, no gimmicks, and due to my life long love affair with my NS Premier Dinosaur, I will transiton over to the Academy boards. (They are basically old school NS boards).

Let me know if this helps brother, be easy, be safe, have fun!

Peace!
-DL
 
#5 ·
Rent or use my own

rent or use my own
hi
i have been snowboarding for about 5 years but only go once a year to different resorts i have my own board which is a morrow peak board with morrow binding which i have had for a years and its been fine but i haven't been snowboarding the last 2 years and was wondering if it would be better to rent this year or stick with my own board

thanks
 
#6 ·
rent or use my own
hi
i have been snowboarding for about 5 years but only go once a year to different resorts i have my own board which is a morrow peak board with morrow binding which i have had for a years and its been fine but i haven't been snowboarding the last 2 years and was wondering if it would be better to rent this year or stick with my own board

thanks
I don't see why you shouldn't stick with your own board.
 
#7 ·
Used snowboard

Hey guys, I just posted a forum about a snowboard i bought... look at it and tell me what you think... I'll give you the jist here...


I bought a used never summer revolver with 5-6 year old flux bindings for $325 not knowing what to look for in used merchandise... It had one impact and edge break and a small crack on the other side.. previous owner said it was superficial nbd. I then took the board on a trip to vail. While at vail, the head shop guy tells me i got screwed hard and should get my money back... what do y'all think..?

The repair cost me $60 and a day of snowboarding which we had already bought a lift ticket for.. those are expensive btw.

What is yall's opinion? what is this board worth? I'm just a beginner so I have no idea who to listen to.
 

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#15 ·
Hey guys, I just posted a forum about a snowboard i bought... look at it and tell me what you think... I'll give you the jist here...


I bought a used never summer revolver with 5-6 year old flux bindings for $325 not knowing what to look for in used merchandise... It had one impact and edge break and a small crack on the other side.. previous owner said it was superficial nbd. I then took the board on a trip to vail. While at vail, the head shop guy tells me i got screwed hard and should get my money back... what do y'all think..?

The repair cost me $60 and a day of snowboarding which we had already bought a lift ticket for.. those are expensive btw.

What is yall's opinion? what is this board worth? I'm just a beginner so I have no idea who to listen to.
I wouldn't have bought it.
 
#9 ·
No please stop - I literally wrote an entire section in the above guide and video explaining that choosing on the old 'chin to the nose' rule is outdated information that's wrong.

I couldn't help looking at your posting history... are you literally going from thread to thread just posting generic replies to old threads in an effort to promote your snow company? If so, you're having the opposite effect, I now dislike your brand/company.

I mean seriously, one of your posts was for some guy comparing two almost identical black helmets and you said you 'like the second one because it goes with your dress'. Wtf does that even mean when both helmets are black?

Nothing wrong with posting here to promote your brand, but do it by being useful and stop with the generic useless replies on old threads.
 
#11 ·
No, camber should be between your left hip bone and right 3rd rib. Divide that length by 1.2 and you get the perfect board length.

(yes we're joking for any new boarders reading this... please don't actually start measuring your hip bone to 3rd rib length)
 
#12 ·
Thanks for the detailed post. But I've got a question.

The majority of sizing charts I've seen suggest that the size range for 200-210 pound folks is 158 cm -165 cm. Your chart says:
"200 to 250 lbs (91 to 113 kg) = 165 to 180 cm"

Why the difference? Do you think you're onto something that most folks aren't keen to yet (like the height jazz you mentioned in your post)? Or is your chart geared toward something more specific whereas other charts (evo, house, etc) are more generic?

Thanks!

PS...I'm 6'1, 205, size 13 boot and I'm a beg/int all mountain type. I figured my perfect fit would be 161-162 wide, but I'm not finding a lot of those sized boards for sale (seeing far more 159w and 165w). So I was wondering if I'd feel comfy with a 165w even though it's on the high end (of the "other guys" charts).

Thanks again!
 
#17 ·
New Board

First of all, sorry if my English is bad, I'm from Quebec..
So yeah, I really really want to buy the new K2 Wild Heart snowboard, which is perfect for me because it's an All-Mountain Freestyle board and he fits perfectly with my bindings so I wouldn't have to change them. The only problem is that this board only exists in 152CM and I'm 152 CM too.. I usually ride board that are around 146CM.. Is 6CM bigger would do a huge difference ? It this going to cause me trouble to ride in the park and do rails?
 
#18 ·
I'm currently in the process of buying my first board. I'm 5'9 and 78kg, I have a specific board that I'm after and the weight limit for the 149cm is 55-80kg, I've tested a 149cm board numerous times on an indoor slope and found it ok to ride both normally and freestyle and when learning on the slope I used a 151cm as they didn't have any 149cm.
I'm wanting the board more for freestyle anyway and have heard that a freestyle board is best to be slightly smaller even though I've been recommended a 153cm-157cm board but that seems a lot larger tan what I've used before. So I was wondering if it would be ok for my height and weight to ride a 149cm?
 
#19 ·
looking at sizing lib trs narrow

Sorry if im hijacking.
looking at a 2016 TRS narrow .
I ride a 148 length currently and happy.
This board has a 23.7cm waist width. this is were my concern lies.
I have a size 9 boot (a burton ion which claims -1 size profile though I don't know how true that is)
its 9mm less waist width than my current ride which I have no drag issues using.
Will I suffer drag and regret this purchase.
I feel the 151 will be a better match in width but to be honest ive got a tempting deal on a one off 148 narrow and do like riding small
 
#20 · (Edited)
Sup snowboard gods, im new at snowboarding (hence the username) I've gone a couple of times and I enjoy it (1st time I ate lots of snow riding a 147 the board was up to my chin, 2nd time not so much lol rode a 156 which was up to my nose).

Any who...I'm looking to buy a a board and and bindings. I've already bought some boots (DC control size 10.5). I'm 5"8 and around 180ish, I found this board K2 standard 159 wide. Would this be a good board for me base on my weight/height? I just want to cruise down slopes (not too fast, not too slow) be able to turn with ease). Also, what are some good bindings that are won't break the bank? And what size binding should I get based on my boot size and the board being 159 wide? Thanks in advance for any recommendations and opinions.
 
#21 ·
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#22 · (Edited)
what is this forums' opinion of Frosty's Snowboard Size Calculator?

it's doesn't show a flex rating but besides that?
In terms of size and board waist it got me pretty much right for the Mag One I've just ordered, so that's encouraging! Wont be able to confirm until I've actually ridden it though obviously.

Not sure about the list of boards it suggests underneath though. But it looks like they're only pulling their data from Amazon. I only had a quick look at the boards, but every one I clicked on was Amazon.
 
#25 · (Edited)
Hi guys,

These board calculators are responsible for a huge number of new riders making very inappropriate (and expensive to fix) gear choices. Both the input questions and the output results are misguided.

Input:

Shoe size (Oh no!). This has to be barefoot measurement. Shoe size and even boot size (which always should be be two different measurements) should ever be used.
Rider height should never be requested when sizing a board. Rider height has absolutely no bearing on board sizing.

Output:

Any calculator that outputs a board length without reference to a specific model is doing a huge disservice to the snowboard community. The correct size for a given rider can vary by up to 10 cm depending on model.
Width: The resulting range given is larger than the difference between a "normal" and a "Wide" board in most models and is based on Waist Width (ughhh!). Nothing happens at the waist. And.. it is derived from shoe size as above.
 
#26 ·
Thanks Wired! Lucky me though I went with Mondo size. But, I'll definitely agree with you since there wasn't any boards presented to me I just took it as a suggestion. I was looking at boards but I would still look at the manufacturer website for their suggested weight because not all boards are made equally. Really great to have you around this forum.

Sent from my VS990 using Tapatalk
 
#28 ·
Wiredsport is right.
A lot of mistakes are being made using board and boot size calculators.
The best way to find a right board size with you is to consult a fellow seasoned rider and also a specialist in a store.
Boards are not the same and they dont fit the same according to your size. There are boards that fit better in a 156 size, others 154 and others at 158. It depends on the style, the rocker, and the type of construction of the board. Example: Burton has boards like the Nug that fit perfectly 10 cm bellow your normal size. This means that if you use a 156 board, the Nug should be a 146.
And so many other examples are out there like the Burton Landlord, Skeleton Key etc.

The boots are also tricky. Each brand deals with the format of the foot in their own way. Remember that Nike has 3 types of base soles for each foot format and the boot brands do the same. There are simple a few brands that fit their boots better in your feet than others. A size 28 boot may be too long or too short if you try a size 28 from a different brand. It has to do if you have a curved foot, flat foot, wide foot, etc.
So always avoid buying for the first time in a online store. Always buy in a physical store where you can test the gear before buying and get the necessary advice.
 
#29 · (Edited)
So I have some inner conflict about snowboard sizing...

First, a brief run-down of my snowboarding profile:
Age 27 (not growing anymore)
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 130 lb
Feet size: 26.5 cm (and I wear size 11 Burton Highline BOAs)
Stance: +15/-15, 22 inches apart
Experience: Intermediate
Riding preference: I really just like cruising down the mountain in general. I really love it when I can go through some patches of powder, and I'd be open to learning a few little trick techniques later, once I'm more experienced (180s, little jumps, etc.).

Now my issue is regarding board length. I know the prevailing advice by those in the know is to go by weight, but this isn't quite cut-and-dry with my great height and light weight. I bought my first board used, an old Sims Quest 160. Before settling on it, I had visited all of the shops carrying snowboards/gear in my town, and (to my surprise), they all recommended I size my board by height (no less than ~157 cm), and NOT weight, even when I specifically asked about the height vs. weight methods. Ultimately, I bought my 160 cm board because, even though most any size guide online will recommend me a board a bit shorter than this for a 130 lb person, it was the only used (i.e. cheap enough for me to afford) board I could find which was wide enough for my feet. Plus the board was in nice condition. It's served me well so far (though I've never been on a shorter board and don't know if that might feel better or not).

Looking at board specs online, a similar issue can be found, as sometimes my weight will place me in the recommended range for a very short length that doesn't come in a wide option and is too narrow for my size 11 boots. Maximum stance width is potentially an issue as well, as I would like to have the option to widen my bindings by an inch or two should I want to experiment (24~25 inches, ideally). So you see, long legs and normal feet size for a 6'3" person often clash with my weight when I go to size a board by a website or company's guidelines. So how should I size a board? Is there a limit to the "go by weight" rule for someone who's very tall and very light? Or should I ignore the stark difference between my tall, lanky frame and the shorter board length which fits my weight. It seems a little strange for a 6'3" person to ride on a 150 cm or less board, but would that probably be easier and more enjoyable for me?

I ask about this because I know I'll someday want to invest in a brand new true-twin board (because I really want to learn to ride switch) for all-mountain snowboarding, perhaps as soon as for next season. The board I have (a directional twin, I believe - could be mistaken) works great and I love it, but I'm pretty insistent on having a true twin (totally symmetrical flex and no stance setback) when I upgrade.
 
#38 ·
Hi Syn,

Yes, those are larger than we would like to see. Your foot is smaller than that insert. When we get you down to your Mondo size your foot will overhang the insert by ~ 1 cm. That is typical. 27.5 cm is a size 9.5 in snowboard boots.

STOKED!
 
#39 ·
Cool. I feel better about my perspective on boots now. I can assure you I will be trying out some smaller boots next season.

If I may, I'd also like to ask you about my snowboard: my board is a very old (others on this site estimated ~20 yrs) Sims Quest 160. I don't know too much about it other than that it seems to be a directional twin with traditional camber. I have no clue how its stiffness measures up to today's boards. I'm wondering about how appropriate the 160 cm length is for my very light weight of 130 lbs. Most every weight/board length guide I've found would recommend a shorter board for my weight. Unfortunately I don't think any such weight guide can be found for this old board. Any thoughts? I'm interested in all-mountain riding (mainly just riding down the mountain and maybe learning a few little tricks someday). Based on browsing new boards, my size seems to be around 150~155 cm for most models out there today, and I'm wondering if this big old clunky 160 could be making it more difficult for me to turn and maneuver.
 
#40 ·
You completely left out the single most important factor: graphics. I really don't care if the board is camber or rocker as long as it has either some cool skull heads or a hot bikini chick graphic on it.

Intro:

So you've decided to buy a snowboard. Awesome! The following guide will break down how to pick the perfect snowboard that's right for you and the type of terrain you ride.

Video guide:



Text guide:

How to choose a snowboard

To choose a snowboard, you’ll need to decide on 5 main areas: Size, Flex, Width, Shape & Camber. Don’t worry if you don’t understand these words, I’ll explain each term, as well as tell you which areas work best for what.

Remember that as you get more experienced, personal preference will play a bigger role in what you’ll prefer, these are only starting points. There are no set rules on what you have to snowboard with.

Part 1: Snowboard Sizing

Everyone buying a snowboard always gives their height and weight and asks what size they need. It’s not that simple. How flexible or strong a board is, will change the recommended weight for that board’s size.

For example: A 154 cm snowboard might usually have a recommended weight of about 65 kg, but if this particular snowboard is really flexible and built with lighter but weaker materials, the snowboard might instead have a recommended weight of about 60kg.

Also: Never a snowboard based on height. Rarely ever does height play a big role in the size of snowboard you need. This is a common mistake that even many experienced snowboarders will make.

Always aim to pick your size based mainly on your weight and what you want to ride.

Picking a snowboard size based on weight

Below is a list of some very rough weight ranges and their matching snowboard sizes. Remember that certain snowboards may be built slightly weaker or stronger, which will alter their weight range.

If you’d like a more exact weight range for a particular snowboard, you can ask any good snowboard store for a copy of the recommended specifications given to them by the snowboard brand.

Alternatively, you can email the company directly and they should be able to give you the exact recommend weight range for their snowboards.

Rough weight ranges and recommend snowboard sizes

100 to 120 lbs (45 to 54.5 kg) = 140 to 145 cm
120 to 130 lbs (55 to 59 kg) = 140 to 150 cm
130 to 140 lbs (59 to 63.5 kg) = 145 to 150 cm
140 to 150 lbs (63.5 to 68 kg) = 145 to 155 cm
150 to 160 lbs (69 to 72.5 kg) = 150 to 155 cm
160 to 170 lbs (72.5 to 77 kg) = 150 to 160 cm
170 to 180 lbs (77 to 81.5 kg) = 155 to 160 cm
180 to 190 lbs (81.5 to 86 kg) = 155 to 165 cm
190 to 200 lbs (86 to 91 kg) = 160 to 170 cm
200 to 250 lbs (91 to 113 kg) = 165 to 180 cm
250+ lbs (113+ kg) = 180 to 190 cm
....
 
#49 ·
Looking for a new board and Im looking at waist widths.

Currently looking at the Jones explorer or Rossi one mag.

I am a leanish guy at about 68kgs and 183cms tall. My normal running shoes are a 10.5 or 11US but I have a pair of size 11US snowboard boots.
I have recently been refitted for boots and I realize I should have got a size 10 boot and not the 11 and so I will look to replace my snowboard boots in the next few months.
I use large burton mission bindings (but can upgrade to mediums if required)
For the Jones explorer I seem to be in between 2 sizes (the 159 or the 162). Which board would be better?

Would a width of 25.4 be enough for my current boots and large bindings?
 
#50 ·
Hi Shep,

You really do not want to go by a relation to shoe size or boot size. You will want to go by barefoot measurement.

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).
 
#54 ·
Yes, 8.5 cm wide at 26 cm (size 8) length is quite narrow. It is a B width. "Normal" width snowboard boots are D width. The Flow Talon has a narrower fit if you like a very stiff boot. In terms of boards you will want to be looking at narrower widths for the most positive edge to edge transitions. if you are a newer rider this can be a huge factor in speeding up the learning curve.

 
#56 · (Edited)
Hi Buz,

There are a lot of elements that go into any given board. Design and dimensions, materials and manufacturing processes. While there can be similarities between brands, it is unusual for the specs to be identical. It is more valuable to compare specific models. Did you have something in mind?

PS: I feel a little badly posting in this thread because the initial information is far from what what we would suggest. Specifically, any sizing guide that produces a tip to tip length (or length range) is strongly advised against. That practice is responsible for many expensive mistakes and poor rider experiences. I have equal disagreement with the suggestions given for width and flex.
 
#57 · (Edited)
Hi,

I have a Never Summer Raptor 159 (2012) which I love for bombing groomers, powder etc. However I'm now interesting in getting something a bit more playful and start doing some tricks etc. Hence I turn to you... I'm very happy with NS so would not hesitate to buy another, perhaps the Proto Type Two? Unlikely to ever do much in terms of halfpipe, just want a more playful daily driver for hitting jumps and freestyle. Burton Nug looks interesting. Happy for any suggestions!

Stats:
- Weight: ~82kg (180lbs)
- Height: 186cm (~6'1")
- Boots: US 9 (Vans Andreas Wiig specifically)

FWIW I also have Union Force bindings from 2012, in that awesome hazard orange :grin:

Thanks in advance for any help!
 
#59 ·
maybe a Funslinger!

Hi guys,
First post here, can anyone lend advice on what size board I should be buying. I am a beginner so is my first board.
im looking at the yes basic. I fall inbetween the 152 and 155 and not sure which way to go, is 3 cm a big difference?
The weight range of the 152 is 125-165 and the 155 is 135-175. Im 5'9 160 without gear, looking for an all mountain freestyle setup. I understand smaller boards are easier to move but don't want to wish i had gone bigger as I progress. What do you think?
Cheers
get the 155 it will serve you well
 
#58 ·
152 or 155

Hi guys,
First post here, can anyone lend advice on what size board I should be buying. I am a beginner so is my first board.
im looking at the yes basic. I fall inbetween the 152 and 155 and not sure which way to go, is 3 cm a big difference?
The weight range of the 152 is 125-165 and the 155 is 135-175. Im 5'9 160 without gear, looking for an all mountain freestyle setup. I understand smaller boards are easier to move but don't want to wish i had gone bigger as I progress. What do you think?
Cheers
 
#60 ·
Hi Guys,

Rider height is not a factor in board sizing. The best spot to start is with your barefoot measurements (boot size or shoe size should not be used).

For length 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).


For width please place the inside (medial side) of your foot against a wall. Please then measure from the wall out to the widest point on the lateral (outside) of your foot.
 
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