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newbie at work

2K views 30 replies 13 participants last post by  poutanen 
#1 ·
Hello,
I was just wondering if girls (i.e. aged 16/17/18) can ride mens snowboards? would it be at all anymore difficult than riding a womens board? they usually tend to have cooler designs and was just curious.
 
#5 · (Edited)
Well, I was typing my response when this was posted! Don't know if SK was being serious or his usual sarcastic self, but since he knows a lot more about boards than I do, if he's serious and correct,...

....don't I feel like a moron?! ;) :giggle: (...can I delete my original post's idiocy?) ;)


[edit]
.....A good rule of thumb for felame's is no board taller than ur chin unless ur good enough to want 1 bigger
Sorry dude,.. Even I know that's WRONG! Weight, not chin height!!!!
 
#3 ·
IDK for sure, but If you fall into the "petite" category You might have a little trouble finding a men's board in a short enough range for your weight, but if you do find one that fits, Gender has nothing to do with how the board rides!

The boards performance/fit is based on riders weight! Most women's boards seem to be offered in much shorter lengths than men's boards, probably because there aren't a whole lot of 6'2" - 230 lb women riders? Maybe in Russia? :giggle:

I'm pretty sure that one of our EU female members, neni rides a mens board or two! She can probably give you a more knowledgeable, in depth opinion!
(....and she definitely does not fall into that 6'+ 200+lb weight range!) ;)
 
#7 ·
You guys are making an assumption about what OP's daughter weighs. I've seen a lot of guys on this board that weigh <165lbs. There's a LOT of women out there that weigh that much. Girls boards are softer under the assumption that she is lighter, but if you size the men's board to her weight, she should be fine.
 
#8 ·
???Deac, Not trying to be argumentative but the Only thing I assumed was that a 16-17-18 yo girl, probably wasn't built like a female Russian Shot Putter! And didn't I just say that a men's board sized to her weight should ride the same regardless of whether it is being ridden by a man or woman?

You say a woman's board is "softer" assuming they weigh less, but wouldn't a "man's" board sized for a light weight dude be just as soft?

Why should a woman's 165 lb sized board be any softer than a man's 165 lb. sized board?? Sexism maybe? :dunno: Has someone made the assumption that a 165 lb (...just a weight picked for example, no other reason!) woman is somehow weaker and can't flex a "Man's" board properly?

:storm:(....Somehow I see a shitstorm coming in this post with a lot of the female members jumping in here to rip some misogynist ass!!! ESPECIALLY after that "gotta keep it simple for them" comment!!) :eek: :giggle:
 
#9 · (Edited)
i want that smiley with the head smashing on wall

Actually Deacon weight is not the only consideration. A board made for a 150lb woman is going to be designed differently than the same deck for a 150lb man. One example of physics you and Chomps are ignoring here is strength to weight ratios. There are other significant factors at play like average foot size/weight and average center of gravity.

Yes Chomps I was being serious.

All that being said I'd let the ladies give their own experience, I've seen some shredding on mens boards in the park, and I also know I've read here that some tried the mens board route only to be really happy to switch to womens.

Womens boards are designed for them specifically for a reason, its not a men's deck with flowers painted pink.
 
#10 ·
Actually Deacon weight is not the only consideration. A board made for a 150lb woman is going to be designed differently than the same deck for a 150lb man.

Yes Chomps I was being serious.
Ok thanks SK! good to know!

I made my assumption based on all the boards riders specs being based on weight, and since 150 lbs. is 150 lbs., man or woman I figured it made no difference! (...yes, I forgot my drill instructors admonition about what happens when you "AssUMe!!" ) :laugh:

Since OP was asking for advice on this, I will ask the obvious question as to "why" at the same weight, would gender affect board design/performance/ride? Does it have something to do with the general differences in body weight/mass distribution between average male & female?
 
#15 · (Edited)
The puristic answer: Yes sure, girls can ride men's boards. Plenty of girls riding men's boards.

But it depends on the girl if it's "at all anymore difficult than riding a womens board" :) I remember several members of this forum here prefering men's boards, and I ride them evers since. It's a very personal question of preferences.

Women's boards are in general softer than men's, but carefull: it's a generalization. You need to compare boards of the same purpose and not at randomn (how does a women's Jones Mothership compare to a men's park noodle...?). If you compare specifically e.g. freeride boards, men's freeride boards will be gererally stiffer than women's freeride boards.

More averages... A girl the same hight as a guy is in general lighter and has average smaller feet. Men's board the same size as a girl's board are in general wider. If the board is too wide for your feet, it'll be harder to turn. Now which size and width is good for you, depends on your stance and angles and weight and experience and riding style...

So if you're an average girl (not meant in a bad way! I mean, not overly heavy, tall, bigfoot) and you're beginner (meaning you don't have aquired habits yet, no specific preferences, no weird binding angles), you're more likely to find a suitable board in the girl's section. However, if you're that average girl, you're also not overly petite and might as well find a good board in the section with guy's beginner boards, if you really don't find a girl's you like ;)


BTW: Graphics are again an average thing... The Palmer Liberty Carbon '06 was actually the first women's board I've owned. Not the typical pinkish rainbow n unicorn girl's board :laugh:



If you're interested in snowboard gear review's of a girl: Shayboarder.com | The World of Snowboarding Through Fembot Eyes


Edit: Holy! I'm really slow with typing... This thread was virgin when I began to type my answer and meanwhile already 14 answers are posted. My post might be outdated :)
 
#16 ·
If you're interested in snowboard gear review's of a girl: Shayboarder.com | The World of Snowboarding Through Fembot Eyes
Eh. I don't find shayboarder to be a good source for women's gear, unfortunately. She reviews way more men's product than women's. I think part of that is due to her physical stats (which is fine) but it doesn't really help the more (as you defined) average girl.

Check out Zara's reviews on 2014 Snowboard Review Recap «. Within the list of brands you'll see the Ladies sections.
 
#22 ·
God you people are over analyzing it once again. Repeat after me "keep it simple stupid!" come on now everyone say it.

A lot of companies WSD (Women specific design) are just shrinked and pinked. Weight is the dominate factor. So ask yourself "am I in the weight range for this board" yes? Cool you can ride it. Then ask yourself do my feet match up with the waist width? Yes? Cool you can ride it. No you're not in the weight range, go look at something else. Waist width is too big for your dainty little feet, cool ride something else.

It's a very simple concept. Girthy girls yes anorexic fashion models no.
 
#23 ·
God you people are over analyzing it once again. Repeat after me "keep it simple stupid!" come on now everyone say it.

A lot of companies WSD (Women specific design) are just shrinked and pinked. Weight is the dominate factor. So ask yourself "am I in the weight range for this board" yes? Cool you can ride it. Then ask yourself do my feet match up with the waist width? Yes? Cool you can ride it. No you're not in the weight range, go look at something else. Waist width is too big for your dainty little feet, cool ride something else.

It's a very simple concept. Girthy girls yes anorexic fashion models no.
By shrinked do you mean regarding the flex patterns? A lot of companies seem to highlight flex patterns being different thus more suited for women.

Looking at a catalog right now, mentions "...flex patterns and shapes for a woman's needs."




Not to over-analyze, just that I'm beginning to feel I've been lied to via marketing tactics.
 
#30 ·
Maybe I missed it but there are too many suggestions without asking the OP "her" weight/size. If she is petite I suggest stick with a women specific board but if she is a bigger powerful sporty girl she could definitely ride and mans board that fits her weight. And if she is a bigger women I'm guessing she would have a bigger foot. Like be BA said, it's about weight so stop complicating it. It's just a damn board it's not that critical if you stay with the perimeters.
 
#31 ·
Yeah honestly! This is just like people that overthink the difference between identical boards in 154 or 156. It's 1.5% different not the end of the world!

Most of the custom board builders don't even offer gender specific models.

Again, if you're in the weight range of the board it should be fine, but as advised above don't pick one based on graphics. Pick the board that best suits the rider.
 
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