This article takes a look at all of the factors that will help to determine what size snowboard will work best for you.
Instructions
1. Check yourself out. Purchasing a snowboard may seem as easy as going to the store, picking out a board and some bindings, putting everything together, then riding; but in reality, there are many factors that should go into determining the size of a snowboard. Your overall experience with the sport does carry some weight in the decision, but we’ll get to that later. The two most important factors you should consider when purchasing a board are your individual height and weight. Many riders will use the chin method when figuring out the length of the board, and unless you have a very long head, this method isn’t far off. For riders who aren’t looking to do any specific moves or tricks with their board, the length of your board should be equal to about 88 percent to 91 percent of your overall height. Usually if you stand the board up straight and can rest your chin on it, you’ve got a board that will work. If you want to get the board specific to your height, you can always use this formula: rider height (inches) x 2.54 x 0.88 = suggested board Length (cm). By calculating this formula, you can discover the board length that will work best for your height. Board width is another factor that should be taken into consideration in order to determine the size of a snowboard that is right for you; it is also a factor that is considered to be more important overall than board length. Your board width should be determined by your boot size. Boarding is all about using your edges, if your heel or toe are hanging over the edge of your board because it is too narrow, you run the risk of toe or heel drag. On the other hand, if you purchase a board that is too wide, you’ll have a tougher time putting adequate pressure on both the front and back edge of your board; this will cause it to be less maneuverable. If your boot size is 8 or smaller, get a narrow width board, if it ranges from 8.5 to 10.5 get a regular width board, if your boot size is larger than 10.5 get a wide width board. Weight is also a factor that should be looked at when purchasing a board. The length of your board should always be referenced to your weight in order to ensure you are purchasing a board that will perform well. Heavier individuals are discouraged from purchasing shorter boards because their weight is not as easily distributed and often leads to wash outs. At the other end of the spectrum, those riders who are on the lighter side are discouraged from purchasing longer boards because they will be harder to control and maneuver. It is important to purchase a board that will perform well.
2. Another factor to take into consideration when purchasing a board is your gender. Males and females carry their weight differently, therefore it is important to purchase a board that is designed specifically for your gender. When first developed, snowboards were unisex, but as the sport has expanded, women’s boards have been developed that take into account smaller boot size, lighter weight and lower center of gravity. It is strongly suggested that women riders purchase a female snowboard. A male board of the exact same size will ride very differently.
3. If you consider yourself to be an athlete and a seasoned rider, you may want to take your athletic skills into consideration when determining the snowboard size you’ll need. While it is suggested that riders choose a board according to their individual height, utilizing a board that is longer or shorter may allow you to perform different skills and tricks while riding. Longer boards allow riders to cover more terrain and gain speed at a faster rate because the board covers more snow surface area. Shorter boards are much easier to control and maneuver; they are good for those riders who are into doing stunts and tricks while riding. It is important to consider what exactly you are looking to accomplish while riding in order to determine what the best board size will be for you.
4. Consider terrain and conditions. What sort of conditions are you riding in? Do you have well packed snow? Powder? Man made snow? Iicy conditions? Knowing what type of terrain you’ll be riding on is also something that should be taken into consideration when choosing a board size. For those who are continually riding in powder conditions, a longer board may be more suitable. This board will give you control but will also maximize your speed. For man made snow and more icy conditions, a shorter board will come in handy. The shorter board will give you more control on slippery terrain. It is also suggested that you consider the overall weight of the board. Lighter boards are used for those performing tricks while heavier boards are often used to gain and maintain speed on proper terrain. Knowing what type of riding you’ll be doing is great knowledge to have when purchasing a board.
