If you are tired of renting a snowboard every time you travel and go for winter sports, probably it’s the right time to invest in a new one. But, surely you have a lot of questions since when renting someone else is estimating the size for you, and other important features. Buying your first snowboard is different than choosing which one to rent. Now you have to pay attention to the size, quality features, price, and many other things that come with buying new gear.
According to Never Summer, you need to surely know the type you want, make sure you know enough about different shapes, the profile, your body features, the proper posture you need to take, and how your body weight can affect the overall performance. In this article, we will try to help you figure out this one, and we hope you will find these tips useful:
1. Know the type of snowboard you want to buy
Source: popularmechanics.com
For example, if you want a board that will be good for all the snow conditions and trails, you need to go for an all-mountain type. If you see the label regular camber, that means the whole length of the board will touch the snow, giving you a great way to keep the balance and control the speed. Additionally, you have other types too, like freestyle, freeride, freecarve, and splitboard. Knowing your type will save you a lot of time at the store, and you can focus on the types and models you really need.
2. Choose the snowboard size carefully
How to measure if the snowboard is the right size for you? The length should be below your chin. It only needs to nearly touch it. If you are heavier, you can take a little longer board, but it shouldn’t go over your head. If you are very skinny and your weight is lower than the average for your body length, you should go with shorter boards. If you wear big sizes of shoes, you need to get a wide board. For example, if your shoe size is more than 11, go for wide boards. Use regular boards if your feet are smaller than that.
In general, the size of the board must match your height, weight, and shoe size. But, if you practice different styles, you must match it with that too. Also, it depends if you are a man or a woman too. For example, women with shoe sizes bigger than 9, should shop in the men’s section, so they can find what they need for them. Beginners should use shorter, and advanced boarders longer and wider boards.
3. Learn which are the most popular brands
Source: travelplanner.app
A popular brand doesn’t always mean the most expensive one. There are affordable brands that provide gear and equipment for snow sports. Also, they provide a great warranty policy (most of the time), so you can be sure you are always getting the best product for your money. Additionally, it’s always better to buy your snowboard and all the additional gear from specialized shops, where an educated staff is hired. They will help you find the exact product you need.
4. Don’t go for expensive boards immediately
If you are a beginner, you don’t need to spend a lot of money on a snowboard. You can find exceptional models on sale too. You are in a phase when you are learning how to board, so you shouldn’t try to protect your gear. Instead, you will have to crash and bump a few times until you are ready to take a part in this sport actively. Start with good, but cheaper models, and practice with them. After a few months, or even years, when you feel you are ready, you can go for better models and brands, and of course, invest more money in great gear.
5. What about the additional equipment
It’s not just the board. If you go out for a snow sport, you need proper equipment too. That means you need to invest in boots, helmets, and bindings. They will protect you when you fall, and prevent injuries. Also, you will feel more comfortable and secure while wearing them. So, don’t mind, and get your gear, together with the board.
6. A few other tips
Source: gearjunkie.com
As you can see, you have so many options to choose from, including the different materials, profiles, and price ranges too. You need to choose it smartly, so it can last up to two years until you are ready to move to a more professional model. Snowboarding is an exciting journey, but you have to practice it until you are sure you can survive all those terrains.
Of course, the first step in finding your new gear is choosing a reliable seller to help you with your choice. Next, you need to complete your budget and tell the sales staff if you are limited with it or not. After that, let them recommend you their bestsellers that meet your budget. Surely, you can always get ready at home, by researching the most popular profiles and how they are used.
When you arrive at the store, tell the staff your intentions and let them recommend you the best choices. You can talk to them, ask for their experience, what the others are usually buying, and of course, how to maintain your board and additional equipment, so it can last longer for you.
Conclusion
Buying sports equipment needs a different approach than choosing the clothes you are wearing every day. You need to choose quality products, even if that means you will have to spend more money on them.
If you are inexperienced, don’t mind taking someone with you to help you choose it, someone who knows how to board, or even your boarding instructor, so you can make the right choice.
In the end, you are the one who needs to use it and stay safe through that process. Just follow our tips, and you will find the best product for you.
