Which Snowboard Size Is Right For Me

GearHungry Staff

GearHungry Staff posts are a compilation of work by diverse members of our editorial team. Nosotros update old manufactures regularly to provide you the nearly current information. Yous can acquire more about our staff here.

GearHungry may earn a pocket-sized commission from affiliate links in this article. Larn more

Every rider has their own fashion, their own board type, and their own preferences when it comes to snowboards. It's like an artists' paint brush; it has to be just right. We've spent our fair share of time on snowboarding trails, mountains, and even frozen-over golf game courses all in the search of shredding as much powder as possible. Your innate skill demands the best snowboards to give you ameliorate grip, better meridian off of jumps, and an overall smoother ride. Well, we've taken care of that last part—these are the best snowboards available, each fitting different riding styles and aesthetic preferences.

The All-time Snowboard

1

Lib Tech T.Rice Pro Snowboard

product-img

Lib Tech is the king brand of men's snowboards. This pattern has basically won the hearts of all who've ridden it. Built out of birch, basalt and a unique blend of aspen and paulownia, Lib Tech T.Rice Pro Snowboard is a medium to firm flex that grants reasonable command and treatment to the rider. Your dexterity is enhanced through the Magne-Traction design on the board top, so you're always stuck to your board through thick and thin.

Nigh snowboards have a winged tip to them to help cut through the snowfall, but Lib Tech did something unique with this geometric dual tip to flip management whenever you want, but also go requite you a balance of gliding on pulverization and plowing through the thicker stuff. Information technology's not just the tip shape though; they besides establish a style to make a camber and rocker design work together, then you get actress pressure in key points when y'all desire it, and yous glide the rest of the time. For more absurd winter sports gear, check out our guide to the best ski boots.

Key Features:

Flexible aspen and paulownia frame core

Medium to firm flex rating (about a seven)

Unique camber and rocker mixed lath fashion

Geometric tips make this a unidirectional board

Good quality traction thanks to basalt and Magne-Traction, a stronger edge concord

Specification:

Make Lib Tech
Weight 12 pounds

2

Burton Instigator Snowboard

product-img

Burton is back at it again with another stellar board. Burton Instigator Snowboard is made with ane of the most flexible and overall high-quality cores ever, an 800G Dualzone with a myriad of materials that give information technology that proper bit of bend, but still keeps information technology firm when you lot need it most. It works in tandem with the cruise control tone as it allows you lot to glide with fiddling to no drag, then you tin can outpace your old tape speed and piece through the snowbanks even faster on your way downhill.

The Instigator is already a ill proper name, simply what'south even ameliorate is that it comes in a large variety of different sizes for you to choose from. Whatever lath length suits you best, at that place'south going to exist an Instigator destined for y'all. The directional shape basically makes your journeying down the slopes smooth and easy, and works with the Flat Top bend to assist yous maintain limited command over the board. Information technology's an intermediate level lath when you want speed over rigorous handling.

Key Features:

Insane multifariousness of board lengths and sizes bachelor; there's an Instigator for y'all

Prowl control tone for limitless, free-feeling gliding

Apartment Elevation bend w/ twin flex organisation

Durable and flexible 800G Dualzone cadre

Directional shape for streamlined slope action

Specification:

Brand Burton
Model BHBUKPPAZINH3311
Weight 12 pounds

3

Burton Flying Bellboy 2019 Model Snowboard

product-img

The Flying Attendant series was just and then good that we had to throw another one in here. The 2019 model didn't necessarily meliorate upon the 2018 model, but information technology'south still a ripper lath that you'd exist shredding one time you got onto it. With an improved squeezebox in the center, you lot'll get a bit more than pop when you go off a ramp or over small slopes. Upon that landing, the weight distribution from the 700G Super Fly core goes to piece of work, and minimizes the impact that you experience on your feet when you lot stick a landing.

And then there's the directional flex system that we can't get enough of. The tail is designed to be a bit wider, and the narrow nose helps you streamline your gliding to become the all-time speed, and notwithstanding hold onto your maneuverability. Burton is a pro when it comes to making certain their boards are available in every size imaginable. Regardless of how you ride, you're going to have a abode with Burton. Concluding just not to the lowest degree, at that place's an aspect called The Channel, which allows yous command your stance like y'all were glued to the matter, and it even comes with a three-year guarantee on it. Our guide to the best ski helmets features some great equipment for winter sports enthusiasts, so bank check them out.

Fundamental Features:

Improved squeezebox over the 2018 model

700G Super Fly core gives better weight distribution

Directional flex contours to the slope for better all-terrain control

Longer nose directional shape for maximum speed

Bachelor in a wide variety of sizes for every snowboarder out there

Specification:

Brand Burton
Model Flying Attendant Snowboard 2019
Weight 12 pounds

4

Capita Indoor Survival Men's Snowboard

product-img

Capita boards are the stuff legends are made out of, and the Indoor Survival board is no exception. Aye, indoor snowboarding isn't what the pros are really doing, but it'southward a hell of a good time and you nonetheless need a good quality lath to perform properly. Capita Indoor Survival Men'south Snowboard comes with a superdrive base that is not merely chafe resistant, but information technology helps by reinforcing the entire exterior with fiberglass for a smoother, faster ride.

Speaking of reinforcement, you'll also get an agreeable five flex rating due to the steel edging around the entire board, too as the titanal struts along the bottom. Four aluminum strips assistance with your touch on control and bounciness when you lot stick a landing by moving with the board, and contouring to your environment at the same fourth dimension. That's also helped by the positive chamber (where the base slightly bows upward) to give a lilliputian boost to your movements.

Fundamental Features:

Extremely abrasion resistant fiberglass finish and superdrive base

5 flex rating for the perfect go-betwixt of control and speed

360° steel edges for boosted durability

Titanal struts help with flexibility and structural reinforcement

Positive chamber for extra popular in your landings

Specification:

Brand Capita
Weight 12 pounds

5

Rossignol Commune Men's Snowboard

product-img

Beginner? Rossignol's got you covered. This board is wildly inexpensive when you lot compare information technology confronting some of the others on this listing, and it's designed for newcomers to use to get a hold of snowboarding. Rossignol District Men'south Snowboard has a fully wooden core, which keeps it ultralight and piece of cake to ride. You don't have a lot of push and pull like y'all might with fiberglass boards.

They've equipped this with an 80/twenty rocker/camber split up, and while it'due south unorthodox, it certainly makes for a unique riding experience. All this meshes together to requite you lot a 5 flex rating that isn't going to disappoint; information technology's the perfect remainder between speed and control, which works extremely well for beginners. Last but not to the lowest degree, the traction padding on the height of the board feelings excellent in your bindings, and is h2o resistant so you'll exist able to enjoy it for years.

Key Features:

5 flex rating for a rest of power and speed

80/twenty rocker/camber mix for a unique ride

Flexible wood cadre keeps this board lightweight

Excellent traction padding is water resistant

Specification:

Brand Rossignol
Weight 12 pounds

6

Rossignol Excursion Snowboard

product-img

Only because the Rossignol Circuit doesn't have a lot of reviews on Amazon, don't discount it simply still. This board has an impressive reputation as a solid beginner'south board. Y'all might think it's a little expensive for a beginner just that's only how information technology goes with winter sports equipment. Y'all've got to invest some money if y'all desire the proper gear.

This all-mountain board has an AmpTek Auto Turn Rocker, designed to brand plow initiation easier for the beginner and intermediate boarder. Information technology's just every bit comfortable in the powder as it is on the piste. Although, if you're just starting out, we wouldn't recommend searching for that fresh pulverization just notwithstanding. That will come. As is the case with most snowboards, information technology doesn't come with bindings mounted, so you'll accept to buy them separately.

Central Features:

100% sustainable wood

All mountain board

AmpTek Auto Turn Rocker

No bindings included

Freestyle versatility

Specification:

Make Rossignol
Model Circuit
Weight 4.iv pounds

7

Jones Explorer Split up Board 2019 Model

product-img

Last only not least on our list, we couldn't aid merely discuss one of the most fun snowboards you'll ever attempt. Split boards take a bit more than control and dexterity to use properly, but they're a lot of fun once you get the hang of it. This split up board, in particular, comes with steel reinforcements throughout the whole lath, which not only help absorb stupor when you stick a hard landing, merely just proceed these from warping with fourth dimension like some other separate boards do. Between that and the locking tension tail prune that helps the board fuse dorsum together, Jones Explorer Split Lath is a well-balanced ride the whole mode through.

Role of that comes from the rocker and camber blueprint that also helps you keep your traction going strong throughout your entire ride. Most split boards accept a difficult time remaining firm, just this actually has a half dozen flex rating to go on it stiff and rigid under farthermost use. Jones also has a manner to catch your eye with a stellar design, and the artful points never hurt. For skiing fans, we accept prepared our selection of the best ski masks, so check them out.

Key Features:

Tension tail clip helps combine halves dorsum together

Divide design seamlessly comes apart at your command

half-dozen flex rating for slightly stiffer riding

Stainless steel reinforcement organisation

Rocker/camber underfoot helps sustain traction

Specification:

Make Jones New York
Weight 12 pounds

Snowboard Ownership Guide

How We Chose Our Selection Of Snowboards

Reviews – Reviews give us an opportunity to learn from others' experiences. Y'all can tell a well-written, openly disquisitional and intelligible review apart from the rest of them, and those are what drive better choices and brand/product insights. We employ these to help develop our shortlist prior to testing. While some of these boards initially came as personal recommendations from the Gear Hungry staff, others required more in-depth inquiry and assay before we ordered and tested them ourselves. Needless to say, the entire test phase was ripper fun.

Price – The dinero dictates the final decision. Snowboards go pricey (nosotros know yous know that, merely human being there are some expensive ones out there), and yous have to counterbalance what'southward worth it versus what's non worth your time. It's difficult to decide pricing, but later on personally putting these lath to the test, it was easier to distinguish what was worth the cost. We took upkeep-friendly pricing into account as best we could.

a snowboarder

Features To Look For In Snowboards

Size – Sizing snowboard equipment is always a bit tricky, but thankfully snowboards are pretty straightforward. Look to the weight and other factors, such as the width and length, to properly decide how the board is going to perform for you. Size is related to your superlative and weight as well, so be certain to get something that fits your body style.

Shape – The tips on either end of your board make an impact in your aerodynamics and how y'all raise off the snowfall during a jump. For example, freestyle snowboards have twin tips, but a freeride board usually has no tips at the terminate. These shapes are important, and should correlate to your preferred riding style.

Binding – Your snowboard and bounden become manus-in-hand. The binding is relative to the snowboard length, and each foothold is spaced appropriately to business relationship for the boilerplate top and leg span of the passenger. Binding information usually has a narrow range of shoe/boot sizes that it volition accept, and so be sure that yous don't find the perfect lath that ends up with bounden that doesn't suit you. You lot can customize this later if you notwithstanding want to get the board, but it drives up the price.

Length – Length is 1 of the deciding factors in your weight distribution and middle of gravity. Newcomers to snowboarding will oft question why the length matters, and make comparisons to skateboards and how their length doesn't change ofttimes. Information technology's a different ready of rules. Your COG structures your balance on your board, and the length dictates your reaction time and turning radius/speed besides. There are over a dozen lath lengths designed to fit unlike snowboarder heights.

Camber – Camber boards are the polar opposite of rockers. These board styles use 2 points of contact (the pressure from your feet) to weigh down the board and dictate how it volition plow and glide. Cambers are i of the nigh common blazon of snowboard y'all will see, and have a slight fleck of drag compared to rockers.

man snowboarding

Rocker – This is the opposite of a camber board blazon. Built with a fully flat pattern, this takes the weight of the rider and evenly distributes it amongst the unabridged lath length instead of in two main spots. Rockers have more glide to them, which is why more than pro boards are rockers than cambers.

Width – Another feature that's relative to your size and weight. Ideally, the width of your board will accept almost 0.5" of overhang from your boot on either side. Nigh of your human foot will remainder on the board, with a tiny scrap of overhang. If this doesn't feel right or impairs your ability to keep riding, don't worry; they make ultrawide boards for that. Ultrawide boards basically offering more control at the toll of rapid turning.

Flex – You're going to hit a jump, and y'all're going to land; all that kinetic energy transfers into pressure on the lath. Flex is important, otherwise you're going to have a lot of maintenance and a few replacements in your not-and then-distant future. There is a flex rating system, ranging from 1-10. On the 1-two end, information technology's softer and more flexible (but more fragile), and steadily increases in compactness and durability as the numbers climb. The tricky part is finding your ideal flex rating for your riding fashion.

Material – Snowboards have come a long style in their basic designs, and the number of materials that are used during construction. Snowboarding gear can include cream, fiberglass, summit sheets, woods, metal, plastic, resin, rubber foil and glue, just so name a few. Mind yous, each of those material categories take sub items (i.e., dissimilar sources of wood, mucilage ratings, etc.). The materials matter, but y'all'll know how reliable they are based on the flex rating and user reviews.

Types Of Snowboards

All-Terrain Boards – All mountain snowboards are designed to be ridden in one direction, and come with the more versatile variety of traits for every blazon of passenger. They're the best beginner board, and work well for veteran snowboarders who want to shred with a residual of handling and speed. These tend to be the to the lowest degree expensive boards every bit they're in the highest need.

Pulverization Boards – These are a ton of fun. Powder boards are typically broad snowboards with a funny carve up in the back end of eh tail. Towards the front, information technology widens to create a bellowed tip, which helps with gliding on the top of the snowfall instead of plowing through it. You'll meet most powder boards as rockers and then you aren't dragging in the fresh pulverisation.

Indoor Boards – These are variants of all-terrain boards, unremarkably featuring a stiffer board on the flex rating scale. The reason behind this is that there'south usually just a single slope in one management at indoor snowboarding and skiing resorts, so you're not trying to business relationship for nature'due south variables and changes in terrain. Admittedly, these are adequately flimsy and built to be cheap.

Divide Boards – Just as you'd imagine, these split right down the middle. The point is that yous don't accept to take off the binding, just you lot tin can split the board and walk uphill similar they were a pair of brusque skis. Y'all reconnect them before heading downhill. These aren't very common, and they come with a slightly increased danger rating if your board splits while you're going downhill.

Freestyle Boards – It'southward time to permit your skill control the direction. Freestyle boards are almost ever super flexible, lightweight, and narrow for quicker turns and faster genu-wiggle reactions. These are by no means beginner boards, then you should just catch one of these if yous're really looking to shred and put your years of feel to the test. Because the flex rating is always low, these are ordinarily inexpensive to obtain.

Freeride Boards – Freeride snowboards are super potent boards on the college end of the flex rating calibration with a atypical directional tip. They're fairly narrow and basic in construction, but every bit a result, you don't have to pay a ton out of pocket to get one of these beauties. If you want a little more speed and a lot more control, this is the way to go.