Buying a board is a big step and can be exciting if you know what you want.

Different boards are going to help you do different things – whether it’s ripping it in the park, shredding the mountain, or enjoying the backcountry.  Many snowboarders want different things – so before you buy, decide what you want to do with your board and what kind of snow your planning on boarding in.

Choosing the right board for you can be as simple as a three-step process.

1. Choose your model – All-Terrain, All-Mountain Pro, Park, or Blank Canvas
2. Choose the length
3. Consider the width

MODEL

If you are looking for a good all around board the All-Terrain board is an excellent choice.  If you want a top of the line wicked fast board choose the All-Mountain Pro board.  If you are planning or doing a lot of rails and riding in the park chose our Park board.

Camber:  All of our boards are traditional camber except for our park board.  If you want to learn more about camber, here is a great article on traditional and reverse camber

LENGTH & WIDTH

Now that you’ve chosen the board, you’ll want to fine-tune your selection by selecting the proper length and width.

LENGTH

Length is the most important thing to consider once you have chosen your model.

The snowboard length is measured in centimeters.  Below general recommendations for snowboard lengths based on height.  You may decide to go with a slightly shorter or longer based on riding preferences.

The table provides a general recommendation for packed snow conditions. You’ll notice that each board size covers a fairly wide range of heights. As long you fall within this range your snowboard is going to suit you just fine. However, you may prefer that your board is on the longer or shorter side of the spectrum depending on your personal preference and riding style.

There are a few widely recognized recommendations that are worth noting:

Short (collarbone to chin) – shorter boards lead to more control. Riders who are inexperienced would probably want a board on the shorter side. Boarders who ride in the park would also consider riding a shorter board.

Long (nose to chin) – all-mountain riders love the longer boards. The longer the board, the faster you will go. You forgo some control; however, you get more speed and float on snow.

Longest (nose or above) – if you ride in deep powder, a really long board might be a good option.

WIDTH

Width is next thing you need to consider.

You want your feet to expand across the whole width of the board to ensure control.  However, you want a balance – so you don’t want your toes or heels to hang to far over the board.  This is called toe/heel drag.

If your toes or heels hang off the edge of the board you need a wider board.  So if you have size 12+ feet, you’ll definitely want to buy either our 159cm wide or are 163 cm board.

Ultimately, the size of boots that fit on a board depends on your stance.  The wider your stance the larger the boot that will fit on your board.  Also, the more angled your stance the larger the boot that can fit on a board.

Here are rough recommendations for the max recommended boot sizes specifically for our snowboards:

In the end, if your feet still overhang too much.  Companies also sell risers to lift the binding up higher and mitigate toe and heel drag.

FINAL THOUGHTS

When it comes to finding your perfect board, ignore the graphics and focus on what you want your board to do for you. Find out what aspects are important to you and find the board that fits your needs.