How to Choose a Snowboard Set

If you're not sure which snowboard, boots and bindings are best for you, we've got some tips on how to choose the snowboard set that suits you best.

The snowboard complete consists of three components: snowboard, bindings and boots. However, you can also choose a snowboard set which consists of a snowboard and bindings. In case you are buying a completely new equipment, the set is an ideal solution. The main advantage is its favorable price and fine-tuned design.

Choosing a Snowboard

Whether you are the first-time rider, a slope veteran or somewhere in between, it’s crucial that you know what you're looking for when buying your next snowboard.
Take some time and learn about the different elements that come with snowboarding; then you can narrow down your choices based on your ability level, riding style and budget. Read through this guide and you’ll have the knowledge you need to pinpoint your ideal board.

Board Lenght

Board length is typically connected to both a rider’s height and their boarding style. In order to find the right length for your needs, start by holding the board upright to compare it to your own height: Short boards will come up to somewhere between your collarbone and your chin.
Because shorter boards are easier to maneuver, they are great to learn on and are preferred by riders who do a lot of tricks, park and pipe riding. Medium-length boards will come up between your chin and nose. If you are an intermediate-to-advanced rider who prefers a variety of terrains (parks and slopes), this could be the right size for you. Long boards range from eye-level to several inches over the top of your head, and are best for high-speed carving, deep powder and big mountain terrain.

Rider Weight

It’s essential to keep your weight in mind when buying a snowboard. In fact, some people will tell you that it is the most important rider characteristic to be considered. The reason? While a snowboard has no clue how tall the person standing on it is, it does know their weight. That’s why you should generally adhere to the manufacturers’ suggestions concerning rider weight, as their boards have been carefully designed with this factor in mind. When a heavy rider buys a board that is too short, the board will have a tendency to perform poorly, especially at higher speeds.
On the other hand, when a light person rides a board that is too long, they will usually have trouble controlling their board and initiating turns. Pick out a board that matches your tastes and style, but be sure that it will be as good as it can be on the slopes by shopping in your size.

Waist Width

The width of a board is measured at its narrowest point, also known as the “waist.” Depending on the type of riding you’ll be doing and the size of your feet, the width of your board will vary based on your requirements. Boards with a narrower waist width are quicker from edge to edge; however, the width should also be relative to the size of your feet. If your feet are a U.S. size 10 or larger, you may have problems with a narrow board. To prevent your boots from extending over the side of your board, it’s better to opt for a slightly wider waist to prevent dragging your heels or toes in the snow as you turn.
Another option for larger feet: angle your stance a bit more so that your entire foot is set squarely on the board’s surface.

Types of Snowboards

• All-mountain boards are the best bet for riders who want one board to shred everything the resort has to offer. These versatile decks can handle a huge variety of terrains —they offer enough stability and control to charge hard, but enough playfulness and float to spin off jumps or slash deep stashes.
• Freestyle boards are the most fun for riders who are focused on building a big bag of tricks both in and out of the park. They’re lightweight, poppy, and designed to be easy to throw around and allow you to land tricks in either direction.
• A situational board for all but the biggest snow snobs, powder boards deliver maximum float on those days when staying on top of the fresh stuff is the biggest priority. These boards will often have elongated noses or tapered shapes (or both) to increase surface area and prevent your legs from getting thrashed by noon.

A big part of any snowboard’s identity comes from its profile. Not too many years ago, all boards were made with traditional camber, but there’s been a semi-recent influx of new ways to configure a board’s natural bend. It fits into four basic categories:

• Camber boards offer the most pop, control, and stability of any profile, but are less forgiving and harder to keep on top of the powder.
• Rocker boards partially lift their edges out of the snow to reduce hangups and increase powder flotation, at the expense of control and liveliness. Many companies employ grip-enhancing edge technologies to offset the “slippery” feel of rocker boards.
• Hybrid boards use both rocker and camber in different areas to combine some of the benefits of each. Depending on how much of each is used and where, these boards can ride closer to one end or the other of the rocker/camber spectrum.
• Flat boards are somewhere between hybrid and traditional camber designs in terms of balancing control, pop, and forgiveness. Usually more stable and lively than rocker or hybrid boards, but also a bit more likely to snag an edge.

Anchoring Bindings

Some Burton and Endeavor snowboards feature Chanel technology, which allows for a more precise layout and binding angle than conventional four-point anchored bindings.

Snowboard Boots

Snowboard boots should be your first acquisition when assembling a board-boots-binding setup. You want boots to fit comfortably so you can move on to bindings and create a great match. Boots, more than a board, are where to invest a little if you can afford to do so to ensure you get the right fit.
The snowboard boots you select should be well matched to your usual riding style and the snow conditions you most frequently encounter.
If you are trying your new boots on in person, bring your riding socks to the shop with you. Snowboarding-specific socks are your best bet to keep dry, warm and comfortable in your boots. These socks have moisture-wicking properties and are specifically designed to discourage rubbing and irritation while riding. Don’t wear socks that are 100% cotton – they retain moisture - and make sure that your socks fit well, free of wrinkles and loose fabric that could cause chafing during riding.

Flex (Stiffness) of the Boot

If you are a freestyle rider, you’ll want a boot with a good amount of flex (i.e. softer boot). Initiating turns, jibbing and all that fun park stuff requires a rider to have a good range of motion in the ankle. So try on a few pairs of freestyle-specific boots and judge their flexiness and comfort to be sure that you can bend your leg forward without losing the vital stability and control that you’ll need to go big.

If you are a freerider, you need a lot more stiffness through the ankle to control your carving and stopping. Stability is the key, but a little flex will keep you comfortable, so opt for a happy medium, depending on your personal preferences.

Lacing Systems

Sowboard boot lacing is important. Boots should be laced tightly yet feel comfortable and be free of blister-causing pressure points. Ankles and heels ought to remain securely in place, with minimal heel-lift — no foot shimmying at all (front to back, side to side), if possible.

Most snowboard boots offer one of four lacing systems — traditional, Fast Lace or Boa. Some boots feature a hybrid design that blends 2 of these systems. Like Boa, the Atop system works on the tightening of the steel wire by means of a swivel castor. The Fast Lace system allows you to stretch your shoes in two zones, simply hook the laces into a plastic hook with teeth and keep the handles in the pocket on the shoe chimney.

Snowboard Bindings

The final piece of the puzzle - your bindings. Snowboard bindings must accommodate your boot size. A compatible binding will grip a boot snugly and securely, but without forcing the boot into position or pinching it into place. Bindings should allow your boots to flex, without letting them wobble or shift.

Binding straps should not dangle excessively when tightened. Look for different bindings if the strap ends are overly long when the bindings are cinched to your boots. Women-specific bindings have dimensions and highbacks that are designed to fit woman's calves and boots.

If your focus is on freestyle then you should opt for a softer model to match the flex of your boots and board. Likewise, rigid bindings featuring aluminium or carbon are a good match for freeride set-ups.

It’s vital that your bindings are compatible with your chosen snowboard. The Burton EST range is designed exclusively for the Burton Channel system; these bindings will not fit on standard 4×4 inserts. On the other hand, most regular bindings featuring disk plates can also fit the Channel system if required.

Now that you’ve made a selection, fix the bindings to the board, put on your boots and try strapping into your proposed set-up. Check that the sizing of the binding is correct and that the shape of the straps are a good fit for your boots – you don’t have to buy everything from the same brand, but it’s worth considering matching the bindings and boots.

Snowboarding Accessories

By now you've probably got an eye on snowboarding accessories you could ever need to complete your set-up for to carry, fine-tune and upgrade. From cord leashes, to scrapers, stomp pads, wax irons, to board bags and rub-on-wax, this stuff will take your setup to the next level.

The right snowboarding accessories are the icing on the cake to a more enjoyable time when you go out snowboarding. Having a solid board bag to lug your board(s) around, a comfortable fitting snowboard helmet and pads and the right fine-tuning tools keep your board tuned up can make a huge difference in how happy you are when you approach a day of riding.