What Snowboard Size Should I Get?

tomo247

Hi Guys,

Been snowboarding for 3-4 years now, and going to buy my first board.
I would reckon I would be an intermediate boarder (took to it quickly with a wakeboarding/surfing background).
I will be looking for something along the lines of an all mountain board.
I am 6'1" and weigh about 70kg.

Just wondering if anyone could tell me what length/width board would best suit my needs!
Thank you in advance!!

Tom.

dylbert

Here's a snowboard size calculator, http://www.frostyrider.com/tips/size-guide.htm
it will give you a rough idea on what size you need, but to be honest each manufacturer has there own specs so you'd really need to check each board.
Generally your weight dictates the length but a freestyle board will be shorter than a all mountain board, the width of the board depends on the size of your feet.

Your best bet is to pick a few boards first, read up some reviews on them to see which ones suit you best and then check the boar specs to find the right size.

monotremata

More importantly, where do you plan on buying a snowboard in Dublin? I'd love to know, I'm looking for new bindings and the only place I've seem them so far is Rock and Snow in Dundrum.

You way want to look into demoing a board during your next trip. Many resorts have demo days or permanent demo fixtures for certain companies. The board technology is crazy these days and you'll find some board ride totally uniquely. What have you been riding for the past 3-4 yrs? What's your budget?

Also you may want to check out the screening of 2 Teton Gravity films this Monday https://www.facebook.com/events/522085767819293/
I have no relation to those guys, just a fellow shredder

tomo247

Thank you for your help guys, that frosty rider sizing guide was a serious help!!
I have been riding rentals every year. Have riden a 160cm k2, and a 158 black hole. Not sure one board types as I wasn't really paying attention to all that! Just wanted to get out riding!

Also, any recommendations on boots? Would I be better to buy in resort or here in IRL before I leave?

Thanks in advance!!

granty1987

There are a few variables that you need to consider with what board to pick;
1) What style of a boarder do you see yourself / want to emulate?
- Do you want to stay on the pistes carving 90 out of the groomers, or hit the park, or bash up the off piste in search of some fluffy powder and cliff drops?
- Who will you be boarding with? this has a big impact on how and what you do in my opinion, some seasons I'm with park rats, other times I'm living in the back country, or if im with some people who are new to it (or havn't a few screws loose) id stick to the slopes jibbing around messing on what is there.

2) You. your weight, height, shoe size.
- All of these can affect the size and shape of board you choose, if your feet are over size 11/12 I would be conscious of the width of the deck as you do not want any toe drag and would consider a wide board (many boards offer a wide version)
- As you probably found out on the calculator gizmo, the taller and heavier you are would increase the size of the board.. This is a good indicator but should not be set in stone. Again a lot can depend on what you plan to do with the board. (general rule of thumb, is the more you want to hit the park / rails etc the shorter the board, whilst if you want to carve a lot or hit the off psite, you need a bigger board. the same is the case for the mounting of the board, ie you want a center mount or "twin" board for free style, while a "directional" board with a set back in the mount is preferable for off piste - this will give you the same sensation as wakeboarding where your weight is placed further back to lift the nose out of the powder)

3) your experience.
- Obviously, different companies have different grade decks to choose from, do not feel the need to buy the top of the range board. I wouldn't advise getting the barrel scraper either, go for a mid range deck that suits what level of a boarder you want to be.

4) your wallet.
- Again, it's not necessary to break the bank, The summer months are the best time to buy as there is an abundance of boards online which shops are looking to clear out readying for next seasons gear.
- IMO def shop online for the previous seasons decks. The only thing that is different is the graphics, and if your not on the slope 24/7 what is the difference? Shops like blue tomato, hot-zone in europe are great and are reliable. There are some good UK ones too (cant remember at the top of my head) American shops sell decks for pennies, but you will probably get shafted with freight n duties so you have been warned!

5) Brand
- Forum could have a lot of boards going on the cheap now as they (along with a few other well known and loved brands) have been given the axe by Burton... cant believe it.
- Most brands offer a great range of boards to meet everyones needs so there isn't much of a difference between them
- Some brands have trademark pattens such as the triple base tech by Bataleon, or the Magnetraction by Lib-tech (increased traction and grip in the carve by the increased effective rail length). rocker boards are available again in most brands (fun for jibbing in the park boards, or great in powder for keeping the noew out), as well as the zero camber boards (surprised by those, you lose some pop in the carve, but theyre class for straight lining on a cat track or something - hard to catch an edge in the slush)
- Burton have a rail based setup for the bindings, keep that in mind when buying decks + Bindings#


Personally I'm 6", 88Kg uk10 boot, and I have a 153" Salomon Sanchez and a 157" Lib-tech Jamie Lynn
The sanchez is a soft flex true twin - great for park and messign about on the slopes and anything you can find really, it falls short in off piste for obvious reasons and its tough to land a cliff drop, you basically land and the board stops dead - you go head over heels. It is too short for deep snow and I'md too heavy for it in those conditions
Jamie Lynn is a great board for off piste, got magnetraction and a rocker camber. its a lil on the heavy side but its just smashes through everything (except rocks :-S) and I love it for those white days

I'm not going to tell you to get X board because there is a HUGE range out there and you just need to figure out what kidn of board you want, or at least what style you are interested in.

Go up to Kiltiernan and try out someone's board there, theyll lend you a go