Snowboarding Boots

The first item of equipment used for snowboarding that a snowboarder should buy are the snowboarding boots. We will see later how the snowboarding boots you choose will determine the size of the snowboard you go on to buy.

The choice of snowboard boot is critical to your enjoyment of snowboarding. Get the wrong snowboarding boot and your whole snowboarding experience is ruined by pain, discomfort or even injury. Other than the obvious discomfort your choice of snowboard boot can also affect your riding style.

There are three types of snowboard boot: soft boots, hard boots and hybrid boots.

Soft snowboard boots: These are the most comfortable snowboard boots available and generally the most commonly used. They are good for freestyle use, powder use and all round use as they offer comfort, flexibility and a high degree of useability. They are commonly attached to snowboards via a high back or flow in bindings so can be bought seperate to bindings or used with rented boards. This boot is commonly a two layer lace up boot, with a soft liner and hard outer.

Hard snowboard boots: These boots are similar to ski boots. They tend to be rigid with buckles for tightening the boot. The rigidity offered by these snowboard boots allows the boarder a greater degree of precision and control of movement. These snowboard boots are used for alpine boarding and racing. Unlike soft boots, hard snowboard boots require step in bindings similar to ski boots which means your going to have to buy bindings to match your hard boots.

Hybrid snowboard boots: As the name suggests a boot with a mix of characteristics of the two traditional types of snowboard boot. More comfortable than hard boots with greater precision and control than soft boots. Like hard boots, hybrids require matching step in bindings.

Your choice of snowboard boot equipment used for snowboarding will be determined by your level of snowboarding experience, ride style and level of useability you require. For beginners the best option is often the soft snowboard boot, offering comfort and flexibility of use with different rental boards and bindings.

Snowboarding Boots

Ok, you've chosen the snowboard boot type that favours your intended ride style, level of competence, required level of control and comfort requirements. The next step is to go out and purchase a pair of snowboarding boot equipment used for snowboarding.

Notice i say "go out and buy". When it comes to buying snowboard boots internet shopping is not the sensible solution. Snowboarding boots are the most important equipment used for snowboarding, they are between you and the board. You need to spend time trying various snowboard boots on to get the perfect fit, anything less is a big mistake as you'll find out after one day of snowboarding.

Some basic rules apply when getting your snowboard boots fitted:

1. Forget what looks fashionable its not relevant.
2. Ignore what your friends think. What may be good for them doesn't necessarily follow for you.
3. Be prepared to try on many styles and brand to find the 'right' snowboard boot.
4. Go to a specialist who knows what you need.
5. Take your snowboarding socks with you.

Now the technical stuff.

You should always go to a specialist supplier for your snowboard boots. The key reason is that you need someone who can recommend a snowboard boot to suit your leg and foot shape. Get this wrong and you'll get injuries at worst, at best the wrong boot will give you aching thighs and calves after a little boarding.

To big is bad. Big snowboard boots will fatigue you, lead to clawing of the toes whilst riding and you'll suffer from tight hamstrings as you struggle to maintain stability and control whilst riding.

The ideal fit is a snug fit. Go boot shopping in the afternoon when your feet have swelled up. Once your riding your feet swell, so go at the ideal time and get a snug/tight fit. Bear in mind after a few hours the snowboard boots will have compressed and will be a little looser.

A key point is to make sure you don't suffer from heel lift in your snowboard boots. If you are able to stand in your boots and get movement in your heels you've got a bad fit. Heel lift reduces responsiveness in turns and reduces control. Heel lift can be avoided with inserts if necessary.

Ok you think you've found a good set of snowboard boots. One last test. Seperate the inner soft liner from the hard outer. Put your feet in the hard outer. You should be able to slide your foot 1/2" to 3/4" between heel and boot for a snug fit with a regular replaceable liner. Any contact anywhere else in the boot like across the width of your foot is a no-no. If the tests are passed your in business, go buy.

Once you have bought your snowboard boots the next equipment used for snowboarding you require are your snowboard bindings and snowboard.

Snowboard Bindings

This equipment used for snowboarding ensures your snowboard boots are securely attached to your snowboard.

There are generally two common types of snowboard bindings with other less popular bindings also available.

The two most prevalent snowboard binding types are: Strap bindings and Step-in bindings.

Strap bindings

The most popular off all snowboard bindings, these bindings consist of a highback plate, a base plate and straps to go across the boot. These bindings are used with soft snowboard boots are easily adjustable because of the straps. They offer the rider comfort and flexibility. Can be used for any snowboard riding style, although length of highback plate will vary according to style of ride.

Step-in bindings

Made popular due to the reduced hassle factor when compared to strap bindings. Simply step in to the base plate and click closed. Offer less control to the snowboard rider and bindings must match boot type. This snowboard binding can be used ridden freestyle or freeride. Boots can be either soft step-in snowboard boots or hard snowboard boots.

Flow-in bindings

A relatively new style of binding that offers a cross between strap and step-in bindings. Combines the control of strap bindings with the ease of use of step-ins. Flow-in snowboard bindings can be used with soft snowboard boots. The binding consists of a base plate, an adjustable tongue over the toes and a highback plate which can be dropped to get access and exit from the binding. They are slightly harder to adjust than strap bindings but are easier to remove.

Plate bindings

These are very similar to traditional ski bindings. They require hard snowboard boots that snap into the binding but the increased rigidity offers greater control for high speed carving as more edge pressure can be applied. Generally prefered by alpine racers of a higher level of competence.

When looking at binding equipment used for snowboarding with a view to purchase you should also consider which size you will require and the height of the highback fitting.

Generally all snowboard bindings come in three sizes, small, medium and large and the size you choose is completely dependant on snowboard boot size. With strap bindings allow enough strap for adjustment as adjustment on the slopes can be tiring.

The height of the highback depends on your snowboard ride style. If you are a freestyler then a shorter highback will offer more flexibility and manouveurability in turns. Freeriders and alpine boarders will want a taller stiffer highback for better carving at speed on harder snow. For better levels of control in freeriding and alpine in these conditions hard boots and plates may be a better choice.

Snowboard Accident Picture

Snowboards

When buying equipment used for snowboarding the first item on most minds is the snowboard. So what are the basic 'need to knows' of the snowboard types?

Types of Snowboard:

There are three types of snowboard to consider: Freestyle, Freeride(all mountain) and Alpine (carving boards).

Freestyle Snowboards

These are wide, stable snowboards that are forgiving to ride. They are very responsive which makes them good equipment used for snowboarding for novices. The snowboard characteristics make them good for pulling tricks but less responsive in high speed carving due to flexibility and edge grip. They are often twin tipped and multi directional making them good for tricks and half pipes but ideal for beginners.

Freeride(all mountain)Snowboards

Generally the most popular snowboard on the slopes. Good for all mountain use, park or half pipe. Freeride snowboards tend to float reasonably well on powder, can carve and can be used to catch air, this make them popular boards. Freeride snowboards tend to be directional, meaning one end (the tip) is wider than the tail. They tend to be soft and manouveurable for beginners but offer enough stiffness for fast carves in harder snow, these boards offer a mix of characteristics between freestyle and alpine snowboards.

Alpine Snowboards

definitely not for the novice, these snowboards are stiff, narrow, long and built for speed. Built for speed carving and stability at speed with good edge holding powers they tend to be either symmetrical or asymmetrical but always built for one way travel.

Length and Width of Snowboard

Once you have chosen the type of snowboard that best suits your level of competence and ride style there are then several other factors to be considered in your choice of snowboard before buying.

Your height and foot size play an important part in your choice of snowboard.

The length of snowboard that will suit will be down to the riders height and ridestyle. Snowboards are usually 100cms to 180cms long.

A freestyle snowboard should stand tall enough to reach between the riders shoulders and chin when stood on end.

A freeride snowboard should reach between chin and eyebrows.

An alpine or carving snowboard should stand tall enough to reach a point between the forehead and a few inches above the head.

Foot size is important for determining the width of the snowboard. If your feet overhang the board there is a danger of catching an edge and tumbling. If your feet are too small then it is difficult to apply pressure to the edges to initiate turns. If you are an advanced rider using a carving board with big feet it may be necessary to alter your stance to avoid overhanging the edges.

Of course before you buy equipment used for snowboarding you should rent a few snowboards first to see what style, brand best suit you.

Snowboard Goggles

Goggles are essential equipment used for snowboarding. They protect aganist high levels of sun and ultraviolet found at high altitude at most winter resorts, snow and ice particles and twigs if riding backcountry.

There are many types of snowboard goggle on the market with a variety of coloured lenses available. The following is a need to know reference of which colours are best for which conditions:

Clear lense - Ideal for dark conditions.

Yellow/Amber/Gold - Good for low to moderate light and general all round conditions. These lenses filter blue light bringing out shadows on the slopes.

Purple/Rose - Ideal for low light conditions bringing out shadows and contours.

Green/Silver - Enhances contrast suitable for bright conditions.

Black/Polarized - Reduces glare without distorting colours, suitable for bright sunny conditions.


As well as colour other factors need to be considered when buying snowboard goggles:

Try to ensure the snowboard goggles you choose have 95% UV ray protection as a minimum.

Ensure the snowboard goggles give you adequate peripheral vision. 180 degrees.

Check the snowboard goggles will fit your helmet system.

Goggles with padded straps will be more comfortable in the long run.

Padded system on the lenses will protect during crashes and help to avoid face cutting.

Snug fitting snowboard goggles are preferable to avoid goggles flipping off your face when bumping along.

When buying goggle equipment used for snowboarding try to get multiple layer lenses as these will not fog as fast as single layer systems. If possible get multi layer lenses that are treated to avoid misting and are well vented.

Snowboarding Jackets

You are likely to spend more cash on your snowboarding jacket than any other piece of your clothing equipment used for snowboarding. Your snowboard jacket needs to keep you warm and dry and make you easy to spot on the slopes to avoid collisions and make you identifiable. So when you come to choosing a snowboarding jacket what do you need to consider?

Expense

Snowboarding jackets are available for a range of prices. You can guarantee that the cheaper snowboard jackets are cheaper for a reason. Usually the low cost end snowboard jackets are less waterproof or are not as breathable as the top end snowboard jackets. The more expensive a snowboarding jacket the more breathability and waterproofing you should get for your money.


Breathability

The better the breathability of the material of the jacket (letting perspiration out) as well as other features such as vents that allow the snowboard jacket to release extra warmth, the more user friendly and expensive the snowboarding jacket. Good snowboard jackets often come with zip release vents across the torsos hot spots such as under the arm.

Waterproofing

Top end snowboard jackets will often be made of waterproof materials such as 'gore-tex' and have taped seams to provide extra protection. The lower end snowboarding jackets may only provide a water resistant fabric which may need treatment with time.


Shell or Insulated?

The shell jacket is usually the most practical option giving you good mobility and flexbility dependant on weather conditions, but if your cold blooded the option of insulated snowboard jackets exist. The best insulated snowboarding jackets will often have a detachable lining giving the option of removal should the weather turn warm.


Extra Features

Snowboard jackets come with a number of extra features that can be useful. Pockets for maps, passes, mp3 players and tools are common. Powder skirts to prevent the snow going up your back and down your cuffs can be a useful feature if you are a freerider going off piste or generally aiming to slide some powder. Hoods, especially detachable hoods, can be useful when the weather is stormy.

Of all the clothing equipment used for snowboarding the snowboard jacket is the most important to get right. Ensuring mobility and protection from the elements can be make or break for a good time on the slopes