The Ultimate Snowboard Guide
Buying Guide Snowboard
Choosing the right snowboard, bindings and boots is not easy. The industry terminology is complex and each brand has its own descriptive names for their technology. This guide will give you the knowledge and explain the factors that you should consider when buying a snowboard, bindings and boots. If you are a beginner and have never snowboarded before, or if you are an experienced rider you will learn something new from this guide. We will explain both the simpler and also the more advanced snowboard terminology. There is a lot of text in our guide, but this will steer you in the right direction to ensure you choose the correct products for your ability and style.
Snowboarding should be fun and easy. For that to be the case, you need good products and the right products. Our hope with this ultimate snowboard buying guide is that you should feel confident on which board, binding or snowboard boots you should buy.
Snowboards
Choosing the right snowboard is not always easy. There are a variety of boards in every conceivable design and price range. Below is a complete snowboard guide to advise you on your next purchase and help you find the right product.
For us at Standtall.se it is important that you feel both safe and satisfied with what you buy from us. If you have any questions or concerns, you are of course welcome to contact us. We have all traveled and worked with snowboarding for most of our lives, so we have answers to pretty much everything about snowboard products and snowboarding in general.
When choosing a snowboard, there are many things to consider in order to find the right one. In this snowboard guide we will dive a little deeper into the following topics:
1. Length & width - What size of board should I have?
2. Ability level - How experienced a snowboarder am I?
3. Terrain - Where will I go? Piste, park, pillows or everything?
4. Hole systems - Which bindings fits the board?
5. Terms - What do all these strange words mean?
1. Length - How long snowboard do I need?
Finding the right length of snowboard depends on your height, your weight, your ability level and what type of terrain you prefer to ride. The general rule of thumb is that the length of the board should be somewhere between your neck and eyes. A shorter board is easier to handle, so a beginner should choose a board that ends somewhere between your neck and chin.
When riding park you should choose a slightly shorter board than usual. This will make it easier to handle and you will progress much quicker. If you stay mostly on groomed trails or pistes, then a suitable length of board is somewhere between your chin and your nose. This will be easier to maneuver while also having the length to provide stability to the board at higher speeds. If you freeride more off the groomed trails/pistes, then a slightly longer board is usually preferred. Longer boards give more stability at higher speeds and have more surface area which help the boards float on top of new snow. This is essential for riding powder snow conditions.
This is a generalization and there are exceptions and personal tastes when it comes to choosing the length of a board. Today, there are short and wide snowboards that are designed to turn fast. These are more suitable for riding powder tree runs in the forest where you need the maneuverability of a short board, but also need an increased surface area which is achieved through the width. Short boards can also have a long nose and a shorter tail which can make them feel longer. Most brands specify a referenced weight for each length, so it is easier to find the right one for you.
If you are not sure what length of snowboard you need, you can use our size guide below. Keep in mind that your weight is almost as important as your height. This size guide is only a recommendation and does not have to match you at all. Snowboard length is different from person to person depending on where you ride and what you are looking for.
Snowboard Length Size Guide (Recommended):
| Length (cm) | Weight (kg) | Snowboard length (cm) |
| 147 | 49-54 | 128-136 |
| 152 | 52-59 | 133-141 |
| 158 | 56-61 | 139-147 |
| 163 | 61-66 | 144-152 |
| 168 | 63-70 | 149-157 |
| 173 | 68-75 | 154-162 |
| 178 | 72-79 | 159-167 |
| 183 | 77-84 | 160+ |
| 188 | 81-88 | 160+ |
| 193 | 86-93 | 160+ |
1. Width - How wide snowboard should I have?
The width of your snowboard is mainly determined by the size of your boots. Your boot should stick out a little off the board on both heel and toe edge. But if they stick out too much, there is a great risk that your feet will drag in the snow when you turn which you want to avoid. If you have a size larger than 43-44 in EUR you should go up to a mid-wide or wide board (or a board with a waist size over 25cm).
Mid-wide boards are slightly wider than traditional boards and have little extra width between the feet. These are suitable for those who may be unsure if their boots will overhang too much on a traditional board, or for people who just prefer the board to be a little wider underfoot. Wide boards are specifically for people with larger feet who want to avoid heel or toe drag when riding.
Do you have size EU43/44 or larger on your boots? If you have a size larger than 43-44 in EUR you should go up to a mid-wide or wide board (or a board with a waist size over 25cm). Read our size guide below.
Snowboard Width Size Guide (Recommended):
Men:| Boots Size Men (US) | Waist width (mm) | -- |
| 6-8 | 240-245 | NORMAL |
| 8-9.5 | 245-250 | NORMAL |
| 9.5-10.5 | 250-255 | NORMAL |
| 10.5-12 | 255-265 | MID-WIDE TILL WIDE |
| 12+ | 265+ |
WOMEN:
| Boots Size Women (US) | Waist width (mm) | -- |
| <6 | <235 | NORMAL |
| 6-7.5 | 235-240 | NORMAL |
| 7.5-8.5 | 240-245 | NORMAL |
| 8.5+ | 245+ | NORMAL |
2. Ability Level - How experienced snowboarder are you?
When choosing your new snowboard, you should be honest with yourself and be realistic in your assessment of what ability level you are at. Boards are designed and manufactured to make it easier for you and your riding style. The experience is guaranteed to be both more fun and enjoyable if you choose the correct board.
Beginner boards are usually a little softer which makes them easier to handle and turn. Materials are more flexible and forgiving and they do not need the extra reinforcements that are found on more park-oriented boards. This board technology is not necessary whilst learning and progressing to an intermediate ability level. This means that beginner boards are usually slightly cheaper than snowboards for more advanced riding. Park boards are usually defined as park boards because they have a symmetrical twin shape and are identical in both directions. These are suitable for riders who ride in both directions equally. Often there are other technologies in more advanced boards, which consist of reinforcement materials to give better pop or help absorb heavy landing from jumps. All Mountain or Freeride snowboards are often a little stiffer to handle higher speeds. They can also have a better coating on the base which gives faster gliding properties but can also require more maintenance.
3. Terrain - Should you go groomers, park, powder or everything?
It may be easier to find the right snowboard for you if you know what type of terrain you prefer to ride. We at Standtall.se choose to divide the boards into the following three categories; Freeride, All Mountain and Freestyle. More or less all snowboards run on all types of terrain, but you will find it more fun and have a better experience if you choose a board that is actually designed for the type of riding you prefer.
Freeride
Freeride snowboards are especially suited for those who spend more time off the piste than on the groomed trails or pistes. Freeride boards come in many different shapes – each suited for different types of terrain. From everything from big mountains, to hilly playful meadows, to forest tree riding there is a suitable freeride board. In general, freeride boards are somewhat stiffer to provide stability at high speeds. Most often they have a "tapered" or "directional" shape and are stiffer at the back (tail). The stance is set back so front (nose) is longer which makes it easier to ride in powder. We explain this vocabulary in more detail in the section "Technical terms" in the snowboard guide.
All Mountain
All Mountain is the most common and versatile category of snowboard. These boards are for those who love all types of riding. Whether park, piste or powder, All Mountain boards are made to handle everything. Usually these boards have a “directional” twin shape which means that they are identical front and rear but the stance is set back. But you can still mount the board so you can stand in the middle and get the same features as a regular twin snowboard. If you are not sure what style of snowboard to choose or if you spend the same amount of time riding all over the mountain, then an All Mountain board is the choice for you.
Freestyle
Freestyle snowboards are more suitable for riding parks, rails and jibs. The boards usually come in slightly shorter lengths than the freeride boards and have a twin shape so that the feeling will be the same whether you ride forwards or backwards. You can still mount a twin board with the bindings set back towards the tail and it can of course be ridden all over the mountain. But in most cases they are designed to perform best in the park and allow you to have as much fun as possible there.
4. Hole Systems - Which bindings fits your board?
Knowing which bindings fit which snowboards is not always easy. Binding manufacturers work with different hole systems and bindings do not fit all snowboards. Read carefully the product text on the binding to see if it fits the hole system on the board you were looking at. Below we explain the different hole systems. Read the product description for your snowboard binding if it fits your hole system.
Hole systems
2x4 -The most common hole system. 2cm between the holes horizontally and 4cm between the holes vertically.
4x4 - 4cm between the holes vertically and horizontally. Common on older boards.
Channel - Burton's “channel”. You may need to purchase a channel-compatible binding disk separately..
3D - Burton's 3-hole system. Be sure to check that the bindings fit.
Contact us if you are unsure of which binding suits your board.
5. Terms - What do all these strange words mean?
There are many different words and technical terms mentioned when reading about snowboarding. All brands have different terms. Some are general terms in snowboarding and some are specific to Nitro Snowboards. Below we will explain the technical terms that we consider to be the most important.
Shape
The shape is what kind of shape the board has. Usually the following forms are discussed:
Tapered
This is a shape found on freeride models. Tapered shapes have a wide and large nose and a narrower and shorter tail. Especially suitable for powder riding.
Directional
Available in both Freeride and All Mountain boards. They are stiffer at the back (tail) and softer at the front (nose). Usually they are fitted with the bindings set further back and perform best when riding in one direction. With a longer nose and a stiffer tail you get increased stability that suits those who like aggressive carving.
Directional Twin
This shape can give you the best of both worlds. The board is symmetrical in shape. It has the same shape at the front and the back and is of equal stiffness in both directions. The difference is that the insert holes for the bindings are set back towards the rear so you get more nose and less tail.
Twin
Freestyle snowboards usually have a twin shape and are symmetrical from nose to tail. This means that it is identical in both directions and the insert holes for the bindings are centered. Most suitable for riding in the park in both directions and want to achieve the same feeling when going forwards and backwards.
Profile/Camber:
Camber and Rocker are the two main categories of snowboard profiles. They are the opposite of each other and to simplify the terms you can say that Rocker is when the board has a happy mouth (concave profile) and Camber is when the board has an unhappy mouth (convex profile). Within Camber and Rocker there are subtle variations, and each profile variation behaves differently with unique characteristics, which suit different styles of riding.
True Camber: Camber is what we call a classic term. Nitro calls this the "True Camber". The Camber range is the traditional profile that has existed since snowboarding began. Camber helps you achieve a proper and aggressive carve while giving the best pop and stability. Simply explained is Camber when the board is convex or even described like an unhappy mouth. Even today, the camber profile is the most common profile on both snowboards and skis.
Cam Out Camber: Cam-Out Camber is a camber profile with a shorter profile. The board has the camber span between the bindings and then has a flat or rocker profile outside the bindings on the nose and tail. This makes the board a bit more playful and it will move quickly from edge to edge.
Gullwing Rocker: Gullwing Rocker is among the most common rocker range used at present. It's a profile with a mixture of both Rocker and Camber. You have Rocker in the middle of the board which then goes to camber outside the bindings on the nose and tail. This gives the board a fairly soft flex and makes it easy to turn while preserving the pop in the board. An easy-going and forgiving profile.
Flat-Out Rocker: Flat-out Rocker is a nicer rocker variant where the board is flat between the bindings and then lifts to the rocker outside the bindings on the nose and tail. This makes it very easy to get the board turning and gives a soft and compliant flex. Flat-Out Rocker is a playful and an progressive profile.
General terms:
Flex
Flex describes how stiff or soft a snowboard is. Flex scales vary widely between different brands but also vary among different models of board within the same brand. The same model of board can sometimes be found with both a camber and a rocker profile which will most likely have different flex characteristics. A Camber board is generally stiffer than a Rocker board. There is no flex standard scale in the snowboarding industry which makes it challenging to compare boards, as the same figure on the flex scale from different brands can indicate a different stiffness. However, the flex scale rating helps indicate if it was designed as a stiff or soft board.
Radius (Side cut)
Simply explained, this is how much "hourglass-shaped" board is. The side cut radius measurement relates to the radius of the circle that the curve on the edge of the snowboard would make if it was continued into a complete circle. A low number on the side cut radius indicates a smaller circle which makes it easier to make small quick turns. (More side cut) A higher number on the side cut radius equates to a larger circle, which is more suited to longer turns for large mountain riding or high speeds. (Less side cut).
Core/Wood Core
Different snowboards have different types of wood cores. That is, the inside material on the board. Basically, most of them start from poplar wood. A more expensive board usually has a wooden core where you carefully removed the finest part of the tree to get a lighter and more durable core. In other cases, another type of wood has been integrated, to strengthen the core and give it a stiffer flex.
Base
The base is the underside of the board. The material surface affects the sliding properties of the board. There are types that give you good gliding properties without any major maintenance, and then there are types that give even better gliding properties but require more maintenance by cleaning and waxing the base. All surfaces feel better and give a better glide by waxing. But more expensive coatings need to be applied more often to get optimum performance. If you do not wax the board, the base dries out and the sliding properties deteriorate significantly.
Extruded base
An Extruded base is made of polyethylene, also called P-tex. It is a slightly cheaper base material that does not absorb wax as well as a sintered base. However, the extruded base does not require the same maintenance and is easier to repair.
Sintered base
Sintered bases are also manufactured by P-tex but have a different manufacturing method where you get a base with small pores which absorb wax better than extruded bases. This base is usually more expensive and requires more maintenance but provides significantly better performance gliding on snow.
Did you miss any words?
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Snowboard Bindings
In our guide to snowboard bindings we explain the differences between different bindings and what you should consider when you are looking for new bindings. There is also a video on how to best set up Nitro bindings. There are three things you need to think about: what level of rider you are, what size of boots you have and what hole system your board has. If you have a question that we missed to answer in the guide, we will be more than happy to help.
When buying new snowboard bindings, you need to keep the following things in mind: The size of the boots, the hole system the board has and what level of riding you are at.
Size - What size of bindings do you need?
Snowboard bindings are usually available in several sizes. In some cases, the binding itself is also adjustable to fit optimally. Each brand usually presents a size guide for which binding size fits which boot size. However, one needs to keep in mind that boots have been developed in recent years and the size guides are adapted to newer boot models. If you have a pair of boots a few years old and are in between two sizes, we recommend that you choose the larger binding size.
Hole system - What hole system do you have on your snowboard?
Different snowboard brands work with different hole systems on their snowboards. Due to various patents and product development, hole systems have been developed with different insert configurations built into the snowboards. Not all bindings are compatible with all snowboards on the market. So when buying new snowboard bindings, it is important that you look at which hole system your board has.
Hole systems:
2x4 -The most common hole system. 2cm between the holes horizontally and 4cm between the holes vertically.
4x4 - 4cm between the holes vertically and horizontally. Common on older boards.
Channel - Burton's “channel”. You may need to purchase a channel-compatible binding disk separately..
3D - Burton's 3-hole system. Be sure to check that the bindings fit.
Contact us if you are unsure of which binding suits your board.
Bindings are attached to the snowboard by screws through mounting discs fitted into the base plate of the binding. Most brands today work with a 4-hole system, either 4x4 or 2x4 screw configuration. There is also a 3-hole system on the market as well as channel systems used primarily by Burton. In some cases, there are separate disks that make the binding compatible with multiple systems - eg. Burton's Channel System. Nitro Snowboards have additional disks that can be purchased which work with this particular Channel system. However, this disk only fits those Nitro bindings that have a mini disk. Flow bindings also have multi-discs that are part of certain binding models. These are compatible with the majority of snowboards on the market. Read the product text if it says multi-disk.
Snowboarding level - How experienced snowboarder are you?
When choosing bindings, it is good to think about how experienced a snowboarder you are, and how advanced a binding you need. Cheaper bindings are usually a little softer with more padding and less adjustment options. A more expensive snowboard binding is usually more technical, stiffer and lighter but it may not be the right fit for your type of riding.
Flex / stiffness of the binding is usually defined by a scale where low numbers indicate a softer flex, and higher numbers indicate a stiffer flex. If you prefer to go fast or ride bigger jumps, it is necessary to get the support and response needed at higher speeds. Therefore, it is better to choose a slightly stiffer binding. With a rigid base plate and high back, you will get more response in the board from a stiffer binding. If you want to ride more playfully and feel that you want something that is a bit more forgiving, you should choose a softer binding.
No matter what level of riding you are at, comfort is most important factor. It should not hurt when you are strapped into your set up. Your boots should fit well in the bindings and should not be squeezed of forced into them.
You should also look at how the straps are padded and shaped, and what adjustments you can make to them so the bindings fit as well as possible on your boots. Also note what flex the binding has, so that it does not become too soft or stiff for your riding style.
Learn how to set up Nitro Bindings correctly
Snowboard Boots
In this guide we would like you to understand the importance of your boots. They are more than just a shoe. Some things to consider include fit, size and flex / stiffness. We will also give you some tips on how to measure your foot correctly so you can determine your correct size. If you have any questions about boots, we will be more than happy to help and are available by phone or by mail.
Snowboard boots are the most important part of your equipment.We would like to guide you through what to consider when buying new snowboard boots. Even if you choose to buy the most expensive board and bindings on the market, you will neither get what you want or enjoy it to its full potential unless your boots fit well and feel comfortable. Don't think of snowboarding boots as a regular boot. Think of snowboarding boots as skiers think of ski boots. Correctly fitted boots are the foundations of your snowboarding equipment.
When buying new snowboard boots, you should consider fit, size and flex / stiffness.
Fit
By fit on the boots we mean that they should sit properly without slipping or squeezing. A good fitting snowboard boot should sit as tight as possible without hurting. You should be able to wiggle your toes while maintaining a firm and firm grip on the heel. If the heel releases, it will be more difficult to make toe-side turns and there is also a risk that you will get blisters and bruising on your heels. The boot will stretch after a while so it is important that you think about this and do not choose too large a pair as there is a risk that they will start to loosen when they stretch a few millimeters. The boot will form on your foot after a couple of riding days, but remember the importance of comfort and heel grip. It should be nice to wear the boots while the heels must not move too much.
Size
Finding the right size for your boots is not always easy. It is very rare that the sizes match between different brands. Even the same brand can feel slightly different in the size between the different models of boot as the inner boot is constructed in different ways. The absolute best way to find the right size when buying boots is to go on the brand's size guide and make use of the Mondo Point (MP) size. Mondo Point is stated in centimeters or millimeters which means you can actually measure your foot and then choose the correct size.
How to measure your foot to find the right size?
If you put your heel against a wall and then put something in front of your toes - like a book. You can accurately mark where your foot ends, and then measure the distance between the wall and the book with a ruler or tape measure to get the size of your foot in centimeters. Then choose to go up 1-1,5 centimeters in boot size. If you have a foot that is 28cm long, then you should choose a snowboard boot that is at least 29-29,5 cm in boot size.
Flex
Flex is a description of how stiff or soft the boots are. Brands usually use a flex scale from 1-10, where 1 is soft and 10 is stiff. Usually a softer boot is more suitable for a beginner and park-oriented snowboarder. Stiffer boots are better suited for Freeride and All Mountain riders. All snowboard boots will soften slightly after a while, so we recommend that you do not choose the softest snowboard boots. Even if you do not consider yourself to be an advanced snowboarder, you should consider choosing boots a step above your current ability level. Your weight is also relevant when choosing boots, as a boot can feel softer if you weigh more compared to a softer boot that can feel stiffer if you are of lighter weight. The flex on the boots is very much a personal preference. But above all, keep in mind that the boots are the most important part of your equipment and will contribute towards your snowboarding experience. We want you to enjoy your snowboarding, so spend a little more time and money on buying the correct snowboard boots.
Learn the Nitro TLS Lacing System works
Thank You!
Our complete snowboarding guide will help you find the right products when buying new snowboarding equipment. We hope it helps you understand what you should be thinking about. If there are any questions or if you feel unsure about your choice of equipment, do not hesitate to contact us at Standtall.se.
Is there something we missed in this snowboard guide?
Please send us an email. We are more than happy to talk snowboarding with you. We who work at Standtall.se have been snowboarding all our lives and have many years of experience with the products we work with.
Thank you for taking the time to learn more about snowboarding
// Standtall.se crew
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