Choosing the right size snowboard can be a daunting task, especially for beginners. With so many different factors to consider, it can be hard to know where to start.
Therefore, in this guide, you will learn our method for choosing the snowboard size based on all variables, including length, width, skill, and style.
Length and Width
When picking the right size snowboard for you, the two essential things you need to consider are the length and width of the snowboard.
–Length:
The overall length of the snowboard is the distance between the longitudinal ends of the board. This can have an impact on the performance of the board. A shorter board will be easier to handle and control, while a longer board will offer more stability and flotation in powder.
–Width:
Snowboard width (waist width) is the center width of the board. Too much width can cause slack and little responsiveness during edge changes, while too narrow width can cause loss of control and sudden slowdowns due to heel or boot-toe contact with the snow.
The method
There are several ways to determine the optimal size of a snowboard, but many of these methods don’t consider all the possible variables, and the specific characteristics of each snowboard; for this reason, we have developed a process to help you choose the perfect size by considering all the main factors.
Here is an example of how to choose your snowboard size using our method and taking as a reference a board we mentioned in our review of the best beginner snowboard picks for 2023, the Yes Basic!
You can replicate these steps with any model for males, females or kids where the manufacturer provides weight charts.
If not, we will later show you how to choose the right size snowboard for you through the “universal” weight charts.
Before we start…
Before we start, it is essential to know your weight, height, and foot size but also your skill level, and the riding style you would like to do.
Example
Suppose you are a beginner snowboarder who wants to purchase the snowboard Yes Basic, and you are 5’6″ ft ( 170 cm) tall and weigh 140 lb (63 kg) with a 10.5 US (44.5 EU) foot.
That is just an example, you can replicate the steps with your data!
Step #1
As a first step, it is important to consult the snowboard size charts provided by the manufacturer.
Be careful of tables based only on height, since they refer to normal-weight people.
Between weight and height, the main factor is weight, so you will need to find the size range the manufacturer offers for your weight.
To do that simply consult the weight section. In this case, being 140 lb (63 kg) heavy the sizes are 143, 146, 149, 152, 155.
Step #2
The next step is to select size options suitable for your foot width. Snowboards are classified as standard, wide, or narrow.
Choosing a board that is too narrow can cause control problems and increase the chance of falls due to the toe or heel of the boot overhanging from the board and touching the snow during turns.
Instead, a too wide snowboard would not be responsive enough, so is recommended a maximum overhang on each side of 1-2 cm.
Here is a general conversion chart.
Width chart
| Snowboard width in cm | <25 (Narrow) | 25>25,5 (Standard) | 25,5>26 (Mid-wide) | >26 (Wide) |
| Boot number EU | <41 | 41<43,5 | 44<45 | >45 |
| Boot number UK | <7,5 | 7,5<9 | 9,5<10 | >10 |
| Boot number US | <8 | 8<9,5 | 10,5<11 | >11 |
In our case, having 10.5 US (44.5 EU) feet, the size will be between 25.5 and 26 cm.
Now further consulting the table provided by the manufacturer we can exclude the 143, 146 options because they are too small for our foot.
If the manufacturer also provides the foot width, it is better to use that value as a reference because it is more accurate than the waist width.
Step #3 – Final choice
These first steps allowed us to stay with the three options that suit us best, namely 149, 152 and 155. To figure out the right one we can operate in two ways:
–Choice according to skill level:
Your skill level with snowboarding is a factor in choosing the perfect length for your board.
Beginners
For beginners, I recommend a snowboard that is 3-4 centimeters shorter than the normal size, which is proportional to your weight and height. Although a long board is stabler, it is more difficult to control and maneuver, making learning difficult.
So if you have two options, I recommend choosing the shorter one.
I recommend reading our guide to discover all the other features a snowboard for beginners should have. If you are looking for the right beginner snowboard check out the best beginner snowboard picks.
Intermediate/advanced
For intermediate/advanced snowboarders, there is more flexibility for length. You can target your pick to the style you want to focus on. We will discuss this in the next section.
We are beginners, so it’s better to choose a shorter snowboard that allows us to improve easily; so we choose the 149.
–Choice According To Riding Style:
To conclude the choice, you can also focus on the style you like or would like to do.
All-mountain
The ideal size for all-mountain is the one proportional to your weight and height.
In our case, choose a snowboard with a length among the options you have left.
Find out what all mountain is all about, read our guide.
Freeride
In freeride, the ideal size is 2-3 cm longer than the normal size. This provides better floatation in deep snow.
In our case, choose a longer snowboard for a large snow contact area. Pick the longest between the choices you have left.
To better understand what it consists of, read our guide on everything you need to know about freeriding.
Freestyle
Choose a snowboard that is shorter by 3-4 cm than the normal size, so it is easier to maneuver, especially on jumps.
From your remaining options, choose the one with the shorter length.
Read our guide to learn everything you need to know about freestyle.
How to choose without the manufacturer’s charts?
When choosing snowboard sizes you may come across boards without weight charts or sometimes you may find only an indication of the snowboarder’s recommended height for various sizes.
In this case, you can refer to the “universal” charts I will show you below. However, remember to adjust the size according to your riding style following the guidelines I provided earlier.
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What to do next…
Choosing snowboard size is one of many things to consider when choosing, so…
If you’ve already chosen a snowboard, I recommend reading this:
If you don’t know which one to choose, here’s what you need to know:
How to choose the right:
If you need help with the size of a specific snowboard, don’t hesitate to contact us! Email us at support@adventurerhub.com, or leave a comment at the bottom of this post.
FAQs
Is a longer snowboard harder to ride?
Yes, a longer board is harder to ride and control, however, it offers more stability and buoyancy in the snow. A shorter snowboard is recommended for a beginner.
Should beginners use a smaller snowboard?
Yes, a shorter snowboard is suggested for beginners because it is easier to control.
What size snowboard should I get?
To choose your snowboard size, just follow a few simple steps explained in this full guide. Learn more in this full guide.
Does weight influence the choice of snowboard?
Yes, the factor that most influences the choice of the right size snowboard is weight, it greatly affects the stability and flexibility of a snowboard Learn more in this full guide.
Does snowboard size really matter?
Yes, snowboard size is very important, for example, a shorter snowboard will be easier to handle and control, while a longer one will offer more stability and the capacity to float on powder. Learn more in this full guide.
