The correct snowboard gear can enhance your performance on the slopes. The best way to be prepared for winter weather is to dress in layers. "The keys to a successful layering system, in order of importance, are warmth, weight, moisture management and packing the right number of layers," says ABC-of-Snowboarding.com. Visit your local snowboard shop or an online retailer to buy snowboard equipment. Select a snowboard and safety gear that fit your riding style.
How to Buy Snowboard Equipment
Step 1
Buy a thermal shirt, thermal pants and snowboarding socks for your base layer. The ABC-of-Snowboarding website recommends synthetic materials such as polypropylene for your base layer because these materials wick moisture away from your body.
Step 2
Choose a sweater or jacket and a neck warmer for the middle layer. Fleece is a good material for your middle layer because it is a lightweight, thermal material which allows perspiration to evaporate through, says the snowboard site.
Step 3
Purchase outerwear including a snowboard jacket, snowboard pants and gloves. It is important these items are waterproof and windproof. Snowboarding-master.com recommends Gortex for the outer layer because it is a warm, weather-proof, breathable material.
Step 4
Buy safety gear including a snowboard helmet and snowboard goggles. The ABC-of-Snowboarding website recommends helmets for snowboarding which have a CE, ASTM or Snell RS-98 certification. Select goggles that fit well with your helmet.
Step 5
Find a pair of snowboard boots and snowboard bindings according to your shoe size. Freeride snowboarders prefer a boot with a lace-up inner boot for enhanced stiffness while freestyle riders chose boots with a loose, molded-foam inner boot for more flexibility, reports ABC-of-Snowboarding.com.
Step 6
Select a snowboard to complement your riding style. The ABC-of-Snowboarding website recommends a short, flexible, twin-tipped snowboard for freestyle riding and a directional snowboard with added stiffness for freeride snowboarding.
Tips and Warnings
- A general rule for snowboard sizing is that when you stand the board up, it should be between your nose and your chin.
- ABC-of-Snowboarding.com reports wrist injuries are the most common snowboarding injury and recommends that you purchase wrist guards.
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