If you have difficulty performing basic turns and maneuvers, you might need to reevaluate the size of your snowboard. Snowboards with an extended waist width are manufactured to accommodate riders with oversized feet. Place your boots on top of the snowboard in a perpendicular position to determine the proper board width.
Boot Size
The width of the snowboard should correlate with the size of your snowboarding boots. If your snowboard is too wide, you will not be able to effectively transfer your body weight between the edges of the board. There should not be more than one inch of space between the heels of your boots and the edge of the snowboard. The 360 Guide recommends a 25- to 26-cm wide snowboard for a rider with a shoe size of 8.5 to 10.
Weight
Most companies size the snowboard based on the weight of the rider. Choosing a snowboard that corresponds with your unique physique will prevent you from sinking into the snow during high-speed downhill maneuvers. The Snowboards.net sizing guide states that riders with a weight of around 180 to 200 lbs. are recommended to ride a wide model snowboard. Choose a snowboard with a waist width of around 25 cm if you weigh between 160 and 180 lbs.
Riding Terrain
Although your snowboard might be too wide for a certain type of slope, it can function just fine on another. Wide snowboards do not perform well on groomed trails that feature a smooth surface. The wide waist of the snowboard has been designed to provide increased stability on a backwoods terrain. Backwoods or off-piste trails are located outside the confines of a snowboarding resort or ski mountain. A wide board will allow you slice through thick deposits of powdery snow.
Skill Level
Snowboards for beginners often feature a narrow waist for increased maneuverability. The compact design of the beginner model helps to decrease the overall weight of the snowboarding setup. If you are just starting out, choose a snowboard that features a waist width of around 23 to 24.5 cm. Wide snowboards will cause you to exert increased energy when shifting your body weight between the toe and heel side edge of the board. As your snowboarding skills improve, you can increase the waist width slightly.
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