Choosing the right snowboard depends on several variables. Although design and style are important factors, what's important is compatibility, says snowboarding website REI. A snowboard must fit with your experience level, riding style, budget and usual riding conditions. Riding the wrong board for you can diminish the fun factor when snowboarding. Before you choose a snowboard, understand yourself as a rider. Wide boards are typically for riders with larger feet, but some snowboarders just like a wider board.
Purpose
Wider snowboards accommodate those with larger feet, but some riders like wider boards because they desire extra-large footprints for better powder flotation, according to REI. Wide boards are broader from edge to edge and are measured at binding mounts.
Men's Boards
Men's boards typically come in three sizes. Regular wide boards accommodate 10.5-sized boots and smaller, and mid-wide boards fit 9.5-12 boots, according to REI. Some snowboard retailers group regular and mid-wide snowboards into one "regular" category. The wide category fits boot sizes 11 and up, but you're not required to pick a wide snowboard just because you wear size 11 boots or larger. However, if you wear a larger-size boot, you're probably going to hang over the board and touch the snow, which can cause performance problems, according to Summit Sports. Also, older boots tend to widen with regular usage and may fit better on a wider board, especially if you already wear a larger-size boot.
Women's Boards
Women's wider boards are gradually showing up in snowboard retail shops. These are designed especially for women and made with a softer flex. However, wider boards for women aren't always available as of publication. Taller women with larger boot sizes may want to choose wider boards in the men's category, recommends REI.
Wider Board Preference
If you're an experienced rider and prefer a wider snowboard, keep in mind that wider boards are harder to control. The advantage is that they provide better deep powder float but are heavier, according to the website Snowboarding Essentials.
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