How to choose a snowboard

Snowboarding is a type of active recreation that has become widespread in our country. Spectacularity and spectacularity, relative ease of development and relatively small amount of equipment required – this is the secret of the popularity of snowboarding these days. And so that riding on the board brings only pleasure and does not create unnecessary problems, the choice of equipment for the whole and the board itself in particular must be approached with all responsibility.

The best snowboard manufacturers. Which board should you choose?

Snowboards are currently produced by many companies located around the world. As a rule, their products are represented by well-known riders in their circles, as well as athletes representing specific countries at the Olympic Games (snowboarding was included in the list of Olympic disciplines relatively recently). Traditionally, the strongest manufacturers, whose products are in stable demand, are the following companies:

1. Vans

2. Burton

3. Never summer

4. Lib Tech

5. GNU

Information about the products of the above brands can be found both on the websites of the manufacturing companies themselves, and on thematic forums on the Internet, as well as in communities on social networks dedicated to snowboarding.

Types of snowboards. What is the difference between skating boards?

A snowboard is a special board designed for downhill skiing. Its design is an elongated laminated board, the edges of which are bent on both sides, and the edges are covered with special metal plates that simplify maneuvering. The inner surface of the board provides for fastening for special boots, similar in design to ski boots.

Modern snowboards are divided into the following types

Universal snowboards (All-mountain)

Boards that are equally well suited for beginners, mastering the technique of riding, and experienced riders. It is this type of boards that accounts for the largest number of sales. It is characterized by medium rigidity, symmetrical shape with a narrow waist of the board, thoughtful fastenings for boots and high quality lamination of the work surface.

Advantages

• Suitable for descents both on the track and on virgin snow;

• Convenient boot mounts;

• Able to develop serious speed;

• Symmetrical shape;

• High quality workmanship;

disadvantages

• Do not allow to fully reveal the possibilities of certain riding styles;

• They are of little use for extreme descents from a mountain on snow-covered virgin lands;

Carving snowboards

Boards designed for downhill skiing on specially prepared ski slopes. They have increased rigidity and a modified shape – the tail section is cut short and has a straight shape, the nose is strongly bent, and the central part of the board is equipped with rigidly fixed boots. The riding style on such a board is downhill with a wide undulating trajectory.

Advantages

• Designed for downhill and maneuvering;

• Able to develop high speed;

• Wide turning radius;

• Increased maneuverability, precise cornering control;

disadvantages

• Not suitable for beginners;

• Suitable exclusively for professionally prepared trails;

• High price;

Freeride boards

As the name suggests, they are designed for downhill skiing on virgin snow in 'wild' places, off pistes and ski slopes. Popular with extreme sports and cross country skiing. The appearance of the board is designed for high-speed maneuvering on fluffy snow – the width of the board is higher than that of classic models, the shape has a reverse bend, and the rigidity is at an average level.

Advantages

• Designed for riding on fresh snow off-piste;

• Perfected handling;

• Ability to develop high speed;

disadvantages

• Tough enough;

• Not suitable for skiing on prepared trails;

Freestyle boards

They imply high-speed maneuvering and descents along tracks specially equipped for this purpose. Provide not only high-speed maneuvering, but also the ability to slide down the chute, perform all kinds of tricks, jumps and other acrobatic elements. The board has a symmetrical shape, reinforced boot bindings and increased rigidity to withstand shock loads.

Advantages

• Great for performing various stunts;

• Symmetrical shape;

• Reinforced boot mounts;

• Increased rigidity of the base;

disadvantages

• It quickly breaks down with regular slopes along the chute (jibbing);

• Require professional training;

• High price;

The main criteria for choosing a snowboard

The criteria for the selection of a snowboard lie both in the riding style and the features that affect it, as well as in the geometric dimensions and their proportions.

Snowboard length

The principle of selection of a snowboard is calculated based on the height of a particular rider – the taller the person, the more length the board should be.

1. Carving and all-mountain boards are selected according to the proportion of rider's height minus 10 centimeters. When mounted on the edge, their height should end at the level of the rider's nose;

2. Models used for freeriding and freestyle should be somewhat longer – only 3-5 centimeters less than the rider's height. In addition, weight plays an important role – the heavier the rider, the longer the length of the snowboard should be.

Board width

It is usually measured at the narrowest point of the snowboard – the waist, depending on this parameter, all snowboards are divided into four general categories:

1. Narrow models, waist 235-240 millimeters;

2. Standard, width 240-250 mm;

3. Medium, waist width 250-260 mm;

4. Wide, over 260 millimeters wide;

Materials from which the board is made

The central part of the snowboard, the so-called core, can be made of three different materials and their combinations:

1. Natural wood. Robust, yet soft at the same time, resistant to vibration and shock absorption. It is widely used in the manufacture of freeride and freestyle boards;

2. The 'sandwich' made of natural wood and foam has been successfully used for the manufacture of versatile boards for downhill runs.

3. Wood, reinforced with all kinds of metal inserts and polymer materials – fiberglass, carbon fiber. Provides maximum strength and withstands the severe shock loads that regularly occur during ski jumping and jibbing;

4. The outer layer of a snowboard is made of a material that has the lowest coefficient of adhesion to the surface. The lower the grip, the higher the sliding properties of the board and, accordingly, the better it maneuvers and accelerates.

5. Extruded polyethylene is used in the manufacture of budget models of snowboards. Inexpensive, but whimsical to maintain and demanding care material

6. Sintered polyethylene is more resistant to mechanical stress than its extruded counterpart. Absorbs ointment well and has excellent slip characteristics;

7. Carbon fiber is the most advanced and therefore expensive material. It has excellent performance characteristics and is successfully used in a wide variety of boards in the middle and upper price range.

Bend design

It directly affects the performance, stability of the board and the complexity of its development.

1. The classic curvature is the curved edges and raised center of the board. It is popular with experienced snowboarders, provides the ability to quickly maneuver and perform downhill descents;

2. Rocker. A similar type of board in structural terms, differs from the classic one with a central part touching the ground. Thanks to this design, the board is as stable and easy to learn as possible, and therefore it is this design that is popular among beginners.

3. Zero Curvature is a board that evenly touches the surface with slightly raised noses. Provides easy and effortless maneuverability regardless of the type of surface, and therefore is popular with freestyle enthusiasts.

4. Combined bending is a complex design obtained by using various materials and using a variety of processing techniques. Allows you to change the form factor of the bending of the board, and with it – and its physical properties.

Choosing a snowboard by height and weight

In order to choose a snowboard according to height, store consultants use a simple rule. The selected board is set vertically and rests against the body of the potential rider. If the board is selected correctly and is suitable for the rider's height, it should touch the lips in this position. This rule is universal and is suitable when choosing a board, regardless of the preferred riding method.

The situation is somewhat different if the snowboard is selected based on the rider's weight. This is where special formulas come into play, assuming an accurate calculation:

1. In the case when a snowboard is selected for a man, its weight is multiplied by a factor of 0.3, and 136 is added to the resulting number;

2. For women, the formula is different – the weight is multiplied by 0.4 and 127 is added to the total.

3. By comparing the length of the snowboard and the numbers obtained as a result of the calculations, you can choose the optimal version of the snowboard for all cases of operation.

Choosing a snowboard for a beginner

Choosing your first snowboard is a task that needs to be approached responsibly. The information described above is enough to make the right choice, and therefore the optimal snowboard option for a beginner should be as follows:

1. Board class – freestyle or all-mountain;

2. Bend – zero or 'rocker';

3. Base material – natural wood. Preference should be given to soft varieties;

4. The lining material is extruded polyethylene as an ideal ratio of price and quality. If you can spend a significant amount of money on a snowboard, you can opt for models with a graphite base;

5. The length of the snowboard is selected based on the height and weight of the rider;

6. The width of the board depends entirely on the size of the foot and the used snowboard boots;

The above rules are enough to help you choose the right board for an unforgettable snowboarding experience.

In the following articles, our experts will tell you how to choose a snowboard helmet, the secrets of choosing a snowboard mask and recommendations for choosing a snowboard cover.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a purchase guide.