For a beginner, choosing the right snowboard size is the most important part of the process and being able to get the most out of your snowboarding experience. Whether it’s a family snowboarding holiday or a hobby you’re looking to take up, picking the perfect board to start with is vital. In this blog, we’re going to look at the various factors which you need to think about when choosing a board and how each type of board has its various pros and cons.
Weight vs Height
For any rider, arguably the most important factor is your weight as this is what’s being controlled when riding the board. This also ties in with height because generally the taller you are the heavier you are. Therefore, you must be mindful of both elements when choosing the length of your board. Most boards do come with a recommended size guide on the product page which is normally the most accurate guide you’ll have as each board is unique. Here’s a rough size guide on sizes of boards depending on height and weight. We recommend doing more research into size to make sure your board is a perfect fit. This Is only a guide to start with.
|
Rider Height (IN) |
Rider Height (CM) |
Rider Weight (KG) |
Snowboard Size (CM) |
|
4’10” |
147 |
45-54 |
128-136 |
|
5’ |
152 |
51-60 |
133-141 |
|
5’2” |
158 |
53-62 |
139-147 |
|
5’4” |
163 |
60-68 |
144-152 |
|
5’6” |
168 |
63-70 |
148-157 |
|
5’8” |
173 |
67-75 |
154-162 |
|
5’10” |
178 |
70-79 |
159-167 |
|
6’ |
183 |
76-84 |
160+ |
|
6’2” |
188 |
75-89 |
160+ |
|
6’3” + |
193 |
80+ |
160+ |
Width
Now when it comes to the width of the board there are two options to choose from, either your standard width snowboard or a wide snowboard. The width of your snowboard should be based on your shoe size. Ideally, you want your feet to be slightly hanging off the board (I’d say a good range is 1 – 2cm of overhang), this is due to controlling the board. It takes a lot more effort to apply pressure when your feet are to far from the edges, therefore a slight overhang gives you greater control. Too much though and you’ll have heel/toe drag, so finding the right balance is key.
In terms of sizes, I’d say for men, anything up to a UK 10.5 shoe size you should get a standard board. Anything past size 11 UK, and you should go for a wide snowboard instead. For women, the boards are narrower due to women having smaller feet on average. We would recommend choosing a men’s standard snowboard if you’re looking for a wider board.
Longer vs shorter boards
The main factor here to consider is experience. An experienced rider, depending on the style and terrain they’re choosing might opt for a longer board. However, this is a beginners guide and for most beginners I would recommend choosing a slightly shorter board at the start. The smaller boards allow for greater control of the board, where longer boards will give you more speed. Until your comfortable with the basics and riding the board without falling over all the time, I’d go with a board slightly shorter.
Final thoughts
Choosing a snowboard size is a vital part of making the most out of your experience. Having a snowboard that doesn’t feel right can affect not only your ability to ride, but your overall enjoyment of the sport. We want to make sure you’re fully aware of the factors that make a difference when riding a board, so that there’s less hassle when selecting your board from our catalog. So, just to go over what we’ve said:
- Choose your boards length based on your weight & height (refer to the table as a guide)
- Purchase a snowboard that is in the smaller end of your size range.
- Consider boot size when deciding on width of the board.
- Remember to get comfortable with your board before exploring with longer and different styles of boards.
- Remember your board is an investment and can be used for a long time, if you’re growing take this into account when buying.
We hope this has been a helpful guide for you beginners. Be sure to check out are other beginner guides here. If you’re interested in some of our other blogs be sure to check them out as well.
