Snowboarding Gear

I ride everyday, over 100 days a season. Good snowboarding gear makes a difference, not only in your riding but good quality products that will last are a plus.

There's nothing worst than spending $250 for a pair of boots and having to take them back to the shop after you rode them for 30 days because they get full of water. You will have to send them back and blah blah. A pain in the butt.

Bindings...........they will fall apart. We put the gear to the test and we will let you know what is good and happening on the mountain. You have to look good too, they say a good outfit will give you confidence, it will make you better.

Good gear matters, poorly made boards don't ride well and don't last.

Let us help you find the right stuff for you. We want you to snowboard and keep snowboarding.

This Squidoo lens will help you with your Snowboarding Gear. If you are looking for information about snowboarding health, snowboarding tips, step by step guide to tuning your snowboard, snowboard travel, snowboard videos and other snowboarding related topics click here

The first step in the snowboard buyers guide is How much are you willing to spend?

A entry level board will cost anywhere from $150-$250.

A mid-range board will cost between $250-$450.

A top end board will cost $450 and up.

Remember these are just prices, they do not reflect the ability of a rider. I know plenty of really good riders who like to ride around on entry level boards because of how soft and flexible they are. On the same note I see many people who aren't that good at snowboarding yet, ride around on some of the most expensive boards.

The snowboard buyers guide........... To find the right size board stand next to the board on its tail and measure where it comes to you on your body.

If the board falls anywhere between your collar bone and your chin, it is considered a short board or a jibbing board. Remember boards can't tell how tall you are, they only react to how much you weight. So a short board would be recommended for a lighter person because they are small, light, and easier to make turns with. There is nothing worst than trying to turn a really big board when you are a tiny person. You will end up hating snowboarding if you are in that situation.

If the board is between your chin and your nose, it is considered an all terrain board. This length board is recommended for and average built to heavier built person. If the snowboard is anywhere from your nose and up it is considered a powder board and should be used in deep snow. This would be recommended for any backcountry riding or for someone who is big and tall.

The snowboard buyers guide..........Find the right width board!! is all about having NO toe drag or heel drag.

The easiest way to measure this is to strap or step into your bindings. Then hold the board up at one end at a time and look to see if the toe or heel of your boot goes over the edges of your board. If they don't then you are good, if they do then you might want to consider looking for a wider board. Having toe or heel drag will make your toe's or heel's drag in the snow during your turns. You will not be able to make perfect turns, plus you will probably wipeout a lot. Having your toes and heels placed over edges will give you the proper control over the board.

The next step for the snowboard buyers guide is learning about snowboard flex.

The torsional flex is how much a board flex's from side to side. The more flex the easier it will be to turn. Too little flex and the board will be hard to stay on edge during a turn. The longitudinal flex is how flexible the board is from tip to tail. A balanced flex is what you want. You DON'T want a board that has a different flex in the nose then in the tail or vice versa because it will cause an uneven flow between your turns. A softer flex board is good for beginners and jibbers because they are easier to turn and they are more forgiving. A firmer flex board is good for racers or carvers.

The final step in the snowboard buyers guide is to find the right sidecut.

The sidecut is the area between your edges and the top of your board. A shallow sidecut is good for longer sweeping turns. All mountain boards have shallow sidecuts, they are easier to control. A deeper sidecut is easier and faster to turn. They are good for beginners and jibbers.

Now you know what to look for in a board. Time for the snowboard review. OK so I tried putting the 08' Snowboard reviews all on this page but it took to much room. So I set up a link to the review.
You can click here for the Snowboard 08'Review

Here are a few tips on how to buy snowboard bindings.

The Parts of a Binding

Bindings are made up of three different parts.

A base plate which holds the bindings to the board. Could be plastic or metal.

A highback which supports the ankle and calf while making heel side turns. Setting your highback to different angles allows you to set how much forward lean you want, the forward lean angles your leg towards your toes, the more your leg is angled the more pressure on the binding when you make turns and this makes your turns come with less effort.

And either the use of strap in or step in technology to hold your boots to the bindings.

Make Sure your Boots Fit the Bindings.

You should buy your snowboard boots before you buy your bindings. This way you will know how well your boot is going to fit with the binding. Other than the standard sizes of snowboard bindings (s, m, l, xl) bindings can be furthered tweaked to accommodate your boot size and riding style.

click here for top snowboard binding reviews

Tips for Trying on Snowboard Bindings

It is best to try the binding on when it is attached to a board. You want to put the heel of your boot all the way in the back. Make sure there is a nice snug fit and that there is no room to move around in. This is very important for safety and maintaining control over your board.

Connect the heel and toe straps and see if the bindings feel good. You don't want them too tight because it will be uncomfortable and the blood will stop going to your toes!. However, you don't want it so loose that you can slide your boot around.

Cheap vs. Expensive Bindings

Bindings are one thing you don't want to go cheap on. Cheap bindings always break. Crappy plastic snaps in cold temperatures. They are heavier, with less padding, it makes them uncomfortable to wear. Remember happy feet make a happy snowboarder.

Different Binding Upgrades

You can upgrade your snowboard binding by getting the Cap strap, it will give you a more secure, more responsive feeling and will not pressure your feet. Unlike regular toe straps which pull your toes downward, the cap strap pulls your down and back. The cap strap is highly recommended.

You can also put padded inserts below your bindings to better absorb impacts. All Union Binding Co. bindings come standard with supercushy footbeds.

You can also put riser's underneath your binding. They will help you get up on edge better. If you are a big-footed rider they can help eliminate some toe drag.

Something to Keep in Mind

Burton boards are all made with their unique 3 hole binding mount system. If you ride a Burton snowboard you should check and make sure that the bindings you want are compatible with the 3 hole setup, otherwise you will not be able to setup your bindings up exactly how you might want them.

click here for the 08' Snowboard Binding Reviews

Buying a good pair of bindings will make a huge difference in how much fun you are having on the hill. Back when I bought my first pair of bindings I didn't have a review to help guide me to the perfect pair. So I ended up with a cheap pair of bindings. Going cheap with your snowboard bindings is not a good idea. It can actually be dangerous because the plastic they are made with can break in cold temperatures. It's kind of funny but I use to carry a piece of velcro in case my binding strap broke.
Click here for the 08' Snowboard Binding Reviews

How To Buy Snowboard Boots

Having good comfortable snowboard boots is essential for having fun on the hill. Happy feet make a happy snowboarder. Boots link your body to the board that is why they are so important. You don't want to go cheap on your boots other wise you will pay for it in the long run.

Strap-In vs. Step-In

First you need to know what type of bindings you are going with. If you use the strap in bindings than you are good to use any boot, unless it is a step-in boot. A step-in boot is usually firmer and needs to be bought with your step-in bindings.


Binding Decision: Strap-in or Step-in

The Different Layers of Snowboard Boots

Boots are made up of two sections, the liner and the shell. The liner's job is to keep your feet comfortable and warm. Better liner's will feature things like heat-molded liners, their own lacing system to maximize fit, and a super cushy foam for more warmth and comfort.

The Shell is what keeps the water out. Sometimes the manufacture will not properly seal everything, so if you notice that your liner or socks are wet you have a hole. Find the hole and fill it with shoe-goo. Some shells lace differently. There is the standard lacing, which is just like tying a pair of shoes. There are shells with speed lacing and all you do is pull on two strings and your done. The Boa lacing system is another way of quickly tying your boots. All you do is turn a knob a couple of times and the steel like wires that run throughout your boots tighten up.


Snowboard boots review: click here to find Boa lacing boots and more.

Get the Right Fit

You don't want to settle for the first pair of boots you try on. You should try on a bunch of boots from different companies. Your foot is unique and and so is every boot. You are going to be in your boots for at-least 3-5 hours so you need to make sure they were made for your feet.

Tips on Trying on Boots

Make sure that you wear the same socks that you go riding with when you are trying on your boots. Put your feet into the liners and tighten(some liner's don't tighten and don't separate from the shell, skip next sentence). Then insert the liner into the shell. Make sure your heel is all the way in the back and lace up. Once your all laced up strap into a a board with bindings. This is when you want to test the boots out. Try leaning back and forth & side to side. Things to pay attention to are: Does your heel stay in place, especially when leaning forward, Does your foot slide around, and are there any pressure points that hurt.

Boot Flex

Finding the boot with the right amount of flex for you is also important. Your desired boot flex depends upon your riding style. Freestyle riders usually like softer more flexible boots. Freeride boots are typically stiffer and offer more support. Alpine riding boots are hard like ski boots which offer maximum support.

Using the snowboard boot review can help keep your feet happy. Lots of people don't realize the importance of good comfortable boots. Good boots can make the difference between having a good time on the hill and hating it. Your boots need to fit your feet and your riding style.

Click Here for the 08' Snowboard Boot Reviews

Snowboard goggles are very important. Sunglasses will not cut it. The sun is twice as dangerous when being reflected by the snow. You need to protect more than your eyes. At high speeds snow,ice, & wind could get in your eyes and blind you if your only wearing sun glasses. And if you like riding in the trees then you will definitely wanna wear goggles to protect your eyes and face from twigs.


Goggles that fog up suck, it can be dangerous. Some goggle lenses have been treated with anti-fogging chemicals. If you have had problems with fogging in the past I would recommend getting lenses with the anti-fog treatment. Ventilation will also help with fog control. Many goggles have different vents located through out. Some are on top, some on bottom. Remember the bigger the holes the better the ventilation, but with more cold air.

Snowboard Goggle Buying Guide: Lens Color Description

Black/Polarized: Great for sunny days. Cuts the glare without changing the color of things.




Green/Silver: Good for bright days, maybe with some passing clouds. Helps bring out the contrast. Good for seeing exactly where that ledge ends.




Yellow/Amber/Gold Lenses: Good for all around including low to medium light. Helps with seeing shadows.




Purple/Rose: Good for flat light or low light. Helps bring out the contours and shadows.




Clear Lenses: Good for night and flat light.

Snowboard Goggle Buying Guide: Other things to note

Good Fit: You want to have a nice fitting pair of goggles. You don't want them so tight that they hurt your nose or too loose that they bounce around as you ride. Part of having a good fit is having good padding on the inside.




No Gapper Gap: One of the sure signs of a newbie on the hill is a gapper gap. This is when there is a space between your goggles and your helmet. Make sure your goggles fit with your helmet so you don't have one.




Good Vision: You wanna be able to see good. Your peripheral vision is very important for safety reasons. Not being able to see other riders to your sides can be dangerous.

You should always read a good snowboard goggle review before deciding on a pair. This way you know for sure that you find the right pair. I can't put the whole 08' Snowboard Goggle Review on this lens, but you can Click here for the 08' Snowboard Goggle Review.

You don't want to buy a snowboard jacket and end up hating it. Don't get caught up with your image just yet first focus on the necessities.


Waterproofing & Breath-Ability

You need to first know the what conditions you will be riding in. If you are riding in the northwest it's going to be wet, you should get a jacket made out of Gore-tex or with a waterproof rating of 10,000mm or more. If it is going to be really cold, like in the northeast you should make sure that you buy a snowboard jacket with good insulation. Down jackets are the best because you don't sacrifice weight for warmth. If it's going to be dry like in Colorado, you will be fine with a jacket that has 5,000mm and 5,0000gm. Don't forget about a windbreaker either they are very light and versatile.

How it Fits

Snowboard Jackets come in all different styles, slim, baggy, puffy, and in-between. This is something you will want to consider when trying to put your whole image together. Slim jackets are good because you probably will not ripped it as much if you like riding in the trees, but might not be as warm because you will not a lot of room for layering. Baggy jackets are awesome because they leave a lot of room on the inside to layer up, but are usually a bit heavier. Puffy jackets are warm. They are usually made of down or down-alternative, the down side is sometimes the fabric is weaker and can be torn by branches.

Other Features

Having a lot of good pockets is one of the coolest things about a jacket. They are great for storing all kinds of things, goggles, extra lenses, keys, CANDY,Ipods...etc. Another feature is the ventilation system. Having vents is a nice feature if things get a little warm. Some jackets come with pass holders which can save you from taking off your gloves. If you are riding in powder a lot you might want a snowboard jacket with a powder guard. They help prevent snow from going up and into your jacket. Other features that you will find on the more expensive jackets are tapped seams and waterproof zippers.

Figure out what you will want from your jacket, then start putting your "look" together and start shopping for your new snowboard jacket. Good luck!

You don't want to buy a jacket that you don't like. Read the above buying guide then check out the 08' Snowboard Jacket Reviews so you can find the right jacket. Click here for the 08' Snowboard Jacket Reviews

Waterproofing & Breath-ability

The first thing you want to ask yourself is, what type of conditions are you going to be riding in. Are they going to be warm and dry or cold and wet. A light weight breathable snowboard pant with some vents would be perfect for warm and dry conditions. You don't need to buy snowboard pants with a waterproofing of 10,000mm because it will be a waste and you should focus on getting pants with 10,000gm breath-ability or more. If you are going to be riding in conditions that are wet then you want to buy snowboard pants that are high in waterproofing. Take for example riding in the North West, like Oregon, it is really wet there and you would be better off buying snowboard pants with a minimum waterproofing of 10,000mm or get snowboard pants with Gore-tex. If you are going to be riding in cold temperatures you should get pants that have a high waterproofing and breath-ability, but also come with a removable liner.

How They Fit

You also want to know how it is going to fit on you. Are you looking for large baggy fitting pants or slim tight looking pants. Most companies will let you know if their pants are baggy or slim in their product description which is really good if you buy snowboard pants online.

Other Features

I'm really picky about my snowboard gear and have a hard time finding a pair that I like. After you narrow your search down based upon the above questions, you have a whole bunch of extra features that I have a hard time deciding on. For example pockets. I love having a bunch of pockets and pockets that are in good places. I don't know why but it is really cool to have them. Other features to pay attention to are "ghetto slits." These are located at the bottom of pants and can be zipped open or closed depending on the look you want. Some people like features like pass holders and big air vents, tapped seams and waterproof zippers.

To recap the number's before both the mm and gm are the waterproofing and breath-ability of the pants. The higher the number the better they are. Some snowboard pants come with removable first layer liners, these work well in cold temperatures.

The best advice is first make sure your pants will work well with the climate you will be riding in, then just make sure they work with the whole picture. In other words, how is your new snowboard pants going to look with your snowboard jacket and so on. Create a theme. Good Luck!

Like I mentioned above, I can't put the pants review on this lens. It is just too big to fit. But you can click here for the 08' Snowboard Pants Review.