10 Essential Pieces of Snowboard Equipment

From the gold medal competitor, to the five year-old first timer, the essential pieces of snowboard equipment are exactly the same. Maybe not the sizes, styles, or brands, but the things themselves, are. Many people like to add their own little bits and pieces to their gear, but for the most part, every rider enjoying a day on the beautiful, snow-covered slopes should have the same ten things on or with them.

1. Obviously, the first and foremost piece of snowboard equipment that every rider must have is a snowboard. Although it might be any number of different styles, sizes, brand names, colors, etc., it’s still one of the most important pieces to the puzzle. Picking the board that’s right for you can be a difficult task with so many choices out there, but keep in mind that your riding style, height, weight, and foot size should all be factored in when making your decision.

2. Right behind the board, comes the bindings. A vital part of the snowboarding process is that your feet be in contact with the board at all times. While this sport is similar in many ways to both surfing and skateboarding, one of the major differences, besides where it’s done of course, is that you’re bound to the board. It’s a good idea to get your boots first so you can be sure that they fit properly into your bindings. An improper boot-to-binding fit is one of the most common obstacles for snowboarders.

3. Now that you’ve got your board and bindings, the next bit of snowboard equipment you’re going to need, is an ultra-comfortable pair of boots. The comfort and fit of these little babies can make or break your whole set up, being as they are your body’s link to your snowboard, so if there’s one piece of gear that’s worth a little extra money, this is it. However, just because the boots cost more doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the best ones for your feet, so don’t worry about the price as much as finding the perfect fit.

4. Staying warm is going to be a huge factor once you’re on the mountain, so start you ensemble with a base layer of some kind. While some companies offer items that have been specifically designed to do this job, such as Burton’s First Layer collection, a pricey brand name item isn’t necessary to get the job done. As long as you have long underwear style bottoms, a long sleeve shirt, and warm socks that are made from synthetic polyester or polypropylene material, and not cotton, you should be all right.

5. Once you’ve sufficiently warmed your core, it’s time to form the outer layer that should not only keep the snow out, but keep the warmth in. Snowboarding pants come in all different colors, sizes, and pocket counts, and while fashion can and should play into your decision, functionality should too. Be sure that the pants you choose are not only water and windproof, but that they have a breathable shell on the outside and a thin, but efficient insulating layer on the inside. Also, it’s good to find ones that have inner cuffs that fit snugly over each boot to help keep the snow and cold out.

6. A good quality jacket is another item you should add to your snowboard equipment list. Like with the pants, there are plenty of jackets to choose from, but aside from the fashion aspect, there are a few things that make some jackets better then others. While any snowboarding jacket has been designed to be wind and waterproof, the lower end models aren’t going to have as much ventilation as the higher end ones, and probably won’t do as good of a job of keeping the moisture out. Also, the cheaper jackets aren’t made of waterproof material like their pricey partners, and therefore their coating will wear off after time. Don’t be fooled by fashion, looking cool doesn’t necessarily mean staying warm.

7. Alright, we’re getting down to some of the smaller, yet no less important, pieces of snowboard equipment. Gloves are a MUST for any and all snowboarders. Without them, you’ll end up whining your way back to your hotel before you even get started. Depending on your personal preference, look for gloves or mittens (mittens tend to keep your fingers a little warmer) with an inner liner, and something that you can tuck under or over you jacket to help eliminate the possibility of snow and cold getting in.

8. A beanie hat is another essential item snowboarders should have on or with them. Much of the body’s heat escapes through your head, so keeping it toasty and warm is a great way to help keep the rest of your body the same. There are hundreds of different beanies out there that’ll get the job done, and while the ones that have been made with snowboarding in mind might do it better, just about any kind will do the trick. As long as the top of your head is covered, it’ll be harder for your body’s heat to sneak off while you’re busy enjoying the steeps and deeps.

9. Goggles are something that every rider should use. Not only do the help protect your eyes from the wind and snow, but they also help keep out the harmful rays that are coming from both the sun and reflecting up off the snow. As with all other snowboard equipment, there is an unlimited selection to choose from, but one of the main things you should consider is lens color. While orange and yellow are good for just about any conditions, dark tint better for really bright sunny days, and clear is the best one for night riding.

10. And last, but certainly not least, a helmet. While seeing someone in a helmet used to be a rare sighting that was worth a double take, they’re becoming increasingly popular with today’s riders. Not only because technology is allowing them to be made lighter and more comfortable each season, but because the intensity of the tricks being done, and the speed at which riders race down the runs demands that extra precautions be taken.

So, the next time you’re heading up to your local resort to enjoy a day in the snow, be sure you’ve checked these 10 essentials off your list: board, bindings, boots, base layer, pants, jacket, gloves, beanie, goggles, and a helmet, and you should be good to go. There’s nothing more satisfying then a day of snowboarding, so don’t throw rocks in your own game by forgetting one of the things you’re sure to need.