Things Every Amateur Snowboarder Needs to Know

Snowboarder

Snowboarding is a fun pastime activity that requires little money to get into. However, you will need to buy some required equipment and accessories to ensure you’re safe and comfortable while indulging in snowboarding.

To begin with, you need a board, boots, and bindings. While these things can get you started, there are also other things that can make your experience more enjoyable and safe.

Is snowboarding hard for beginners?

The answer, in short, is yes. Like every other skill, snowboarding takes practice, perseverance, and focus to master. So, if you are a beginner, here are the answers to three popular questions you may have.

How Much Does Snowboard Equipment Cost?

Luckily for beginners, you can snowboard with low-cost gear. While an advanced snowboarder may ride with $500 boots and $800 bindings, the typical beginner can start off nicely with a board under $100, boots around $50, and bindings around $100.

How to Size Snowboard Boots?

Snowboard boots are sized in either U.S. or Mondopoint sizing, unlike the regular shoes that you would buy at a shoe store. However, if you have ever worn other snowboarding boots, the sizing should already be familiar to you.

The U.S. sizing is easy to understand and usually listed in both men’s and women’s sizes for each boot (i.e., 7-1/2 Men, 8-1/2 Women).

Mondopoint sizing uses a number scale to indicate the foot size in mm and is only available on high-end boots. Note that the Mondopoint sizing does not start at zero but 20.

You can convert between U.S. and Mondopoint sizes by multiplying your U.S. size by 2. So, an 8-1/2 Men in U.S sizing would be a 40 in Mondopoint. Also, when you’re shopping for shoes to wear snowboarding, make sure to choose a pair that can handle the extra weight and pressure.

Is Snowboarding Hard for Beginners?

If you have never worn snowboard boots before, they will seem very different from any other shoe type. While there are no tricks to learning to walk in them, you must start with basic concepts.

  • The boot should feel snug but not too tight. There should be no room between your toes and the end of the boot.
  • Your foot should be snug to the sole but not too tight. There should be a little bit of wiggle room for your toes.
  • Stroll at first, easing into it. You will quickly adapt to this new walking style, and it will become your second nature after a few outings.
  • Carrying a board under your arm may sound like a good idea, but you will quickly learn that it is not. Snowboard boots are stiff, and the last thing you want to do is shove yourself onto your heel edge into a snowbank because your boot got stuck under your board.

Before You, Snowboard, Double-Check Your Laces and Ankle Support

Snowboard boots have a very secure lacing system with metal loops at all points around the boot. Make sure your laces are nice and tight, so you don’t lose your boot on a big jump or while carving down the mountain.

Also, the high ankle support helps hold your foot and ankle in place, so you don’t twist an ankle when landing off a feature. Remember to double-check both laces and ankle support before heading out for the day.

Snowboarding is a fun sport, but you will still need some basic gear to ensure you have fun without compromising your safety.

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