Snowboarding Gear Checklist

In order to prepare for a day of boarding in the mountains, a budding boarder should first make sure that he has all the equipment he needs. This includes all the suitable clothing, accessories and, of course, a snowboard. It can sometimes be difficult as a beginner to know which brands are worth buying, but shoppers can check out snowboarding review sites such as metrosnow.co.uk, and snowboarding.com to find out which are the best buys.

  1. Base Layer

    • Snowboarders need to dress to conserve body heat by wearing a thermal vest and thermal underwear. Synthetic materials work best as they draw moisture away from the body while trapping heat. A fleece is usually worn over the thermal vest for added insulation. Thick socks should also be worn. Specialized snowboarding socks are available to buy in shops or online.

    Outer Layer

    • A snowboarding jacket needs to be waterproof, and most are also slightly padded. It is also important for pants to be waterproof as snowboarders spend a lot of time sitting on the floor in between runs and while fastening their feet into the bindings. Snowboarding pants and jackets come in a variety of colors and designs. This has an added benefit as it allows other people on the slope to see them clearly, which can help to prevent collisions. Boarders should also wear thick, waterproof gloves to keep hands warm and dry.

    Boots

    • A snowboarder must have boots made specifically for this particular sport. Snowboarding boots have a particular shape which allows them to fit into the bindings of the snowboard and will connect her to her board. The boots come in all regular shoe sizes. It is recommended that a boarder should wear the thick snowboarding socks when trying on shoes. The added thickness can mean a larger shoe size is needed.

    Goggles

    • Snowboarding goggles protect the snowboarders eyes from powerful UV rays that bounce off the snow in the mountains. They also allow the boarder to see the surface of the snow better which means they can see where the ground is uneven. Goggles also protect the eyes from wind, snow, ice and tree branches. They come in a variety of styles. Goggles can also be tinted for better vision.

    Snowboard

    • A boarder must have a snowboard individually suited to him because he must be fitted with the correct size for his height. There are also different types of snowboard such as the freestyle, freeride and alpine boards, which are currently the most popular on the market. A snowboarder also needs bindings for the snowboard. These are a sturdy structure which fasten the boots into the snowboard. There are different styles of fastenings available and they also come in different sizes.