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Expert Advice Snowsports Snowboarding

How to Choose Snowboards

4.0 (259)

Like to cruise groomed runs? Float through powder? Hammer chutes? Or ride the rails? The right
snowboard for you is one designed for the terrain you prefer.

The learning curve on a snowboard is very fast, so if you’re a beginner, you should consider buying
for where you want to be and aim for a board that will accommodate improving skills.

Before you buy, take time to learn about the types, sizes and shapes of snowboards out there so
you can make a wise choice.

Shop snowboards

Types of Snowboards
 All-mountain: best for any terrain
Freestyle: best for the park
Splitboard: best for the backcountry

All-mountain
Best for any terrain and conditions. All-mountain snowboards perform anywhere on a mountain—
groomed runs, backcountry, even park and pipe. They may be directional (meaning downhill only)
or twin-tip (for riding switch, meaning either direction).

Most boarders ride all-mountain boards. Because of their versatility, all-mountain boards are good
for beginners who are still learning what terrain they like.

Shop all-mountain snowboards

Freestyle
Best for a playful ride in and out of the park. Freestyle snowboards are light, short and Qexible with
twin tips. They are good for riders who want a lively ride anywhere on the mountain, or those who
like to push their limits in terrain parks; they’re not so good for stability or cruising fast on hard
snow.

Shop freestyle snowboards

Splitboard
Best for climbing in the backcountry. These backcountry-speciSc boards split in half to create 2
skis and permit climbing on untracked backcountry slopes. You later reconnect the halves and ride
downhill.

It’s a great design for adventurous backcountry devotees who have the knowledge, skills and
conSdence to safely explore unpatrolled slopes. You'll also need climbing skins and a split kit,
usually sold separately.

Shop splitboards

Snowboards by Gender or Age

Women's Snowboards
Women-speciSc boards match a woman's frame and stance, with narrower waist widths (for
smaller feet), slightly less camber and softer Qex (engineered for the way women drive energy into
a board). REI has an extensive selection; click on the "women's" checkbox on the left column of the
snowboard page.

Taller women, particularly those with a boot size of 9 or higher, may Snd it useful to look at some
boards in the men's category.

Kids’ Snowboards
While kids grow fast, parents should avoid buying an adult board, hoping your child will grow into it.
An oversized board can be unmanageable for a child and slow their skill development.

Shop kids' snowboards

Snowboard Camber / Rocker

Camber delivers a lively, stable ride and provides pop and
responsiveness on hardpack or groomed runs, especially when
powering out of turns. Experienced, speed-oriented riders favor
cambered boards.

Flat (neutral, or no camber). Enables quick turns and

maximum feel while increasing Qoat.

Rocker (aka reverse camber) creates upturned tips and tails.

The design excels in powder and when jibbing or riding rails in
the park. Rockered boards are softer than cambered boards
and tend to have a surfy feel that offers easy turn initiation,
making them popular among novice riders. Experienced riders,
though, can still coax powerful rides out of them.
Mixed camber (or modiEed rocker) has exploded in popularity,
and manufacturers have hatched lots of rocker variations to
address speciSc performance attributes, too many to explain
here. Look to an REI snowsports specialist or snowboard
manufacturer to explain the nuances of rocker variations.

Snowboard Shape
Directional boards are designed to be ridden forward (downhill).

True twins are symmetrical in construction and exhibit no difference in performance whether you
ride them forward or backward. This makes them a popular choice for park and pipe riding.

Directional twin boards are good for people who ride all over the mountain, from groomers to the
park.

Snowboard Sizing
Length: Stand a board on its tail. Its nose should reach somewhere between a rider’s nose and
chin. Fast, aggressive riders often prefer a longer board. Park riders eager to hit lots of jumps and
twists may want a very short board.

Weight: Recommended rider weights are listed in the spec charts of individual boards on their
REI.com product pages.

Width: Riders with large feet (men U.S. size 11 and higher; women size 10+), should consider wide
boards. Toes or heels that excessively overhang snowboard edges could cause drag and diminish
performance. A little overhang is Sne, though; it gives you more leverage during turns.

Additional Snowboard Features

Sidecut Radius
This term describes the curve of a board’s edges.

Deeper sidecut (lower numbers, in centimeters): These boards

have narrower waists, so they turn quickly and easily. Good for
beginners and park riders.

Shallow sidecut (higher numbers): Because they have wider

waists, these boards Qoat more easily on soft snow. They do a good job of handling high speeds
and powering through crud.
Effective Edge
Snowboards have metal edges that bite into snow to provide
control and steering. A snowboard's "effective edge"
(measured in centimeters) is the edge section that actually
touches the snow or ice throughout your descent.

A longer effective edge provides stability at high speed and

good grip in turns or when descending icy slopes.

A shorter effective edge creates a board that is easier to turn and spin.

“Multi-radial” edge designs also exist, another variation that snowboard makers offer to make
their boards stand out. Usually it means they offer better control on ice.

Flex
A board can Qex 2 ways. Longitudinal Qex is the Qex along the board’s length (most important to
most boarders). Torsional Qex is the Qex across the board’s width.

Soft Mex boards are forgiving and easy to turn. They’re usually preferred by beginners, riders with
lower body weights and park riders.

Stiff Mex boards provide more grip when turning and hold speeds better than softer boards. They
also hold an edge better when descending fast.

Base Materials
Two types of polyethylene (PE) are used in snowboard bases:

Extruded bases are less expensive, low maintenance and relatively easy to repair, but sometimes
vulnerable to warping.

Sintered bases are faster, stronger, lighter and more durable, but more expensive and require
waxing.

Binding compatibility
Snowboards offer several different mounting options for bindings. Make sure your bindings and
your board are compatible. For more details, see our Expert Advice article on how to choose
snowboard bindings.

Related REI Expert Advice Articles

Rocker for Snowboards Explained
 Snowboard Boots: How to Choose

Snowboard Bindings: How to Choose

Snowboarding Quick Tips

Kids and Snowboarding: How to Get Started

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