How to choose a snowboard

Snowboard is a type of active recreation, which has received a huge spread in our country. Entertainment and spectacularity, the relative ease of development and a relatively small amount of equipment required - this is the secret of the popularity of snowboarding today. And in order for skating on the board to bring only pleasure and not create unnecessary problems, the choice of equipment to the whole and the board itself in particular must be approached with all responsibility.

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1. The best manufacturers of snowboards
   
2. Types of snowboards
3. The main criteria for choosing a snowboard
4. Choosing a snowboard for height and weight
5. Choosing a snowboard for a beginner

The best manufacturers of snowboards. Which board to choose?

The release of snowboards is currently carried out by many companies located around the world. As a rule, their products are represented by riders known in their circles, as well as athletes representing specific countries at the Olympic Games (snowboarding was recently included in the list of Olympic disciplines). Traditionally, the strongest manufacturers whose products are in stable demand are the following companies:

1. Vans

2. Burton

3. Never summer

4. Lib tech

5. GNU

Information about the products of the brands listed above can be found both on the websites of the manufacturing companies themselves and on thematic forums on the Internet, as well as in communities on social networks dedicated to snowboarding.

Types of snowboards. How are skating boards different?

Snowboard is a special board designed for downhill from the mountain. Its design is a laminated board of elongated shape, the edges of which are curved on both sides, and the faces are covered with special metal plates, simplifying maneuvering. The inner surface of the board provides for mounting for special shoes, similar in design to ski.

Modern snowboards are divided into the following types

Universal snowboards (All-mountain)

Boards that are equally well suited to both beginners mastering the technique of riding and experienced riders. This type of boards accounts for the largest number of sales. It is characterized by medium stiffness, symmetrical shape with a narrow waist of the board, thoughtful shoe anchorages and high quality lamination of the working surface.

Virtues

• Suitable for descents and on the highway, and on the snow virgin;

• Convenient mounting for shoes;

• Able to develop a serious speed;

• Symmetrical shape;

• High quality performance;

disadvantages

• They do not allow to fully reveal the possibilities of certain driving styles;

• Not very applicable during extreme descents from the mountain on snowy virgin lands;

Carving snowboards

Boards designed for high-speed downhill on specially prepared ski slopes. They have increased rigidity and a modified form - the tail section is short-cut and has a straight shape, the nose is strongly bent, and the central part of the board is equipped with rigidly fixed shoes. The style of riding on such a board is downhill with the preservation of a wide undulating trajectory.

Virtues

• Designed for downhill and maneuvering;

• Able to develop high speed;

• Wide turning radius;

• Increased maneuverability, precise control over corners;

disadvantages

• Not suitable for beginners;

• Suitable exclusively for professionally prepared tracks;

• High price;

Freeride Boards

As the name suggests, they are intended for descents from the mountain on the virgin snow in “wild” places, off-piste and ski slopes. They are popular among fans of extreme sports and cross-country skiing. The appearance of the board is designed for high-speed maneuvering on fluffy snow - the width of the board is higher than that of the classical models, the shape has a reverse bend, and the rigidity is at an average level.

Virtues

• Designed for riding on fresh snow off-piste;

• Sharpened handling;

• The ability to develop high speed;

disadvantages

• Tough enough;

• Not suitable for riding on prepared pistes;

Freestyle boards

Imply high-speed maneuvering and descents on specially equipped for this purpose tracks. Provide not only high-speed maneuvering, but also the ability to roll down the chute, perform all sorts of tricks, jumps and other acrobatic elements. The board has a symmetrical shape, reinforced anchorages for shoes and increased rigidity for being able to withstand shock loads.

Virtues

• Great for performing various tricks;

• Symmetrical shape;

• Reinforced shoe holders;

• Increased base stiffness;

disadvantages

• Quickly fails with regular slopes on the chute (jibbing);

• Require training;

• High price;

The main criteria for choosing a snowboard

Criteria for the selection of snowboard lie in the style of riding and the features that affect it, and in geometric dimensions and their proportions.

Snowboard length

The principle of selection of a snowboard is calculated based on the growth of a particular rider - the higher the person, the more length must be the board.

1. Carving and all-mountain boards are selected from the proportion “rider height minus 10 centimeters”. When mounted on an edge, their height should end at the rider's nose level;

2. Models used for freeride and freestyle should be somewhat longer - only 3-5 cm less than the rider's height. In addition, an important role is played by weight - the heavier the rider, the longer the length of the snowboard should be.

Board width

As a rule, it is measured at the narrowest point of the snowboard - the waist, depending on this parameter, all snowboards are divided into four general categories:

1. Narrow models, waist 235-240 millimeters;

2. Standard, width 240-250 millimeters;

3. Medium, waist width 250-260 millimeters;

4. Wide, whose width is more than 260 millimeters;

Materials of which the board is made

The central part of the snowboard, the so-called core, can be made of three different materials and their combinations:

1. Natural wood. Durable, but at the same time soft, resistant to vibrations and adequately absorbing shock loads. It is widely used in the manufacture of boards such as freeride and freestyle;

2. "Sandwich" made of natural wood and foam material has been successfully used for the manufacture of universal boards for high-speed descents.

3. Wood reinforced with all sorts of metal inserts and polymeric materials - fiberglass, carbon cloth. Provides maximum strength and withstands severe shock loads that regularly occur during jumping from the springboards and jibbing;

4. The outer layer of the snowboard is made of a material having the lowest coefficient of adhesion to the surface. The lower the grip, the higher the sliding properties of the board and, accordingly, the better it maneuvers and accelerates.

5. Extruded polyethylene is used in the manufacture of low-end snowboard models. Inexpensive, but whimsical in maintenance and demanding to care material

6. Sintered polyethylene is more resistant to mechanical stress compared to its extruded counterpart. It absorbs ointment well and is distinguished by excellent slip characteristics;

7. Carbon fiber - the most advanced and, accordingly, expensive material. Differs in excellent operational characteristics and with success is applied in the most different models of boards of an average and top price range.

Bend construction

Directly affects the performance, stability of the board and the complexity of its development.

1. Classical bending is a curved upward edge and a raised central part of the board. Enjoys success among experienced snowboarders, provides the ability to quickly maneuver and perform speed descents;

2. Rocker. The type of board similar in the constructive plan, differs from the classical concerning the earth by the central part. Due to this design, the board is obtained as stable and easy to learn, and therefore it is such a design that is popular with beginners.

3. Zero bending is a board evenly touching the surface with slightly raised noses. Provides easy and effortless maneuverability, regardless of the type of surface, and therefore is popular among fans of freestyle.

4. Combined bending is a complex construction, obtained by applying various materials and applying a diverse processing technique. Allows you to change the form factor of the bend of the board, and with it its physical properties.

Choosing a snowboard for height and weight

In order to choose a snowboard for growth, store consultants use a simple rule. The selected board is mounted vertically and leans against the body of a potential rider. If the board is chosen correctly and corresponds to the rider's height, in this position it should touch the lips. This rule is universal and is suitable when choosing a board, regardless of the preferred method of riding.

The situation is somewhat different if the snowboard is selected according to the rider's weight. Here, special formulas come into play, implying the execution of an exact calculation:

1. In the case when the snowboard is selected for a man, his weight is multiplied by a factor of 0.3, and 136 is added to the resulting number;

2. For women, the formula is different - the weight is multiplied by 0.4 and 127 is added to the amount received.

3. Comparing the length of the snowboard and the figures obtained as a result of the calculations, it is possible to choose the snowboard variant that is optimal for all cases of operation.

Choosing a snowboard for a beginner

Choosing your first snowboard is a task that needs to be addressed with all responsibility. The information described above is enough to make the right choice, and therefore the best option for a beginner snowboard should be as follows:

1. Board class - freestyle or all-mountain;

2. Bend - zero or "rocker";

3. Base material - natural wood. Preference should be given to soft varieties;

4. Lining material - extruded polyethylene as an ideal value for money. If you can spend a significant amount of money on a snowboard, you can opt for models with a base of graphite;

5. The length of the snowboard is selected based on the height and weight of the rider;

6. The width of the board depends entirely on the size of the foot and the boots used for snowboarding;

The above rules are quite enough to choose the right board and get an unforgettable impression of snowboarding.

In the following articles, our experts tell how to choose a helmet for snowboardingsecrets snowboarding mask selection and recommendations for choosing a snowboard cover.

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Attention! This material is the subjective opinion of the authors of the project and is not a guide to purchase.