Getting Your Snowboarding Equipment Right

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It’s no myth that there is lots of equipment a snowboarder needs to buy before making his first trip to the mountains, most of which can be pretty expensive. Therefore, choosing the right equipment for you on the first purchase is very important since money no longer grows on trees. Snowboarding equipment is not only about comfort, it’s also about safety. A mountain can provide you with all kinds of hazardous conditions – frigid weather, trees, cliffs, other snowboarders, and even wilderness. Although this isn’t a complete list of snowboarding equipment, I’ve composed a list of some of the more essential items when hitting the slopes.

Snowboard: Of course when you go snowboarding, it’s a no brainer that you need a snowboard. However, snowboards come in many different styles, so it’s not as basic as just choosing any old snowboard. Make sure the snowboard is an extension of your body. You want to be as comfortable as possible with your snowboard. The more awkward a snowboard feels beneath your feet, the worse of a snowboarder you’ll be, and more importantly you run the greater risk of getting hurt.

Bindings: Just like the snowboard, the bindings are necessary to snowboarding. Without your bindings, your boots would have nothing strapping them down to the board. Make sure your bindings are durable. The old adage holds true here – spending a little more the first time will save you money in the long run. The last thing you want is to end up on top of the mountain with a broken binding and having to make the entire trip down the mountain walking.

Boots: A good pair of comfortable boots can go a long way to keeping you out on the mountain longer. When choosing a boot, make sure to check that it is waterproof, light in weight, ventilated, and durable. Also, make sure your boots fit your bindings.

Socks: Although not necessarily considered “snowboarding equipment”, a quality pair of socks can save you from a great degree of discomfort. Your toes are one of the first points on your body where frost bite can set in, so a warm pair of socks should not be underestimated on your snowboarding trip. Wool socks are a safe bet, but if you have a little more extra money to spend, synthetic socks are amazing.

Goggles: Goggles save your eyes from a variety of hazards. Wind can dry out your eyes and make it hard to see. Snow could fall into your eyes and block your vision. And most dangerously, a tree branch could poke you in your eye and do some serious damage. Don’t overlook the importance of eye protection.

Coat/Pants: Although snowboard equipment such as your coat and pants have become a lot more about fashion over the years, make sure you choose gear that is functional before fashionable.

Hat/Gloves: Just like the coat and pants, when buying a hat and gloves, go for function. Every snowboarder has their own personal preference when it comes to hats and gloves, but there is no need to go overboard with price on these. Choose what feels most comfortable, with your only goal in mind is to make sure they are water resistant.

Avalance Transponder: When snowboarding on a mountain that risks avalanches, an avalanche transponder can be a lifesaver. This device will alert the rescue squad of your location in case of an avalanche and begin the search. Hopefully you’ll never have to use it, but it’s nice to know you have it in case of emergency.

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