Choosing the right snowboard size can be difficult, and if you ask a couple of mates (or the internet) what size to go for, chances are they're going to be wildly different answers. Here at Melbourne Snowboard Centre, we have come up with a simple solution to finding your perfect board size.
Firstly, try not to get overwhelmed by all the tech talk of cambers and flex ratings, there's so much information out there but initially you need to consider four main points: weight, height, ability and where you spend your time riding.
Most manufacturers give a recommended rider weight for each snowboard in their range. We have tried to include this data on all of our snowboard pages to make it easier for you to consider your options and find the right board. The range is really only a suggestion and if you find yourself outside the range, that's fine too. It also comes down to personal preference; if you find yourself below the range the board may feel a bit stiffer, and if you're above the range you might find it rides a bit softer.
Weight & Height
If this is the first board you're purchasing and you previously hired, you'll be used to the rental place sizing you up and putting you on any board that falls roughly anywhere from your chin to your nose. This is fine for an average height/weight rider however, it doesn't take into consideration the most important factor when choosing the correct size snowboard, your weight.
When you're riding your snowboard, you're using your weight to control the board. Weight determines how the board will flex, after all, your board responds to the weight that's on top of it and not how tall you are. This is why we always recommend choosing a board on weight and height rather than height alone.
Where You Ride
This is important because some styles of riding require longer or shorter boards. If you spend more time in the park it is helpful to size down slightly to make quicker turns, faster spins and have more control while buttering through boxes and rails. If you prefer chasing powder and traveling overseas you may want a slightly longer board, the added surface area will help you float above the snow much like a surfboard in water. Typically for the average rider in Australia we recommend a slightly smaller board compared to what we might recommend to someone traveling overseas.
Below we have made a chart that will assist you in figuring out what snowboard size is right for you. As long as you fit inside the board size range you shouldn’t notice too much of a difference:
Weight (kg)
|
Average Board Size (cm)
|
Board Size Range (cm)
|
27
|
95
|
90-100
|
32
|
110
|
105-115
|
36
|
120
|
115-125
|
41
|
130
|
125-135
|
45
|
138
|
135-140
|
50
|
141
|
138-144
|
54
|
143
|
140-146
|
59
|
146
|
142-148
|
63
|
147
|
144-149
|
68
|
149
|
146-152
|
73
|
151
|
148-154
|
77
|
154
|
151-157
|
82
|
155
|
152-158
|
86
|
156
|
153-159
|
91
|
158
|
155-161
|
95
|
160
|
157-163
|
100
|
162
|
158-165
|
105
|
163
|
159-167
|
110
|
164
|
160-168
|
If you are still having trouble figuring out what size snowboard to ride, come visit the shop and we would be happy to go over it with you. If you aren’t near Melbourne you can also email any questions or call us on (03) 9470 1822.
When Snowboards say that they are WIDE it generally means they are for riders with a boot size of US 12 or bigger. This is a very generalised way of thinking and the true answer lies with the waist width of the board.
We have tried to include waist width's on all our snowboard descriptions to make it easier to figure out if you need a WIDE board or a MID-WIDE board. Below is a chart which converts the waist size to shoe sizes. It is always best to double check the waist size of the board before automatically trusting company's definitions of WIDE. Unfortunately some companies will exaggerate what is a wide, mid-wide or normal width snowboard.
Wide Board: 260mm+ waist width
- Great for guys size 12 boot (US) and bigger
Mid-Wide: 255-260mm waist width
- Great for mens 10-12 boot (US)
Normal: 245-255mm waist width
- This is where the majority of board sizes sit. Guys with US boot size 8-10 should avoid wider boards. Also Women with size 10 boots can also ride these boards.
Narrow: 235-245mm waist width
- This is the size of the majority of women's boards. Some mens boards also fall into this category and can be ridden by men with US size 8 shoe and smaller or any womens boot size.
Do I have to ride a wide board if I have bigger feet?
You should always try to match your shoe size to the width of the board. Ideally you want a bit of your boot to hang over the board on each side so you can leverage your board from toe-side to heel-side. If it hangs over too much your toes and heels will catch the snow and knock you over. If your feet don't hang over enough you will have to work much harder just to tip the board on edge.
Can women ride mens snowboards? Can men ride womens snowboards?
Surprisingly this happens more with girls than with guys. They'll get given a hand me down from a guy that is way too wide and stiff for their weight and strength. The construction of men and womens boards are different for a reason and womens boards are generally slightly softer than mens boards. Riding a board that is too wide and too stiff will mean it is more difficult to get the board up on an edge. You can easily avoid a situation of riding the incorrect board size by following our Snowboard sizing guide.
Weight (kg)
|
Average Board Size (cm)
|
Board Size Range (cm)
|
27
|
95
|
90-100
|
32
|
110
|
105-115
|
36
|
120
|
115-125
|
41
|
130
|
125-135
|
45
|
138
|
135-140
|
50
|
141
|
138-144
|
54
|
143
|
140-146
|
59
|
146
|
142-148
|
63
|
147
|
144-149
|
68
|
149
|
146-152
|
73
|
151
|
148-154
|
77
|
154
|
151-157
|
82
|
155
|
152-158
|
86
|
156
|
153-159
|
91
|
158
|
155-161
|
95
|
160
|
157-163
|
100
|
162
|
158-165
|
105
|
163
|
159-167
|
110
|
164
|
160-168
|