Choosing a snowboard has a lot in common with buying a surfboard. Some people prefer a board that can spin quickly and is easy to use for tricks, while others prefer to skate slowly and leisurely. Regardless of what you're going to do with the snowboard you bought, for a casual winter hobby or for an adrenaline rush, buying a snowboard can be tricky and confusing if you don't know what kind of board to choose.
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Part 1 of 2: Measuring Yourself
Step 1. Determine your level of experience
There are three basic skill levels in snowboarding, namely beginner, advanced, and advanced. A pro skater can be said to have a fourth level of ability in terms of experience. Many snowboards are custom made based on the experience level of the user, and have a description of the level of experience required to use them.
- Beginner snowboarders are those who have no experience at all or are still not fluent.
- Advanced snowboarders are those who are already standing strong, can skate on both sides of the board, may have had some switchboard skills already, and have started skating in parks or other places to improve their skills.
- Skilled snowboarders have high confidence when gliding, can adapt to a variety of things and conditions, and are able to glide over rough terrain without losing control.
- Pro players are those who have played snowboards so often that they become more comfortable on the snowboard than when walking.
- Take your experience into account when buying a snowboard so you don't “jump” to a higher experience level too quickly.
Step 2. Decide on a skating style
Snowboard styles to choose from include freestyle, freeride, all mountain, powder riding and backcountry. The style of skating has a lot to do with the type of board to buy.
- Freestyle is a board type specifically for those who enjoy using garden or mountain terrain such as jumps, rails, squares, and halfpipes to perform tricks. Freestyle boards are shorter in shape with subtle flex.
- Freeride is a board used for skating while leaving long, deep carvings at high speed on natural terrain. In general, freeride surfers choose a board with positive camber for greater edge control or a board with a directional shape.
- All mountain is a union board between freestyle and freeride. The all mountain board has a twin directional shape, 5 flexes, and a length that adapts to your preferred gliding style.
- Powder riding is a board used by surfers who enjoy hiking in rural areas in search of great mountain trails. This style is only done by advanced players or under the guidance of advanced players. The powder riding board is made of stiffer material and has a longer length with a different designed camber to better “float” on the snow and provide more control.
- A splitboard is a board designed for backcountry because it can be divided into two parts for long and uphill trips but and can be put back together for downhill slides. This board requires special bindings.
Step 3. Determine the proper shape of the snowboard based on your gliding style
There are four types of shapes to choose from: twin, directional, twin directional and tapered. The shape description is determined by the length and width of the front and tail of the board.
- Twin boards have a symmetrical shape, more precisely the front and tail are the same length and width. This board is designed for beginner and freestyle skaters as it can be used for both forward and backward, or regular and switch slides. This board is also good for use by children.
- The directional board can only be used for gliding in one direction and has a wider front than the tail to improve suspension and glide performance. This type of board is more useful than the freeride board.
- Twin directional board is a union between twin and directional boards. This board is designed for all mountain freestyle skaters because it has stability at high speeds, and is also suitable for carving. Players can also slide in a switch stance and take advantage of the terrain to use the freestyle style.
- Tapered boards are an extreme version of directional boards. The front is much wider than the tail to provide more buoyancy. This type of board is designed for powder riding style skaters.
Step 4. Determine the appropriate snowboard flex based on your skating style
Flex is a determinant of the level of softness or stiffness of the board. Choosing the right level of board flex depends on your gliding ability and style. Flex is available on a scale of 0-10, with 0 being the softest and 10 being the stiffest. Some boards have different flex in different parts for certain uses.
- Beginners (including children) and freestyle surfers need boards with soft flex because they are easier to press and don't slip easily. This type of board responds well to body movements and is easy to switch sides and control.
- All mountain skaters use boards that have an intermediate level of flex.
- Rigid boards are used for high speed gliding, freeride, powder riding, and using halfpipes. This type of board is used for greater stability and speed, longer air maneuvers, and energy saving on powder.
- Freestyle boards sometimes have more flex in the middle and are stiffer at the front and tail.
- Freeride boards sometimes have a stiffer tail to increase stability on uneven terrain and give the board less jumping power. Halfpipe boards have the same properties.
Step 5. Choose the right bot
Bots are the most influential piece of equipment in gliding comfort because they are specially designed and can improve performance if you choose the right one. Choose a bot that suits your abilities and style based on its flex..
- Boots with soft flex are the most flexible bots and are very suitable for use by beginners and children because they are easy and comfortable.
- Bots with medium flex provide more power when turning and better reaction times. This bot is best suited for those who are experienced.
- Rigid flex bots are used in halfpipes and by those who want to leave carving fast and strong. This type of bot makes turning easier and provides added power and protection when used in halfpipes.
Step 6. Use your height and weight to choose the appropriate length of the board
The length of the board from the front end to the tail has a big influence on performance. In general, a suitable plank is shoulder-high to your nose when standing. There are several properties that determine the range of board lengths to choose.
- If you are above average weight, choose a slightly longer board. Choose a shorter plank if you weigh less than average.
- If you are a freestyle skater, a beginner, or a child, choose a shorter board. Shorter boards are easier to control and use for turning and turning. The short board will be about the same height as your Adam's apple.
- If you're a freeride or powder rider, choose a long board that's level with your chin or nose. However, choosing a longer board is not uncommon. Longer boards have good stability at high speeds and have more surface contact with powder.
- Shorter boards are suitable for use by children because they are easier to control. Even so, choose a size that is slightly longer than it should be so that the board doesn't get too small when the child grows too fast. Choose a board that is chest-high for a beginner, is cautious, light-weight, and/or likes to make sharp turns without gliding quickly. Kids who like to glide fast and aggressively, are overweight, or grow too fast need boards that are nose-high. Choosing a board that is too long will reduce the child's learning speed and enjoyment when playing.
Step 7. Measure your shoe size to determine the width of the board
After selecting the shoes you can determine the width of the board needed. Ideally the toe should extend over the side of the board by -1 inch (1-2.5 cm). With this you can easily control the board when changing sides of the board without dragging the snow while doing so.
- Most men's US size 10 (43 in European size) can comfortably use a regular wide board.
- Those with US men's size 10-11.5 (43-45 in European sizes) need a medium-wide board.
- Those who are US men size 12 (45 in European size) or larger need a wide board.
- If your feet are US men's size 14-15 (47-48), then you will need a very wide board.
Step 8. Prepare money to buy a snowboard
A snowboard and its boots can be purchased for around 4.5 to 10 million rupiah and even more, depending on the style, material and design. The price of the board will depend on the amount of money you collect and your level of proficiency, so it's a good idea to calculate how much money you will need before going to the shop.
- Entry-level boards can be purchased for around 1.5-2.5 million rupiah, with bots costing around 1.4 million rupiah and bindings for 1.5 million rupiah.
- Mid-level boards can be purchased for around 2.5-4.5 million rupiah, while the bots and bindings can be purchased for around 2 million rupiah each.
- Top tier boards can be purchased for 4.5 million rupiah and above, with bots for 3 million rupiah and bindings for 2.5 million rupiah and above.
- You can buy used children's boards to save money, but remember to choose a good quality board that doesn't have nicks or other damage.
Part 2 of 2: Learning the Snowboard
Step 1. Pay attention to the core and board construction
Most snowboards are made of wood, although some high-quality boards are made from artificial materials such as aluminum, honeycomb structures, or fibers. The wood core of the board will be coated with glass fiber, which is then covered again by a pictorial layer.
- High-quality board cores can be made in a variety of ways by using multiple layers of wood to create a stronger core. Cores can also be made by stacking sawdust in different directions on different parts of the core to increase the strength and grip of the sides of the board. All cores are lined vertically, although not all of them are lined end-to-end. However, some expensive boards use plastic spacers on the front and tail ends instead of using wood as the only core material.
- Glass fibers around the core will determine the level of rigidity of the board. The starter and freestyle boards have a single layer of fiberglass which is woven in one direction to provide more softness and flex. Rigid boards have glass fibers arranged in different directions for increased rigidity and durability. High quality glass fiber also has a lighter weight than ordinary glass fiber. The lighter and stronger a snowboard is, the better the quality.
- The top layer which is usually given an image can be made of wood, cloth, or an artificial material made of nuts. This coating is useful for protecting the fiberglass and core from damage but is not something you should think carefully about when choosing a board.
Step 2. Check the base of the board
Bases are made either through the extrusion process, which is by melting the polyethylene pellets and joining them together using a high pressure machine, or through the sintering process, which is by pressing the polyethylene pellets without melting them first. Images can be added using screen printing, sublimation, or die-cut methods.
- Beginner, advanced, and freestyle surfboards generally have an extruded base because they are cheaper and easier to repair. This type of base can be polished using a hot or scrubbing polish every 8 uses.
- A sintered base has pores between the pellets and can absorb more polish more quickly. This type of board in particular should be scrubbed using a hot polish every 3-5 times so that its performance does not deteriorate.
- Screen printing images can be printed directly onto the base in layers from the bottom to the core. This technique is commonly used on extruded bases.
- Sublimation is the process when an image is printed onto paper, then the ink on the paper is transferred to the base using heat and pressure. The second layer is made in the same way and then the base is attached to the board using epoxy.
- Die-cut is when colored layers are cut and stacked to form an image. Since this method does not use ink, the end result will be a lighter board and a clearer image.
- Most boards have a number on the base indicating the number of pores per square inch. This number is in the 500-8,000 range, and the more pores a board has, the more often it will need to be polished.
Step 3. Choose the number of side-cuts you want
This is the amount of indentation between the front and hips of the board, and each brand has a different shape. The side cut is available in a radius meter size that will be created if the length is continued into a circle.
- Freestyle surfers and beginners are advised to choose a board that has a lower side cut (deeper indentation) to make it easier to turn quickly.
- The larger (shallower) side cut sizes are best suited for slow turning and more ground contact. This board is best suited for freeride and powder riding.
- There are many new side cut technologies that have protrusions or side cut areas that have more touch points to provide greater snow traction. This type of board is good for use on terrain filled with hard ice.
Step 4. Pay attention to the construction of the side wall
Side wall is the end of the board that is between the base and the top layer. The side wall is the part that holds the boards together and protects the sides and cores from damage. This part can be made using a cap or sandwich construction.
- The cap construction is made by covering the sides of the board with a top layer and is suitable for use in icy and heavy snow conditions. This type of construction also has higher durability but is more difficult to repair.
- Sandwich construction is the more common type and is easier to manufacture, cheaper and easier to repair. This construction is made by inserting sidewall into the side of the board to protect the core, with this the sidewall will be clamped by the top layer and base of the board.
Step 5. Determine the curvature of the board
A camber plank is a plank that has an arch in the middle with the front and tail as points of contact with the ground. Another type, rocked board, is the opposite of camber.
- Traditional camber has been around since the beginning of the snowboard and provides more jumping power for freestyle skaters, has better side-turning response for mountain skaters, and can be used to traverse uneven terrain with ease due to its higher flexibility. This type of camber has properties that are more suitable for locker boards than rockers.
- Rocker boards are preferred by freestyle surfers because they don't slip on the rails, backcountry skaters can float on powder coating, and beginners because they are easy to use to rotate to change sides.
- Some boards have no arch at all, and are halfway between the camber and rocker boards. This type of board has better turning ability than ordinary camber board and better edging ability than ordinary rocker board.
- Different brands have different versions of camber and rocker, so read the explanations provided to understand designs that are geared towards certain styles.
- Several brands are experimenting with combining rocker and camber arches on the same board. For example, a board that has a rocker center and front and tail camber, or a center camber and rocker front and tail. These boards are designed for specific purposes, but not everyone has the same opinion about their designs.
- There are no camber or rocker rules to follow. Choose the one that makes you most comfortable.
Step 6. Choose a binding holder
Some boards have a specific arrangement of bindings for placing the bindings on top of the board. In general, most bindings can be used on different boards, but there are some types that can only be used on certain boards. There are four types of binding patterns, namely: 2x4 disc pattern, 4x4 disc pattern, 3D pattern (Burton) and channel system (Burton).
- The 2x4 disc pattern has two rows of holes that are 4 cm apart in each row. The holes in each row have a gap of 2 cm. These holes can be used by different types of bindings.
- The 4x4 disc pattern has two rows of holes that are 4cm apart in each row and 4cm apart in each hole.
- The 3D pattern has holes that resemble the diamond pattern that most bindings can use but has limited choice of stances. This pattern is common on Burton boards.
- The channel system is a rail that allows the skater's feet to be very close to the board and can better "feel" the board. This system is common on Burton boards and is best used in conjunction with Burton's EST bindings. These bindings have a variety of stance options. You can purchase a special plate to use bindings not made by Burton on boards that use the channel system.
Step 7. Choose bindings
Choose bindings based on the bot and board selected. Bindings must be mountable to the board and of a size that fits the bot. There are three sizes to choose from (small, medium, and large), and two different styles (strap-in and rear entry). You can also choose bindings based on their flex, strap, highback, and baseplate.
- Choose the right size by matching the bindings with the bot. You can also choose different binding sizes, namely small, medium, and large by reading the purchase instructions.
- Strap-in bindings are the most common type and have two straps, while rear-entry bindings have a highback that can be lowered to fit the boot into the binding. Strap-ins can be adjusted to provide support and cushioning, while rear-entry bindings allow for quick attachment and removal of boots. In general, surfers who like comfort prefer rear-entry bindings.
- The degree of flex in the binding can be calculated on a scale of 0-10. Freestyle surfers will choose flexible bindings that have 1-2 flex to provide more freedom without fear of accidents, easier landings, and are also suitable for changing various grab tricks. All mountain skaters will opt for 6-8 flex bindings for better response and power transfer.
- Strap-ins usually have a toe strap and an ankle strap above the ankle. Toe straps can be made of regular straps that are placed over and in front of the toe to improve plank response. One piece strap is a strap that consists of only one strap to be looped over the leg. This type is most commonly used in rear entry bindings.
- Highback is a plate located in the heel to calf area that serves to control the side of the board that is close to the heel. Softer, shorter highbacks have more flexibility and are easier for freestylers and beginners to use, while stiffer, taller highbacks give the user more control and speed. You can also change the highback angle for increased comfort.
- The baseplate is the link between the binding and the board and is made of a variety of materials. High-quality bindings feature a stronger, more flexible baseplate to maximize flex, strength transmission, and board durability. Some baseplates are also slightly angled (referred to as canting) to provide a natural feeling when skating by tilting the knees slightly forward.
- Children may find it difficult to use bindings that are difficult to attach. Step-in or rear-entry bindings are generally easier for children to use but that doesn't mean strap-in bindings are a bad choice. Ask your child to try attaching the bindings while wearing boots and snow jackets to make sure they use them well.
Tips
- Women's boards often have narrower hips, a slimmer profile, and softer flex to accommodate different turning mechanics, lighter body mass, and smaller leg sizes.
- If you're a beginner, try renting a board instead of buying it right away. That way you will have the opportunity to determine whether you really like snowboarding or not and to have the most enjoyable experience of gliding style.
- Some boards have built-in bindings. If not, you will have to buy it separately and install it yourself. A snowboard shop can help you select and attach the right bindings.
- Children's snowboards are generally made softer to make turning easier and help the learning process. In addition, generally children's boards are also made as twins so that they can easily adapt to their body coordination. Be wise when buying a board for your child because in general drawing is something they often prioritize.
