Snowboards naturally have a very wide range of uses. Important factors when buying a snowboard are directional stability, smoothness, and versatility. Freestyle boards should be suitable for tricks and maneuverable in the halfpipe. Freeride boards provide sufficient lift in powder snow. The structure, geometry, and elastic properties are almost the same as for skis, but the nose, tail, and width are more important.
Boards with a sandwich construction and sidewalls have precise and balanced riding characteristics; boards with a cap construction are designed to be more maneuverable. Inserts are used for binding attachment in all construction systems. The shape of the nose determines how the board glides on the snow. If the nose and tail are flat and rather narrow, the board is more directionally stable. With a steep and wide nose and tail, the board is more forgiving of mistakes. The width determines the buoyancy in powder, as well as the edge grip and edge switching.
Snowboard Categories
Halfpipe, slopestyle, big air, boardercross, freeride, powder, race—every snowboarder seeks out their preferred terrain and discipline, which is why snowboarding categories vary. A basic distinction can be made between freestyle/freeride and alpine.
Freestyle board
Freestyle boards have a twin-tip shape, meaning that the nose and tail are almost symmetrical. The nose is shorter and steeper; the flex is softer for the slopes and harder for the halfpipe. Freestyle boards usually have very good all-round properties. The inserts are positioned in the center or 1 cm towards the rear. The general length recommendation is shoulder height +4 cm.
Freeride board
A freeride board must have all-round characteristics, i.e. it should be usable in all terrain and snow conditions. Freeride boards are slightly more torsion-resistant, as they tend to be ridden faster. The nose is wider, flatter, and longer; the sidecut is only slight, so the boards are wider over their entire length. The inserts are positioned at least 2 cm further back. Recommended length 150 to 165 cm (freeride boards for the backcountry are significantly longer and wider).
Alpine board and boardercross
Boarder cross boards are suitable for riders who mainly love fast turns on the slopes. These boards are narrower for quick edge changes and have a significantly raised nose and tail. Freecarve boards also belong to this category. The recommended length is nose height +/-4 cm.
Race boards
In order to be controllable at high speeds on hard and icy slopes and to ensure precise power transmission, race boards are strongly waisted, have a short and flat nose and a narrow tail. These boards are very torsion-resistant with a strong camber. The recommended length is 150 to 180 cm.
The different camber types in snowboards
Freestyle boards often have a “zero camber” (= no camber) or a “banana shape” (= positive camber under the binding mounting points, in the middle of the board and at the tip and tail). This makes the boards more responsive and, in the case of the banana shape, gives them more spin when jumping. Special park boards are very soft in flex and have a lot of pop. Boards for the halfpipe are slightly stiffer in flex. Freeride boards usually have a normal, positive camber with a setback of at least 2 cm and a directional sidecut, i.e., different dimensions at the nose and tail. Boardercross, alpine, and race boards have a normal, positive camber. Today, they are only niche products and account for only about 10% of the total board market.
Soft bindings
Soft bindings are the right solution for freeriders/freestylers/all-mountain boarders. The main parts are the base plate, grid disc, high-back, toe and instep buckles with ratchet straps (straps). High-backs or low-backs are available depending on the rider's preferences. Additional features include toe adjustment, fast-out buckles, cap straps, etc. The well-shaped straps are easy to operate even with gloves thanks to the larger levers. Soft bindings allow for great mobility, but the steering forces are transmitted less directly.
Plate bindings
The secure fit of plate bindings (often in combination with hard boots) guarantees the most direct power transfer. The main components are the base plate, disc, heel cup, and front closure mechanism. Plate bindings are designed for higher speeds, especially on the slopes.
Flow bindings
This is a binding system with a highback that folds back, without conventional straps, for quick entry and exit. The name comes from the manufacturer FLOW. The so-called Chinch binding from K2 has a similar design, combining the advantages of a strap binding (better hold and power transfer) with the advantages of a Flow binding (faster entry and exit).
The correct binding assembly for snowboards
Binding angles are often a matter of personal preference and depend on riding technique. Race boarders stand strongly in the direction of travel, freeriders/boardercrossers moderately in the direction of travel, freestylers more sideways to the board. As a general rule, the angle between the front and rear feet should be approximately 5° to 15°. The binding must be mounted lengthwise in the middle of the board. The binding distance (stance) is based on the rider's natural wide and secure stance. Guidelines: Height 190 cm / stance 55 cm, 180/53, 170/51, etc. The professionals in our shops will be happy to do this for you.
Goofy or Regular
It's easy to determine whether your right foot (goofy) or left foot (regular) is in front: Which foot is in front when skateboarding? How do I stand on the horizontal pedals when cycling? In addition to goofy and regular positioning, more and more bindings are being mounted in the so-called “duck stance.” This means that the binding is mounted at a positive angle at the front (e.g., +15°) and at a negative angle at the rear (e.g., -5°). The advantage of this is particularly evident with freestyle boards. Twin-shape boards can be ridden both forwards and backwards.
Which snowboard boot is the right one?
Different riding styles determine different requirements. In general, snowboard boots must protect the feet, ankles, and joints from shocks and impacts, as well as from cold and wet conditions. They must also be easy to use, especially when it comes to lacing.
The quality of the inner boot is determined by how softly it molds to the foot thanks to temperature-regulating foam padding, a stable footbed, and a soft shaft closure. The outer boot is made of water-repellent synthetic material that is designed to be robust yet lightweight. Modern snowboard boots are cushioned with gel inserts, among other things, and air systems are also used for padding and better heel support.
Soft boots
Together with soft bindings, they are used by freeriders and freestylers. A soft shaft provides greater flexibility, while a harder shaft ensures better power transfer. A soft boot consists of an outer and inner boot: both are closed using the brand's own lacing systems (Speed Zone lacing, BOA quick lacing, etc.). Some manufacturers incorporate reinforcements directly into the back of the boot so that it can be used with low-back bindings. Step-in boots can only be used with the appropriate binding.
Hard boots
The construction and materials are almost identical to ski boots. The soles are steeper to allow for stronger edging without touching the snow.
