As you know, it is very important for any athlete to choose the right equipment. This rule also applies to snowboarders. It is necessary to take a responsible approach to the issue of choosing a snowboard and other equipment in order to feel confident on the track and always keep the speed under control. You can do this if you take into account our top ranking of the best snowboards for beginners.
For a successful selection of a board for riding, it is necessary to take into account such parameters as the presence of riding experience, the age of the athlete, the height and weight of the person, as well as the style in which the person skates.
Remember that a snowboard is an individual item, if it suits one athlete, then the board may not suit another at all.
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When choosing a board for skating, it is important to consider such parameters as the shape of the equipment, the shape of the mounting holes, the width of the board, its rigidity and length. All other characteristics, for example, the material of manufacture of the board, its bend or the shape of the edging, are not essential for a beginner.
These parameters will need to be taken into account in the future, after mastering the basic tricks and debugging the ride. Until then, taking into account too many characteristics makes the choice much more difficult.
Please note that all snowboards have a different shape and stiffness. At the initial stage of riding, give preference to models with a minimum stiffness value. It is easier to learn basic riding techniques on a "soft" board, it runs more smoothly on the track and forgives most of the mistakes of a beginner snowboarder. As your skill grows, you will need to move on to tougher options.
All snowboards have special markings by which you can determine which style the board is intended for.
This parameter is also important when buying a good board. The mount should hold the rider's feet well on the board. The reliability of fixation directly affects its controllability and the risk of injury.There are several types of mounts:
To choose a mount, be sure to take your boots with you in order to eliminate the risk of incompatibility. The fastening is checked while wearing boots. They must be securely fastened, without distortions. The straps should be tightly fastened, and the clip should unfasten easily and without effort.
Beginners should choose bindings with medium stiffness. It is better to buy bindings with all the equipment at once. In this case, you can install them immediately upon purchase.
There are several options here. You can check the size of your snowboard when you set it upright. In this case, it should reach the athlete's chin if you choose the universal option. When it comes to descents at high speed on soft snow cover, then the snowboard should reach to the nose.
You can use a special formula to determine the ideal board size or visual tables, where the size of the equipment is determined depending on the height and weight of the person.
Here's an example of determining the board size:
After all the calculations, you will receive the optimal length of the sports equipment, which will take into account your physical data, the level of sports training and the riding style.
This parameter is determined by measuring the widest place on the board at its center. Ideally, this number matches the width of the athlete's shoe. If this parameter is too small or, on the contrary, very large, then the equipment will be very difficult to control, it will be entered.
Remember that the narrower the board, the easier it is to control and maneuver. Large width snowboards perform better during flat handling and on unprepared trails. The width of the board should be such that the toe of your boot goes over its edge by no more than 2 cm. For shoes that are too large, over 44 sizes, choose snowboards marked with the inscription "Wide".
Snowboards also differ in the material of the sliding surface. For example, a graphite surface provides very good sliding properties. However, such material wears out very quickly, as it is very soft and the board becomes unusable. Exceptionally expensive professional models are equipped with such a sliding surface.
The polyethylene surface with graphite additives glides slightly worse.But this material is cheaper and more durable.
The extruded polyethylene sliding surface is perfect for the beginner snowboarder. Such a surface is easily covered with scratches, but also quickly recovers.
The sintered polyethylene surface has a porous structure, it absorbs and holds wax well, but it is difficult to restore it if necessary.
Details on choosing a board in the video:
Snowboarding shoes are hard and soft. Beginners should prefer soft shoes. Their outer part is slightly stiff, among other things, these shoes are cheaper.
The quality of the boots is very important. Choose only the best shoes for your financial capabilities. Prefer shoes with a removable inner so that you can take them out and wash or dry them if needed. Choose shoes that are comfortable for your feet and are sized according to your foot size.
If you are still undecided whether you will be snowboarding for a long time, take a rental board first. Only after you can confidently answer this question in the affirmative, think about buying a more expensive option.
You should also not think about how to combine the blackboard and growth opportunities. When you learn to ride well, then you can decide on a further choice. Inexpensive models for beginner snowboarders start at $ 100.
The new snowboard must be undamaged. If you take the board "off hand", then involve a specialist in this matter. It can be difficult for a beginner to recognize a board that has undergone a slight cosmetic repair. In fact, the equipment may be in very poor condition.
The female and male versions differ in both design and special markings. After purchasing the entire set, take care of purchasing a cover, ski mask and goggles, protection and helmet. Also ask how you need to clean your snowboard, how to care for it and how to lubricate it.
A snowboarding mask must meet its main purpose - to protect the athlete's eyes from bright sunlight, ultraviolet radiation, snow and wind. All snowboard masks are made by size and type of face. There are masks for men, women and children.
When choosing a mask, do not be guided by the brand, it is better to give preference to the protective equipment that matches your size. Be sure to try on the mask before purchasing. It should fit completely to the face. The nose slot should not press too hard, or you will feel discomfort during descent.
Snowboarding is quite an extreme sport. Therefore, special protective equipment such as a helmet must be used. This protective device reduces the likelihood of serious injury from a fall. This is especially true if the athlete prefers to ride off the equipped tracks.
When buying, the most important thing to look for is how comfortable the helmet fits over your head. To do this, be sure to try on a helmet before buying and shake your head in different directions. Protective equipment should not dangle on the head. In this case, the helmet will be absolutely useless, since when it falls, it will not distribute the impact force evenly over the surface of the helmet, but, on the contrary, will concentrate it in one point.
Also, helmets are open and full-face. Open helmets are more popular. And the second option is preferred by slalom athletes to protect their face.
Details of the selection of equipment and protection for snowboarding in the video clip:
This model of snowboard behaves well in management, it is easy to keep balance on it. It performs well on bumpy sections of the track. The appearance of this model is quite pleasant, the design is of an extended curved shape. This option shows especially good handling in the "tourism" mode. In this case, you can easily hold onto a snowy slope and provide good traction on steep inclines. When descending at high speed, the shape dampens vibration and keeps the athlete on the surface.
The average price is 47,000 rubles.
This model is perfect for a beginner snowboarder. This model has a smooth curved shape for good board control. Long training sessions are not required to operate this model of equipment. This board has a well balanced body. The disadvantage is the strong vibration of the board at high speed. This snowboard shows good handling on any surface.
The average price of this model is 18,600 rubles.
This option is for high speed driving. It has an excellent shape, which allows for a fairly high speed. At the same time, the board provides good control while riding. This model is not intended for use on unequipped tracks, so it may not appeal to fans of a variety of tricks.
The average price is 45,000 rubles.
This board was specially designed for freestyle lovers. On this model of snowboard, you can perform a variety of tricks quite easily. The board is flexible enough to make good jumps. You can ride it both in the park and on terrain with difficult terrain. The specially designed shape ensures a stable ride at high speeds. This model is great for performing tricks, but at the same time, it can be just ridden.
The average price is 19,700 rubles.
It is not the first time that this model has been recognized as the best among the men's boards for the All Mountan style. This board has good torsional rigidity and ample predictable deflection to help you make precise turns. According to athletes, this model of equipment is so stable that you can forget about the possibility of failure. As a result, the athlete relaxes and may fall. This model has specially designed uneven stiffness. This circumstance allows the equipment to be not only stable, but also to develop good jumping ability.
The average price of this model is 31,000 rubles.
This model of snowboard is distinguished by classic simple shapes, which is inherent in this manufacturer. The snowboard has a traditional profile and a positive deflection angle. The model has a fairly high stiffness index, which allows you to keep the edging well in difficult terrain conditions.
The average price is 9800 rubles.
According to experts, this snowboard is one of the best models for riding in parks. This board has an effective light click, moderate stiffness, good maneuverability, provided by an aggressive cut. For reinforcement, titanium strips are provided to strengthen the structure of the snowboard and also provide good energy transfer for the click. The only drawback is the relatively high cost of this snowboard model.
The average price of the model is 29,500 rubles.
We hope that our tips will help you choose the perfect snowboard and you will truly enjoy riding your first board.
And finally, video tips for successfully mastering skiing skills: