Buying Guides & Sizing Charts

Through years of experience, snowboarders have developed many ways to find the size snowboard they think may be correct. Some still use the traditional sizing method of standing a board up on end and measuring to their chin and others by using various snowboard sizing calculators and formulas. While there is accuracy to these methods, they do not always cover all of the important factors involved when choosing a snowboard.

The following information and snowboard sizing charts are meant to be used as a guideline to decide on a board that is best for you based on various measurements. The truth is, everyone is different and we all have our own expectations when choosing a snowboard. So peep the information below but don’t forget to also think for yourself.

Your weight is the most important factor in determining board length. Having a board that cooperates with your body weight will allow you to ride your best and not have to worry about losing control. If a heavier rider gets a board that is too short, the board tends to get loose and less controllable at higher speeds. A board that is too soft and short can also result in over-flexing and possible wipe-outs. It can go the other way as well. A lighter rider who gets too long of a deck will have a tough time maneuvering and flexing the board.
There are some cases when riding style comes into play where it is acceptable to size down your board for a lighter setup and added mobility to help throw down those heavy ass tricks. Freestyle riders who spend most of their time in the park or in the street tend to use sized-down boards for a more skate-inspired style and feel.

If you’re on the heavier side, or looking to just ride powder, or both, scaling your board up a bit may also be appropriate. A slightly longer board will help you keep that nose above the snow line, allowing you to float across the fluff at faster speeds. A longer board will also provide a stiffer board response for added stability.

Height is probably the first measurement that comes to mind when thinking of choosing a snowboard length, but it might not be the best sizing method on its own. Even so, people have been sizing snowboards by height alone since the beginning and will probably continue to do so forever. There are several methods of sizing snowboards by height that have developed over the years. We have provided you with a few of the more common options below.

Using the traditional method, some believe a shorter board for your size range should come up between your collar bone and your chin when the board is stood on end. These shorter length boards are good for beginners and freestyle riders. A longer board could reach from your nose to just over your head. The longer length boards are good for powder and high speed. These are very vague guidelines to live by and not as accurate as some of the other methods available, but still a solid rule of thumb that many riders like to implement into their board buying decision.

Some snowboarders like to use snowboard sizing calculators. Since most snowboarders ride a board that is 85% to 92% of their own body height, plugging a couple numbers into a simple formula can tell you the board length that might fit you best. The formula is as follows: Your Height (in inches) X 2.54 X 0.88 = Your Recommended Board Length. While this formula may seem like the absolute answer because it involves numbers, math and a bit of homework, it doesn’t mean you’re stuck with the number you get as a result. It is really meant to be used as a starting point when picking out a new deck.

So height is an important variable, but don’t forget to factor in your weight, riding style and the manufacturer’s tech specs for each board as well. With that said, use the chart below as a guide to find the average snowboard length.

When a snowboard waist width is sized correctly your snowboard boots will hang over the edges of the snowboard just slightly but not so much as to hit the snow when the board is on edge (see the images below). Extending the toes and heels slightly over the edges of the snowboard allows you to apply leverage to the board and modulate pressure with your ankles. If your boots extend too far over the edge, they’ll hit the snow during hard turns and cause you to fall. To determine the proper snowboard waist width for your snowboard boot size view the chart below.