Get the best ride, tailored to your needs
Here at Corbetts, we carry a wide selection of snowboards so every rider is sure to find a match, but the sheer amount of technology and variations in each board can feel overwhelming when making a selection. Read on for some tips on picking the best snowboard for you.
Only need info on a specific topic? Jump down to what you're looking for:
01. Length (Size Chart)
02. Gender
03. Ability Level
04. Width (Boot Size Chart)
05. Style & Feel
-Flex
-Shape
-Rocker Profile
06. Terrain & Use
07. Hole Pattern
08. Base
Just like any other feature in a snowboard, the ideal length will differ depending on some key factors but it is definitely a great place to start. Keeping your height and weight in mind will get your started on a recommended size range and you can adjust based on other factors such as the type of riding you’re planning on doing, your skill level, etc.
The following size chart will help you get started but don’t get too hung up on the numbers!
If you are above average weight for your height, you may want to size up and vice versa if you’re below average weight. For kids, jump down to our Gender section for more detailed size charts.
MEN'S
Corbetts carries a variety of Men’s snowboards, no matter your skill level or your preferred riding style.
WOMEN'S
Whether this is your first board or your tenth, we recommend that ladies pick a Women’s specific board. Snowboard manufacturers have really beefed up their game in the last few years. No longer is your only option to size down a board, Women’s snowboards will take into consideration body mass and build. You’ll see some narrower waist widths to accommodate smaller feet and softer flexes.
KIDS
Like a beginner snowboard, a Junior board will have a softer flex making it easier to learn on and accommodating to smaller, lighter riders. While it may be tempting to size up when buying for your little one so they have room to grow into it, going too long too fast might hinder their progress. For an affordable way to keep your kids on the slopes as they grow, check out our Junior Exchange Program.
JUNIOR SNOWBOARD SIZE CHART
| Rider Height (Inches) | Rider Height (CM) | Rider Weight | Snowboard Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3' | 94cm | 34-37lbs | <80cm |
| 3'3" | 102cm | 37-42lbs | 80-90cm |
| 3'5" | 109cm | 42-46lbs | 85-95cm |
| 3'7" | 114cm | 46-50lbs | 90-100cm |
| 3'9" | 119cm | 50-57lbs | 95-105cm |
| 4'1" | 127cm | 57-63lbs | 100-110cm |
| 4'4" | 132cm | 63-70lbs | 105-120cm |
| 4'6" | 137cm | 70-79lbs | 110-125cm |
| 4'8" | 142cm | 79-89lbs | 115-130cm |
If you’re looking for a snowboard that will help you progress in the sport and that will suit your riding style, be realistic in your ability self-assessment. Your skill level will factor into a number of other board design features such as flex, shape and materials.
While wider and narrower snowboards have their unique uses, the most important factor in selecting the width of a snowboard is your boot size. You want your boots to hang over the edges just enough to give you leverage in your turns but not so much that your toes will catch and hit the snow. The width is measured at the narrowest point in the snowboard (also called the waist width, which is typically measured in mm).
Use the chart below to determine the appropriate waist width in relation to your snowboard boot size.
| Boot Size (US Men's) | -- | 5.0-7.5 | 7.0-9.5 | 8.5-10.5 | 9.5-11.5 | 10.5+ |
| Boot Size (US Women's) | Up to 6.0 | 6.0-8.5 | 8.0-10.5 | 10+ | -- | -- |
| Board Waist Width (mm) | 225-235 | 236-245 | 246-250 | 251-254 | 255-259 | 260+ |
| Snowboard Width | Narrow/Women's | Regular | Mid Wide-Wide | |||
As a general rule, if you wear a US size 11.5 or up you will most likely need a Wide snowboard. However, boot sizes vary and some are made with slimmer profiles, make sure to take this into consideration when selecting your board’s waist width.
We’ve referred to Profiles, Shapes and Flex earlier in this guide but we’re about to dive into exactly what these are and how they will work with (or against) your riding style. These are the features that will give your board its personality.
A snowboard’s flex will determine its stiffness ranging from very soft which will be forgiving and easier to maneuver over deep snow, to very stiff which will be responsive to the rider but requires technical skill to handle. On our snowboard product pages, you’ll see a flex rating somewhere between 1-10, one being the softest.
The shape of a snowboard can be determined by looking at it from the top. Different shapes will help you initiate and exit turns in different ways. Read on to find what will suit your riding style.
- DIRECTIONAL
These guys are generally meant to be ridden one way down the hill. Ideal for all mountain riding, the binding inserts will typically be set back a bit further from the tip (rather than perfectly centered). The stiffness and Rocker profile of the board might also vary from tip to tail to help initiate and release turns.
- TRUE TWIN
As implied by the name, a true twin snowboard is perfectly symmetrical, down to its tip and tail measurements and its flex pattern. The binding mounts will also be centered making it easy to ride in any direction which makes this shape ideal for freestyle and park riders.
- DIRECTIONAL TWIN
You guessed it; a Directional Twin is the best of both worlds. A directional twin might have a symmetrical shape but a directional flex/rocker pattern or vice versa. These boards do well for all mountain riders or freestyle.
- ASYMMETRICAL
The asymmetrical shape is still quite new in snowboarding, however, they are gaining popularity. While the human body is generally symmetrical from left to right, it isn’t from front to back. To compensate for this, asymmetrical boards will typically have different side cuts on the toe and heel sides making it easier to initiate and release your turns.
The Rocker Profile of a snowboard is the curvature or arc pattern it has when looking at it from the side. Different Rocker patterns will affect edgehold, the springiness of the board and floatation.
CAMBER
This is the traditional snowboard profile. Arching up in the middle with contact points near the tip and tail, when weighted it creates a long evenly pressured running surface and edge. This provides a lot of springiness in the board for strong turns and pop in the park which is where this profile is most popular. While this is the tried and true profile for snowboards, it does take some experience riding as edges can catch easily.
ROCKER
Playful and forgiving, rockered snowboards are the opposite profile of cambered board. Because the arc in the board is reversed, the tip and tail are usually raised which make this profile great on powdery snow for extra float. You may find that the rocker profile lacks in edge hold and pop but most snowboard manufacturers offer technology to increase edge hold.
FLAT
Flat boards are just as you’d expect. When unweighted, the board will lie flat from near the tip to near the tail. More forgiving than a fully cambered board, a flat profile will offer more edge hold for more precise turns than a rocker.
HYBRIDS
There are endless combinations of profiles, mixing rocker and camber profiles to offer up a balance of both and making any given snowboard more versatile. We’ll cover a few of the most popular combinations here but as a general rule camber offers more edge hold and stability at high speeds on packed snow while rocker provides more float on powder and catch-free edges. It’s all about feel and personal preference.
ROCKER/CAMBER/ROCKER
Popular for freeride in softer snow, this profile offers up carving edgehold on hard packed snow from the camber underfoot with turning ease and float with added rocker in the tip and tail.
ROCKER/FLAT/ROCKER
Again, offering up a bit of balance, this flat profile provides more edgehold and pop than a fully rockered board but still maintains float and ease of turning.
CAMBER/ROCKER/CAMBER
Specific to snowboards, this profile works with the idea that the rider’s weight will primarily be above the cambered areas. This creates strong, even pressure along the edges for precision carving and responsiveness.
While selecting a snowboard mostly comes down to personal preference, some boards are designed with specific uses and conditions in mind. For instance, you’ll definitely have a better time riding a powder board on powder rather than something that is constantly shoveling under the deep stuff.
The hole pattern on a snowboard refers to the inserts for binding install. Most commonly you’ll see a 4x4 or 2x4 hole pattern. 4x4 simply means that the inserts are 4cm apart while the 2x4 are 2cm apart for more mounting options. Some manufacturers also have their own patterns such as Burton who have a 3D Insert Pattern and The Channel. These hole patterns are compatible with most major mounting systems but if you’re unsure about binding compatibility please get in touch with our knowledgeable staff.
- 4x4 INSERT PATTERN
- 2X4 INSERT PATTERN
- BURTON 3D INSERT PATTERN
- BURTON CHANNEL INSERT PATTERN
EXTRUDED
An extruded base is made of polyethylene which is relatively inexpensive. While quite durable, an extruded base doesn’t hold wax as well as a sintered base and so will require more maintenance and are typically slower.
SINTERED
Also made of polyethylene, the process of creating the base differs from extruded bases. Instead of creating a sheet, the polyethylene is melted into pellets making the base more porous and therefore more receptive to wax. This results in a super-fast glide. Most sintered bases are also combined with other materials for added durability and impact resistance. As you can imagine, a sintered base is typically more expensive and can sometimes be more difficult to repair.
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Still have some questions? We've got an extremely knowledgeable and friendly team at Corbetts. Visit us at our retail location or give us a call and we'll help you find the perfect snowboard to fit your needs.
Need help with more snowboarding gear? Check out our other Snowboarding Buying & Sizing Guides.
