Are you ready to hit the slopes this winter? If you are, you need to make sure you have the right gear to enjoy snowboarding safely and comfortably. In this blog post, we will show you the 9 most important items to wear when snowboarding, and recommend some of the best products on the market. Whether you are a beginner or a pro, these items will help you improve your performance and protect you from the cold and injuries.
1. Helmet
A helmet is a must-have item for snowboarding. It protects your head from impacts and concussions, and keeps your ears warm. A good helmet should fit snugly, have vents for airflow, and be compatible with your goggles. Some of the best helmets for snowboarding are:
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Smith Optics Maze MIPS Helmet: This helmet features a lightweight design, a multi-directional impact protection system (MIPS), and an adjustable dial fit system. It also has a removable goggle lock and a fleece liner for comfort.
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Giro Ledge MIPS Snow Helmet: This helmet has a hard-shell construction, a MIPS liner, and a removable Auto Loc 2 Fit System. It also has stack ventilation, removable ear pads, and an integrated goggle retainer.
2. Goggles
Goggles are essential for snowboarding. They protect your eyes from the sun, wind, snow, and debris, and enhance your vision in different light conditions. A good pair of goggles should fit well with your helmet, have anti-fog and anti-scratch lenses, and offer UV protection. Some of the best goggles for snowboarding are:
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Oakley Flight Deck XM Snow Goggles: These goggles have a large spherical lens that provides a wide field of view and excellent peripheral vision. They also have a rimless design, a Prizm lens technology that optimizes contrast and color, and an O Matter chassis that conforms to your face.
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Dragon Alliance NFX2 Snow Goggles: These goggles have a cylindrical lens that offers a clear and distortion-free vision. They also have a swiftlock lens change system, a lumalens color optimization technology, and an armored venting system.
3. Jacket
A jacket is another vital item for snowboarding. It keeps your body warm, dry, and breathable, and allows you to move freely on the board. A good jacket should have a waterproof and windproof outer layer, an insulating middle layer, and a moisture-wicking inner layer. Some of the best jackets for snowboarding are:
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Burton Covert Jacket: This jacket has a durable water repellent (DWR) coating, a thermolite insulation, and a living lining that adapts to your body temperature. It also has a helmet-compatible hood, a media pocket, and pit zip vents.
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Volcom L Gore-Tex Jacket: This jacket has a Gore-Tex membrane that provides superior waterproofing and breathability. It also has a zip tech jacket-to-pant interface, a mesh-lined zippered vent, and an adjustable powder skirt.
4. Pants
Pants are crucial for snowboarding. They protect your legs from the cold, wet, and abrasion, and offer flexibility and comfort. A good pair of pants should have a similar construction as your jacket, with waterproof and windproof outer layer, insulating middle layer, and moisture-wicking inner layer. Some of the best pants for snowboarding are:
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The North Face Freedom Insulated Pants: These pants have a DryVent fabric that repels water and snow, a Heatseeker insulation that retains warmth, and a chimney venting system that improves airflow. They also have adjustable waist tabs, zippered hand pockets, and reinforced edge guards.
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Quiksilver Utility Bib Pants: These pants have a 20K Quiksilver DryFlight technology that provides excellent waterproofing and breathability. They also have a shell bib construction, mesh-lined venting, and zippered chest pockets.
5. Gloves
Gloves are important for snowboarding. They keep your hands warm, dry, and protected from cuts and bruises. A good pair of gloves should have a waterproof and windproof outer layer, an insulating middle layer, and a moisture-wicking inner layer. Some of the best gloves for snowboarding are:
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Burton Gore-Tex Gloves: These gloves have a Gore-Tex membrane that offers superior waterproofing and breathability. They also have a thermacore insulation, a removable touch screen compatible liner, and a hidden heater/vent pocket.
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Dakine Titan Gore-Tex Gloves: These gloves have a DWR coating, a high loft synthetic insulation, and a 150g tricot lining. They also have a zippered stash pocket, a nose wipe thumb panel, and a removable storm liner glove.
6. Socks
Socks are essential for snowboarding. They keep your feet warm, dry, and comfortable in your boots. A good pair of socks should have a moisture-wicking material, a cushioned sole, and a snug fit. Some of the best socks for snowboarding are:
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Smartwool PhD Ski Medium Socks: These socks have a merino wool blend that regulates temperature and odor, a 4 degree elite fit system that prevents slipping and bunching, and a medium cushion that absorbs impact and reduces friction.
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Darn Tough Over-The-Calf Padded Cushion Socks: These socks have a fine gauge merino wool that provides warmth and breathability, a performance fit that eliminates blisters and hot spots, and a padded cushion that adds comfort and support.
7. Boots
Boots are vital for snowboarding. They connect your feet to your board, and provide stability and control. A good pair of boots should have a stiff or soft flex depending on your riding style, a lace-up or boa closure system depending on your preference, and a heat-moldable or custom-fit liner depending on your comfort level. Some of the best boots for snowboarding are:
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Burton Moto Boa Snowboard Boots: These boots have a boa coiler closure system that allows easy and quick adjustments, a soft flex tongue that offers a forgiving and playful ride, and an imprint 1+ liner that conforms to your foot shape.
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DC Control Boa Snowboard Boots: These boots have a dual boa closure system that provides independent upper and lower zone adjustments, a medium flex that balances responsiveness and comfort, and a white liner that features a heat-moldable EVA.
8. Bindings
Bindings are crucial for snowboarding. They attach your boots to your board, and transfer your movements and power. A good pair of bindings should have a compatible mounting system with your board, an adjustable highback and straps for a custom fit, and a shock-absorbing baseplate and footbed for a smooth ride. Some of the best bindings for snowboarding are:
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Union Force Snowboard Bindings: These bindings have a stage 4 Duraflex ST baseplate that offers strength and durability, a force highback that provides support and control, and an Exoframe 2.0 ankle strap that distributes pressure evenly.
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Burton Cartel EST Snowboard Bindings: These bindings have an EST baseplate construction that reduces weight and increases board feel, a single-component highback that offers a consistent response, and a hammockstrap 2.0 ankle strap that wraps around your boot for a secure hold.
9. Board
A board is the most important item for snowboarding. It determines your riding style, speed, and performance. A good board should have a suitable shape, size, and profile for your skill level and preference, an appropriate flex and edge for your terrain and conditions, and a quality construction and design for your durability and style. Some of the best boards for snowboarding are:
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Burton Custom Flying V Snowboard: This board has a flying V profile that combines camber and rocker for versatility and stability, a directional shape with a twin flex for all-mountain performance, and a super fly II 700G core with dualzone EGD for strength and pop.
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Lib Tech T.Rice Orca Snowboard: This board has a C2X profile that features rocker between the feet and camber underfoot for power and float, a directional shape with a blunt nose for freeride performance, and an original power construction with aspen/paulownia core for lightness and durability.
We hope you enjoyed this blog post about the 9 most important items to wear when snowboarding. These items will not only keep you safe and comfortable, but also enhance your skills and fun on the slopes. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your gear and go snowboardin
Snowboarding is more than just a sport, it's a way of life. It's a passion, a challenge, a thrill. It's a feeling of freedom, of joy, of adventure. It's a connection with nature, with yourself, and with others. And to make the most out of this wonderful experience, you should you go in prepared.