Snag the Latest Gear: Basics and Accessories

Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or new to snowboarding, you need equipment – and sometimes (though not always), new is better.  Things change pretty quickly, so here’s a handy guide to the latest trends and accessories.

These Boots Were Made for Boarding

Anyone who has spent a weekend on the slopes in a pair of ill-fitting boots will attest to how important they are. “It seems like something small, but the right boot fit makes a huge difference,” says Dustin Adams, an expert at Pacesetter Ski Shoppes in Edmonton.

Lacing systems, durability and weight will vary from brand-to-brand and style-to-style, but the most important thing is fit.  Years ago, custom fitting was a unique service, but now, that’s the norm.  Even the lower-end boots conform to your foot’s shape after a day or two of wear, and higher-end foot beds are becoming more common.  

“More expensive snowboard boots have started to get into having an exoskeleton, more arch support, and more of a stable support,” Dustin notes.

Boot prices range from $170 to $600, on average.  “There’s quite a bit more that goes into a boot than the average consumer would realize,” Dustin says.  “For a current model, you’re looking at an average of $300 to $400.”

Higher costs often mean more style, not necessarily more substance.  Limited edition boots, with unique colour lays, an Italian leather outer shell or other unusual elements fetch higher prices.

“Lot of companies are starting to get into the flashiness of boots,” Dustin says, noting that snakeskin designs and other elaborate looks are gaining in popularity, thanks to successful marketing projects by the manufacturers.

How to Pick a Winner

Dustin’s recommendations for selecting a boot?  Trust that your salesperson knows what he or she is doing. Most boots aren’t comfortable right out of the box, but once they have been customized, it’s a whole new world.  

Every person’s foot is different, and you’ll likely have to try on several boots before you find what you are looking for.  “Some people feel that by buying that $6oo boot they are going to be getting the comfort, but it’s really what works best for you,” he says.  

Dustin’s picks?  Burton and Forum are popular with younger boarders, TechNine makes a high quality product, and you can’t go wrong with Salomon, given all the money they invest in R and D.  ThirtyTwo has a boot called the Timba, which looks like a Timberland work boot.  It’s cushy, warm and comfortable, with a full G2 air system and padding underneath.

Get On Board

When tallying your budget, expect to spend between $400 to $1150 for a snowboard.

“A wood core is standard -- most boards are made out of wood as a base – and then the manufacturers add and take away from that,” Dustin says.  

Carbon fibres are commonly used, as is kevlar.   “Manufacturers change the profile of the wood core, milling it out in other areas to make it more lightweight and to change flex patterns,” he adds. The materials change, depending on the price.

Different Riders, Different Boards

Different styles of boards are available to suite different riders’ styles – whether you want to haunt a terrain park, inbound slope or backcountry will definitely affect what board you use.  

Many boarders like Dustin have three or four different boards they choose from, depending on the kind of riding they are doing.  The most common styles are freestyle, freeride and alpine (carving).

One recent innovation was Ride’s Slime Wall, which came out earlier this season.  This urethane sidewall, made of the same material as a skateboard, can take more of a beating, and doesn’t crack with a huge impact.  

Salomon has been using a spine on the middle of the board, with its Airs technology, designed for extended riders’ application.    The board is stiffer from tip to tail, giving riders more versatility.

Dustin Recommends

When buying a new board, Dustin recommends a centre base, not an extruded base, since it’s more porous.  It’ll accept more wax, and will have a longer life.  An extruded base is more like a sheet of plastic on a board, and is usually used in lower end boards.

“Every couple of years something new and dramatic comes out, like Salomon and the Airs technology,” Dustin says. “Boards perform better, but nothing huge has changed with physical look.”

The look of the board is a big selling feature, as well, with many riders purchasing matching equipment from one line.  Some products, like Option boards, change color depending on the temperature.

Binding Clauses

Most of the time, bindings and boots are bought at the same time, which usually gives the best value for the dollar.  Prices can range anywhere from $150 to $500.

Dustin suggests metal ratchets, which hold up better in cold temperatures. Lower end plastic buckles are inexpensive to produce but they have a tendency to break in cold weather.

“Every company is pretty much using the same material, but doing it in a different way,” Dustin says.  “Airplane grade aluminum has some flexibility to it, and shifts with the board.  Metal bindings have durability and strength to them.”

Toecap bindings are growing in popularity, accounting for about 50 percent of the market.  Developed originally by TechNine, they wrap from the top to the front of boot, and pull back, instead of pushing down on the toe.

“Every company is starting to realize this is something many customers are looking for,” Dustin says.  Ride and Drake are using similar technology with a soft material.  

Safety First, Heads Up

Helmets are a must-have accessory, and the variety available is incredible.  There are helmets that look like baseballs, some that feature brims, and even others with audio built into the earflaps.  

“Every company out there is starting to make helmets because they see the demand for them,” Dustin says.

Some product lines, including a version from Giro, allow users to have two separate cables – one for a cell phone, and another for the iPod.  Bluetooth adaptors keep everything wireless, but the cost can be high, up to $430 for a Bluetooth-enabled helmet.

Most adult helmets sell for between $80 and $200, with junior models averaging at about $50.

There’s great variety with goggles, too, running anywhere from $60 to $230 or so.  Bubble lenses will give you less distortion and better peripheral vision.  Polycarbonate models, starting at about $100, will bend easily, so you don’t have to worry about breaking and cracking.  

There’s no problem if you want bling.  Smith has a pair of goggles with real Swarovski crystals in the frame, and well-known urban artists and celebrities are producing limited edition goggles.

Men and Women:  Different Styles, Different Product

When it comes to boarding gear, one size does not fit all.  A woman’s anatomy is different, so the equipment is shaped to match.  The ladies snowboard boot cuff is much lower and narrower, and the binding components are lower and smaller.  “It’s not just a men’s biding with a pretty picture on it!” Dustin says.

A women’s snowboard, for instance, is totally different.  Manufacturers use less carbon fibre materials, and slot out on the bottom side of the wood core, so that it’s more narrow and suited to a lighter weight rider.  This all combines to give women a faster edge-to-edge response.

 “Women have a huge presence in snowboarding,” Dustin says.  “Companies recognize that, and they are making more product to meet the demand.”

Match Price and Experience

Remember that when you start snowboarding, a more expensive product isn’t necessarily what you need.  

“In the beginning, you don’t necessarily need the most expensive equipment.  Some times it can be too much equipment for you.  Go for something softer, more recreational, more forgiving, that will help you learn easier,” Dustin advises.