Ability level
The approximate level of skill a snowboard is designed for.
— Newbie. Equipment designed for those who have no (or little) experience of skiing and are learning the basics of snowboarding.
— Progressive. Models for those who have mastered the basic skills of riding, but for confident use of the board still needs practice.
— Average. Models for amateurs who ride regularly and in large quantities, but in relatively uncomplicated conditions.
— Experienced. Models for those who have surpassed or intend to surpass the experience of the average snowboarder (go to more difficult tracks, learn new tricks); also suitable for the initial training of athletes.
— Expert. Professional models designed primarily for athletes.
The more “professional” the board, the more features it provides, but the price for this is the complexity of management and the need for special skills. Therefore, when choosing according to this indicator of skating, you need to soberly assess the level of the rider. Also note that some models may be suitable for several levels at once. For example, an advanced board can be comfortable enough for beginners, or vice versa, quite advanced and suitable for an intermediate level.
Size (length)
The length of the snowboard is also called the size due to the fact that the main selection criterion for this indicator is the growth of the rider. However, this is not entirely true — it is also necessary to take into account the weight of the rider, the purpose of the board, the desired degree of manoeuvrability and control, and some other factors. Therefore, it is worth choosing a model according to size in each case separately, consulting with special sources or professional snowboarders. You should not neglect these recommendations — at best it will be inconvenient to ride, at worst it is also dangerous.
In general, a longer board (ceteris paribus) is more stable, including at high speeds, it behaves better in deep snow, but is less manoeuvrable and agile.
Effective edge
The length of that part of the snowboard (more precisely, the edges of the snowboard) that is in direct contact with the slope during the ride. Other things being equal, a longer edge makes the ride stable and smooth, but reduces understeer; less long — increases the manoeuvrability of the board and allows you to make sharp turns, but requires more serious skills to keep on course. Detailed recommendations on the length of the edge for different types and styles of riding can be found in special sources.
Sidecut radius
The radius of the curved line that forms the sidecut of the snowboard.
The larger the radius, with the same length, the less curvature of the sidecut, the more stable the snowboard on the snow and the more “reluctantly” it turns and turns over. Conversely, a smaller radius makes it easier to turn in a small arc, makes the board “responsive” and, accordingly, demanding on control precision and rider skills. Detailed recommendations on the optimal radius for different types and styles of riding can be found in special sources.
Bend
The type of camber is determined by the shape the snowboard has when unloaded (when viewed from the side)
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Classic (camber). Boards with a classic deflection rest on the surface with the front and rear edges, while the centre is raised. This design reduces the likelihood of stalls and drifts in the turn, which is especially important when driving at high speeds.
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Reverse (rocker). Also known as "banana" or "reverse camber" — the opposite of the classic: the snowboard rests on the centre, and the edges are raised. Due to the less stress on the edges, rockers are well suited for spinning tricks, riding in soft snow and some other special tasks, but they are less controlled at high speeds than the "classic".
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Without deflection (flat). Boards that do not have a deflection and rest on almost the entire base. This option is considered perfect for some types of stunt riding, in particular slopestyle — extreme movement along an inclined track with various obstacles, ski jumping, sliding, etc. At the same time, flats are more stable than rockers at speed, although they are inferior to classics.
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Mixed. This category includes all models that combine the types of deflections described above in their design. Specific options for such combinations can be very diverse — from the simplest, like a flat boa
...rd with edges bent in the manner of a rocker, to wave-like structures with 2 – 3 "waves" corresponding to a different type. Each of these varieties has its own specific application, so the features of the mixed deflection in each case should be specified separately.Tip width
The greatest width of the snowboard in the area of \u200b\u200bthe front.
The ratio of the width of the "nose", "tail" and "waist" directly determines the radius of the side cutout (see above). In general, the width of a snowboard affects stability, handling and suitability for loose snow: a wider board is more stable and falls less, but turns worse and is more difficult to edge over. Another important parameter that determines the choice of a snowboard in width is the size of the rider's shoes: if the boots protrude too far, the board cannot be edged at a large angle. This is especially true for slalom (see "Type of riding").
There are special techniques for choosing the optimal snowboard width.
Waist width
The smallest width of the snowboard in the middle.
The ratio of the width of the "nose", "tail" and "waist" directly determines the radius of the side cutout (see above). In general, the width of a snowboard affects stability, handling and suitability for loose snow: a wider board is more stable and falls less, but turns worse and is more difficult to edge over. Another important parameter that determines the choice of a snowboard in width is the size of the rider's shoes: if the boots protrude too far, the board cannot be edged at a large angle. This is especially true for slalom (see "Type of riding").
There are special techniques for choosing the optimal snowboard width.
Tail width
The widest width of the snowboard is at the rear.
The ratio of the width of the "nose", "tail" and "waist" directly determines the radius of the side cutout (see above). In general, the width of a snowboard affects stability, handling and suitability for loose snow: a wider board is more stable and falls less, but turns worse and is more difficult to edge over. Another important parameter that determines the choice of a snowboard in width is the size of the rider's shoes: if the boots protrude too far, the board cannot be edged at a large angle. This is especially true for slalom (see "Type of riding").
There are special techniques for choosing the optimal snowboard width.
Flex rating
The stiffness of a snowboard is indicated in arbitrary units from 1 to 10 (
the larger the number, the stiffer the board). Soft boards are convenient for jumping, because. they absorb shock well. But for high-speed driving, rigid models are recommended that are not so prone to vibrations.
Accordingly, the choice for this indicator directly depends on the planned use of the snowboard. For example, for freestyle and freeride boards of small and medium hardness are best suited; soft boards are also considered the best option for beginners. For slalom, the stiffness must be high.
