A Snowboard Sizing Guide

So here is a GENERAL SNOWBOARD SIZING GUIDE (not a definitive guide) that might help you start out with what to look for in a board based on your specs.

Each board is different and requires special consideration.

  • Some are meant to be ridden shorter and wider.
  • Others are meant to be longer and narrower.
  • If you don’t match the right size boot and binding to the right size board it could suck.

This isn’t super easy so If you need snowboard sizing advice hit us up here.

Men’s Advice 

Women’s Advice

Sizing a Snowboard Is Subjective

We all have different riding styles and preferences.

  • Some people like to size down for more control and a better ride in uneven / messy snow.
  • Others like to size up for more speed / stability / carving power.
  • Others like to try to find a balance between both.

Lots of people feel because it’s right for them it should be right for you and push their preferences on you. That often leads to buying the wrong snowboard. So bottom line is there is no right answer. There is only what’s right for you and your preferences. Just make sure you stay inside the limitations of your specs.

Snowboard Brands are really bad at sizing a board…really bad…

Most Brands are almost negligent when it comes to sizing a snowboard for you. I personally feel it’s one of the biggest problems in the industry.

  • Many Brands are very conservative with recommended weight.
  • Most Brands don’t even recommend a boot size. Many reps don’t understand how to size a board to your boot size either.
  • Those that do recommended boot sizing are very liberal with the Min / Max sizes.

This often leads to incorrect purchases, bad times on the hill or serious injuries. Here is The Good Ride’s guide in how to size your boot.

The 3 Main Components In Sizing A Snowboard Properly

Sizing is all about balancing what fits your Boot Size (most important), Weight (second most important) and Height (third most important) for how you like to ride.

#1 Boot Size (Step One In The Snowboard Sizing Guide)

It all starts with your snowboard boot size. Nothing is more important when it comes to getting the right sized board. That is why brands make narrow, regular, mid-wide and wide boards. Unfortunately many don’t even address boot sizing and if they do, they are often very liberal in their recommendations if they recommend a boot size at all.

If a sales rep doesn’t ask your boot size then don’t buy from them. This is hands down the most important part of sizing your snowboard because Toe/Heel Drag is very dangerous. It could make riding suck or even worse put you in the hospital. This is Zobel, he’s on a reduced footprint size 11.5 boot and needs a mid-wide board. This is what happens when he’s on a regular sized board best for size 9-10 boots.

If the boots hit the snow, it lifts up the edge and you usually end up slamming into the ground like in this video.

Conversely, you don’t want the board to be too wide and hard to turn either. You might not be able to avoid a tree, rock, or a person in front of you.

Width Over The Inserts Is most Important but rarely published

The width over the inserts is actually best so a perfect fit for being able to turn the board but not get toe/heel drag is about 1-2 cm or .5″-.75″ of overhang on each edge. So measure your boots length and then compare it to the width over the reference markers. You can go wider for a harder carver or if you like speed and stability. The wider you go though, the harder it is to initiate a turn.

Most brands don’t publish insert width so we often have to start by looking at the waist width.

Mens Snowboard Sizing Guide (Non-Tapered Boards)

Snowboard Sizing Names Narrow Regular Mid-Wide Wide
Board Width (In CM) <25 25 – 25.8 25.8 – 26.8 26.8>
Boot Size (US Men’s) <8 8-10 10-12 12>
Binding Size Small Medium Large Large or XL

Women’s Snowboard Sizing Guide

Board Width (In CM) <23.5 23.5-24.5 24.5> Women above size 8 might be better with Men’s Boards
Boot Size (US Women’s) <6 6-8 8.5>
Binding Size Small Medium Large

Factor In Nose and Tail Width

Next you need to look at the nose and tail width so you can get a little better idea of how wide it might be between the waist and tail.

How to size a Tapered Board

If you are looking to buy a tapered board look at how much taper there is in the tail. The more taper there is in the tail the wider you can go in the waist. This is because a narrower tail than nose will generally turn faster than a board with the same width nose and tail.

What is a Reduced Footprint Boot?

A reduced footprint boot has the same sizing inside but has a reduced length on the outside. This can help reduce toe / heel drag which can be super dangerous.

Unfortunately some brands aren’t consistent throughout the size range. Some boots can be reduced at a size 9 but not 11. Or, reduced at 11 but not 9. So this can for sure help but don’t think you can suddenly ride a much narrower board.

#2 Weight

So weight is second most important thing when it comes to getting the right sized board. In most cases, stay within the manufacturers suggested weight range on their site. I would only go a little over or a little under if it means you get the correct boot size for the width of the board.

#3 Height

Least important part of finding a board that works for you! Don’t let a rep in a shop hold up a board that fits between your chin and nose and say your good to go!  Before even considering the length make sure the width and weight is appropriate for your boot size and you are close to the manufactures recommended weight range. Height is important in this way. The longer the board the harder it is to spin when buttering on snow or in the air. Like with width, it can also be harder to turn or throw it around in tight spots if it’s too long for your height. So it is something to factor in. For example a Short / Wide board isn’t always a fast turner and a normal length isn’t always slow. 

So the bottom line is Sizing a snowboard isn’t easy but hopefully this helps.