A Snowboard Sizing Guide

So here is a GENERAL 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.  Boots have different footprints and fit boards differently. Sizing the right binding to the boot and board is important too so you have to factor that in as well. This isn’t super easy so If you need snowboard sizing advice hit us up here.

Men’s Advice 

Women’s Advice

Snowboard Width Sizing Guide

It all starts with your snowboard boot size. Nothing is more important when it comes to getting the right sized board. If a rep doesn’t ask your boot size then don’t buy from them. This is hands down the most important part of sizing up 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.  As you can see the boots hit the snow, lift up the edge and you usually end up slamming into the ground. Also if you put a Large binding on a regular width board it might hang over the edges and cause even worse toe/heel drag than a boot.

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 or a person in front of you.

Mens Snowboard Sizing Guide (Non-Tapered Boards)

Snowboard Sizing Names Narrow Regular Mid-Wide Wide
Board Width (In CM) <24.8 24.8 – 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

How to size a Tapered Board

If you are looking at a tapered board look at how much taper there is in the tail. Based on the taper in the tail, you can go a few mm wider to many mm wider in the nose and waist.

***This is based on regular boot sizing and not “Reduced Footprint Boots. If you have a reduced footprint it’s best to still go with the standard boot sizing or very close to it.***

What is a Reduced Footprint Boot?

This can make a big difference in picking the size bindings and board you could fit into.  Basically, some boots have reduced the footprint of the boot so it’s not as long on the outside.  Some of the best ones in the industry can size down almost 1 full size and many are 1/4 to 1/2 to 3/4 of what they used to be.  It also varies when it comes to size boot so some companies can have a reduced footprint in size 9 but then in size 11 it isn’t as reduced.  It can help reduce toe/heel drag but it’s best to still follow the standard width sizing recommendations and not try to squeeze into something a lot smaller.

About Snowboard Weight Recommendations (2nd Most Important)

So weight is the 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.

About Snowboard Length Recommendations (Least Important!)

Least important part of finding a board that works for you! Don’t let a lazy guy 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 is appropriate for your boot size and you are close to the manufactures recommended weight range.