A Snowboard Sizing Guide

I’m James Biesty, the editor/founder of TheGoodRide.com. After riding close to 1,000 different snowboards and more if you count different sizes and versions of the same models here is my 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, boots, bindings, and riding style.

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.
  • Sizing is very subjective and personal, so many options work depending on your preference.
  • Never trust anyone who only references weight and height. 

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

Men’s Advice 

Women’s Advice

The Main Components In Sizing A Snowboard Properly

#1 Boot Size vs. Board Width (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, wide, and Ultra-Wide Boards. Unfortunately, many brands make these sizes but then don’t even address boot sizing. Even worse, others make one width that fits a particular boot size and then don’t specify it. If brands do recommend boot sizes, they are often very liberal, so the small and high sizes don’t always work. Why don’t they fix this? Well, it’s hard; this is a new sport, and often those who know just don’t have the time and resources.

So, 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 without toe/heel drag is about 1-2 cm or .5″-.75″ of overhang on each edge. So measure your boot length, 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. Especially when conditions are uneven.

Most brands don’t publish insert width, so we often start by looking at waist width. It’s very helpful to compare it to the nose and tail width.

Men’s Snowboard Sizing Guide (Non-Tapered Boards)

Sizing Type Narrow / Unisex Regular Mid-Wide Ultra Wide
Board Width (In CM) 24-25 25-26 26-27 27-28
Boot Size (US Men’s) 6-8 8-10 10-12 12-14
Binding Size Small Medium Large 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

Stance Angles Are Important

If you ride duck, like +15/-15, you can often fit a narrower board than you normally could. Conversely, if you ride +18 / 0 on a narrower board, you are most likely to boot out on your back foot.

The Way You Turn Matters

If you carve hard, go a little wider than you normally would. It will slow turn initiation, but it will keep you from booting out.

How Steep The Terrain You Ride Matters

The steeper terrain you ride, the more likely you are to boot out. It’s not as bad as carving hard, but you’ll want to stay in the safe zones I showed above.

Look For Brands That Post The Width Over The Inserts

If a brand has width over the inserts, this is the best! You can then check your boot length vs. the width over the inserts. You can then see whether your boots’ footprint and stance angles will have too much overhang. 1.5- 2 cm (.5″- .75″) per side, you are good. Then you can go wider for better carving, but don’t go too much narrower because of toe/heel drag (booting out).

Factor In Nose and Tail Width

Next, look at the nose and tail width to get a better idea of how wide it might be between the waist and tail.

Some Disrupted Sidecuts Can Make The Board Look Wider

Many boards have bumps in the sidecut, and many are placed in the waist. It makes the board look wider than it is. Some have bumps near the inserts, and others don’t, so if a board has a bump in the middle but none near the inserts, subtract 3- 5 mm depending on the size of the bump. Also pay more attention to the width of the nose/tail in relation to the waist width.

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. So look at the tail width you normally ride that turns well for you on a tapered board; that will often be more like what you have now, turn initiation-wise.

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 vs. Board Flex

Weight is the second most important factor when it comes to getting the right-sized board. It strongly influences how the board flexes and has some influence on how a board turns. If you are too light, it will be hard to flex and turn. If you are too heavy, the board will feel soft and might turn too easily. In most cases, stay within the manufacturer’s suggested weight range on their site. I would only go a little over or under if it means you get the correct boot size for the board’s width.

#3 Height vs. Board Length

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 you’re good to go!  Before you even consider length, make sure the width and weight fit your boot size and fall within the manufacturer’s recommended weight range. Height is important in this way. The longer the board the more difficult it is to swing the board around. This is called swing weight. The length affects your ability to skid a turn or stop. Or when buttering on snow or spinning 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 factor it in after weight and height.  

#4 Your Boot & Bindings Response Level

Boots and bindings can drastically change how a board rides. If you have very responsive boots/bindings, they can make a board that might be hard to turn for your boot size & weight much easier to turn. It’s a great way for people with smaller feet who are light to ride the board they like, even if it doesn’t come in an easy size to ride. Conversely, if you have less responsive boots/bindings, it can make a board feel a lot harder to ride than we described.

#5 Your Stance Width

Some boards favor a wider stance width, and others favor a narrower stance width.

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 that because it’s right for them, it should be right for you. Then they push their preferences on you.  That often leads to buying the wrong snowboard. So the 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.

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