Snowboard Gear & Buying Guides
What to look for in snowboards, boots, bindings, helmets, goggles, outerwear and travel bags — plus research-based buying guides.
Photo: Bradley Dunn / Unsplash
The right gear makes a snowboard trip warmer, safer and a lot more fun. Below you’ll find what to look for in each piece of kit and who it suits, plus our research-based buying guides. We don’t claim to have lab-tested anything: our picks are built from manufacturer specifications and widely published information, and we explain our reasoning in each guide.
Snowboards
Look for: Profile (camber, rocker or hybrid), flex and a length matched to your weight.
Who it’s for: Riders ready to stop renting.
Snowboard boots
Look for: A snug heel hold, the right flex for your style and a lacing system you can use with gloves on.
Who it’s for: Everyone — boots are the first thing worth owning.
Bindings
Look for: Size matched to your boots and a flex that matches your board.
Who it’s for: Riders building their own setup.
Helmets
Look for: A recognised snow-sports certification, a snug fit and goggle compatibility.
Who it’s for: Every rider, every day.
Goggles
Look for: A lens suited to your usual light conditions and a frame that fits your helmet.
Who it’s for: Anyone riding in flat light or bright sun.
Jackets
Look for: Waterproof, breathable shell or insulated jacket, a powder skirt and a helmet-compatible hood.
Who it’s for: Riders who want to stay dry from first lift to last.
Snowboard pants
Look for: Reinforced seat and knees, boot gaiters and venting for warm spring days.
Who it’s for: Beginners who sit in the snow a lot — and everyone else.
Gloves & mittens
Look for: Waterproof shells with warm liners; mittens if you run cold.
Who it’s for: Anyone strapping in on the snow.
Base layers
Look for: Merino or synthetic fabrics that move sweat — never cotton.
Who it’s for: Cold-climate trips like Japan or Canada in January.
Snowboard backpacks
Look for: Board-carry straps, a goggle pocket and room for a layer and water.
Who it’s for: Riders spending full days on the hill.
Snowboard travel bags
Look for: Padding, wheels for long airport walks and space for boots and outerwear.
Who it’s for: Anyone flying with their own board.
Tuning & maintenance
Look for: Wax, a scraper and a multi-tool keep a board fast and bindings tight on a trip.
Who it’s for: Riders taking their own board on longer trips.
Buying guides
Best Snowboards for Beginners: 7 Forgiving Boards for 2026–27
Seven forgiving boards from Burton, Ride, Arbor and Rome, chosen from manufacturer specs, plus plain-English advice on size, profile, flex and width…
Best Snowboard Travel Bags: Padded and Wheeled Picks for 2026–27
Seven snowboard bags from Burton, Dakine and Db, compared using published specs: padding, wheels, board capacity and weight, plus how to pick…
Best Snowboard Helmets: Certifications, MIPS and 7 Picks for 2026–27
ASTM F2040, EN 1077 and MIPS explained in plain English, plus seven snowboard helmets from Smith, Sweet Protection, Anon and Dakine compared…
Best Snowboard Goggles: Lens Tech, VLT and 7 Picks for 2026–27
Lens categories, VLT, lens shapes and helmet fit explained simply, plus seven goggles from Smith, Anon, Sweet Protection and Atomic compared on…
Gear advice for beginners
How to Choose Your First Snowboard: Profile, Shape, Flex and Size
Understand profile, shape, flex, length and width so you can pick a forgiving first board that fits your weight and boot size.
Snowboard Size Guide: Length, Weight, Height and Width Explained
Weight leads, boot size sets width, and style and ability fine-tune length. See an approximate table, and why the manufacturer's chart is…
What to Wear Snowboarding: Layers, Waterproofing, Gloves, Helmet and Goggles
A clear guide to the layering system, waterproof and breathability ratings, gloves versus mittens, and choosing a helmet and goggles.