Women’s Snowboard Buyers Guide
We’ve all seen that bickering couple on the hill: the boyfriend has his shiny new set-up, shouting commands at his girlfriend who is stuck riding his 4 year old equipment. She ends up frustrated and crying, never wanting to snowboard again. Don’t let this girl be you!
Women’s specific equipment is absolutely essential to your progression in snowboarding. Obviously, women are shaped differently from men and so we require different features in snowboarding gear. Narrower waist widths, softer flexes, and anatomically constructed boots and bindings will optimize our performance and keep us on par with the fellows.
The biggest difference between men and women (in the snowboard sense of things) is their feet. Men have large hairy feet that are good for traveling long distance to hunt, pillage, etc. Women have dainty little hoofs best used for being crammed into ridiculous shoes that make us feel pretty. That’s a totally sexist picture I’ve painted for you, but hopefully you understand our podiatry differences.
Boards
Smaller feet need narrower snowboards. A board that is too wide for your foot size will feel very slow and sluggish when trying to get on edge. Most women specific snowboards will have a waist width of 25cm or smaller which is just perfect for the average sized lady’s foot. With a narrower snowboard, transferring energy edge-to-edge will be quick and easy making you a carving queen.
We ladies also boast a much more slender build than our male counterparts. Due to this fact we can’t push around as much fiberglass and wood as the guys. A softer flexing, shorter snowboard will be much easier to control and turn (and butter!). Women specific snowboards cater to our lighter weight and lower center of gravity by featuring specially constructed cores and a wide range of softer flex patterns.
Boots
The most important part of a women’s specific set-up is boots. Remember my sexist comparison of men and women’s feet? Revisiting that, we ladies have drastically different shaped feet than the guys. Smaller is just the tip of the iceberg. Our feet are narrower throughout the last, skinnier in the Achilles and heel area, and our calves are more elongated than men’s, placing them lower on the leg. Luckily, women’s boot construction has come a long way and there are now TONS of options for good fitting boots that accommodate our unique feet. Boots will always be the most important part of your gear because you can’t have fun with unhappy feet. All feet are different, so it’s best to try on a few and see what feels the most comfortable, while still providing a snug and supportive fit.
Bindings
Pair up your women’s specific boots with some women specific bindings. Ladies’ bindings will have a narrower base plate to provide the perfect fit with your she-boots. They will also have a lower high-back to match up with our lower calves. A good fit with your women’s specific boots and bindings will ensure quicker energy transfer and max comfort.
Bottom Line:
Women’s specific equipment provides you with the features you need to perform better and feel more comfortable. Gear that caters to your specific size and needs is going to be easier to ride with and will make you feel more confident and more stoked to be out there on the snow. Don’t settle for the guy’s hand-me downs. Get your own gear and have more fun!
