Choosing Snowboard length was traditionally considered to be as simple as the length from the ground to your chin. This will sometimes be the right length snowboard but only coincidentally.
Snowboard technology over the years have left this technique obsolete and there a few factors that influence the length of a board, namely:
- Weight
- Riding Style
- Ability Level; and
- Height
Weight
Weight is the most important factor in determining the length of the board – the weight of the rider, is certainly more important than the height of the rider.
Why is weight the most important factor?
Snowboards are designed with a certain flex in mind. However that flex is also influenced by the weight of the rider. If you are too heavy or too light compared to the weight the board was designed for, the flex won’t behave in the way it was designed to – and the way you were told it should when you bought it.
If you are too heavy for the board (i.e. the board is too short for your weight) then the board will flex more than it should.
If you are too light for the board (i.e. the board is too long for your weight) you won’t be applying enough pressure to make the board flex how it should.
So try to be within the weight range for any given board. Then you can take into account other factors. A lot of snowboard manufacturers will release the weight range for each size of a particular board.
A good first step is to fit within that range. The range is usually quite high so we need some other factors to narrow it down a bit to get a more accurate length.
Snowboard Companies that show Recommended Weight Ranges
The Table below shows some of the major snowboarding brands and which do and don’t, to the best of my knowledge, provide weight ranges. If you know of any others just leave a comment below and I’ll add it to the table.
| Snowboard Companies | Publish Weight Range |
|---|---|
| Arbor | YES |
| Burton | YES |
| Capita | NO |
| DC | NO |
| Flow | YES* |
| GNU | YES |
| Jones | NO |
| K2 | YES |
| Lib Tech | YES |
| Never Summer | NO |
| Ride | YES |
| Rome | YES |
| Rossignol | YES* |
| Salomon | YES |
| Yes | NO |
* via downloadable PDF
It’s not necessary to be right in the middle of the recommended weight range. For example if the range is 110 – 150lbs you don’t have to be 130lbs!
Weight recommendations are helpful, but I would consider them to be general guidelines and not hard and fast rules. Often weight recommendations cover a wide range so aren’t that accurate and brands can change these, year to year, without any real changes to a board.
Typically these days weight recommendations are based on your weight without gear. It used to be based on weight with gear but this has changed. And this makes sense as you are less likely to know what you weight fully loaded with gear.
Note: As you can see in the table above, not all manufacturers release weight range information and they don’t take height into account at all. There are tables further down this post which should help you to get a good idea of the best size for your height and weight.
Ability Level
The ability level of the rider can also influence the length of the board. This is pretty easy though. Generally speaking if you are a beginner then go with a shorter board (3-5cm shorter). Anyone intermediate and up should not take ability level into account when determining length.
A longer board is more difficult to control. Therefore beginners are often recommended to choose a slightly shorter board than a more advanced rider might go with.
Riding Style
Besides influencing factors such as flex of board, set back of stance etc, the rider’s style can also influence the length of board that he/she chooses to ride.
This is also pretty basic though – if you are a freestyle rider then go between 3 and 6 centimetres shorter (depending on preference) and if you are only into free-riding then go a 2-4cm longer (again this will also depend on preference and some rider’s like to go more or less extreme than this).
The length sizing tables further down in this post will show the length for an all-mountain rider. Take off 3-6cm for a freestyle board and add 2-4cm for a freeride board.
If you’re not exactly sure of your style you can check out the article at the following link.
Height
Whilst definitely not as important as weight, height is still somewhat of a factor – partly because a taller rider will weigh more than a shorter rider (with the same build). But also because the taller rider will typically have a wider stance (though not always).
If a tall rider ends up on a board that’s too short for their stance width, then either they won’t be able to set their stance width as wide as they would like – or they will be at the widest possible stance and that may not be the best position on the board for them.
In the same vane, a shorter rider may end up not being able to go as narrow as they would like on a longer board – or they might end up feeling like they have too much board outside the inserts.
The Length Charts
The tables below show estimates for board length based on height and weight. Once you have found that, you have found what we can call the “standard length”. From this you should adjust the length for style preference (and ability level if you are a beginner).
This might be the same as the standard length or different depending on style and ability. This is what I like to call your “real length”.
I like to then choose a range of heights that I am happy with so that I can have the option of a wider range of boards and a couple of centimetres either way isn’t going to affect my riding in any noticeable way.
Choosing Your Length
Right, let’s check out the charts below.
I consider the standard length to be the “all-mountain” “non beginner” length of board. For example if the length in the chart according to your height and weight is 160cm then this is your length if you are an intermediate or above all-mountain rider.
So for example if you’re a freestyle rider you might take 3-6cm off that and go with a 154-157cm board. If you are a beginner you might go with a 155-157 and if you are a dedicated free-rider then you might bump it up to 162, 163 or 164.
Go through the charts below and select the table that fits your height and then scan across until you find your weight.
For example, I am 6 foot tall and weigh 180lbs (81kg). So I find myself on the table and find my “standard length” to be 161cm. I am not a beginner – however I do lean towards freestyle riding so I take 3-6cm off and find my “length range” to be 155-158cm. However I am not a purely freestyle rider – probably a 60% park, 40% downhiller – so I go with the higher end of the range there – 158cm (see how it can be very preferential).
So with my real length at 158cm I now consider any board that is 157-159cm because 1cm either way won’t be noticeable – but will widen the range of boards I can choose from.
YOUTH TABLE
Men’s Tables
Women’s Tables
Keep in mind that this is a rough guide and if you can find the suggested weight range for the particular board that you are interested in then this is a good gauge too. The above table should find a size that fits somewhere in that range.
Width Sizing Considerations
Keep in mind that you also want to ensure that the width of the board is suitable for your foot length. This is another good reason to choose a range of lengths so that you have more options for width sizes.
What Length do you ride?
I always keen to learn other rider’s set-ups. Please feel free to leave a comment below with the length board you ride, plus your height, weight and riding style.
Any other comments or questions always welcome too.
Very descriptive and accurate post. There is a ton of useful information here and I am sure everyone that is into snowboarding will find this beneficial. You have a little information pertaining to anyone and everyone. Nicely done.
Hey Nikki – thanks for stopping by – appreciate the comments.
Hey Nate,
Word up. I got a Q for you. I’m fairly experienced, but getting older, 49 and after a wrist break 🙂 needing to get a board to last me in to my final decade of riding… I’ve always been a carver not a jump or park man, am 5’10 and 180lbs. Have previously ridden a 159 DC PBJ 2010 model, while it turns sweet have found a little lively and uncertain at high speed carving, also sometimes struggle on pow but that maybe method improvement required 🙂 …. I’ve just bought a used Jones Flagship 164, thinking stability for high speed carving, my fave style… but have I over cooked the length? 161 I guess would’ve been ideal given my height & weight, but the 164 was the one going for a deal price. Thoughts?!
Luke
I just checked the Jones site and previously could not find weight to length figures, but found just now, and they say the 164 Flagship is 160-120lbs…. so i guess weight wise I’m good, but any idea about stability for the carving on fresh wide steep groom….??
https://www.jonessnowboards.com/gear/solids/flagship.html#size-charts
Hi Luke
I probably would have gone with the 161 but I don’t think 164 is too long – but it’s probably as long as you’d want to go. I’m 6’0 and 180-185lbs and my preference on the Flagship is the 161, even though I’m at the top of their weight recommendations – but I do favor going slightly shorter in general.
But as far as for carving, stability at speed and float in powder, the 164 will enhance that even more than the 161. It will so at the cost of a little bit of quick edge-to-edge maneuverability – but you may well prefer the feel of that.
I’m not surprised that your PBJ got squirelly at speed. It’s more of a freestyle board and not really known for being good at carving or at speed. Also being a true twin, centered stance board, it’s not ideal for riding in powder either. It’s more focused on jumps and park riding!
So whichever Flagship model you go for you’ll be getting a serious lift when it comes to speed, carving and powder. The flagship is quite a bit stiffer than the PBJ too – so that and the fact that you are riding a board that’s 5cm longer than what you’re used and with a host of other differences, means it will take a bit to get used to it – which is another reason why I’d say 161 – just because it might have been an easier transition.
Either way you’ll likely need to have a breaking in period to get used to the Flagship – just don’t expect it to feel anything like the PBJ.
Hope this helps
Howzit Nate
Not sure how to do new post (on iPad) so just replying. Great website and fantastic job replying to all the posts!
Besides board size, bindings and boots are a factor as well, right?
I’ve surfed my whole life (competitive level), live in South Africa, now 45yrs, 6′, 84kg. Snowboard addict, but only see snow every other year when we go to Europe.
Got a Salomon Prospect (k2 Cinch, cheap Burton boots) when I tried snowboarding for the first time in 2007. Thought learning would be a breeze, but first trip was a nightmare. Icy conditions, no lessons, lotta pain. Two trips later, got Rome Crail 158, Flow bindings and boots (entry level, don’t recall model).
With my surfing background I prefer powder and when it’s hard, I just carve (still learning) the pistes. No parks, etc. I’d say my powder riding is advanced, on piste intermediate.
Really enjoy powder when I put bindings as far back possible, but then getting to lift on piste is a nightmare. Carving on piste with this board is fun, but higher speeds the board doesn’t feel great.
Will keep this board setup, however feel like I must get something which is better for carving pistes and powder, 161 a 163 range. There’s too many boards and gear out there to make a decision. Your preference based on what I’ve mentioned here?
Hi Donnie
Thanks for your message.
From what you’re describing, I would say that a freeride board would be a great option for you. Basically it’s the kind of board that rides well in powder but is also good for carving on the groomers. They sacrifice park performance to be good at those 2 things – and they are typically very good and stable with speed.
Also they are designed to ride well in powder so even though they do tend to have a fairly big setback, the setback doesn’t have to be massive to get good powder float. I’m not that familiar with the Rome Crail but just based on doing some research on it, it looks like it’s a traditional camber board. And that makes it not so great in powder – probably why you feel like you need to set the bindings so far back. So I think you’ll really appreciate a board that is designed to float well in powder.
I have created a list of what I consider the best 5 freeride boards, which you can check out at the link below. I think that the YES PYL and the Never Summer 25 would be your best options on that list – just because I think they are both a little easier to ride on groomers (so you can still ride them there at an intermediate level) than some and because they are good in hard/icy conditions (especially PYL) as well as in powder. The Flight Attendant would also work well but won’t be quite as good in hard/icy conditions as the other 2.
~ My Top 5 Freeride Snowboards
Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions or want help choosing bindings/boots if you were thinking of upgrading in that department too.
Hi Nate,
I’m 5’11” about 225 lbs (without gear). Although I am heavy I’m pretty nimble for my size and would consider myself to be an intermediate rider. According to your chart I should be in a 164 cm board, and although I don’t do a lot of park riding that length sounds pretty extreme. I’m shopping for my next board and am thinking that I wouldn’t want to go longer than 160. Would that be too small for me? I’m thinking that even that much length would affect my maneuverability in the park.
Hi Jordan
Thanks for your message.
If you feel like you want to ride something shorter then I would go with that preference. Length sizing is partly to do with personal preference, in my opinion. And it certainly sounds like you have a preference for something shorter than a 164. There’s no reason why you can’t go shorter than that.
Just keep in mind that if you outside the weight recommendations of a board that the board is likely to feel softer flexing than what it’s rated as. How much softer will depend on the board, but let’s say you’re looking for a mid flexing board, you might find that it feels a little softer flexing than mid in say a 159, for your weight, than it would for someone who was within the weight recommendations for that board. To get a shorter board like that, that feels like mid flex for you, you might need to go for something more mid-stiff. E.g. if you like the idea of a 6/10 flex, you might have to go for a 7/10 flexing board to get that feel, if you were to go for a shorter size.
Hope this makes sense.
But yeah, you certainly don’t have to go with what the charts say above, they are just guidelines and if you have a preference for something shorter, then there’s nothing to say that you can’t do that. But just keep in mind that the board will flex differently.
Hope this helps
This is a great post explaining this process. I’ve never snowboarded before but I learned a lot from your post.
Hi Diondre – glad to educate. You should give snowboarding a shot – not something you ever regret taking up!
Hi Nate,
Always a pleasure to visit your site. I never imagined that choosing a Snowboard length was so involved. So I’m 5′ 10″ @ 175ish and it looks like from the chart that I would need a 157cm board. Now, I’m not even up to beginner level so I take another 5cm off of that which leaves 152cm, right? Thanks
Hi Ed. Great to hear from you again!
It can be a little bit involved to choose the right size snowboard but it’s worth a bit of effort because once you’ve found the right length you’ll know exactly what you’ll need from that point on and it will also help heaps with your progression to get the right size.
For your height and weight I would say a 159 would be your “standard length”. I think you were going down the 5’8″ height row on the chart to get 157. And yeah for a beginner you want to take off a few centimetres. So ideally you’d probably start out on around a 154 or 155. I used to get around a 155 when I started out.
If you are hiring, then something like a 154 to 155 would be good for you. If you are buying then ideally you would get a 154-155 and then sell that and replace it with a longer board once you were at a certain level of progression. A lot of people don’t like the idea of buying a board and selling it after a couple of seasons. This is the way I’d go if I was beginning again (and usually you can get back a fair bit of your investment selling the board 2nd hand).
If you don’t want to replace the board then you could go with something like a 156-157 so that you could “grow into it”. This will probably make progression a bit slower though.
If you can I would buy over hiring – check out this post on why buying is better for your progression than hiring.
Hi Nate,
In looking at buying a Slash Brainstorm (or Happy Place failing that) for an upcoming Japan trip. My Problem is that because I live in Australia these boards are really really hard to come by. I’m 173cm and 69-70kg without gear so was thinking a 154cm board would suit me (60% park 40% mountain). The only board I can find available in the country is a 151cm Brainstorm, do you think that this is too small?
Hi Nick
Thanks for the message.
I’d have you on a standard length of 155-156 but because you do 60% park I’d take a couple of cms off – but since you ride the rest of the mountain too I wouldn’t want to go too short. I think you’re spot on with the 154cm. I think the 151cm is slightly too small for you. It wouldn’t be unrideable but ideally you’d get the 154.
Unfortunately most brands from US online stores don’t ship outside the US – otherwise that could have been an option. I’m pretty sure Slash doesn’t ship internationally. I guess it’s even harder this time of the year in Australia to find boards given that it’s summer!
Maybe you could try looking at stores in Japan and grab the board when you arrive there. I have no idea about what boards they have there but imagine they would have Slash there.
Hi there, good article. I’m 6’5, 200lb all mountain rider looking at a new board. Struggling to decide between a 163 and a 167. I’m pretty solid with about 10 years of experience riding mostly steeps, bowls and trees with a preference for deep snow. Any thoughts on board size?
Hey Geoff
Thanks for your message. Given your physical specs and style of riding I would probably go with the 167. That extra length will really help with float in powder and stability on steeps and stability at speed – though you might sacrifice some maneuverability in the trees. So actually, I reckon if you’re in the trees a lot then maybe the 163 but if you’re in trees only sometimes then the 167 would be the best bet.
Hope this helps.
Will I suffer in all-mountain performance if I go with a 157 cm instead of a 159 cm? The board I’m looking at is the 2014 Rossignol Angus and I’m basically same size as you 6’1 175-180 lbs. Want to be able to progress in park and slash steeps and bowls
Hi Charles
The 157cm would be a great length for you for park progression. However, you will sacrifice some performance for your steeps and bowls. A longer board would give you better float in powder, more speed and more stability at speed. Ideally you’d want two separate boards but obviously that gets more expensive.
To me your all mountain length (assuming your already beyond being a beginner) would be around 161-162cm. To get one board that would do both the park and the rest I would try to get something in between the 157cm and 162cm. If you were getting two boards then I would get a park board at around that 157cm mark and a separate board for everything else at around 162cm.
Hope this helps, thanks for your message.
Hi, thanks for the great post 🙂
I’m a beginner and still very confused which size is suitable for me, will apreshiate any advice.
I’m 169 cm, 70kg
Boots size 7 or 7,5 UK or 41,42 EU
Thank you very much
Hi Bonin
Thanks for your message.
I have you at a 155cm for your advanced level all-mountain deck. Since you are a beginner I would recommend you start out on something between a 150cm and a 153cm.
Check out my list of what I think are the best boards for beginners at the link below – I think all of the options there should have a size in that range.
~ Top 5 Snowboards for Beginners
Hi Nate,
I’m having trouble deciding between two sizes (Ride Berzerker): 160W (259 ww) or 163W (261 ww)
My specs are:
Length: 1.86 m
Weight: 90 kg
I wear US size 11 Burton Imperial boots with shrinkage tech. I’m not a park rider, mainly backcountry/trees and groomers when powder runs short.
What would you suggest?
Hi Mark
I think either will be fine width-wise but I’d go for the 163W because I think this would be a better length for you for sure.
Hi there your post is great!! It has helped a lot. I am trying to purchase a board as a gift for a friend who is 172cm and 65kg. He is an all mountain rider what would you recommend? I do want to get an arbor whiskey snowboard for him but it only comes in 155cm. Would it be too long for his height and weight considering that he is still a beginner/intermediate rider?
Looking forward to your reply and thanks so much for the help!!
Hi Jac
I think the 155cm would be fine for him if he was a bit more advanced but I’m a bit concerned it’s a bit long for his current level. I’d prefer to see him on a 152 or 153 at this point.
Check out my top recommended snowboards at the lists below. These are options for beginners and all-mountian riders. I’ve included a link to my top all-mountain freestyle decks too because these can sometimes be great for intermediate all-mountain riders even if they aren’t going to be doing any freestyle riding.
~ Top 5 Beginner Snowboards
~ Top 5 All-Mountain Freestyle Snowboards
~ Top 10 All-Mountain Snowboards
Hopefully this will provide you with some more options. Let me know if you’d like me to narrow down those choices with what I think would work best for him.
Hi ! Im from Latvia, so, im raiding snowboard since I was a kid. So my level is advanced, my style is freestyle in LV and fee riding when im in another country on big mountains. So I’m using all mountain snowboard for freestyle to, i do slides, jumps all kind of tricks and in this season finally starting to learn back & front flips. I saved some money for new freestyle board just for tricks, and I can’t figure out sizes and shit. Im 181cm tall 78,5kg foot is 44euro size. Im looking at bateleon disaster 153 and bateleon evil twin 154 because of sales, but i was thinking if those boards will be to short for me and also it would effect my performance on jumps. Do I need a bit taller board or yolo go with 154 ?
Hi Kristaps
Thanks for your message.
I think a 153 and 154 would work well for certain freestyle riding. I’d have you on a 159 for all-mountain riding and a little longer for freeride. For Freestyle anything from a 153 to 156 would be good. The shorter the board the better for spins, jibs etc. A little bit more length does add a bit of stability. So for those bigger jumps then maybe it would be better to go with 155-156 rather than the 153-154.
Since it sounds like you’ll be hitting some big jumps – to get your flips in – then maybe around a 155 or 156 would be better. On the other hand it will be quicker to get the flips around with a shorter board.
I think anything from 154 to 156 would do the job for you. Out of curiosity, what length is your all-mountain snowboard?
Hi nate, sorry to bother you. I’m 178cm and weight 70kg. I like to ride park mostly and like to do some jumps and rails. i’ve always rented my boards and the last one (also the one that i liked the most) was a 152cm burton dominant condom. what would you advice me in terms os length and boards?
Thank you!!!
Hey João
For you I would say anywhere from a 151 to a 154 would be great. So if you liked the 152 size then that would be a good size to go with.
In terms of boards check out the link below for my top 10 freestyle snowboards.
~ My Top 10 Freestyle Snowboards
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions.
Hi Nate,
I’m going to get my first board in the next few months. I’m 14 years old nearing 15 but I’m only 167 cm and 100lbs, so I’m going with the junior ‘Burton Process Smalls’, so according to your chart I should get a 142cm board, but I’m just coming from beginner on to intermediate (I think) as I’m going to start linking turns (on dry slope as well if it helps, but hopefully going to alps soon!), so I don’t know whether to go for the 142cm or the 138cm. Also, how long will the board last me as I’m advancing pretty quick (only been on slope for 4 hours altogether) and obviously I’m still growing.
Thanks in advance!!
Hey Olly
Normally as a beginner I would say go with the 138 but since you are still growing as you say, and advancing quickly at the same time I think you will grow out of the 138 very quickly. If you had stopped growing I would say 138 for now and then upgrade later but I in this case I think the 142 would be the better choice, in my opinion.
It’s going to be slightly harder to progress on initially but it will last you for longer.
Enjoy the alps!
Thanks! Also if another post of the exact same comes through just delete because I sent two as I thought the first one deleted haha.
I was recently looking at the Rossignol Diva Magtek and the sizing chart recommends the 151+ size for a 60kg rider like myself, this seems terribly long! Is there a reason other than the flex rating that Rossignol recommends a board that long whereas I would otherwise be in the 146ish ballpark for other boards?
Thanks!
Hi Mary
Thanks for your message.
I can only imagine that Rossignol are only taking into account weight. Whereas I (and some other brands) take into account weight and height. I think that weight is the key factor but height plays some part. Can you let me know your height so that I can assess your board size.
It does also depend on the particular board, and flex comes into that, but I think you would be fine on the 148 if that’s the more suitable size for you.
Hi! I am looking into getting a ride baretta. I am about 120lbs and 5’7″. I am no longer at the beginner level, I am closer to being intermediate and a fan of all mountain riding. What size board would you suggest?
Thanks so much!!
Hey Ellie
Based on your size, level and style, I think the 148 would be the best size for you.
Thanks for visiting,
Nate
Hi, I would really appreciate some feedback… I’m 5’11 and weight 236lbs I’m not a beginner. I mostly just like carving down the hill and occasionally like to take my time and hit some small jumps on way down. I can carve very well. I also haven’t been boarding in 7 yrs and I gained a bunch of weight. But I know I’ll pick it right back up. I just recently bought two used boards and I believe they are 5ft 1 inch long and sorta wide. One is the ride agenda and one is a rossignol. The chart says I should be riding a 164. With all that in mind what do you think? Thank you much for your feedback. I also don’t know how to read your reply so could you email me at “email address removed” thank you.
Hey Luke
I agree that something around a 164cm would work well – give or take a centimeter or 2. 5ft 1 inch isn around 155cm if I’ve converted it right. I think these would be too short for you – especially if you like carving. If you feel like 164cm is too long for what you used to ride then maybe you’d prefer something slightly shorter but I wouldn’t ride anything less than a 160cm for you.
I have replied to your email also but you should get an email notification for this comment.
Hi! This is one of the most helpful breakdowns I’ve seen on the internet. Thank you!
I just restarted the learning process again after many years. I would identify more as a free-rider (not a brand new beginner but full disclosure: just started linking turns). I’m looking for a board that can facilitate my current needs and also stay with me as I advance. Also, I’m not likely to ever spend much time in the park and am more drawn to exploring the mountain.
My current burton feather board is sized 139, was purchased when I first started learning (I was 5′ 110 lbs). I’m *currently* 5’1″ 120 lbs.
The end of the season sales mean limited stock and I was recently sold a jones twin sister 146. I’m wondering if that is much to big for me. The alternative could be a ride baretta 142 or 145.
Thanks for your help!
Hi Jasmine
Thanks for the message.
I don’t think that the 146 Twin Sister is much too big for you. Maybe slightly too big for you at this stage. If you are just starting to link turns then a board of that length might be difficult to start with. But once you are more advanced and more confident with turns and start carving etc. then I think it will actually be an ok size for you.
Remember that your weight will be slightly higher with all your snowboarding gear on I think that you could be quite happy on a 144cm board and if you don’t ever want to go in the park and prefer freeride then adding a couple of cms to that is fine.
But I think if you start using it at this point it might slow down your progress. Especially if you are used to the 139, then the 146 will take a bit of getting used to.
If I was you I’d keep riding your Feather until you are feeling really confident linking turns and then try out the Twin Sister and see what you think of it.
Hope this helps
Nate,
I’m 5′ 8″ and 195lbs. I ride a wide range of boards but no bigger than a 156cm. I ride in the Northeast but occasionally I’ll take a trip out west. This is where I think I would need a longer board. I like the steeps and the bumps. What size would you suggest for my size given that most of the boards I ride have a stiffer flex and I am not going in the park. I’m always concerned that with a longer board it will end up riding me rather than me riding it. Thanks for your help and insight.
Chris
Hey Chris
Certainly conditions come into it too. A bit of extra length is nice in powder for sure.
It definitely takes some getting used to with a longer board but if you like carving and steeps etc then it can be a good idea. That extra length helps with float in powder, edge-hold, speed and stability at speed.
However, if you are used to a certain length then it will feel weird to start with. And in some case people just prefer their board to be slightly shorter. Maybe experiment with a 159cm if you can and see how it feels for you. Then you could try 158 or 157 and see if that feels better. But it’s totally up to you what you want to ride in the end and if you prefer something shorter there’s nothing wrong with that either. But I think it’s worth experimenting with a longer size to see if you prefer it after getting used to it.
Hi Nate – great article. Really useful information. Especially as I’m off on my once-every-5-years trip in a couple of weeks.
I was riding my own 168 Burton Canyon. At 1.91 tall and max 85kg (incl. kit) I now realise that was too long. First shop I stopped into suggested 158. Your table recommends 163-164. Will 4 or 5 cm make that much difference? Good info to take with me to the hire shop when I get to Verbier 🙂
Hey Sam
Thanks for your message.
I would say that 168 is definitely too long – but also that 158cm is too short. 4-5cm definitely makes a difference. It depends on your ability level and how you like to ride. For example I like to ride a 158cm for riding freestyle around the mountain but would go up to a 160, 161 if riding more aggressively on a more aggressive deck. or even 162 if I had the right conditions and was riding the backcountry. And I like to ride a 156cm or 157cm board if I was to spend the whole day in the park. I’m 183cm and around 85kg as well.
If you like to stick to the trails and you are something like an intermediate rider then I’d say a 160-162 would be fine. You could go as low as 158cm if you were riding freestyle or if you were a beginner. If you are high intermediate to advanced rider and like to ride reasonably aggressive downhill and don’t really do any freestyle stuff then a 163 or 164 would be the best bet in my opinion.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate. Thanks – really helpful as always 🙂
Hello, female rider here! Wonderful article and information provided! I am 163cm (5’4) tall and 120 lbs. I have a 145cm board for free riding down the hill but I want to start learning in park. What size is good for freestyle at my height and weight? I was thinking of buying a board thats 140cm or 142cm. Which length would be more appropriate?
Hi Mela
Thanks for your message.
I think either of those sizes would be fine for you for the park. Since you already have the 145 for freeriding then I’d say go with the 140cm, since you can use it purely for the park. If you had one board and rode mostly park but sometimes on the rest of the mountain then I’d say go with the 142 for something that can do a bit of both but since you will have 2 then the 140 is the slightly better option.
That’s what I’d do. Hope this helps,
Nate
Hey! Awesome article, thank you. I have a question as well, if you don’t mind. I’m 6,2 and weigh 170. I have my eyes on the K2 Carve Air, but the longest it comes in is a 154. I’ve been boarding for about two years so I’m decent. Do you think that board would be too short for me or should I be okay?
I love carving and powder, not so much the park. But I’ll pop a jump once in a while as well!
Thank you again!
Andre
Hey Andre
A 154 would normally be way too short for you. Especially if you like riding powder and carving.
However, the Carveair (not a board I’m that familiar with) looks like it’s designed to be shorter. Some boards are like this like the Capita Spring Break Slush Slasher. Funny that your comment has come now because I just picked up a Spring Break Slush Slasher to demo!
You would actually fit on the Carveair 154 board according to the weight range recommendations because these boards are designed to be short. I haven’t yet demoed this type of board but I’ll be on Capita’s version sometime in the next week.
If you haven’t tried this type of board it might be best to give it a go first to see if you like it. Quite a different type of ride I imagine. Though when I was talking to the Capita rep he said that a lot of people try their version of this type of board at demo days and end up buying it so it is getting more populer. Whether it’s the kind of thing you would like is hard to say.
If you want I can let you know how I go on the Spring Break Slush Slasher?
Sorry I couldn’t be more help with this one.
Hi Nate!
I’m between 5’2 and 5’3, 115lb and I’m looking for a new board. My actual board is a 151 cm… I’m an intermediate rider so according to the charts, I should buy a 141-144 cm board. I’m not doing a lot of park, I’m mostly a freerider type!
Which size would you recommended me?
Thx!
Hi Justine
I think that something around a 144cm would be best for you based on your info. But since you currently ride a 151cm then you will be used to something longer. However, I do think that you should reduce the length for your new board. I think something between a 145cm and 148cm would be a good range for you to look at.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate
Great article! Very helpful! I’m a (little) girl, I’m 4’8 (148cm), 81,5lb (37kg). I’m looking for my first board, I rented a lot of different boards and I finally found what I’d like to take:a board whith a medium flex because I’m an all mountain rider, I love high speeds and I carve very well, I’m an intermediate rider, I like pretty much classic camber boards. I recently saw the burton protest 2016, what do you think of this board? Is the flex too stiff? Which is the right size for me? 126 or 132
Hey Valentina
I don’t know a lot about youth size boards but the ProTest sounds like it could be suitable for you (based on some quick research). It will be quite stiff by the sounds of it but if you like carving and you can do it well then that’s more of a good thing. ANd it sounds like it’s a forgiving medium-stiff flex (if that makes sense!?)
I would say that the 132 is the best size for you.
Hope this helps
Hi, Nate,
I am 163 cm, ~150 lb, and with US men 8.5 size feet.
And I found that most boards that can handle this weight and feet would be longer than 150 cm.
But 150 cm board is already above my nose and near my eyes.
All my friends told me I should start with 145~147 cm board.
Can you advise should I choose 147 (a bit overweight) or 150 (too long?)?
My ability:
Beginner that is able to do S turn, learning carving but not perfect yet, never do black run, can handle red/green run easily.
Want to do some freestyle in the next season.
Thanks in advance!
Smallp Tsai
Hey – thanks for your message.
For your specs I would have you on a 152cm, if you were an advanced rider. It sounds like you are more than just an absolute beginner but I would say you could handle a 150cm. I would say that if you were a complete beginner then something from 147-149.
But you also say that you want to get into freestyle – so for that you will want a slightly shorter board too. So I would say something between a 146 and 149cm.
Like you say you will probably on or just over the max weight for those size boards for a lot of types of boards. But this doesn’t make those boards unrideable – it just means that they will probably feel like they are a softer flex than what they are labelled as.
Also there are some boards in those sizes – particularly freestyle boards that you will be inside the weight recommendations for. For example the Burton Nug 146cm has a recommended weight range of 135-175lbs. But you’re right that for most you will be bordering on the max. However, at around the 150cm mark you should start to be inside those ranges (depending on the board) so if you’re really worried about that go with a 150cm. Otherwise I think a 147 or 148 would be a good size for you.
Hope this helps
Hi, Nate,
Thanks for the reply. From another post you mentioned that you are kind of gear guy that have wide knowledge about snowboard gears. So I wonder if you can give more advice based on my situation?
I am at a country without snow, so there are only very few options at local shop (it is off-season now). I will have to buy online from US.
I did some study and come out follow board list (the most import factor is the look :D)
1. Slash happy place (149cm, 24.7cm waist, 110~150lbs): I think 146cm is better choice but the spec is a little bit below my requirement [waist=24.3 and weight range =100-140]
2. GNU Headspace (145cm, 24.7cm waist, 80-145lbs): the length is good, waist is good, weight is a little bit below (I will have to lose some weight before next season :D). But it is more jib/street use from thegoodride.com. (I will only play SB at ski resort)
3. GNU Carbon credit (147cm, 24.2cm waist, 80-150lbs): waist is a bit too short, would be risky without physical try it.
Personally I prefer 2. headspace for its look and length, but afraid it is too soft and too jib/street for me.
1. happy place is also good look to me, cheaper and also have good reputations (beginner/freestyle), the only drawback is the length 149cm.
3. CC is friend’s suggestion, but it is a risky pick due to the waist.
Can you give me your thoughts and advices/suggestions?
Thanks a lot~
Smallp Tsai
Hey Smallp
I really like the Happy Place – really fun, quality board. I think 149cm would be fine so I wouldn’t worry about the size.
Your right headspace is really a jib specialist. It will feel quite loose as well as being soft – and quite washy at speeds. Awesome as a jibber but not that versatile in what it can do.
The Carbon Credit is definitely an option but, as you say, there is that risk it’s too narrow for you. It would probably be ok but if you can’t physically test it for width then it is a riskier pick.
I would go with the Slash Happy Place if it was me.
hi, Nate
I finally pick happy place. Can’t wait for next season!
Thanks!
Smallp Tsai
Hi Nate,
I was looking to buy a used burton custom snowboard 169w. According to burton’s chart I should be ok with that snowboard model but according to other charts it would be too long. I wanted to get your input before I decided to get it or not. I weigh 203lbs, 6 feet tall and wear size 13 snow boots. Thanks
Hey Tk
Remember that this snowboard length chart – and others too – are an estimate. Often different brand’s weight recommendations are different for the same length as another brand. So you’ve kind of got to weigh it up between the brands recommendations and what you are used to and comfortable with and what your ability and style is.
That said, you should be fine on the 169W according to Burton’s recommendations. However, for me I wouldn’t want to go that long but that’s somewhat a personal preference.
For you it would depend on a couple of other things. Firstly, are you a beginner or a more advanced rider? If you are a beginner, then I would definitely say that’s too long. Also – how do you like to ride? Do you like speed, riding powder etc – then that length would be better than if you preferred things more casual or liked to ride more freestyle. The other thing would be – what length are you used to riding. If you usually ride a 160cm then going to a 169cm will be a big adjustment. However, if you are used to riding a 165cm then it won’t be as big an adjustment.
In terms of width, the width on that board should be great for your boot size.
Hope this helps – let me know if you have any other questions or if you want to let me know your ability, style and what size you are used to riding and then I can let you know if I think that size will be ok for you
I live in the Midwest so we don’t get the best snow. But I guess you’d say I’m a super beginner and couldn’t tell what size board i used my first time because it was a rental. Last year was my first time but I loved it and want to keep going. My style right now is just riding casually down the hill and Maybe hit a very small jump here or there.
In that case I definitely wouldn’t go as long as 169W. This is going to be difficult to control if you are a beginner and if you aren’t riding in a lot of powder, then you won’t necessarily want a board that long.
I’d say you should start out on something around in the range of 159cm to 162cm. Still get a wide board – because you’ll need it with size 13s but 169cm is definitely too long for your purposes.
You could check out my top 5 beginner snowboards for some options – these aren’t the only boards that will be suitable but it’s a place to start. On that list the Ride Crook 161W, the Rome Garage Rocker 160MW and the Ride Agenda 161W would all be good options in my opinion.
~ Top 5 Men’s Beginner Snowboards
You could try looking for these secondhand too or look for previous season boards (they are new but usually have a big discount on them).
Let me know if you want any other board recommendations and if you want me to point you in the direction where you can find some last seasons boards online.
Thanks for the advice! If you could point me in the direction of some reasonable priced boards that’d be great.
Hi Nate,
I tried to reply again but for some reason it didn’t post. But I wanted to tell you thanks for the great advice and was wondering if you could give me some websites that have reasonably priced snowboards. Thanks!
Hey Tk
Sorry the comments don’t post straight away – they need to be moderated first – just to keep the spam out.
Check out the links below – a couple of sites with outlet stores for previous season’s boards.
~ Evo Outlet
~ The House Outlet
Hopefully you can find something in there. Feel free to run any boards that your considering past me before you buy and I can let you know what I think.
hi there I am about 178cm in height and about 78 kgs give or take. I am wondering what length snowboard I need and width. I am a us11. I am just beginning been on the mountain a few days linking my turns but not on switch. thanks
Hi Chris
I would say your “standard length” is 159. But since you are a beginner I would take some length off that. I would say for you anything from a 155 to 157 would suit.
In terms of width, you’re kind of on the cusp of a regular width board and a wide or mid-wide board. If you look out for the waist width (boards will show the waist width in the specs) and go for anything from a 255mm to a 264mm waist width. The actual width at your feet will differ depending on the shape of the board, your binding angles etc. but you should be safe on a width in that range.
Do you already own boots? If you don’t yet have boots then your boot size may be smaller. Often snowboard boot sizes are half a size lower (though they can be the same too). If you end up with a 10.5 boot, then let me know and I can recommend a new width range.
Hopes this helps,
Nate
Hi there
Really great and helpful site!
I’m a beginner looking to buy my first snowboard. I’ve found a very good offer on the Burton Feather size 144. However, i’m unsure as to whether that will be too long for me. I’m 162cm and 56kg (124lb) without gear and have been snowboarding for 8-9 days. Another option is the Burton Genie, which i can get to a really good price in a size 142. What would you recommend?
Thanks!
/Helena
Hey Helena
I think that the 144 would be a great size for you. The Feather should also be a good choice for your level. Though it did change a bit for the 2016 year. The 2015 and previous years models have a bit of a looser feel and the 2016 has a more stable feel.
The Genie is a great entry level board and the 142 Genie would also be a suitable size for you. The Genie hasn’t changed too much so it shouldn’t matter which year you got.
I think either would be a good choice. If I had to choose I’d probably go for the Genie if the Feather is 2015 or older but otherwise go for the Feather (just because it will likely last you as you become a more advanced rider whereas the Genie is more of an entry level only board and you might outgrow it, in terms of skill level, quicker).
Hope this helps (and doesn’t make your decision even harder!) – but neither would be a bad choice
Hi Nate!
I’m considering buying a used board from someone. It’s has only been used once. Its 145 cm. I’m about 168 cm and weigh around 55 kg. Is the 145 too small for me? Or will I be able to ride fine with it? I have snowboarded before, but it’s been years and years. So I’m a bit over beginner level, but not a pro.
The board brand is a bit unknown to the seller, but it has Marker written on it.
I hope you can help and thanks in advance 🙂
Jekatarina
Hey Jekatarina
Without knowing the board I couldn’t give you an accurate recommendation. But based on your height and weight I’d say that this size is probably fine for you. I’d say it’s on the smaller end of your range but I think a good size for you would be anywhere from 144 to 148, in general. So this fits that.
Although I can’t say whether or not it’s a good board choice for you in general without knowing the brand and model – I think there’s a brand Marker but I thought they only made helmets and goggles, though perhaps they make snowboards too.
Hi Nate,
I read your articles and all of them are very helpful.
I’m using Capita Horrorscope 155 and I’m going to change with Capita DOA but I’m trying to decide the length and especially about waist width. I’m 175 cm and 85 kg. intermediate level and freestyle. boot size 10.5 US. I like little ground tricks and jumps.
DOA 156 cm – waist width 252 mm
DOA 158 cm – waist width 254 mm
Two lengths and specs are close each other. What’s your recommend for me?
Thanks for your help.
Hey Ramazan
Sorry for the late reply – have been on vacation.
Generally speaking I’d say the 158cm for you. But in the case of the DOA I’d go with the 156cm for you. It’s quite an aggressive deck – it’ll definitely be more aggressive than the Horrorscope but it’ll also have heaps more pop – is awesome for jumps, ollies etc. Not as good for jibbing as the horrorscope.
In terms of Waist Width there isn’t much in it between the 2. You’ll be fine with the 252mm.
I rode the DOA recently and loved it! One of my favorites that I demoed last season. You can check out my review at the link below.
>>Full Review of Capita DOA
Nate,
Thanks for the awesome post! I am looking at a Ride Alter Ego. I am 6’1″ and usually weigh around 165lbs without boarding gear on. The ride site points me to a 164 wide (I wear size 11 boots) however I have always ridden 158 twin all mountain boards. I rode a friends 160 directional freeride last year and liked it, and am a bit worried about the 4 extra cm. I ride open bowls when I can and really enjoy riding trees. This would be my pow day board and I would say my skill level is advanced, at least I’d like to think so! Just having trouble pulling the trigger right now! Thanks for your suggestions!
Hey Ronnie
I would say that the 160W would be your best option. Yes, you usually ride longer on a freeride board but I think the 164 might be slightly too long in this case – for the alter ego. Since you’re used to the 158 and you really enjoyed the 160 freeride you rode, I would stick with that size. I’m slightly shorter (6″0) but heavier (185lbs) but I really like a 160 to 161 for freeride and powder. I think that you could definitely handle the 164W if you’re a relatively experienced rider but I think you’d have more fun on the 160W.
That said, others prefer longer in the powder. But I think if you were comfortable on the 160 that you rode, then that’s probably the best option for the Alter Ego for you.
Hi Nate, great article and I’m amazed at how responsive you’ve been to everyone.
I’m looking to buy a womens Never Summer Proto Type 2, mostly for all mountain. I ride in Australia. This is my first board but I’ve been renting for years. I am comfortable riding down black groomed and ungroomed runs, have started learning basic buttering (I’m aiming to eventually do all-mountain freestyle) and occasionally dabble in the park (very noob).
I’m tossing up between 142 and 145. I’m 161cm tall and currently weigh 55kg without snow gear. I’d love to hear your opinion on the size I should get as NS has not published their recommended sizing.
Hey T
Thanks for your comments. Yeah, unfortunately Never Summer are one of the snowboard companies that don’t give size recommendations. But they do make awesome boards so we’ll forgive them!
I think either size would work for you. You’re kind of on the cusp between the two sizes – not helpful I know 🙂
But it really comes down to how much you think you’ll be doing the freestyle stuff. If you see yourself going into the park more often and doing more freestyle on the rest of the mountain, then I’d go with the 142. It will be easier to control for butters and easier to spin if you get into that. Easier for riding switch etc. The 145 on the other hand will give you a bit more stability at speed and a bit more float in powder if you find yourself in there.
The 142 however, does have more effective edge than the average women’s all-mountain-freestyle board of that length. And also, I rode the 157cm of the Proto Type Two (men’s version) and that felt like it rode a little longer than it’s size (if that makes sense!). So, the more I think of it the more I think the 142 would be best for you.
So, I think either size will serve you well, but I would lean towards the 142.
Great board choice by the way – I really enjoyed riding the men’s version of the Type Two – and also I think it will suit your purposes well.
Hope this helps,
Nate
Hey Nate, thanks for the reply! I’ve decided to go with the 142 for the freestyling side of things. We also don’t really get much powder days in Australia. Can’t wait to hit the snow with my new board!
Nice one!
Let me know how you like it after you’ve had a chance to ride it.
Hi Nate,
Very informative post. Looking to buy my first board, definitely still a beginner but when renting I feel like they give me a board thats entirely too big, so this season I plan to buy my own. What size would you recommend for a 5″10 – 110 lb female? Any specific brands ?
Thanks so much !
Hey S
Thanks for your message. I’d say anything from a 142cm to 144cm in general. Though this could be slightly different depending on the brand but I would shoot for that range if I was you.
Check out my post at the link below to get an idea of some good options for beginners. I will be updating the post for 2016-17 boards. That post is for 2015-16 boards. But I’ll be updating it soon. Also, if you can get hold of a 2015-16 model you’ll be able to get it cheaper so wouldn’t be a bad move and not much would have changed from year to year especially in beginner decks.
>>Snowboarding Profiles Top 5 Women’s Beginner Snowboards
If you choose one of those boards, or any other board, and want a specific size recommendation, let me know and I’ll give you my opinion as to the best size for you.
Hope this helps
Hi.
Am 5’10 190lbs size 10, intermediate all mountain and was looking at the 2014 Niche Story 2.0 158cm, until I noticed its a mid-wide, 262mm. Now I have hesitated, and am thinking maybe its better to go with the 156cm as its waist is less at 258mm. What are your thoughts on which board I should get? Thanks.
Hey
A funny thing with Niche boards – they seem to ride narrower than they are. I’m also a size 10 boot and usually if I ride anything with a waist width anything like a 260mm I find it makes the board feel lethargic. However, with Niche boards I haven’t noticed that – not sure why.
I rode the 2017 Niche Story 159cm in the spring and that’s still got the 262mm waist width – but I didn’t find it slow to respond at all. For all I knew the waist could have been 255mm. Absolutely loved this board too, by the way.
Note that the 2014 Story came in a 156, 158 and 162. The 2017 comes in a 156, 159, and 162 – but all the waist widths are the same. So if you’re looking at the 2014 model, then I think that the 158cm would be the best size – even if the width seems wider than ideal.
Not sure where you’ve looked so far, but they’ve got the 2014 Story super cheap at snowboards.com at the moment which you can check out at the link below.
>>Niche Story at snowboards.com
Hope this helps.
Hi Nate. Thanks for posting this! I’m 6’2, about 210lbs without gear, size 11 feet. I’m a beginner and I’m looking at the Never Summer Snowtrooper X for all-mountain stuff. Would you recommend the 160cm or 164cm board? Thanks again!
Hey T Mac
I’d go with the 160cm. It will be much easier for you to learn on than the 164cm so you’ll progress way faster on it.
Hey Nate
Just a question about weight for a snowboard size. I am a female 5’7″ and 220lb and according to many charts I should be in a 159 but I am a new beginner and I was told at the store to get a women’s 152 board. According to the burton size chart i’m over the weight limit but what does this affect with the snowboard its self? I bought the Burton feel good 152 2015/2016 camber board which sounds like it’s a great board. Just curious for the weight what it affects.
Hi Kerry
The weight recommendations for boards are typically to with the flex and feel of the board. If you are above the weight recommendations, then the board will feel like it flexes more than how that board is labelled to flex. If you are under the weight recommendation then the board will flex less than what it’s labelled to do. For example a board that has a flex rating of 5/10 might feel more like a 3 or 4 out of 10 for someone who is over the weight recommendations and more like a 6 or 7 out of 10 for someone under the weight recommendations (with 1 being the softest flex and 10 being the stiffest).
I wouldn’t worry too much about this though. In fact the Burton Feelgood is a reasonably stiff flexing board for a women’s board – probably around a 6/10. For beginners I usually recommend something more like a 3 or 4 out of 10. So The fact that the board might feel softer than it’s designed to be is actually a good thing in your case.
And yes for a beginner snowboard you should definitely take off a few cms. I probably would have recommended something more like a 154 to 156cm for you rather than 152cm – but in saying that because of the board you bought (stiffer than I would normally recommend for a beginner) it’s not a bad thing that it’s a bit shorter than that.
Hope this makes sense.
hey i just got hooked up with the the soloman man’s board at 159 cm, im just wondering if this is too long for me.
im 130lb
size 9 boot
and the board height is just at the tip of my nose
Hey Gill
Sweet hook up!
Unfortunately that board is definitely too long for you. I would have you on a 153cm. Given your boot size it’s marginally too wide for you too. Also the Salomon Man’s Board is quite an aggressive board – fine if you ride aggressive and are a more advanced rider. But if you’re a beginner and like to ride more casually, then it wouldn’t be ideal even if it was a better size for you.
A sweet board to get hooked up with but I don’t think it’s the board for you. If I was you I’d sell the board (hopefully without offending the person who hooked you up) and get something that’s more suitable.
yikes okay thanks for the advice nate
You’re welcome Gill. Not what you wanted to hear I know! But I don’t want you to end up with the wrong gear.
If you are thinking of selling you could check out the following site for selling gear:
>>Gear Trade Buy and Sell Gear
I haven’t used this site before but they’ve got free listings and it looks like it’s pretty easy to list an item there.
Hey Nate!
Thank you for this great article, I learned a lot.
I know you have been answering so many questions lately but could you help me too?
I am a little confused. I’m a 1,68m female (5’6” I guess) and 56kg (123lbs).
I haven’t been snowboarding in years but I really want to pick it up again so I decided to get the RIDE compact 2015.
RIDE recommends the 147 board for 85-130lbs and the 150 board for 100-150lbs.
So I am in between both of these ranges but I am afraid that both of them will be either too short or too long.
I am kind of starting over again and really want to learn jumps and spend time in the park, which means I should go shorter, right?
But I also don’t want to lose control over the board while I go downhill or powder.
(I think overall it is going to be 50% park, 50% downhill)
Also I am afraid I will need a longer board as I get better. But I really want to keep and use this board longer than one or two seasons.
I am not sure what effect those 3cm board lenght will have but I just don’t want to take the wrong pick.
Could you help me? What are your thoughts on which board I should get?
Thank you and greetings for Germany!
Hi Theresa
Thanks for all the details, it makes it easy to make a recommendation.
I think the 147cm is best for you. You are correct that you should go shorter for the more freestyle stuff that you want to do. But 147 isn’t that short for you. It’s about right I’d say and would be a good size that will last you for as long as you need it, even as you improve.
A longer board will be better in powder and have more stability at speed – but will be more difficult in the park and more difficult to control, especially in the beginning. I would only put you on the 150cm if you were only going to be riding in the powder and downhill riding (and even then a 148-149 might be better). If you were purely in the park I would say something more like a 144cm. The 147cm is a good compromise between the two.
Hi Nate,
I am 5’9 and 165-170 lbs depending how many burritos I ate that day. I am eyeing last year’s burton custom twin. I am unsure whether to go with the 154, or the 156. I am looking to ride park, hit jumps and rails but also would like to be able to handle the mountain. Which size would you recommend for me? thanks for your help.
Hey Pat
I’d go with the 156cm. It should suit you better. Once you add your snowboard gear weight plus if you eat lots of Burritos that day, then you’d be outside the 154’s weight range! But seriously the 156 is the better bet for you.
It’s a couple of cms under your “all-mountain” length which will help you in the park but it’s a good balance to also help you to ride the rest of the mountain. I think the 158cm would be too long for you in the park and the 154 would be too short for the rest of the mountain so the 156 is the perfect middle ground.
Hope this helps. I’m trying to get into shape for the upcoming season so no Burritos unfortunately – have a Burrito for me!
Hi Nate
I was wondering if you could me some advice on a snowboard I would like to buy.
I have been riding for a few seasons now,have tried a few different boards but have yet to find one I really like. I’m 179cm and weigh around 73kg,which then states around a 157-159 board would work for me. however,I’m currently looking at a capita 154, flat between the feet and reverse camber on the nose and tail. Do you think this could be a wise choice? I’m looking at working on more freestyle skills this season,so I thought this board might be great for that.
Hey Kath
If you’re looking at doing more freestyle stuff, then the 154 should be a good size for you.
If you could let me know which Capita board you were looking at I could give you a better recommendation. Also if you could let me know your boot size, then I can just make sure that it won’t be too narrow. It’s great to size down for freestyle but we’ve just got to make sure the width doesn’t get too narrow – it’s usually fine, especially if you get a board designed for freestyle because the width is normally wider on shorter lengths when compared to other types of boards – because they know that people will be riding slightly shorter boards for freestyle purposes. So I don’t think it would be an issue but I want to make sure you get the right size board in terms of length and width.
Hi, thanks for getting back to me! it’s the capita indoor survival 2013 model,and I wear a size 8 boot
Hey Kath, you’re very welcome.
The Indoor Survival is technically a men’s board. But it’s actually a men’s board with a narrower than average waist width. Size 8 (I’m making the assumption that it’s Women’s US size 8) boots are probably still a little short to be ideal for that width but doable.
The Indoor Survival isn’t strictly a freestyle board but it can definitely ride freestyle (I’d class it as an all-mountain freestyle). I think that would be fine for your purposes though.
I’m guessing you’ve found the Indoor Survival 2013 for a cheap price?
I would say the Capita Space Metal Fantasy would be a better choice in the Capita line. It’s a more women’s specific board and is slightly narrower – definitely enough to make a difference. If the board is too wide it’s harder (physically and technically) to ride because your feet aren’t long enough to apply pressure right to the edges of the snowboard.
The Space Metal Fantasy comes in a 153, which would be fine for you and it’s also a bit more freestyle oriented.
I found the 2015-16 version on sale at the link below. Not sure if it’s as cheap as you found the 2013 Indoor Survival.
>>Capita Space Metal Fantasy
Here’s also the link to the latest model – though this will be at full price.
>>Capita Space Metal Fantasy 2016-17
I definitely wouldn’t say no to the Indoor Survival 154 – it wouldn’t be the worst fit at all. But also there are boards that would be a better fit, in my opinion, like the Space Metal Fantasy 153.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate, Thanks for all the advice this has been actually super helpful! I’ve actually been riding men’s boards the entire time I’ve been snowboarding (because of cheap deals and I didn’t know what I wanted to ride haha) and I’ve been riding two wide mens boards for awhile now,so anything with a shorter width is going to be better? I also found the capita for cheap too. Sounds like it’s worth a shot then,thanks again!
Hey Kath.
Glad I could help. A narrower width (so long as it’s not too narrow) will make it easier to apply pressure to the edges so you can do more with less effort. I think the Space Metal Fantasy is definitely worth a shot. Go for it! And let me know how it goes for you.
Hi Nate – I’m 40 and have been riding all my life. I’ve come to the point where my height (5’8″) and weight (185lbs) don’t really match-up on the charts. I have size 9 feet and would consider myself an advanced rider (no park). I ride a 154 custom Flying V right now but am considering up-sizing to match my weight and riding style. Any thoughts on my current board length or recommendations for an up-sized length?
Great article – Cheers – Steve
Hey Steve
I think you would benefit from up-sizing a bit. The 154cm would be an ok length for you if you were doing more freestyle/park stuff but if that’s not your thing then I think an up-sizing would be a good idea. With the extra length you’ll gain (all else being equal) extra stability at speed, extra ability to ride faster and better float in powder.
I’m not a big fan of jumping up too much from what you’re used to. Going from a 154 to a 160 say would take quite a bit to get used to and the board would feel more difficult to maneuver and turn. But in saying that I think you would be better off with something longer.
Anything from a 156 to 158 I think would be a good range to look at.
If you don’t want to change too much at once then look for something with a similar flex and camber profile as your current board – in the case of the Flying V that would be a medium flex and a hybrid rocker profile.
Because you aren’t really into anything freestyle then I would suggest an all-mountain board. You can check out my top 10 all mountain boards at the link below if you want some options.
>>Snowboarding Profiles Top 10 All Mountain Snowboards for 2016-17
Hope this helps
Hi, I’m 20 (pretty much done growing). I’m 115lbs and 5’4. I’ve been boarding for 2 seasons but advance quick and am already past the beginner level. I am pretty into tricks and freestyle, I want to get better at park this season but, I want my board to hold up free-riding in powder, etc. I am thinking about getting the capita birds of a feather from 2015 since it’s now on sale. I am deciding between the 144-146 because the board i currently have is a 146. Do you think if i go with the 144 i would be okay? I don’t want to advance to the point where id want a bigger board and i dont want it to not hold up all around the mountain. What do you think?
Size 7 boots
Hi Marina
Thanks for your message.
I think that the 144 would be a good option for you. If you were purely doing freeriding, then the 146 is probably the better size and if you were going to ride purely in the park, then the 142 would be better. The 144 is a good compromise between the two sizes so I think this is your best bet.
The 146 is probably better in terms of waist width but you’ll get away with the width on the 144. What is the board that you currently ride? One 146 can ride differently to another – if you can let me know your current board I can better understand how much difference you’ll feel going from your 146 to the 144 Birds of a Feather.
I used the 146 burton lyric
Hey Marina
Yeah definitely go with the 144 Birds of a Feather. The 144 Birds of a Feather actually has more of an effective edge than the Lyric. It’s also going to be quite a bit stiffer in terms of flex and a bit more aggressive overall. Better for carving and speed but also better for jumps and riding switch.
But yeah it will be a stiffer more aggressive board overall and will actually have more effective edge in the 144 than the Lyric 146 has. So it’s not likely to feel like you’re down-sizing at all in terms of carving and speed but it will feel shorter for spins – which is what you want.
Hope this helps.
Hi Nate,
Great article. I just had a quick question. I’m about 5′ 8″ 155-160lbs.
I’ve only snowboarded once before. I found a really good deal on a used 151cm board. Would a board of that length be okay based on my weight?
Thanks,
Zain
Hi Zain
You’d probably get away with a 151 since you are a beginner. But that’s the lowest I would go for sure. Ideally I’d say more like a 152 to 154 but if you’ve got a really good deal on it then maybe you could go for it. The other thing is to make sure that it’s a suitable board for a beginner. A lot of beginners end up going out and buying a super-aggressive or super-stiff board and if you do that it makes it really tricky to learn on.
If you can let me know the name of the snowboard that you’re looking at I can give you a better idea whether or not it will be suitable.
Also some boards ride longer and shorter than others (if that makes sense!) so if I know the brand and model of the board I can give you a more accurate recommendation.
Hi Nate,
Thanks for your quick response. I really appreciate the help.
I found a Salomon Driver 155 snowboard which i bought used for about $80. The board is in really good shape.
I had a question about bindings, the board came with some world industries bindings which, from what I’ve read, are terrible. Do you have any recommendations for bindings?
Thanks,
Zain
Hi Zain
I don’t know anything about World Industries bindings so I won’t say anything either way.
Check out my list of what I consider the top 5 bindings for beginners at the link below. Hopefully you can find something in there suitable.
>>Top 5 Men’s Beginner Snowboard Bindings
Hi Nate,
It’s so nice that you help people with their choice! May I ask for your advice as well.
I’m more leaning towards a free-ride style. I’ve been riding for several years and now gonna to buy new Jones Flagship. My height is 183cm and weight 82kg, hence based on the table I should take 161cm. However, would you recommend to downsize to 158cm or better to stay with my standard length.
Many thanks in advance!
All the best,
Max
Hey Max
I would go for the 161cm. Not just because of the charts below but also the Flagship weight recommendations are:
~130-180 lbs(59-82 kg) for the 158cm; and
~140-190 lbs (64-86 kg) for the 161cm
You’re right on the edge for the 158 in terms of their weight recommendations and once you have all your snowboarding gear on you’ll be over it. The extra length from the 161 as opposed to the 158 will also give you better float in powder and more stability at speed.
That said, if you would class yourself as more of an intermediate rider – or if you know that you have a preference for shorter length boards, then the 158cm isn’t out of the question but I think that the 161 is more suitable.
If you class yourself as advanced, then definitely go with the 161cm. Some riders of your height/weight might even go for the 164. The reason being that some people like to add length to their freeride boards – and you’d still be well within the weight recommendations for the 164 (160-210 lbs [73-95 kg]).
However, if going to a 161 is already sizing up for you, then definitely stick with the 161cm.
Just to make sure that you won’t need a wide version can you let me know your boot size (in US sizes preferably)?
Long story short, I think the 161 is the best size for you. If you are sizing up from your current board, then it will take a bit to get used to but it will be better in the long run for the type of riding you’ll be doing on the flagship
Hope this helps
Great! My boot (US) size is 11, seems to be in line with normal 161.
Thanks a lot, Nate!
You’re very welcome.
Yeah you will be fine on the regular width Flagship 161.
Hi there, I’m a female who is 5’3″- 5’4″ and about 195lbs. I’m looking to go snowboarding for the first time ever this upcoming season, but I’ve been having a hard time deciding on what size I should get for a board seeing as I’m short but heavy. From the chart, I see that I should get a 154-155cm standard. Do you have any suggestions on brands or types that would be suitable for a beginner who is heavier ? I don’t want to get a board and end up snapping it bc of my weight !
Hi Katey
Firstly it’s usually a good idea to take off a few centimeters as a beginner rider – it will make the board easier to control. So something closer to a 152cm is probably best, anything from a 151 to 153cm would be ideal.
Some might be tempted to say to go with a men’s board – but the problem with that is that most men’s boards will be too wide. When a board is too wide it’s hard to turn because your feet aren’t close enough to the edges to apply pressure, so I wouldn’t go there.
It’s always a bit harder to find something suitable when your outside the “normal” but I think I found something that would definitely be suitable – the GNU Velvet Gnuru.
The Velvet Gnuru 153cm specfically. This board has a recommended weight range of 80lbs to 170lbs+. I definitely wouldn’t worry about snapping it. It will definitely be able to hold up. The only thing with being outside of the weight recommendations is that the board will flex differently than if you were within the weight range. So if you are below the weight recommendations, then the board will feel stiffer and if you’re above then the board will feel softer. Still with me?
Ok. So, generally speaking you’d want a softer flexing board as a beginner. Something that’s either soft or medium-soft. The Velvet Gnuru is a medium flex board. But if you are above the weight recommendations it will feel softer flexing than that. So it will feel more like medium-soft – which is exactly what you want as a beginner.
Everything else about the Velvet Gnuru is also suitable for a beginner so I think this would definitely be a great choice for you. You can learn more about it at the link below.
>>GNU Velvet Gnuru
If you need any clarification of any of this let me know. But if you want to take my word for it, I think this would be a great option.
Hope this helps
Thanks for getting back to me and clarifying the adding/subtracting of board height and the flexing. I’ll definitely look into that board. thanks again for the help !
You’re very welcome Katie. Hope you have an awesome season!
Hello,
It is going to be my first winter snowboarding and I’m starting to look at Snowboard types and I think the person at the shop told me the wrong size that I would need as she just based the board as being between my chin and nose. After some research I found out that was wrong and thankfully didn’t buy a board that day.
I am 5ft tall and 165lbs. I am also an absolute beginner. I haven’t snowboarded once in my life. The place I will be starting out at is a mountain resort (don’t know specifically what type of terrain that would be). Any advice would be appreciated!
Hey Danni
You were right not to go by that advice. Judging size between the chin and nose is very old school! Some stores and rental places still go by this – either because they don’t know better or because it’s the fastest way to get people through the door. Now that doesn’t mean that you might not end up with a board that length – but you might not as well – it’s an inaccurate way of doing it. Weight is more important than height when it comes to snowboards.
Based on your height/weight and the fact that you’re a beginner. I’d say anything from a 146 to 148cm would be suitable.
Check out my list of top 5 snowboards for beginners at the link below – this would be a good place to start.
>>Top 5 Women’s Snowboards for Beginners
Let me know if you have any other questions.
How’s it going? I’m having a rough go at trying to find any advise that pertains directly to me, given I’m not your typical size. I’m 6’7″ 235LBS. I see everywhere that weight is the biggest factor. Given my height is this still true? I know for sure I need a wide. Just not sure on the length I should use. I’m a beginner, but I have been snowboarding before. Thanks in advance.
Hi Josh
It’s definitely a bit harder to find stuff when you’re not within the typical size. Weight is definitely the biggest factor but height plays some part too.
Because you’re a beginner you do want to go shorter with your board – so that will help when trying to find gear.
I’d go with something around a 163 to 165cm board. It also somewhat depends on the weight recommendations of the board but in your case I wouldn’t pay too much attention to that.
What I would do though is look for a board with a medium flex that you are outside of the weight recommendations for. The reason for this is that a medium-soft flexing board is the best for beginners. But if you get on a medium-soft flex board that is meant for a lighter person, then it will feel softer than that. If you go for a medium flex but you are above the weight recommendations, then that board will feel like it has a softer flex.
I hope that makes sense. By going for a medium flex board you can get something shorter (which will make the board easier to maneuver and easier to learn on) but you still get a softer flex (but not too soft) which also makes the board more forgiving and also easier to learn on.
You’ll want to also look for a board with either a hybrid camber, flat-to-rocker or hybrid rocker profile – it’s difficult to learn on a trad camber or all flat board because they are easy to catch an edge on – and a continuous rocker board is too loose feeling. O.k. I know that’s a lot of info! Check out the links below to get a better understanding.
>>Camber types
>>Choosing a snowboard for a beginner
Usually I’d direct beginners to my top 5 beginner snowboards but in your case I’d look at the following. Find something that’s in your size and make sure that it has a medium flex if you are above or towards the top of the weight recommendations. And also make sure that it will be ok for a beginner by reading the article above about choosing a beginner snowboard.
>>Top 5 All Mountain Freestyle Snowboards
>>Top 10 All Mountain Snowboards
Hope this helps – let me know if you find something that you think is suitable and I can double check for you.
I was kind of looking between these two. I’m trying to stay away from spending too much since its my first board. Maybe as I get more experienced I can upgrade down the road.
http://www.the-house.com/9859rdwldlw16zz-ride-snowboards.html
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01I8MUOIY/ref=crt_ewc_img_dp_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AU8KF031TC39C
Hey Josh
Those are decent options. I think the YES Basic would be the slightly better beginner board but the Wild Life is probably a better flex in terms of being closer to medium, like I was saying in the other post – where the Basic is closer to Medium soft. That said, you’re not really much over the weight recommendations, if at all for the Wild Life. YES don’t publish weight recommendations unfortunately.
For both I would say the 163W is the best option.
I found the 2016 Wild Life slightly cheaper at the following link.
>>Ride Life 2016 at evo
I couldn’t find the 2016 version of the YES Basic in your size but there are some other store options in the links below for the 2017, in case you didn’t want to buy at amazon (not that you necessarily wouldn’t).
>>YES Basic at evo.com
>>YES Basic Wide at Backcountry.com
Let me know if you have any other questions or if you find any other boards you think might be suitable.
hello, I am 177-176 tall and my weight is 80 kg. I ride rails and jump and sometimes pow, but I mainly ride rails. What size should I have on my snowboard. I think maybe a salomon buck knife 152 or 155? what do you think?
I meant huck knife
Hi Jackob
That’s a tough one because you really want to size down for riding rails and go longer for riding pow!
Ideally you’d have a different board for each. But if you only want to have one board – then size it for jibbing as it sounds like that’s what you will be doing more of and you can still ride pow of course but it just won’t be as good as if you had a longer board/more suited to powder board.
In either case I think the 155cm would be best.
That said, I think there are better boards if you mostly ride rails. You should also try the following which are more jib specialists.
>>Capita Horrorscope 153cm
>>Capita Ultafear 153cm
>>Lib Tech Box Scratcher 154cm
HI Nate
Very good article. I need your advice. Im 115lbs 5’4″ and currently using Gnu Ladies Choice 145.5cm. Im an intermediate rider. Im looking to buy Gnu Klassy for an upcoming trip to Japan and deciding between 148 or 151. I tried my friends Libtech Trs 151cm and really liked it. Would 151cm be ok for me for all mountain and powder. Thanks!
Hi Joan
Normally I wouldn’t recommend a 151 for your specs, even for powder. That said, if you liked the TRS in a 151, then it’s not off the cards. Personal preference is certainly a part of it.
In some ways the Klassy is similar to the TRS is different. It has the XC2 camber profile – which the TRS has. And it will have a similar flex.
However, the TRS is a true twin with a centered stance. The Klassy has a Directional Shape and a Stance setback of 1.5″ (38mm). This will make the Klassy better when it comes to floating in powder – so more suitable for what you want to do than the TRS.
So – in general a longer board is better for powder – but there’s a trade off with maneuverability. The fact that the Klassy is already more suited to powder might mean that the 148 is actually going to be fine. The other thing that’s worth noting is that the TRS 151N has an effective edge (the amount of the edge that makes contact with the snow) of 1120mm and the Klassy 151 has an effective edge of 1150mm. The Klassy 148 has an effective edge of 1130 – which is closer to that of the TRS 151N.
My only concern with going for the Klassy in the 151 is that you will have more trouble when on groomers with that extra effective edge, when compared with the TRS you rode. It would be fine in the deep stuff.
Ordinarily, I would straight away say the 148 for sure – based purely on your specs and what you want to use it for – but because you tried the TRS 151N and liked it, it made me have to think about it a bit more.
If I had to make a call based on the facts, I’d say the 148 is, only just, the better bet. It’s still going to give you a bit of extra length for the oodles of powder that I hope you get in Japan! but just because of the type of board and the effective edge, I think that the 148 will be a better balance overall.
Sorry about the “think-out-loud” style of this reply (got me thinking this one!) – I hope this helps with your decision.
Hi Nate
Thank you so much for the awesome advise and solid info. The effective edge is very interesting! I will go with 148 :). Thank you again, this was extremely helpful.
You’re very welcome.
Let me know what you think of the Klassy once you’ve had a chance to ride it – and have an awesome trip to Japan!
Hi Nate,
I am struggling to decide between the 144 and the 147 Nitro Fate 2016 in the roofchop camber. I am about 5′ 2″ and weigh around 115lbs without gear. I am an intermediate rider trying to really push myself this season to get better. I am looking for an all-mountain board that offers stability at higher speeds but can handle backcountry with no problem. The weight recommendation for the 144 is under 130 lbs and for the 147 its under 145 lbs.
My biggest concern is maneuverability because I currently ride a 138. I have had a couple of people in stores tell me to get the 147 but I am worried about it overpowering me as it can handle up to 145 lbs.
I was just wondering if you thought either of these sizes in this board would be good for me or if I should keep looking for a better fit?
Thank you so much for your help!
Lacey
Hey Lacey
I think that the 144 would be best for you for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, it’s just a better size for your height/weight in my opinion.
Secondly, you are transitioning from a 138 – it’s a huge difference going to a 147. I think the 147 is too long for you regardless but also it’s a big stretch to go from 138 to 147!
Maybe if you wanted a powder board that you rode predominantly in powder and weren’t going to be doing much on hard park, then the 147 would be suitable. But that would normally be the case if you wanted to get a powder board as a second board that you just rode on powder days. For an all-mountain board to ride on the groomers and in the backcountry the 144 is definitely a better size.
That’s my opinion anyway. Hope it helps.
Hi Nate I’ve been riding for a couple of years now and looking at getting the jones ultra mountain twin
I ride 50% park and 50% groomers and powder
I’m tossing up between the 154 and the 157
Any recommendations?
Tough choice I know
Also I’m 70kg and 5,9″
Hey Mitch
Touch choice for sure because you’re 50% park and 50% groomers and powder. I think either would be fine. The 157 will be better for the groomers and riding powder and the 154 would be definitely better in the park.
Though it’s close I’d say that the 154 is overall the best choice but only just.
Hi Nate
I`m 5′ 2”, weight 100 lbs and 6.5 boot size. I`m a beginner closer to intermediate looking for an all-mountain board, not necessarily into speed.
I currently ride my friend’s board 141, which is a free-ride board with a medium or a stiff flex and I have some problems making turns.
I can’t decide between Raven Infinity 138 and Raven Infinity 141, the board has a soft flex.
What do you think?
Hi Adina
Thanks for your message. I think the 138 would be a better bet. A softer flexing board will be easier to turn anyway but I still think for you that the 138 would be a better size.
I am confused about one thing though. You say you are looking at Raven Infinity? Do you mean Never Summer Raven OR Infinity? Also neither of those boards come in a 138 or a 141 as far as I can see. Can you send me a link to where you are looking for these boards?
Cancel that – I just realized that you meant Raven as in the brand Raven. Funny that there’s a board called Raven Infinity and Never Summer have an Infinity and a Raven board!
In that case, yeah I’d go for the 138. I’m not that familiar with Raven boards but based on the specs, this board will be way easier to ride and turn than a stiffer flexing freeride board, even in the 141 but I think the 138 is still a better size.
Hope this helps.
Hi Nate,
This post is really helpful, but I’m still a little confused. My boyfriend and I are relative beginners – we had lessons at the end of last year and have visited the indoor slope about once or twice a month ever since. We have our first boarding holiday booked for Finland in January, and we’re really looking to progress. So far we’ve both been riding rentals, and then second hand boards that probably aren’t the best fit for us, so we’re looking to buy new beforehand.
I had the Burton Feelgood Flying-V recommended to me so I bought an ex-demo 149, which I’ve yet to ride, but have since been told it’s not a good board for beginners, particularly on hard snow/ice, which I already struggle with in the snow dome. I’m looking to return the board, and am really interested in the Rossignol Frenemy, but I’m confused about their sizing. I’m 5’7” and about 135-140lb (without snowboard gear). My boots are a UK size 7 (US9). According to their guidelines I’d need a 153, which seems quite long given I learned on a 149, and everywhere I’ve been since has recommended around a 149-150. My current second-hand board is a Burton Feather 154 (2006) and I find it really difficult to turn.
My partner has the same problem – he’s interested in the Templar, but the Rossignol website implies he’d be far too heavy for the longest standard width – a 158, and would need a wide, which would then be too big for his feet. He is 6’0 and about 195-200lbs, with UK size 9.5 boots. Do you have any advice for us? As beginners, should we always go for the shorter option, or would the extra weight/softer flex cause problems in the long-run? Hope you can help! Many thanks.
Hi Kate
Thanks for your message.
I think that the Frenemy is a good choice for you. It is great for harder snow and icy conditions and its a great board to progress on. It’s good for beginners and will take you through to a more advanced level. I agree that the 153cm is too long for you. The 150cm would be the better option. I wouldn’t worry too much about their weight recommendations. ROssignol’s weight recommendations tend to be on the lighter side compared to other snowboard companies. You are inside the recommendations for the 150cm and that’s the size I think you are best to go with.
The 154 feather you have is too long for you in my opinion and I think you’ll really appreciate the shorter length. The Feel Good Flying V you have is a better size but I agree with whoever told you it wasn’t the best beginner board – it’s not really the best to start out on and it’s also not the best in hard and icy conditions. I think that the Frenemy is a really good choice and that the 150cm will be perfect for you in terms of length. My only concern would be the width but I think you’ll be ok. I wouldn’t go any narrower than that but I think you’ll get away with it. Just make sure that your bindings are centered so that there’s even toe and heel drag and if you can’t get it even make the toe overhang less than the heel overhang and not the other way around.
For your boyfriend I think something around that 158 to 160 mark is a good size for him in general. But he’s a bit above the range for the 158 Templar. If you are above the weight recommendations by too much then it starts effecting the flex of the board. The board will feel softer underfoot than it’s supposed to. That’s fine if you go with a board that has a flex rating that is slightly stiffer than you want it and then it will feel softer and that’s fine.
With UK9.5 boots he’s on the cusp between regular width and mid-wide. The Templar 159W has a waist width of 260mm. I would consider this more of a mid-wide than a wide. If he goes with the Templar, then I think the 159W would actually be the best bet. I find with US10.0 boots (Uk9.0) that I can ride anything up to around a 260mm ok. Anything above that and it’s too wide. I think 260mm would be the widest that I would recommend for him but I think that would actually be fine.
Long story short: If you go with the Frenemy and Templar (both great for progressing on and in hard/icy conditions) then I would say.
Frenemy: 150
Templar: 159W
The Frenemy is on the narrow side for you but the length is fine. The Templar is on the wide side for him but the length is also fine.
Hope this helps
Thanks Nate. That really helps. I’ve tried to find boards with a wider waist that would still be a good all-rounder for me to progress on, but I’ve struggled. I’m guessing the alternative would be to opt for a men’s board, but I’m not massively keen on the idea. I may need to buy new boots at some point anyway as I’m having problems with mine (Burton Mints) – my toes are going numb and my heels are really lifting. I’m generally a UK 6.5 in normal shoes (I measured my foot for mondo sizing at 257mm), but went with the 7, and they still feel far too snug on my toes. I do have narrow feet and high arches, so I’m going to try some orthotics and J-bars, but if these don’t work I may have to opt for new ones, in which case I will try and find some with a lower profile and a better fit so I can stick with the narrower ladies’ boards.
Thanks again for your advice
Hi Kate
You’re very welcome. You shouldn’t have to revert to a man’s board. Let me know if you’re still having trouble deciding on a board and I can give you some more options. Let me know how you go with the orthotics and j bars in your boots too.
Hi Nate
I am planning to surprise my wife with a new snowboard this season. We were pretty much into skiing the last few years but now want to go back to our roots.
I have already decided on the brand and the board which is the Capita Birds of a feather. I like the company and the board seems to be a good choice for an advanced allmountain rider.
I am torn between the size 144, 146 and 148 – what is your recommendation?
Here are the measures:
Weight: 150 pounds (68kg)
Height: 5’3” (168cm)
Boot size: 7.5 US (38 EUR)
Rider Level: Advanced woman
Rider Type: Allmountain (groomers and offpiste)
Thank you and kind regards from Switzerland!
Silvio
Hi Silvio
Awesome gift for your wife – she will be stoked!
In terms of size I think that the 148 would be the best for sure. Given that your wife is advanced and likes that style of riding and based on her weight and height, then I think that the 148 would suit her the best.
Hello,
I’ve been boarding for a few seasons now. And I’m planning to buy a new board.
My old board is a (k2) Liquid 152 or 154cm (I don’t remember), I do mostly park riding. I am 5’11, and 170ish lbs.
Do you think I should stick with a 152-54cm board, or should I try to size up or down?
I have a longboard/skate background, and for this, I like a shorter board to maneuver better. Not sure if this would be the same for snowboarding.
Thanks for the advice!
Hi Nathan
It depends on the board but in general I’d say anything from a 153 to 156 would be a good size for you, given that you mainly like to ride the park.
But does depend on the board to some extent too. Some park boards are made to ride smaller.
It also depends on what you like to do. If you get out of the park quite a bit then a bit longer would benefit you (if you didn’t have a separate board for that).
If you prefer shorter for longboarding, I imagine it could be similar for snowboarding – but don’t quote me on that, I’m not a longboarder.
Hope this helps. If you find a board that you like feel free to let me know and I can recommend a size for that particular board.
Hi there,
Another specific question for you! I am wondering about a board and whether or not it would simply be too small for me. Here is the information:
Board: Sims Pristine 2014, 147 cm
Weight: 145-150 lbs (no gear)
Height: 5’5
Ability: Intermediate (haven’t boarded in a few years but from past experience, I expect to be comfortable after a few runs and then looking for little jumps after a few days back on the hill)
Focus: Mostly all-mountain with small jumps found along the way
Conditions: Upstate New York – mostly visiting Adirondacks/Vermont/Quebec hills (icy?)
Is 147cm on the smaller side and should I be looking for something closer to 150cm or another size altogether? Or do you think i might actually enjoy this board since I’m not seeking max speeds but more a casual fun ride?
Thanks so much!!!
Hi Nestle
It’s on the smaller side for you but not in a major way. I would say something around a 150cm normally but if you like you’re riding casual and aren’t worried about speed or aren’t likely to see or go into much powder, then I think it will be absolutely fine for you.
I don’t follow Sims boards so I can’t comment on the board itself but I think the size will be fine.
Hi Nate:
This is a great site that you have here. I like the detail on length and width, it’s very interesting.
I’m 6’0″, 160 lbs, with size 11.5 boots, I ride trees, steeps, and powder. I’m all about powder in the trees, and mainly ride storm days and a few spring days except when I travel.
My current board is a NS Raptor 164, and it’s great but seems a bit narrow (25.3 cm waist). I think my older boards were more like 25.8 cm width.
I’m looking at a Never Summer Twenty Five X. I’ve been riding 163-165 cm boards for years, but this will be my first wide board so I could use a bit of help in deciding on size.
I’m looking at a 159X (26.2 cm waist) vs. 163X (26.5 cm waist). Based on my freeride/powder nature, I would lean towards the 163X (based on length), but I’m afraid that it might be harder to turn in the trees. The 159X seems like a better width and would have about the same surface area as my Raptor, but may be a bit short?
What do you think? Any advice would be appreciated
Hi Mark
If was you I actually like the look of the 159W. I know that’s moving down a bit from what you’re used to but the extra width will add stability and a bit of float. It will also mean that the board isn’t as maneuverable/as fast from edge to edge as a narrower version would be.
So going down to the 159 will take away the stability/float advantages of the longer size but will add them back in because of the width. The shorter 159 will also add back maneuverability.
That said I don’t think that the width on the 163W would be too wide – on the wider side for you but still within an acceptable range. But Adding width to a board size that you would normally ride and it might take a bit more effort to get from edge to edge – which you want to be doing quickly by the sounds of it.
Hope this helps
Thanks for the advice – very helpful – Mark
You’re very welcome. Hope you have a great season!
Hi Nate, I’m 15 and I am a beginner snowboarder, i have gone down the slopes a couple time before but i’m not an expert by any means. I am starting a job at a local terrain park where i’ll instruct little kids ages 4-12 how to snowboard. before I start the job i will go through 2 weeks of on and off snow training with the employees there. I have been scrambling to get all my gear as i need it to train and i recently just bought a 145 Burton Genie. I and 5’1 and 110 pounds, i would’ve probably gone smaller like 140, but i got such an amazing deal on the board, i couldn’t pass it up. Do you think this is too big for me, at first i thought it would be but since i”m still growing and i’ll be trained by expert boarders it might be ok,plus with all my gear on that extra weight, what do you think?
Hi Leighton
I would prefer to see you on something shorter – more like 139cm to 141cm. 4cm to 5cm can make quite a bit of difference. I know that’s not what you want to hear. I’m not a big believer in getting a bigger board that you’ll grow into – I think it’s better to get a board that will suit you for now and then sell it later and upgrade to a longer size.
Not what you want to hear I know. It’s not to say you won’t be able to learn on it – but I just think it will be more difficult to learn on and will make the learning process a bit slower. You do have professional instructors so that’s certainly in your favor.
I’d personally try to get something smaller to start with. Probably not the answer you want to hear and it’s up to you of course, but that’s what I would do.
Hi, thanks, you’re right not really what I want to hear but I want to make sure I have the right board. Especially since this is only the training and how I ride and how quickly I learn from their critique will make or break them officially giving me the job and i don’t want to make that even harder with too long of a board. I have found two boards that will possibly work, both sold on Ebay and both brand new. One is a one year newer Burton Genie in a 142, and the other is a black and purple Burton LTR in a 138, I know quite a bit about the Burton genie as its what I’ve got now but since its a newer version it might be a bit different, overall I’ve heard the Burton genie is good for beginners, the Burton LTR honestly I’ve never heard of it before, could you tell me a little bit about that snowboard and maybe which one to get? Thanks!
Hi Leighton
The I don’t know that much about the LTR except that it’s used a lot as a hire board. Which makes me want to avoid it altogether.
I would go for the Burton Genie 142. It will definitely make a difference to the 145 and it will be a better option than the LTR in my opinion. Whilst for other boards, I would say to go even lower than 142, the Genie has a shorter effective edge (as a ratio to the length) than most boards which help to make it easier to ride, so the 142 should be a good board for you to learn on.
Hope this helps and good luck for your training and I hope you get the job and have an awesome season!
Hi. I would like to get a recommendation for sizing deck. I’m looking for DOA, Capita.
Here are the measures:
Weight: 194 pounds (88kg)
Height: 5’9” (176cm)
Rider Level: intermediate
Rider Type: Free-Stylers
last season I used to ground trick.
but now I don’t want ground trick. This is not funny for me.
my riding style is that
love to hit jumps(Actually beginner for jumps), like to try to pipe this season.
sometimes jibbing. a bit riding with friends.
I’m heavy little bit.
I’m wondering which size will fit to me?
156 158 160 (DOA)
Actually Capita doesn’t provide weight range for thier deck.
I’m planning to lose my weight to 180lb.
but I wear some gears weihgt would be 190lb, I guess.
please recommend your opinion. 🙂
Hi Joe
I would go for the 158cm for the DOA for you.
Enjoy the board and have a great season!
Hi Nate!
I’ve been snowboarding for 5 years. My current board is quite stiff camber 132 cm board, and I’d like to learn some flatground tricks (butter), but my current board doesn’t perform well, so I decided to buy softer board. I’m buying Capita Micro scope and can’t decide between 130cm or 135cm. (Micro scope is soft flat/rocker board.)
My height is 152 cm (100lb), my weight is 45,5 kg (without gear), my boot size is US 7.
I ride park (boxes, mini rails and smaller/medium jumps) and slopes – 60% park and 40 % downhill…
I’m afraid that 130 cm will be too short, so I would lose balance on landing jumps, but on the other hand, 135 cm is longer than my current snowboard, so I’m afraid that I will have problems with rotation tricks…
What do you think? I would really appreciate your advice 🙂
Hi Leah
I think the 135cm would be the better size for you. It might take a day to get used to the extra length on your current snowboard but because the Micro Scope is softer and has a more mellow camber profile it probably won’t feel that much longer. In fact the 135 micro-scope might even feel the same size or smaller than your current board depending on a couple of factors.
I think the 130 is a bit short for you and the width on the 135 will be better too. For spins the 130 will still be better but I think overall the 135 is the better size for you. For landing jumps and general riding you’ll definitely appreciate the 135 over the 130.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hey Nathan,
I’m 5’9 200lbs just getting back into riding after being away from the snow for 10 years. What’s a good size board for 60 park 40 groomers. I was looking at a funslinger either a 154 w or a 157w.
Hi Matthew
If you need a wide board, then I’d go for the 157 – I think this would strike the best balance between park and groomers for you. But if you can let me know what size boots you wear so I can recommend whether you should go for a wide or a regular width, that would be great.
If it turns out your better off on a regular width, then I’d say that the 156 is your best bet.
I’m a size 10.5, I was thinking maybe with the extra surface area of a wide I could go shorter. I like the never summer type two as well. I have narrowed my choices between the funslinger and type two. What’s your take on each?
Hi Matthew
Yeah you can go shorter on a wider board and often park boards are made that way – to be a bit wider and a bit shorter, to give you a shorter length better for spins but still enough of a stable landing surface for landing tricks. The downside, if your feet aren’t long enough for the width of the board is that you loose out a bit in terms of edge-to-edge transition. If your feet are too far inside the edges of the board, then it takes more effort to apply pressure to the edges of the board. Now to counter that somewhat you want to make sure that your bindings are going edge to edge.
I’m usually reluctant to go for a wide board because I don’t like the feel (but I’ve got 10.0s so a slightly smaller size). They feel more lethargic to me.
That said, it doesn’t mean you couldn’t go for the 154W. It would be easier to spin but you would sacrifice out of the park performance.
I like the 156 for you. If you were purely groomers, then I’d say a 159 would be a good size (in a board other than the Funslinger) and if you were purely going to be in the park, then I would say possible the 154W. I think the best size overall would be the 156 regular but I think you’d still do well out of the 154W but it would be a different feel.
The Proto Type Two is a fantastic board in my opinion. I really enjoyed riding it. It’s a bit stiffer (but still medium flex, where I’d say the Funslinger is medium-soft) and a bit quicker edge-to-edge. Slightly less freestyle oriented but still a good freestyle board – but better outside the park than the Funslinger. I would say these are the differences
1. Both boards are excellent when it comes to riding switch and for jumps.
2. Funslinger better for jibs
3. Proto Type 2 better for carving and better at speed
For the Proto Type Two you’d probably want to weight up between the 157 regular width – and the 155W.
Hope this gives you more information to make your decision.
My daughter is 5’3 180lbs and I need a board for her for xmas and I don’t know what size to get. She’s 15 and a beginner 😞
Hi Tina
Thanks for your message. I think that anything from a 147 to a 150 would be a good range to look at. It can depend on the board too. But because she is a beginner I wouldn’t go any longer than a 150cm. In terms of weight recommendations for snowboards she probably isn’t going to fit inside of those for those sizes but they are just guidelines and height does come into it somewhat.
It’s also important to get a board that is easy to ride for beginners. Check out the first link below to learn how to pick a good snowboard for a beginner and/or the second link which is my top recommended women’s beginner snowboards.
>>How to Choose the Best Snowboard for a Beginner
>>The Top 5 Beginner Snowboards for Women
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
I’m 5’3 and 140 pounds, and I’m confused about what size snowboard I should be looking at getting.
I’m an intermediate snowboarder who really enjoys freestyle riding. I just rented a 135cm board and actually really enjoyed it and felt like I had a lot of control, and could move in ways that I wouldn’t be able to with a bigger sized board. But according to your chart I should get a 149 board, or would be in the 143-146 range for freestyle, which is still way bigger than a 135 that I used. Any advice?
Hi James
Thanks for your message. Sometimes the size of your board comes largely down to personal preference. If you really enjoyed riding the 135cm board, then something closer to that size might be what you have the most fun on. This is a guideline for those not sure of what to get and is only general. If you prefer a much shorter board like that, then go with it.
It can also depend on the type of the board for how long it actually feels. Stiffness, side cut, effective edge etc can affect how long a board feels too. But yeah, if you prefer a certain size in a board, then go with it.
The only thing I would say is that it may not float as well in powder or be as stable at speed as a longer board – but if you don’t really do those types of things, then it’s not an issue. This is also another reason why having more than one board is a great idea. You could have your 135 for freestyle stuff and get a slightly longer board for more freeride oriented stuff.
Great, thanks so much! I think I’m going to look for something around the range of 140 then.
Cool. Sounds like a good middle ground
Hey Nate,
Great article. I’ve been skiing/snowboarding for about 6 years and usually just borrow gear but am getting my own board and gear for Christmas. 23 yrs old, 6 ft 1, and about 190lbs. I’m looking at the Rossignol Angus 2016 and I usually hit the park for most of my time but definitely like to carve and hit some diamonds and just regular trails as well. Do you think a 160 would be alright for me?
Thanks!
Hi Andrew
Thanks for your message. I think the 160 would be a good size for you. You’re right at the top of Rossi’s weight recommendations for that length of that board but I tend to take Rossi’s weight recommendations with a bit of a grain of salt – they are notoriously on the light side. And because you incorporate a lot of park riding you’ll want a slightly shorter deck.
You could even go down to a 158 if you’re in the park most of the time but the 160 will be better for when your out carving.
Can you also let me know your boot size? Just want to make sure that the width will be ok for you too.
my shoe size is 10.5, and awesome I think I am going to go with the 158.
Thanks Andrew. You should be fine on the 158 in terms of width with the 158. Enjoy your new board!
Hi Nate, I am going to be getting the Rossignol Myth Amptek Snowboard. (
I am 110lbs, 5’1′ and a 16 years old female; I am deciding between 139 and 144. I will mostly just be doing mountain and groomers. I don’t want to get a new board until this one has really been used. Which do you think would be best.
Hi Whit
I think that the 139 is your best bet. It’s on the high-end of Rossi’s weight recommendations but their recommendations are notoriously light, IMO.
I imagine at your age you might still be growing? But even so I think the 144 will be too long for you and that will make the board more difficult to ride and harder to maneuver. I think that the 144 will be too long for you.
But I think that the 139 will still give you plenty of years. If you wanted a board for right now and were willing to get a new one shortly then I’d say a 135 to 137 would be best for you (not in the Myth because they don’t make those size – but just in general). I think the 139 is a good balance between being something you can grow into but not being so long that it stunts your progress.
Hope this helps with your decision
Hi, Nate! Thanks for such a detailed weight/height table; it definitely gets confusing for us beginners. 🙂 Keep up the great work!
My question is regarding buying a Rossignol Frenemy board. I know you had a few questions above about Rossignol’s sizing, but hope you don’t mind answering it for me specifically.
Height: 5’5″/165cm
Weight: ~145lbs? My scale’s broken. I’m usually ~140lbs, but I think I still have Thanksgiving pounds….
Shoe size: 7.5 US
Experience: One winter, still pretty beginner. Can easily do S turns on green/blue but working on carving and posture.
Riding style: Mainly Midwest groomers with hard snow but want to progress to ground tricks, small jumps. Don’t enjoy bombing down runs (used to ski) and don’t expect to do much park.
I’m debating a 147cm or 150cm Rossignol Frenemy, though their chart puts me more at a 153cm. My legs are pretty short though, and I’ve only learned on 145/146cm boards. The 150cm seems more appropriate but I’m worried about stance width and the ability to do tricks.
Thanks in advance!
Hi Jennifer
For you I certainly wouldn’t go longer than the 150cm. In my opinion Rossi’s weight recommendations run on the light side. I think a 153cm would definitely be too long for you.
I would actually be leaning towards the 147cm. This is because you are a beginner and also you don’t like to bomb. A bit of extra length is good for stability at speeds and for getting extra speed – but if you don’t intend to be riding that fast you won’t need that extra length. In any case, it’s always better to start out on a shorter board anyway.
I think you’d be o.k. on the 150cm. Definitely no to the 153cm. But I think the 147cm would be the best size. The 240mm waist width should be just right for your boots too.
Thanks, Nate! I think I’ll go with the 147. And now off to stalk the rest of your site…..
Happy Holidays!
Happy Holidays Jennifer!
Enjoy the rest of the site and hope you enjoy your new snowboard
Nate!
I am also looking at buying a board, and found a nice one on Craigslist. However, I am 5′-7″ – 5′-8″ and 170-180 lbs. The board I like is 160cm. I have never bought a snowboard myself and have always ridden the 156 and 158’s from rental spots.
Is 160 going to be too big of a jump?
Hi Sam
I think the 160 might be a bit long. But this is generally speaking. It would depend on the board. If you can give me the brand and model of board (and model year if you know it) that would help to give you a more accurate recommendation.
Also, if you were an experienced rider and were on the freeride end of the specturm (likes riding fast, riding the backcountry, powder, steeps, bowls etc) rather than freestyle, then a 160 is probably a good size (again depending on the board). So if you can let me know your ability level and your style (how you like to ride), I can give you a better recommendation.
In general, I’d say it’s just a bit long, IMO, but if you can give me those details, I can say for sure.
I would like to say I am no longer a beginner. I have learned to ride rails, but am not comfortable going off jumps bigger jumps (Typically I stay away from the terrain park anyway). I have never ridden back country but would love to try. On typical runs my main goal is to go fast.
The board is an Atomic Cold Smoke.
Also, thanks for the awesome site. This is the most helpful area on the web that I have been able to find.
Hi Sam
You’re welcome – appreciate the comments.
And thanks for the xtra info.
I think that the Atomic Cold Smoke (not a board I’ve ridden or that familiar with but based on the specs) is probably a bit long for you in the 160cm. It is a traditional camber snowboard and has quite a long effective edge (1279mm). I don’t think the board itself wouldn’t be unsuitable for what you want to do but I think that you would prefer a slightly shorter length.
Hi Nate! I absolutely LOVE your site, thank you for all the great advice and information.
Much like everyone else, I’d like you input on what size board I should get. I’m interested in the GNU B-Nice ASYM board, as described here (specs on the bottom): http://www.gnu.com/snowboards/b-nice/
About Me:
Skill–I just graduated from green to blue, and just started to connect my turns/carving. Turning uphill is still a weakness of mine that I hope to perfect this season. Also, the very first time I went snowboarding, I sprained my ankle, so I have a bit of fear to overcome. I’m all about riding downhill, at a comfortable speed, lol. I’m not interested in parks, tricks, and freestyling. My measurements:
Weight: 125lbs (without gear)
Height: 5’5 1/2
Waist: 29 inches
With that, I’m thinking I would be a 145 or 148cm, and would LOVE your opinion on which size before ordering tonight. thank you so much again, i truly enjoy your site, it’s amazeballs.
Oh and my boot size is a 9!
Hi Nana
I think the 145 is probably the better length overall but I’m more concerned about the width in this case. I think the 234mm waist width on the 145 would be too narrow. Unfortunately, I think the 238mm waist width on the 148cm length would also be pushing it for being too narrow but you could probably get away with it.
Some other options that are similar type boards:
~ Burton Genie 145cm (241mm waist)
~ Burton Lip Stick 145cm (239mm waist)
~ Capita Space Metal Fantasy 147cm (239mm waist)
~ GNU Velvet Gnuru 147cm (239mm waist)
~ Ride Rapture 147cm (242mm waist)
~ Roxy Ally 147cm (240mm waist)
~ YES Emoticon 146cm (239mm)
But the GNU B-Nice Asym is still certainly an option. Just that there’s not an ideal size for it. If you do go with the B-Nice I would go with the 148cm because I think the 145cm would be too narrow. But the 148cm is borderline too long.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate!
Great suggestions. I’m 6’2 205 lbs with size 11 Burton Rulers. I’m struggling with deciding on correct size for the 2016/17 Ride Alter Ego. Considering either 160W or 164W. Spoke with Ride reps and I get different answers! I would say i’m an advanced rider. Like the idea of the “surfy” feel with the Alter Ego and the option of locking it down for more aggressive carving. Like the trees but also like steeps and going fast. Will the waist width of this board make it stable enough at 160W? Help??
Hi Shawn
Thanks for the message. I can see why you got different answers. There are pros and cons to each size.
The 160W would be the better width for you generally speaking and would be quicker from edge-to-edge – better for the trees and more maneuverable in general.
But the 164W would be better in powder and better at speed because of the extra surface are from the extra length and extra width.
It would be a toss up between whether you would value quicker edge-to-edge transition/maneuverability or value powder and speed ability more. If I had to pick one for you i’d say that the 164W would be the better bet but really it comes down to what you think is more important.
Hope this helps
Hi Nate,
Im looking into purchasing a never summer prospector. I am torn between the 157 and 160. I am 5’11”, 160lbs, 10.5 boot. The 160 would be better for deep and the 157 a little more nimble to spin. Let me know your thoughts.
Thanks
Hi Ryan
I don’t really know anything about split boards. But generally speaking you’ve hit the nail on the head – the shorter board will be more maneuverable and easier to spin and the 160 will be better for float in powder and for stability at speed.
If you are opting for a split board, then I assume you will be out in the backcountry a lot and will encounter a lot of powder and I’m also assuming you are quite an advanced rider. Assuming all of this then I’d say the 160 is the better bet. But like I say, I’m not knowledgeable when it comes to split boards so I’m unsure if the same things apply to split boards (though I’d say it would).
Hey Nate,
Just to give you a little more info I am an advanced rider with a 50/50 freestyle/freeride approach. I spin off most things I can find but also play around a lot out of bounds and love steeps and tight trees. This will be my first split and I am leaning towards the longer board as it will be easier to float in that untouched pow you find in the backcountry. I do want to make my way to japan for the real deep snow but for now it will be mostly trips to colorado and utah.
Thanks again for any insight
Hi Ryan
I think that if you really want that extra float then the 160 is the way to go. It will make the board more difficult to spin is the only thing. So I guess it’s a decision between spinning and powder and which you want to be more effortless. Of course you’ll still be able to spin with the 160 and you’ll still float with the 157. Just that the 157 will take slightly more effort to float and the 160 will take slightly more effort to spin.
Hi there. Incredible information. I was hoping to get your opinion on my recent board purchase as I was told the board maybe too long for me. ( I haven’t ridden it yet).
I am 5’2″ and weigh 115 lbs without gear.
I have been snowboarding for 15 years and am an intermediate boarder who enjoys covering the mountain on groomers and finding fresh pow.
I purchased the burton 147 family tree day trader.
Do you think this board is too big for me? It only came in 147 or 151
Hi Jennifer
Thanks for the message.
Yeah I’d say it’s probably a bit on the long side. Certainly for powder you want to go a little bit longer and the Day Trader is predominantly made for powder. Typically speaking (though it’s slightly different depending on the particular board) I’d say that anything around a 141 to 143 would be a good “all-mountain” size for you.
If you were mainly a park/freestyle or a beginner rider then you’d size down a bit and for powder/freeride type stuff you size up a bit. Typically I would say up to around 145 or 146 if you were an advanced rider mainly riding in powder and riding steeps etc.
All of that said, the Day Trader does have a shorter effective edge than your typical 147cm board would have. So that’s in your favor in terms of how long it will feel for you. A lot of the extra length is in the rockered nose (which helps it to float in powder. The 2017 Day Trader actually now comes in a 145cm and a 150cm – whereas past models are 147cm and 152cm – so I assume you have a 2016 or earlier model.
Long story short – the board is sized slightly longer than your typical board because it’s designed predominantly for powder. Because of it’s shorter effective edge, it shouldn’t feel as long as most 147s. So if it was an all-mountain type board or a freestyle type board, then I’d be concerned that it was a good bit too long but because it’s a powder board, it’s probably not overly long. The only thing is that if you don’t really want a powder board then it may not be the most suitable.
I think you’ll need to ride it to see if it’s something that will suit your riding style. It’s fine if you like to ride a lot of powder and could use that extra float. – o.k. I didn’t really make the long story short!
Hope this answers your question
Hi Nate,
This article has been extremely helpful! I am 5’6″ and 140lbs and I found that my standard length is 150cm. I’d consider myself a free rider with a couple seasons of experience, but I am looking for a board that I can grow into. Right now I am looking at a K2 Luna board that is 155cm. Do you think that is too long?
Hi Shyanne
I think that the 155cm is probably a bit too long – especially with just a couple of seasons under your belt. If you were an advanced rider and mostly rode powder then the Luna 155cm might be ok but I think that it’s pushing it for being too long. You do really notice that extra length. I think you wouldn’t need something this long to grow into either.
I wouldn’t go longer than 152cm if I was you (but that would be at the long end) – but this depends on the particular board to an extent too. But for the Luna, I think that the 155cm would be a bit too long.
If you decide to go against the 155cm Luna, try checking out the boards at the links below for some ideas. If you find an option that you like let me know and I recommend the best size for you for that particular board.
~ My Top 6 Women’s All Mountain Snowboards
~ My Top 5 Women’s Freeride Snowboards
Hope this helps