Before I got my first snowboard I often asked myself the question -“Should I rent or buy a snowboard”?
I ended up buying after years of renting and really wish I had done so sooner. In my opinion it is better to buy than rent in most, but not all, cases – even for the beginner, especially for the beginner.
To start with let’s outline the pros and cons of each option.
The Pros and Cons of Renting and Buying Snowboards
| Pros | Cons | |
| Rent | ~ You don’t have to fork out as much in one go
~ You can try different boards
~ Always visiting the rental shop
~ Costs more in the long run
~ Always having to get used to a new board
~ Choice of board is often limited
~ Often get the wrong size
|
~ Always visiting the rental shop
~ Costs more in the long run
~ Always having to get used to a new board
~ Choice of board is often limited
~ Often get the wrong size |
| Buy | ~ You have the same board every time for consistent learning
~ You don’t have to go by the hire shop every time you go up the mountain
~ Works out cheaper in the long run
~ You have a better ability to choose a board that is going to be most suitable for you
~ Can select a board that suits your style of riding
~ Have the ability to research and get proper advise on the proper size |
~ A larger initial outlay of money
~ Having to research to get the right board |
Why I think it is better to buy than rent
The pros and cons box above might giveaway my reasons for choosing to buy rather than to rent but here it is laid out.
Consistency
When I used to rent – and I did for my first 3 seasons – I always ended up with a different board. This meant that every time I hit the slopes I had to get used to a different feeling board – and sometimes even a different sized board if the rental shop was out of my preferred size!
It’s like driving a different car every day – you can do it but each time it takes a while to get used to the subtleties and to be able to drive it as smoothly as you would a car that you are already use to.
Convenience
After the initial researching is done it’s so much easier having your own gear. There’s no waiting in line, getting sized up or taking a detour on the way to the mountain. This saves time and hassle.
Price
Whilst your initial cost is greater buying a board it is actually a fair bit cheaper to in the long run to buy. And even if it were to work out the same price you get all the benefits of buying as per above and below.
Even if you spend just five days up the mountain it will work out around the same. If you pay around $25 to hire a board per day (a pretty cheap rate that you are only likely to get if you are hiring multiple days in a row), that’s $125 for the season. Now let’s imagine that you buy a board at around $300 and bindings at $150. That’s $450 – and that’s going to be a decent set up (certainly miles better than standard hire gear).
Then you sell that gear at the end of the season for $300 (pretty reasonable estimate of what you’ll get for a board and bindings that are just 5 days old!). Now you have spent $150. That’s just $25 more than hiring (if you can find somewhere to hire that cheap) and you get all the benefits above and below of buying.
And that’s just based on 5 days and 1 season. The more days you go in a season and the more seasons you keep the board for, the more sense it makes financially to buy over renting.
Quality
Yes you can get quality snowboards at the rental shop – but they’ll cost you more than the standard rental boards – and then with the price calculation above it means it is still more worthwhile buying. If you go with the cheap options you are getting what you pay for.
Rental boards do a lot of work on the mountain. For this reason rental boards need to be sturdy. This usually means they are heavier and sturdier to last longer. This almost always means a sacrifice in performance. When I got on my first bought snowboard it felt like the difference in maneuverability between a tank the length of a limo and a 2-seater, road hugging sports car!
Choice
Most rental shops are pretty hurried and you can’t really go in there, go behind the counter and hand pick the board you want to use. Or be really fussy about the width and length and the style of board that you want.
Again, there’s usually a bit more choice if you go with their high performance boards but then there is also more cost – and again your ability to be fussy is diminished.
Suitability
When you buy you can choose a board that suits your style of riding. When you rent you can’t usually choose the flex, camber profile, shape or base type. And you can’t choose the type of bindings which will also affect how well you can do what you want to do.
And the length and width of your board are very important for getting something suitable. And rental stores are notorious for giving out boards of an unsuitable size (from experience and from what many others have told me).
What About for Beginners?
Even for beginners I would recommend buying over renting. The exception to this might be your first couple of days on the mountain if you are unsure whether you actually like snowboarding or not.
But once you’ve decided that snowboarding is the thing for you, waste no more time with renting and buy.
The main reason for this for beginners is that you are going to progress much faster if you have a board that you are used to. Imagine learning to drive and you have to learn in a new car every time you drove! It’s going to take a lot longer to get good.
The other important reason is that when you buy you can get a board that is great for learning on – they will attempt to get you on an easy to learn on board in the rental store – usually by just getting you a shorter board – but there are boards you can buy with specific specs that are easy to learn on – and if they get the size wrong it can make for a hard day on the hill.
>>Learn how to choose the best snowboards for beginners
I suggest that when beginners do buy that they buy a beginner board. You might be tempted to get a more advanced board so that you don’t have to replace your board as you progress. This is going to really stall your progress.
Beginner boards are typically more stable in the snow and are designed to make initiating turns more comfortable.
These boards are typically in the cheaper category and you can sell it when you are finished with it. And of course you can buy second hand. Do your research and get a beginner board. You can always upgrade later. Your progression will thank you for this.
When is it better to rent?
One good time to rent is your first couple of days when you are unsure of whether you will like snowboarding or not.
The other time is when you are going on an overseas trip and know that you will only be spending a couple of days on the mountain and it is cheaper or more convenient to rent when you get there rather than paying for the extra baggage on the flight. But usually it’s still worth bringing your own board.
Otherwise, in my opinion, buy. It’s cheaper in the long run, better for your progression, more convenient, gives you greater choice, more consistency, a more suitable board and a better quality piece of wood to hurl yourself down the mountain on.
Thanks for reading
Thanks for reading and I hope this post has helped you to decide whether to rent or buy a snowboard. If you do decide to buy and would like to learn what you need to know to choose the best snowboard for you check out the links below.
>>What you Need to Know to Choose the Most Suitable Snowboard for You
>>hoosing the best beginner’s snowboard
Do you agree? Or there other occasions where you think it might be better to rent than buy. Comments and questions welcome below.
Photo credit
Milad Mosapoor [Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons
Hi!
I’m a beginner, haven’t even been on a board yet but it’s a hobby I’ve always wanted to pursue, should I buy a board now or wait? I’m 5′ 5″ and around 155lbs and my research says I should get a 152cm board, do you think that’s the right size for me? My shoe size is 9. I’m looking at the Burton Stylus Snowboard on evo if that helps.
Thanks!
Hi Karina
Thanks for your message.
I’m definitely a believer in getting your own board as early as possible, for a number of reasons including consistency of always using the same gear and appropriateness of that gear, among other things (as per this post). But for your very first time, it might be wise to rent. You would have a better first time experience on a board you bought, but I would say just to make sure it is something that you are going to enjoy (remembering that the first day there is usually a lot of falling, so don’t give up after the first day, for sure!). But yeah buying early on is a really good idea. If you are super confident that you will love it, then you could still definitely buy before you go up for the first time, but that’s your call.
The Stylus is a great beginner option, so you can’t go wrong there, IMO. For other options check out:
>>My Top 10 Women’s Beginner Snowboards
Length-wise, I would say to go for something in the range 147 to 149 as a beginner. You could certainly go up to around 152 once you’re more advanced, but I would start out 3-5cm shorter than that.
Width-wise, with size 9s, try to go for something at least 238mm at the waist and no more than 248mm at the waist.
So for the Stylus, I think the 147 would be a great size for you.
Hope this helps
Hello I’m a beginner as well looking to get Jones project X 2020 is that a good idea is the board good?
Hi Darek
I can only assume it’s a good board, based on other Jones boards, and given it’s price tag. But it’s not something that I’ve ridden. It’s one of those boards that’s out of budget for most riders at it’s price.
However, I wouldn’t recommended it as a beginner board, based on it’s specs. It’s too stiff to be good as a beginner board, and potentially a bit too much camber too. Couldn’t say for sure having not ridden it, but based on it’s specs, I wouldn’t recommend it for a beginner. I would check out the following:
>>How To Choose The Best Snowboard For A Beginner
>>My Top 15 Men’s Snowboards for Beginners
>>Top 10 Intermediate Snowboards
Hope this helps with your decision
Very interesting read. I do agree with all the valid points and most cases buying is better. In a few cases renting may be better especially if traveling or just using your snowboard for a couple times a year or less. When you add peer to peer lending markets that allow you to rent gear including snowboard rentals at a far lower price than even offered by resorts.
Hello Nate,
I am a beginner and looking for K2 Lime Lite Snowboard 2018, size 142 or 146cm.
I am 5’4” and 100 lbs, foot size 25.5cm. I am struggling on which length should I choose. Length 142cm is with wrist width 238mm while 146cm is with wrist width 240mm.
Could you share your opinion?
Hi Bird
Thanks for the message.
In terms of length, the 142cm is definitely a better size than the 146 for you. In fact, if you had the option the 138 would be the best length for you for the Lime Lite. The 142 is doable and would likely be a good length for when you’re more advanced, but as a beginner, the 138 would be a better length for you, IMO. Definitely not the 146, IMO.
In terms of width I’d say anything from 237mm to 247mm for your foot size would work as a waist width, if you have a very straight angle (0-6 degrees) on your back foot. If you have quite a lot of angle on your back foot (e.g. 15 degrees), then you could go as narrow as 230mm. I know you may not yet know your binding angles – but in any case, I don’t see any issues with the width on the 142 and you’ll most likely be ok with the 138 (236mm waist) too, as a beginner, even if you are riding with a straight back foot. But would be cutting it finer.
Hope this helps
hi nate!
I am looking to purchase the 17/18 niche mink snowboard size 143 cm. I am 5’1 about 112 lbs. I was also looking to buy the union trilogy bindings to go with it but I don’t know if those two would go together.
also I have a size 6 US women’s bike sb vapen boots so I don’t know if I should get the union bindings in a size small or medium because their sizes changed this year.
any suggestions? I am intermediate/advanced rider and wanted a lighter board with more flex because i was previously riding a gnu bstreet.
thanks in advance!
Hi Sam
Thanks for your message.
I would put you on around a 142cm, so I think 143cm is a pretty good length for you. I would be a bit concerned about the width though. 240mm waist is going to be quite wide for your boot size and that combined with the length being at what I would consider the longer end of your range, makes me think this board could be slightly big for you overall. Not massively but perhaps not ideal. What was the size of your B Street? Also what style do you like to ride – more freestyle? Steep? Fast? Just cruising the groomers? Backcountry at all?
I think the Trilogy could work on the Minx if you do go with that. I’d say they’re not a perfect match in terms of flex. The Minx is a 4/10 flex with the Trilogy more like a 5/10 or 6/10. But I find personally that having a little stiffer flex on the binding compared to the board, is ok, though not too much stiffer. I prefer that to the other way around (softer bindings on a stiffer board) – so I think that could work.
Hope this helps
Thanks for the write up Nate.
I am a total beginner and started to try snowboard few yrs ago in Japan (i am from different country). Originally tried for a day with renting gears, i like it but it was an impromptu side stop so i had to move on to different place the next day. The following year I went to JP(again, but different region) and tried 1 day again with rental gear and as you said, i had to get used to different feel of the board all over again (but then again im total noob lol).
Last year rode for 2 days (originally plan for 4days but i injured myself) and again another board and different feel. Since average board+boot rentals is 5kyen a day, this year since i plan for 5days+, i have decided to buy an entry level board+binding+boot myself (thinking Salomon Surface). I might need to sell/give away the board at the end of my trip, but i intent to keep the boots n bindings so in future i will just need to buy board of similar profile 🙂
Hi ejump
Great plan. As you know from my post above, I highly recommend buying gear. The gear you buy is not only better than rental gear (usually) but you get used to it and that really helps you to progress faster. I think if you are doing 5+ days then it’s a no-brainer to buy.
If you have any trouble choosing gear, you can check out the posts below to give you a place to start.
~ My Top 5 Beginner Snowboards
~ My Top 5 Beginner Snowboard Bindings
~ My Top 5 Beginner Snowboard Boots
Hope you enjoy your trip!
This is a great article, and perfect timing for me! I was actually contemplating on selling my Burton Twin 2007 because I never get to ride any more. Do you have any suggestions on where to sell my board, boots, and bindings? Didn’t know if there were any good places other than the usual eBay and Amazon. Thanks again for the great post!
Hey Brad. With selling gear it will probably depend on your country where the best place to sell your snowboard gear is. I’ve added a couple of links below for potential places but this is probably country specific. The snowboarding forum can be a good place as you can probably ask around to for specific countries.
>>Gear Trade
>>Seasonsgear.com
>>Snowboarding Forum Buy and Sell
Hope this helps. Glad you liked the article and thanks for the feedback.
Much appreciated Nate!
Your website is making me go insane for snowboarding! I’ll definitely plan my trip to a hill station where I can snowboard and have a lot of fun. I think renting a snowboard would be the best option for me.
-Nishkarsh
Hey Nishkarsh – thanks for your comments – glad you are getting excited about snowboarding. That’s the first I’ve heard it called a hill station – there’s a first time for everything. If it’s your first time then I agree you should go with renting. But it sounds like you may get hooked pretty quickly so I’d buy after your first couple of days assuming you’re still even half as excited (assuming you are in a country with reasonable access to snow!). Just don’t expect too much on your first day – or at least expect a lot of falling and a sore butt by the end of the day!
Great, interesting post! As a fellow snowboarder, I feel you. I would encourage people to buy a snowboard as well, because when you get to know it, you’ll become natural with it. I have never come upon a post like this and I think it’s exactly what’s needed for people who are thinking about starting to snowboard.
Great job!
-JP
Hey JP – thanks heaps for your input! It’s always good to confirm that this stuff is going to be useful and beneficial for other snowboarders.
Hey man! Great article yet again.
I’d definitely buy the snowboard myself. I’d want to get used to the snowboard and focus entirely on getting better with my own board. The consistency aspect does it for me.
Thanks! – Ermin
Hey Ermin! Thanks again. Yeah the I reckon the consistency thing is definitely one of the more important factors. Definitely increased my rate of improvement when I eventually decided to buy.
Hi!
Great post with advice on a sometimes difficult question. I think I rented a snowboard one time back in the days, but ended up buying after one try and I never regretted that. I came across a decent offer which wasn’t to expensive even if the snowboard was good.
Keep up the good work with your interesting page.
Hey Andreas – glad to hear you made that choice to buy early on. Way sooner than I did! And you bring up a good point that if you buy second hand you can go even cheaper making the price factor even more appealing. And I reckon you could pick up a decent second hand board that hasn’t been used to much for a really reasonable price. Thanks for your input!