If you aren’t sure what a snowboard stomp pad is or how to install one then read on. It’s a pretty simple process and a stomp pad can be a useful thing to have, especially for beginners.
What is a Snowboard Stomp Pad?
A stomp pad is basically anything that is attached to the top sheet of your board between your bindings that is “grippy”.
The point of a stomp pad is so that you have somewhere to stand with your back foot when it is out of the binding for whenever you are getting on or off a lift or any time you need to skate. The Stomp Pad makes it easier for your boot to grip the board.
There are a few different types of stomp pads you can get – metal or rubber studs and either a one piece pad or several smaller studs that you install individually. There are different styles of pads you can get too.
Check out the following link for some of the different styles you can get.
Do I need to Install a Stomp Pad?
It’s definitely not 100% critical to have a stomp pad – a lot of people ride without one.
But if you are a beginner, I definitely recommend it. If you have trouble getting off the lift, then this is the time when stomp pads provide the most value.
Some lift run offs can be steep and sometimes icy – which is fine if you’re a seasoned rider who’s done it thousands of times but for a beginner these (or even easier run offs) can be daunting. A stomp pad can help to make it easier and give you more confidence.
How to Install Your Stomp Pad
If you’ve decided that you want to install a stomp pad, and you’ve chosen the type you want, then it’s time to get to installing it.
First let’s take a look at the best position for your stomp pad.
Where to Install your Stomp Pad?
You want to install your stomp pad as close to your back binding as you can – this will make it feel as close to your normal stance as you can make it. And it will also mean that you can lean your boot against the binding for extra stability.
Make sure that you position the stomp pad on the inside of the back binding.
However you don’t want the pad flush up against the binding or else you will only be able to stand on half of the pad and you’ll be wasting the other half. Either make sure it’s around an inch (2.5cm) from the base of the binding or use the process below for more accurate placement.
Here’s how to find the best spot for your stomp pad.
- Place your snowboard on the ground and put your boots on
- Place your back foot on the snowboard on the inside of the back binding, close to the back binding so that you are still standing upright and so that the side of your boot is touching the side of the binding
- Mark the points on the board where the inside and outside of your boots touch the board
- When you place your stomp pad it should be inside these tape marks
- If you are using several individual studs then it’s a good idea to mark out with tape where each stud will be placed. Try to spread them out for the best possible coverage under your boot
Installing the stomp pad
Now you have the position of your stomp pad it’s time to install it/them
- Thoroughly clean and dry the area of your board where you will be placing the stomp pad/s. If you try to attach them to a dusty, unclean or wet surface they may lose their stick quickly
- To ensure the best possible stick make sure that you are in a warm room or heat up the boards surface with a hair dryer
- Remove the backing on the stomp pad to expose the adhesive. It’s also a good idea to heat up the adhesive for the best possible stick
- Place the stomp pad (or pads) in the position you marked earlier. Press down as hard as possible and hold the pad in place for a while.
- Let the adhesive dry for 24 hours.
Check out the video below for a visual look at this
This video also talks about leashes. You can skip to around 1:35 in the video to get to the part on stomp pad installation.
Thanks for Reading
I hope this post has helped you learn about stomp pads, decide whether or not you need one and how to successfully install one.
If you have any questions or comments just leave them in the comments section below.
Photo Credit
By Burtonbluntsnowboard, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
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