When anyone go snowboarding they will need different pieces of kit in order to make sure that their experience is not tainted in any way. One of these essential pieces of equipment will certainly be the snowboard goggles that you wear as you rush down the mountain. In order to get these goggles, there are a number of steps that need to be taken.

First of all, determine the light conditions where you will be snowboarding. All the goggles that you see will be made using different lenses that will be useful in different light conditions around the world. Therefore it is a good idea to find out about what sort of like conditions you will face where you are going snowboarding.

Next, pick the right lenses. Once you have worked out exactly what sort of like you are likely to encounter, you need to then choose the right sort of lens to go with your goggles. In addition to this, it is always a good idea to consider getting goggles that have removable lenses. This will allow you to swap the lenses over depending on the current light conditions that you are facing.

Once you have worked out on the perfect specification that you require for the goggles that you need, then you can look online for different reviews of different products. This will enable you to paint a picture of the quality of the goggles and how well they are going to work when you actually use them. Looking on websites, magazines, and forums, will enable you to build up a picture of what you can expect.

When you have found some ideal goggles that you are interested in then you merely have to go out and shop for them. There are many places where you will be able to buy them, such as in a snowboard or winter sports shop, or simply online.

If you take the steps then you will be able to find the ideal goggles that will suit your snowboarding experience.

Snowboard goggles help to protect your eyes from the rays of the sun so you can enjoy the action of your snowboard. In addition, snowboard goggles improve the clarity of your vision so you can see the trail better.

Most of the time people ask: What length board is best for me?. An often unasked, but equally important question is: What width board is best for you? Both snowboard length and width factor heavily in finding and buying the correct size snowboard.

There are a number of key factors to consider when determining the perfect board. The first is to determine your riding ability are you:

Beginner – first time, newbie, taking a lesson, snowboarded 1-3 times

Intermediate – board 3-5 times a year, ride fakie, catch some air, turns no problem.

Advanced – you know who you are!

Secondly you need to determine what type of riding style do you enjoy most. The riding style you prefer will help determine the type of board you should buy. There are many different opinions on how many riding styles there are but we are going to break them down in to three main categories of riding styles.

1. All Mountain / Freeride style-a freeride or all mountain snowboarder utilizes the whole mountain. You enjoy carving, catching air, basically all riding aspects.

2. Freestyle or Technical riding- includes mostly trick riding. Jumps, spins, grabs, jibbing, rail sliding, basically tearing it up. Technical freestyle riding is usually found in the parks or near the half pipe. Freestyle/Technical boards is the best choice for a beginning snowboarder.

3. Carve/Alpine style-combines speed and deep turns and utilizes everything the mountain has to offer. Alpine riders are continually transitioning from one turn to the next. It is all about high speed and hard carving.

TIP #1 – Before buying any board make sure you are up on your boarding lingo (terms) this will help in your understanding of what exactly you are looking for.

After you have decided on your ability and riding style we can move on to the most important board buying decisions: Board length and width. This is not only a function of your height but also your weight.

Length

Length is measured in centimeters and is sometimes abbreviated to just the last two digits. Hence, a Burton Custom 56 is a snowboard made by Burton that measures 156cm from tip to tail. Kids’ boards run as short as 100cm and long race or powder boards can be upwards of 180cm.

To find the correct length for you, start by comparing it to your height. When holding the board on its end, a short board will come up somewhere between your collar bones and chin. Because shorter boards are easier to maneuver, they are great to learn on and are preferred by riders who do a lot of trick, park and pipe riding.

A medium length board standing on end will come up between your chin and nose. This length is for the all around intermediate to advanced rider who may ride a variety of terrain, including parks and steeps.

Long boards go from eye-level to several inches over the top of the head. Long boards are for high-speed carving, deep powder and big mountain terrain.

Riders who are heavy for their height can stay within these guidelines, but should look for boards that have a stiffer flex. Lighter riders will need boards with a softer flex. Also, remember that these are general guidelines to get you started; personal preference can also strongly sway your decision of what length board to buy.

Width

While board length has some room for personal preference, board width is directly tied to your foot size. Riders with small feet need narrow boards; likewise, riders with big feet need wide boards.

Board width is measured in either centimeters or millimeters and can be found in the board’s specifications under waist width (usually on the tag or in the manufacturer’s catalog or Web site). The best way to find the correct board width is to stand on a board that is flat on the ground. Strap or step into your bindings, or place your feet exactly how you would have them when you ride. (This is important because the more angle you ride with, the less your foot will span across the width of the board.)

When standing in riding position, your boots should be flush or slightly over the edges of the snowboard. If your toes and heels don’t come close to the edge, you won’t be able to apply proper pressure to your edges during a turn. If, on the other hand, your feet hang too far over the edges of the board, your toes may catch in the snow while turning and send you reeling. This phenomenon is sometimes referred to as “toe drag”, and it is a drag.

TIP #2 – If you are a beginner you may want to rent a couple of different boards before you buy, this will help you determine exactly what you like before you blow all your money.

If you are interested to read more about wide snowboards, follow me to my sites where I write reviews and guides about wide snowboards.

The main disadvantage to a wide board is not the weight. That’s easy to get used to. In fact, I’ve always been able to get away with a slightly shorter length in a wide board than a standard board, making the weight difference negligible. The disadvantage is in your heel-toe turn linking. The additional width can make a big difference in the feel of your turns. Initially, your board may feel a little sluggish coming around; but if you give it a day or two, you’ll be right as rain (frozen rain, in the form of flakes). After that, you’ll never have to worry about your little piggies causing you trouble again and you’ll be floating like a raft on powder days.

Since I always seem to find myself jumping or jibbing whether I’m in the park or in the trees, most of the boards I’ve ridden have been freestyle. Here’s a quick review of a few of the boards I’ve rocked. Hopefully, it will help narrow your decision when shopping for a new board.

Unity Origin – 160 wide

The Origin is a true twin board. It has a lot of flex, which is great for hitting rails but can be a little too soft for some jumps and turns. It seems to get even softer a lot quicker than most. It also has a thinner edge than a lot of the other boards available these days. A good park board, to be sure, but there is better board tech available for the money.

Burton Dominant – 159

The Dominant is a technical freestyle board. It’s slightly directional, which is great if you ride it during powder days. The flex is quite a bit stiffer than a lot of other “park” boards, making rails slightly more interesting but also making turns very responsive. A great choice for making the entire mountain your playground.

Rome Slash

Admittedly, I have not ridden the Slash. I have ridden the Agent, which is the Slash’s little brother. The Agent had a great overall feel to it, with a slightly less stiff flex pattern than the Dominant. Slightly directional and super responsive, this board can do it all. Plus, the edge is extra thick and can take a beating that most other boards can’t.

Ride Dose – 159

The Dose is my current ride (pun intended) and my favorite. It has the softest flex next to the Origin but, because of the carbon fiber stringers, has plenty of pop. The Slimewalls (urethane: made from the same stuff as your skateboard wheels) softens impacts and dampens board chatter. A true twin, this board rips everywhere you go.

There you have it! Hopefully, I’ve given you some food for thought the next time you’re in the market for a new stick. Your agility shouldn’t have to suffer just because you’re a little bigger “down below.

If you are interested to read more about wide snowboards, follow me to my sites where I write reviews and guides about wide snowboards.