Snowboarding 101: A Guide to the Must-Have Gear

Dressing for success isn’t just for a first date or a job interview. It’s just as important out on the mountain, where the wrong outfit can mean a lot more than just looking silly. Whether you’ve been snowboarding forever or are just starting out, the most important thing to remember is that dressing for the elements is just as much a part of staying safe as having the right kind of board and staying off of runs that are too difficult for your skill level.

Planning for all possible conditions when getting dressed is an important part of snowboarding, and dressing in the right clothes also decreases the impact that a fall might have on you. Just remember to leave the cotton goods at home, and get ready to start layering.

Cotton should be avoided at all costs because unlike synthetics, it actually holds water in instead of wicking it away. That matters when snow is melting on your boots and potentially getting into your socks. An excellent sock made of a materiel like SmartWool will keep you dry and healthy, while cotton will only lead to trouble. Don’t even put a layer of cotton over something synthetic: avoid it at all costs. Good winter gear won’t have cotton elements.

As far as layering goes, it’s the best way to stay both warm and cool out on the slopes. For those snowboarders who are going to be out during spring season, sometimes it’s necessary to remove a layer to beat the heat of the mid-day sun. If, instead of one very thick winter coat and one long underwear shirt, you layer long underwear, a thin sweater, a thick sweater, and a coat with a shell, it will make staying as cool or as warm as you want to be a breeze.

The first and most crucial part of any snowboarding outfit is that initial layer, the base layer. This is where it is really important to remember absolutely no cotton at all. Long underwear, or thermal underwear, should fit snugly but not too tightly, and should be made of a material that will wick sweat away. The same goes for socks, which should be made of wool or some other synthetic material that allows breathing while eliminating the risk of water.

The insulation, or middle, layer is for staying warm and keeping that core heat locked in for a day out on the slopes. Snowboarding pants, snowboarding boots, and a sweater or pull-over of some sort make up the middle layer. Pants should fit into the boots for a minimum chance of getting a leg full of snow, and boots should lace up firmly without pinching the feet.

The most important layer of any snowboarding outfit is the outer layer, because it is the first to meet the inclement weather. While the other two layers are all about keeping body heat in and water out, the outer layer can focus more on protection from the immediate elements. Outerwear consists of goggles, gloves, and the snowboarding jacket.

The outer layer of clothing for snowboarding also consists of gloves, which are particularly important given that most snowboarding falls put the most impact on the hands and wrists. Make sure to get a pair that has extra padding in the palm, as well as sufficient insulation. Sometimes, a thin wool glove is worn inside of the large waterproof glove, for extra warmth on particularly cold days.

Snowboarding goggles are important because of many things. One, in the event of a sudden weather change and a big snow, you’re going to need something to block the snowflakes from getting in your eyes. Another is that a bright, white, reflective surface can do damage to your eyes after an hour or so, so the tinting in the goggles decreases the UV rays. Goggles also keep things like tree branches from doing any damage to your eyes.

The most crucial part of your snowboarding outfit is the snowboarding jacket. A water and wind repelling jacket is a must for riders, as well as an inner-shell that fits a little more snugly and keeps water out in case you fall down at any point during the day. Once you’re all suited up, it’s time to hit the slopes!

If you are considering visiting the Japan Snow, go the Niseko resort. The snow is amazing for those who want to go snowboarding in Japan