Best Snowboarding Gear for Freestyle: Your Guide to Epic Powder Tricks.
Are you looking to take your snowboarding to the next level? Whether you’re an experienced pro or just starting out, having the best gear is essential to unleashing your full potential and getting big air in the powder. While you’ll need the right mindset and technique, the best snowboarding gear for freestyle can also help you reach the heights of your snowboarding dreams.
This article will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the best snowboarding gear for freestyle, from boards to bindings to boots and protection. We’ll provide a detailed look at each type of equipment and some top picks for the best snowboarding gear for freestyle to help you nail those powder tricks.
What to Look for in Snowboarding Gear for Freestyle
When it comes to your snowboarding gear, having the right equipment is essential to improving your performance and maximizing your progress. The right snowboarding gear for freestyle will vary by rider, with younger riders needing different setup when compared to pros. Professional advice is recommended especially when first starting out.
The first step in ensuring the right gear is to find the right snowboard. Different designs and shapes may appeal to different individuals and riders, so it’s essential to find the best snowboard that fits your stance.
Snowboard
The snowboard is the most essential piece of equipment for any rider, and finding the best snowboard for your freestyle mountain runs will set you up for success. Snowboards come in a range of shapes, sizes, camber profiles, and flex.
Freestyle boards typically come in a twin-tip shape, which means the same shape is used for toe and heel turns. Flex is important to consider when choosing your snowboard; too much flex can make toeside turns unstable and heel turns slower, while too little flex is unresponsive and makes turning sharper while both riding and stopping more difficult. The right flex largely depends on rider experience and weight.
The camber profile is another important component of an ideal freestyle board. Rocker camber profile offers a loose and playful ride with more flex, while camber offers more stability, edge control, and pop.
Bindings
Bindings are responsible for connecting your feet to the board, and having the right type for your particular freestyle runs is important for achieving success in snowboarding. Freestyle bindings come in two main styles: strap bindings and flow bindings.
Strap bindings are the more traditional choice that uses two straps to hold your feet to the board, with one on the toe area and one on the ankle. These provide a stronger connection and more control and stability while in the air. Flow bindings, on the other hand, use a rubber strap and are less adjustable than regular bindings, limiting movement in the air.
Freestyle boots
Unlike other winter sports such as skiing or snowshoeing, snowboarding boots have extensive flex and support. Freestyle boots are typically softer than traditional riding boots, as they need to provide maximum comfort when performing tricks on the board.
Freestyle boots have a thinner profile, with enough flex in the front of the boot to allow you to press your board or tweak your tricks in the air. They also tend to come with lacing systems, as well as plenty of padding to provide cushioning against the hard snow surfaces.
Protection for Freestyle Riding
Snowboarding is an inherently dangerous sport, and the more tricks you can do in a run, the greater the risk of injury. As such, it’s essential to get properly equipped with the right protective gear to keep your body safe from potential harm.
One of the most important pieces of protective gear for freestyle riders is a helmet. Many helmets suitable for freestyle riding come with additional padding for comfort and fit, and some also have removable ear pads and breathable ventilation.
Other protective gear suitable for freestyle riding includes knee pads, wrist guards, elbow pads, and impact shorts. These items will help keep your body safe while in the air and landing your tricks.
Best Snowboarding Gear for Freestyle: Your Top Picks
Now that you know what to look for in the ideal freestyle snowboarding setup, let’s take a look at some of the best gear on the market to help you take your freestyle snowboarding to the next level.
Snowboard
Capita Super DOA Snowboard: This snowboard delivers a lightweight but high-performance ride, with camber for stability and pop and rocker for a fast and smooth response.
Salomon Sick Stick Snowboard: This board offers the perfect mix of stiffness and flex for a well-rounded freestyle ride, with an Aspen core and Quadralizer sidecut for the perfect balance of performance and maneuverability.
Bindings
Union Falcor Snowboard Bindings: These bindings offer a secure and comfortable fit and adjustable highback for easily customizable lacing.
Rome Targa Snowboard Bindings: These bindings feature an innovative combo strap for added comfort and enhanced grip, making them a great choice for freestyle performance.
Boots
ThirtyTwo TM-Two Snowboard Boots: These soft-flexing boots offer great cushioning and a supportive fit thanks to their pro performance liner and specialized footbed.
Burton Ruler Snowboard Boots: Featuring a fast, locked-in lacing system, these boots are light and comfortable yet offer plenty of support for freestyle tricks.
Protection
Giro Phase Helmet: This lightweight helmet features an In-Mold construction and a low-profile design, offering plenty of protection at an accessible price point.
Demon United Mayhem Kneepads: These adjustable kneepads offer enhanced coverage and breathability for maximum comfort and protection, making them perfect for all types of freestyle tricks.
Take Your Freestyle Snowboarding to the Next Level with the Best Gear
Having the right snowboarding gear for freestyle will take your riding to the next level and help you perform bigger and better tricks on the mountain.
The right snowboard, bindings, boots and protective gear will help keep you safe and comfortable while you’re in the air and make a big difference in your overall performance. With this guide, you’ll be able to find the best equipment that will help you reach the heights of your snowboarding dreams.
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