Snowboarding Gear for Cross Country: A Close Look At What’s Best.
Do you love the thrill of hurtling down slopes on a snowboard? Cross country snowboarding combines fitness, speed, and the outdoors in one exhilarating sport. But before you consider yourself ready to hit the slopes, you must make sure you’re equipped with the right snowboarding gear.
In this blog post, we’re exploring what you need to consider when choosing your cross country snowboarding gear. We’ll be looking at the types of boards, bindings and boots, as well as tips on how to pick the right sizes and styles. So, if you’re ready to start snowboarding the cross-country way, then you’ll really want to read on!
The Board
First up, the snowboard. It’s important to match the type of board to the type of terrain and type of cross-country style you’ll be doing. If you’re going to be riding in powder, then you’ll need a wider board with more surface area to float across the powder better. Alternatively, if you’ll mainly be riding in groomed conditions, then a narrower board with more edge control is the way to go.
Generally, the board should reach from your shoulders to halfway down your thigh. If you’re an experienced snowboarder and you’re fairly tall, you may even want to consider a board that’s up to six inches longer.
Bindings
Next it’s time to look at the bindings. Cross-country bindings tend to be lighter than those for freestyle or freeride to help minimize the overall weight of the board when you’re out in the hills.
When choosing your bindings, it’s important to look for the flexibility and features that match the terrain you’ll be riding. For example, if you plan on riding in powder frequently, then you should opt for a binding that can be easily adjusted on the fly.
Also, look out for bindings that have cushioning in the arch and heel of the foot area to provide greater shock absorption. This will help keep your feet comfortable and help reduce fatigue.
Boots
Last but not least, the snowboard boots. When shopping for boots, it’s important to look for those that fit snugly and have good arch and ankle support. Cross-country boots should be lighter than all-mountain boots and are often lower cut to provide more flexibility and help with maneuverability.
If your boots are too stiff, your feet can go numb very quickly and that’s not a pleasant experience! For cross-country purposes, most riders prefer to go for lighter boots with lateral stiffness so that your feet can still respond to small changes in terrain.
Choose Your Sizes
Now that you know what to look for in your gear, it’s important to pick the right size for each item. Generally, your boot size will dictate the size of your binding and the size of your board, as well as the size of your boots themselves.
When trying on a binding, you should adjust it to the middle setting, this is usually the standard setting. From there, feel free to make adjustments to provide more flexion if that’s necessary.
As far as the board is concerned, the aim should be to have your feet just touching the end of the board when standing on the side-slopes. When you’re choosing your boots, make sure they fit snugly and comfortably; there’s no point having a board that’s awesome if your boots are digging into your feet.
Conclusion
No matter what snowboarding adventures you have planned, having the right snowboarding gear is essential. Knowing what to look for when selecting your board, bindings and boots is an important step. Choose gear that takes into account the type of terrain you’ll be riding as well as the style of snowboarding you’re planning to do.
Remember, always make sure to double-check the sizing before purchasing anything, and don’t forget to pick gear that feels comfortable and provides support. After that, it’s time to hit the slopes and search for fresh powder with confidence. Good luck!!
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