How to Choose a Snowboard Size

How to Use Our Snowboard Size Chart

Snowboard construction has come a long way in the last few years. By fine-tuning the flex and sidecut, and introducing new materials, it’s become possible to create super fun snowboards that break convention in terms of length and width. 

That said, a snowboard sizing chart like the one below provides you with a useful starting point. It’s based on the key variables of weight, height and shoe size and is still appropriate for most models on the market. If a board is meant to be ridden shorter than your standard size then the manufacturer and/or shop staff should clarify this. 

Weight is the most important factor, so we recommend using the weight chart first, then cross referencing the result with the height chart. Width comes next; it plays an important part in how stable the board feels, and how quickly it responds from edge to edge (see our deep dive Do I Need a Wide Snowboard?) but it’s even more critical if you have big feet.

Men’s Snowboard Length Chart

Men’s Snowboard Width Chart

Women’s Snowboard Length Chart

Women’s Snowboard Width Chart

As you can see, our charts spit out a range of sizes rather than one absolute number. The truth is that there’s no such thing as the perfect length for every rider of the same weight/height. Once you’ve got a ballpark figure, your final decision needs to account for riding style, ability and fitness. 

With that in mind, let’s have a look at whether you’re better off going towards the longer or shorter end of the scale.

Benefits of More Length

Are you a powerful rider that likes railing turns down groomers, hitting big booters and drawing critical lines through the backcountry? These are all reasons to buy a longer snowboard. 

Longer snowboards are more stable at high speeds and boast a greater surface area than a shorter board of the same width, so they’ll float better in powder. An increase in running length also improves edge hold, which means you can carve more aggressively on hardpack. Last up, you’re less likely to sketch out on heavy landings because you have more nose and tail to lean into before falling over. 

The downside of a longer snowboard size is that they’re a little heavier, they take more effort to turn and they’re less easy to chuck spins.

Benefits of Less Length

If you're all about technical tricks in the park and street, or generally getting creative off every bump or side hit, then you’ll likely appreciate a shorter snowboard. 

Shorter snowboards will turn on a dime and are easier to throw around. With less nose and tail to flex, butters and presses are a breeze – so you can save your energy for hiking your favorite rail. Freestyle and park-focused snowboards tend to be shorter for all these reasons.

The main downsides of choosing a shorter snowboard size are that it will be less stable at high speed and won’t hold an edge as well in hard snow and ice.

Benefits of More Width

As mentioned above, there’s a growing trend towards slightly wider snowboards. In the past, increasing the waist dimensions could make a board feel plank-like, but it’s now possible to design wide models that are almost as lively and nimble as a standard width. 

The benefit is that wider boards offer more lift in powder and slush, and more power when they’re set on edge – which is awesome for carving. They’re less twitchy, too, so when it comes to freestyle you have a stable platform for launching and landing tricks. 

The downside of a wider snowboard size is that they’re slightly heavier and will still be a little less agile from edge to edge.