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Having a snow-related hobby can be a great booster for a change of scenery from sunny and dry to sunny and pearly white! No matter if you’re going to a domestic location or somewhere abroad, winter sports are sure to bring some good times and much-needed excitement!
Still, as fun as they are, they can also be dangerous if you’re not properly prepared. Take snowboarding as an example. Great for those who love themselves some speed and an adrenaline rush, it can take quite a bad turn if you don’t know what you’re doing. There’s a reason it’s categorised as an extreme sport, after all!
To make sure your snowboarding trip is everything you had in mind (and more!) you’ll need to do a bit of prep. We’re sure you already picked out your board, whether that’s a powder snowboard to cut through snow clouds or another type of board, but what about the other essentials? Are they up to par?
Here’s our list of crucial snowboarding equipment and how to make sure you have something quality-made that will help you conquer the slopes while staying safe!
Pick the Right Bindings to Protect Your Joints
As women, our joints and ligaments tend to be much more flexible. This can be a good thing, but it can also bring some hardships with it. For example, because of this increased mobility and laxness, we may end up with foot injuries, ankle sprains, strains or fractures, and overall pain in the region more easily than our male counterparts.
Having this in mind, we’re talking about snowboard bindings first. You’ll need to buy women’s snowboarding bindings specifically so you can make sure they fit right and offer proper support. Just like clothing, bindings for women differ from those for men, so having a pair that’s made for your anatomy is crucial.
Firstly, you’ll need to figure out what kind of flex you’d like in your bindings. This depends heavily on your riding style and your snowboarding boots. We’ll assume you already have a pair that suits you best, so you have a starting point. Make sure your bindings are compatible with your boots and allow you enough of both flex and sturdiness for a comfortable, safe ride.
When talking about compatibility, we mean correspondence between the type of boot and the type of flex the binding offers. For example, it would make no sense if your boots are soft and allow for more movement, but your bindings are stiff. Instead, try to match.
Next, you’ll need the proper binding size. There are different styles of women’s snowboarding bindings, like strap-in, step-on, or rear-entry. No matter which one you opt for, you’ll definitely need them to be in the right size. This will ensure your foot feels comfortable in both the boot and the binding and you can spend as much time as you’d like snowboarding safely.
Most manufacturers have sizing guides on their websites, so you can check your boots and make sure you’re getting the right size. Your binding should fit your boot snuggly, but not tightly, and it should also allow it room for movement, but never let it sway this way or that. Bindings are usually adjustable, so you’ll be able to centre the binding over your boot for maximum compatibility, but only if you get the right size.
Lastly, your bindings need to be compatible with your board as well, so make sure that’s the case before you buy them. You can mix and match snowboards and bindings, so this should be a fairly easy thing to do.
Proper Clothing Will Keep You Dry and Warm
Staying warm but still having enough room to move around freely is something very important you’ll need to keep in mind when choosing your clothes. Still assuming you have your proper snowboarding boots, you’ll need a good pair of snow pants and a quality jacket to go along with them.
When buying pants and a jacket, make sure you take into account the fact that you’ll be wearing layers underneath them, so don’t get something that fits you well while you’re just wearing a t-shirt underneath.
You’ll need bulky clothing that will keep you warm and dry underneath your pants and jacket, so go a size up. Still, be careful to not pick something overly loose, as this will affect your riding, comfort, and warmth. You want something that fits snugly, doesn’t let any cold air in, but still has good ventilation and allows free movement.
There are many brands that sell jackets and pants that can be connected together for maximum protection, so consider getting such items. This will ensure none of you is exposed to the cold air and snow, and also that everything stays neatly in place.
The clothes you wear underneath your jacket and snow pants need to be both breathable and waterproof, so pick something that’s made out of a material that will take care of both these aspects while still keeping you warm!
Finish Up with the Right Accessories
A helmet, wrist guards, a good pair of snow goggles, quality snow gloves, a warm beanie, quality socks – these are all accessories you’ll need to make sure you’ve rounded up your look and you’re really ready to take on the slopes!
You need to make sure your accessories are quality-made. The easiest way to go about this is to buy them at the same place you’re getting your jacket, snow pants, and even your snowboard and bindings. Brand name stuff is probably your best choice as you want something that will last for quite a while, will be able to take a hit if necessary, will keep you warm and dry, and will not restrict movement or make you feel uncomfortable. Brands that specialise in sportswear usually have merchandise that ticks all of these boxes, so we’d recommend going with them.
Once again, make sure you have a snug, but not overly tight fit, and make sure the sizing is correct. You don’t want your beanie flying off or your helmet moving around, not to mention having your feet wet and cold because your socks aren’t up to par!
Take your accessories seriously and remember that they’re all as important as the main pieces of your snowboarding gear. The secret is always in the details!
To Wrap Up
We’re sure that by having all of these items, and having them fit just right, you’ll have nothing but fun on your next trip to the snowy mountains!
Don’t let all this safety talk curb your enthusiasm about your hobby! The most important thing is for you to have the time of your life and having the proper gear will help you achieve just that!
Stay warm, stay safe, and enjoy the rush! Your rosy cheeks after a good ride will say everything worth knowing!
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