Let’s just say it: snowboard sizing charts are helpful… until they’re not.
If you’re newer to snowboarding, following a size chart is smart. It gets you in the ballpark and avoids major mistakes (like buying a noodle meant for a kid). But once you start riding more? That’s when things get interesting.
We know plenty of advanced riders who break the rules completely—and they’re doing it on purpose.
Wait, aren’t size charts based on science?
Kind of. Most charts are based on your weight and maybe your height, but they don’t know a single thing about *how* you ride. Are you charging double blacks or lapping side hits? Riding pow in Japan or ice in Vermont? Do you want something nimble and playful, or stable enough to land a cliff drop without folding?
Size charts don’t factor any of that in. They’re just a rough starting point.
🎯 Quick Tip:
If you want a more tailored recommendation, our snowboard size calculator takes things like terrain, skill level, and boot size into account. Less guessing, more shredding.
How advanced riders break the rules
Once you’ve ridden a bunch of boards and know what you like, you start experimenting. Here’s how the sizing “rules” get bent or straight-up broken:
- Freeriders often size up for more stability and float in deep snow—even if it “looks too big” on paper.
- Park rats love to size down for quicker spins and rail control, even if it means sacrificing some float or edge hold.
- Carving addicts sometimes go wider than the chart suggests to really lean into euro carves without toe drag.
- Lightweight but strong riders might ride longer boards than the chart recommends because they’re aggressive and know how to handle them.
Bottom line: it’s not about what the chart says—it’s about what feels right under your feet.
But should you break the rules?
If you’re still figuring out what kind of rider you are, stick close to the recommended range. There’s no shame in that—it’s a solid place to start, and you’ll learn a lot just by riding more.
But if you’ve been riding a while, know what you like, and can clearly say “I want something stiffer, surfier, or more stable,” then yeah—bend those rules.
The trick is knowing what you're giving up. A longer board might float better, but it won't be as quick edge-to-edge. A shorter one might be playful, but it’ll get bucked in choppy snow. There’s always a tradeoff.
What we ride (and how we break the rules)
Between our crew, we’ve got folks riding everything from stubby powder shapes to 166cm big-mountain beasts. One of us (Marcus) is 5’7” and often rides a 159W—because float and speed matter more to him than what a chart says. Another has three boards that all size *below* their recommended length, just for max park fun. It all depends.
If we only followed the rules, we’d probably be a lot more boring. And slower.
Final Thoughts
Snowboard size charts are a great starting point—but they’re not gospel. Once you know what kind of rider you are, it’s totally fair to tweak your sizing. Just make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons—and not just because your friend’s setup “looks sick.” If in doubt, drop us an email.
