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Snowboards - Which one is best?

This article is to show you what goes into a snowboard and why it is sometimes worth it to spend a little more money. There are lots of good snowboards to choose from.

Fundamental Makeup of a Snowboard

The fundamental makeup of a snowboard is the same for all boards with some subtle aspects of snowboard design and construction that can make one board a couple of hundred dollars more than another.

How is a Snowboard Constructed?

Snowboards are constructed in several layers of material. On the bottom is a polyethylene running base commonly called P-Tex (a brand name). Wax needs to be applied to this layer to provide the slippery surface throughout the season. This is surrounded by steel edges so the board will dig into the snow while turning. Next is a layer of fiberglass reinforced plastic that provides stiffness to the board, followed by the core (usually wood or foam) which makes up most of the thickness. Another layer of fiberglass lays on top of the core, followed lastly by a protective plastic layer called a topsheet. This topsheet provides an excellent surface for graphics.

Make Sure You are Getting a Well-Made Snowboard

There are three main areas to consider when looking for a well-made snowboard. They are weight, torsional stiffness and vibration damping.

Weight of Snowboard

A lightweight board has several advantages. It is easier to handle during tricks; especially spinning tricks, not to mention it makes those lift rides a lot more pleasant! Along with most outdoor gear, lightness is one of the primary goals of higher-end boards, and the lighter the board - the higher the price. Stay away from entry level boards that weigh a ton.

Torsional Stiffness

In higher end boards, designers will often add additional torsional stiffness that increases the board's ability to carve during fast turns. If you are a beginner snowboarder and if you are aggressive, it would be worth your while to invest in a torsionally stiff board from the beginning.

Vibration Damping

Performance can be improved by adding materials to reduce the vibrations traveling through the snowboard. These vibrations are otherwise known as chatter. The vibration damping helps the most in chopped up snow. Most middle and high-end boards have some form of vibration damping with different levels of price increases.

Conclusion

There are many different types of snowboards available today. Make sure to keep this information in mind when choosing which snowboard to purchase. Sometimes the coolest looking snowboard isn't the best snowboard to buy.

 

 

 


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