Who says there’s a perfect day to hit the slopes than now? As a thrill-seeker standing at 5’6″, you surely want the right snowboard that complements your height. This article guides you through everything you need to know about finding the perfect sized snowboard that fits a 5’6″ height, ensuring that your enjoyable snowboarding experience is enhanced by getting a sure footing on your board. Get a sneak peek into measures that match your stature and skill level, ensuring your ride down the snow-packed slopes is anything but mundane. So, strap in and get ready to tackle the mountains with the right gear!
Snowboarding is an exciting and adrenaline-inducing sport, but for you to truly enjoy and excel at it, you must understand the basic aspects of your equipment. One of the most essential elements to consider is your snowboard size.
The importance of getting the right snowboard size
Getting the right snowboard size for your height, weight, and riding style significantly influences your performance on the slope. An accurately sized snowboard will help you maneuver easily and offer you balance, control, and speed. On the other hand, a snowboard that is too big or too small could end up ruining your experience and could even pose a potential risk of injury.
How snowboard sizes are determined
Snowboard sizes are primarily determined by the rider’s height and weight. Other factors that are taken into account include boot size, riding style, and the type of terrain you’ll be riding on.
General Rule of Thumb for Snowboard Sizes
Given the multiple components that come into play, how do you choose the appropriate size for your snowboard? There’s a general guideline that you can follow.
Traditional snowboard size chart
Traditionally, the right size of a snowboard is determined by standing the board on its tail and making sure it touches between the chin and the nose. However, this rule has become outdated due to advancements in technology and changes in riding styles.
Variation of sizes according to individual factors
The size chart varies based on individual factors such as weight, snowboarding style, gender, and skill level. For example, if you’re a more aggressive rider, you may want a longer board for heightened stability and speed.
Specific Snowboard Size for 5’6 Height
For riders with a height of 5’6″, choosing the right snowboard can make a significant difference in their performance on the slopes.
Ideal range for 5’6 snowboarders
For someone who stands at 5’6″, the ideal snowboard length should fall roughly between 145 and 152 cm. This range allows for optimal control, maneuverability, and stability when going downhill.
Considering weight and snowboarding style
However, weight and snowboarding style should also be considered for 5’6″ riders. Heavier riders might want a longer board for added support, while lighter riders could benefit from shorter ones for better maneuverability. Similarly, freestyle riders often prefer shorter boards, while freeriders and powder hounds might go for longer boards.
Consideration of Rider Weight
Your weight is another crucial factor when choosing a snowboard. Too light for a heavy board, and you’ll struggle with turning, and similarly, too heavy for a lighter board and you’ll lose control.
Why rider’s weight matters in choosing a snowboard
Manufacturers design snowboards taking into account the pressure that will be applied by the rider’s weight. The size and flex of a snowboard are decided accordingly to accommodate different weight ranges.
Weight-to-board size ratio
A proper weight-to-board size ratio ensures that the board bends appropriately when you make turns, allowing for smoother rides and better control.
Checking Snowboard Width
It’s not just the length; the width of the snowboard is also important.
Why snowboard width is significant
Snowboard width influences your control and balance while snowboarding. A snowboard that is too narrow relative to your boot size will cause ‘toe drag’ or ‘heel drag,’ hindering your ability to make smooth turns.
Ensuring proper boot size to snowboard width
As a rule of thumb, when your snowboarding boots are mounted on the snowboard in your natural stance, they should not hang over the edge by more than half an inch.
Type of Snowboarding
The type of snowboarding you prefer also changes the ideal size of your snowboard.
Size differences based on riding style and terrain
Freestylers and park riders often go for shorter boards to execute tricks more naturally, while freeriders and powder lovers usually choose a longer board for better flotation and stability at high speeds. All-mountain riders might prefer a board somewhere in the middle.
Choosing the right size for freestyle, all-mountain, and freeride snowboarding
Keep in mind that the right size for each style also depends on your individual preference and comfort level.
Importance of Skill Level
The better you get at snowboarding, the more likely your preferred board size might change.
How skill level affects snowboard size
Beginners often prefer shorter boards for easier control, while more experienced riders might choose longer boards for better stability and speed. The flex also changes depending on the skill level, with softer boards being ideal for beginners and stiffer ones for advanced riders.
Beginner, intermediate, and advanced level sizes
While starting your snowboarding journey, you may want to lean towards the shorter end of your size range. As you progress, you can experiment with longer sizes.
Women vs. Men Snowboard Sizes
Women’s and men’s snowboards are not the same, and the sizes also vary.
Gender-specific snowboards
The main difference is the width and flex of the boards. Women’s boards are generally narrower as women on average have smaller feet than men, and they also have softer flexes to accommodate the typically lighter weight.
Size differences between women’s and men’s snowboards
While a 5’6″ man and woman might have the same recommended length range, the specific models designed for each gender will differ in terms of flex and width.
Recommendation for 5’6 Snowboarders
Finding the right snowboard can be a bit of a journey, but some brands come highly recommended for 5’6″ riders.
Top snowboard brands for 5’6 riders
Brands like Burton, Salomon, and Capita produce consistently great boards that fit in the recommended size range for 5’6″ riders.
Reviews and feedback from 5’6 snowboarders
Don’t just take our word for it. Check out reviews and feedback from other 5’6″ snowboarders. It could provide you valuable insight on individual board models.
Troubleshooting Snowboard Size Issues
If you’ve got your board, but something doesn’t feel right, don’t worry.
Common problems with inadequate snowboard size
You might experience problems in maneuvering, turning, or maintaining speed if your snowboard size is off. It might also feel too heavy or too light.
How to resolve size issues
First, verify if your snowboard size aligns with your height, weight, skill level, and riding style. If all these are aligned, then the issue might be with the board’s flex or binding settings. Remember that snowboarding is all about comfort and control, so make sure your board is offering you both.
Hello, we're part of the editorial team, alongside Jamie. We're absolutely thrilled to be sharing our expertise, reviews and useful outdoor tips with you.
