If you are a snowboarding enthusiast or professional rider, you know that having the right and suitable snowboard that will meet your needs and riding style is crucial. This is because your snowboard will become your most significant ally while you are at the slope out there.
With that being said, choosing the right snowboard that fits you would make your snowboarding performance much easier and fun, whether you are just embarking or a professional rider.
For this reason, when purchasing a new snowboard there are several factors that you need to keep in your mind besides the brand and design.
These factors, indeed, will be your game changer if you choose them well. That’s why a full understanding of the snowboard construction is essential. One of these determinants factors that we will be highlighting in this article is the overall weight of a snowboard.
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While the weight of the snowboard is interrelated with other factors like the size, width, and materials, we will be taking a brief look at each one of them for further understanding. One should note that the weight of the snowboard can be a great determinant of your performance and riding skills.
Table of Contents
How Much Does a Snowboard Weigh
The first thing that you will observe once you have a new snowboard in your hands is its weight. Is it heavy or lightweight? And depending on your answer, other factors will play a major role in determining that.
Usually, the best snowboards are made of advanced and modern core materials and fabrication methods and techniques in order to decrease and lessen the overall weight of the board while keeping its flex and durability.
While the basic structure of constructing a snowboard is mainly the same, different manufacturers and brands have a relatively diverse technique of making theirs. And this can either make looks or feels good on the terrain, or a total fail. For example, if you were to measure the performance of a lightweight snowboard, you will find out that lightweight boards are better in making pivots, spinning and more importantly in carrying it around with you.
With that being said, a snowboard weight can be measured depending on several aspects. To understand better these aspects, let’s have a look at each one of them:
Materials
Generally, average snowboard with incorporated bindings weighs between 9 to 15 lbs, depending. However, contemporary snowboard is becoming much lighter than the traditional ones thanks to the technological advancement in power materials.
Now it’s made possible to design and construct a snowboard that’s way lighter yet still maintains its high flex rating and its stiffness. Although boars are different in terms of styles and designs, they all contain the same basic construction element which includes wood, laminated fiberglass, plastic, wax, and metal.
Wood
Some of the snowboards are made of wood core in particular beech or poplar. Later on, the wood is set amid fiberglass. Usually, for modern wood, a lightweight snowboard will weigh up to 10 lbs.
Some also use Kevlar and aluminum in the construction of the snowboard cores, along with carbon fiber in order to reduce the weight. The best thing about carbon fiber is the fact that it is very lightweight yet very strong, allowing for higher stiffness.
Fiberglass
Today most snowboards are made of fiberglass alongside a wood core for stiffness and torsional strength. The best thing about fiberglass is its high level of vibrations absorbency offering a sleeker ride. The main core of using it is to add more structure and composition to the snowboard.
P-tex
When it comes to the base, it is usually made of a high-modulus porous plastic material known as P-tex. The P-Tex is heated and then immersed alongside the wax to produce a soft, hydrophobic facade.
Metal
When it comes to metal, it is commonly found at the edges of a snowboard which are normally adjusted to merely less than 90 degrees. In general, there are two kinds of edges:
- Partial steel: goes all the way to the side reaching the nose and the tail
- Full steel: covers all the way around at both edges of the snowboard.
The use of complete metal ends can be only seen in High-quality boards.
Snowboard Sizing
Like we have said before, in order to make the right choice when purchasing a new snowboard, it is better to take a look at the different aspects and factors available. In this section, we will briefly be talking about the snowboard sizing in terms of length and width and how these two factors can affect the overall weight of the snowboard.
Board Length
How do you choose the right snowboard length?
Your weight and style of riding are the key determinants of your snowboard length. Therefore, the length will vary accordingly. Getting yourself a board that will support your body weight when you are riding, will lessen your worries of losing control on the board.
So, for example, if a lighter rider gets himself a board that is too long, there is a high probability that he will have a hard time trying to manage, flex and spin the board to his movement. While if a heavier rider chooses a shortboard, he will find himself losing control of the loose board especially at a higher speed.
When it comes to your riding style, it is always better to scope down your snowboard for a lighter composition in order to be able to add more versatility and movement fluidity and shown off them kicks.
Check out this table below for further guidance on the standard snowboard length needed for an allotted rider’s weight. For an accurate reading, it is recommended that you always check your manufacturer specs on these factors. You can find them on the deck of your snowboard.
Snowboard Size table
| Weight of the rider in-lbs | Snowboard Size in centimeters | Snowboard Weight in lbs |
| 110–120 | 128–136 | Between 4.4 – 6.4 |
| 115–130 | 133–141 | Less than 6.5 |
| 125–135 | 139–147 | Less than 6.5 |
| 135–145 | 144–152 | Less than 6.5 |
| 140–155 | 149–157 | Between 6.5 – 8.8 |
| 150–165 | 154–162 | Between 6.5 – 8.8 |
| 160–175 | 159–167 | Between 6.5 – 8.8 |
| 170–185 | 160 plus | Between 7.7 – 9.9 |
| 180–195 | 160 plus | Between 7.7 – 9.9 |
| 190–205 | 160 plus | Between 7.7 – 9.9 |
Snowboard Width
This is one of the factors that usually goes overlooked while it is also another important determinant in getting a proper and fitting snowboard. The width of your board is usually measured within the center of your board and matching the size of your boot.
When we talk about the width and its waist we talk about accomplishing an ultimate edge command and preventing toe or heel non-resistant pull.
Depending on your feet/boot size, you can decide on the width of your snowboard. Usually, people with bigger feet size need a larger or wider snowboard, in order to be able to put pressure on the edge of the board without falling.
Nowadays, however, manufacturers are playing with the snowboarding design especially when it comes to width, adding volume shift board to their list. A volume shit boards are basically shorter and wider boards with difference up to 10cm. the volume shift can indirectly affect the overall weight of the board.
It is always a great idea to ask for more details regarding your board to see the most suitable one for you.
All in all the final weight of the board is usually measured after it is being pressed and trimmed out. Let me give you a full example of different parts of the board that are added to the overall weight. For a powder board with a length size around 165cm long and 25cm at the width waist, then the weigh measurement are the following:
- VDS rubber: 0.9 oz
- Base and edges together: 24 oz
- Core 3 lbs
- epoxy 1.5 lbs
- inserts
- glass
- PBT top sheet
- and other materials used for the overall structure
- The whole board weigh is about 7.7 lbs (3.5kg)
Snowboard Weight Examples
Rossignol XV Magtek
The Rossignol XV Magtek has been made for an energetic and powerful rider in big mountains and slopes. Not only that, it’s long been known for its speed and high-level performance. When it comes to construction, the Rossignol is indeed stiffer than you might think.
Yet, the tail can be somewhat softer than the nose. Despite having a greater width, it not quite pronounced compared to others. Nevertheless, The Magtek snowboard has excellent control over its edges even in harsh conditions.
Weight-wise: the Rossignol XV Magtek weighed about 6.61 lbs but weight alters from one board to another. You will be surprised as its lightweight feel despite falling under the heavyweight category.
K2 Party Platter
The new update K2 Party Platter gives a surfy ride feel with its volume shift board. Going longer on the length of the board, and wider on its width’s waist, this snowboard might be your new favorite board.
The Party Platter features a directional rocker shape with a particular focus on the nose area instead of the tail. In order to add that playful touch, you will notice a plethora of flex at both ends. Don’t be too aggressive on it though!
Weight-wise: the K2 Party Platter weighed about 10 pounds but weight alters from one board to another. This snowboard falls under the heavy category.
Jones Hovercraft
Characterized by a firm flex, the Jones Hovercraft is designed with a long nose and a somewhat larger waist width. For this snowboard, it is recommended that you ride it with a shorter length than your normal height since it has a wider width.
This is in order to be able to have full control and command on it while snowboarding. The Jones Hovercraft features a directional rocker shape, serves to build tangible raise in the fresh powder.
Weight-wise: the Jones Hovercraft weighed about 6.84 pounds.
Bataleon Magic Carpet
this snowboard is made for those freestyle rides since it gives much freedom of movement and plenty of flex. The Bataleon Magic Carpet will provide with new outlook prospect of powder riding. the snowboard features triple Base Technology (3BT) allowing for an accurate camber with a higher responsiveness rate.
you can throw off any side front to git the fresh powder and you are ready to show off some of your kickass skills. The snowboard spins and moves smoothly around the floor with hassle-free.
The light core of the new Bataleon Magic Carpet will amazingly lighten up the ride at the slope. However, it is recommended that you reduce the board length in compared to your usual height to make the best out of it.
Weight-wise: the Bataleon Magic Carpet weighed about 7 pounds but weight can alter from one board to another depending on the length of the board. There are about 4 sizes available that you can choose from.
Burton Custom X Snowboard
The Burton Custom X Snowboard is designed for aggressive riders. It offers you all the nice perks and features you will probably need more snowboard with an extra horsepower than expected.
This snowboard features a directional shape with a good camber profile for powerful shifts and flower accuracy, camber converses to the nucleus values of board composition. It provides a fair distribution of weight over the entire length of the board for a better grip and maneuver.
Moreover, the Burton Custom X Snowboard incorporates an FSC Certified Dragonfly 600G Cores made of end-grain high-quality woods to provide its users by exchange heavier woods for lighter weight varieties without sacrificing power and durability.
Weight-wise: the Burton Custom X Snowboard weighed about 7.47 pounds but weight can alter from one board to another depending on the size of the board.
Gnu Carbon Credit Wide
The GNU Carbon Credit is an original banana profile. The Carbon Credit has been desired as one of the smoother riding levels that unlock the gateway for improvement in all sorts of grounds. It is mainly designed for beginner level and for those who want to start their journey in the snowboarding world. It is an easy go-to pick for everyone. This is thanks to its flexing set that offers a surf feel paired with its Magne Traction edges that provide you the loose sense float of a rocker type snowboard and which includes several contact points for a stronger edge control on harsh terrains.
An Eco Extruded Base provides it with a powerful and strong base that is simple to control. This special design emphasizes a broader waist width to support those riders who have a shoe size bigger than an 11(USA)
Weight-wise: the GNU Carbon Credit weighed about 9 pounds but weight can alter from one board to another depending on the length of the board. This snowboard also falls under the heavy category.
Nitro T1 snowboard
With 17-year park domination, the Nitro T1 snowboard is a true belief of performance enhancement. This deck features a directional twin shape with cam out camber profile that provides a playful feeling. With a rocked tail, the board has an aggressive camber bend for a powerful ride.
The Nitro T1 provides a broader waist width to support those rides who have bigger shoe sizes while its Double Degressive side cut enables the snowboard to perform like a typical width deck in order not to lose any edge-to-edge experience.
Weight-wise: the Nitro T1 weighed about 7 pounds but weight can change from one snowboard to another depending on the size of the board available on the market. This snowboard has about 5 different sizes you can choose from. Available only in one color
Jones Mountain Twin Wide
The Jones Mountain Twin Wide is ready to take on any sort of terrain to show off them freestyle powder kicks.
Jones Mountain snowboard features a directional twin shape allowing it to navigate the entire mountain with heavy powder.
Jones’ Mountain main highlights are its a dual-density wood core made with bamboo stringers that are displayed from contact points to the tail allowing for more energy and strength.
Weight-wise: the Jones Mountain Twin Wide weighed about 7.47 pounds. The overall weight can alter depending on the size available.
Conclusion
You can check out our other snowboarding articles here.
Hopefully, by now, you will able to recognize the different factors that can alter the overall weight of your snowboard. This guideline served to highlight the different aspects that need to be taken into consideration when purchasing a new snowboard with weight in mind.
These factors, as we have previously mentioned in the above sections will help you to determine what kind of a snowboard will be suitable for your size. Not only for your size but also a snowboard that can your style of riding.
