Snowboarding Gear. Buy The Best. Learn Why The Fancy Graphics May Not Keep You Warm



Posted: Wednesday, September 15, 2010

by Joe Mac Millan

Snowboarding gear. When your sport takes you outside the one thought in your mind when it comes to equipment must be the word QUALITY.

Some people chose to play indoors and their equipment does not have the effects the sun and rain to contend with. But once you move to an outdoors sport the weather takes over.

First the sun. It has the ability to warm up the material in the clothing and then with sudden temperature drops the effect can be devastating to the clothing.

Ask your friends for advice when contemplating buying a snowboarding helmet. You want one that will give you not only great protection but ask about the field of vision. You want one that you can see what or who is coming at you from the sides. If you cannot see you will not be able to avoid collisions.

Raingear must work or you are going to be wet. Misery will follow as the water penetrates not only the so called leak proof clothing. Cheap clothing will keep you unhappy for the whole trip.

One of the most important points you must learn when buying snowboarding gear is that fancy graphics are not going to keep you warm or dry. Snowboarding equipment designers spend a fortune on graphic designs. They know that designs sell. But that alone will not

Staying warm and dry is a challenge. For the snowboarder, you must remember that while you are on the slopes you will generate plenty of heat so you want the clothes to be lightweight enough to keep you warm without retaining sweat. The clothing should breathe.

Once you hit the bottom and get aboard the chairlift you will need wind protection. You might suffer a bad chill if the clothing cannot retain the heat. Nothing can make you miserable quicker than shivering while sitting on the lift as the wind whistles through your cheap jacket or pants and the temperature sits at -30C or 30 degrees below zero.

The same rule also takes in your cap, gloves, pants and underclothing. Some clothing is made of special fibers that help to wick away moisture and also keep you warm. Their clothing line concentrates on the under layers as well. Layering clothing is very important when buying and using snowboarding gear. The idea being you put on what layer you need to be warm while snowboarding and put on a couple of layers when you stop to eat or rest.

Snowboarding boots must keep your feet warm and dry but at the end of the day your ankles will be screaming in pain if the boots have not protected them with the right support.

Finally we come to the snowboard. As you may know already, there are thousands of boards from which to choose. Your friends will know all about them. Failing that go to a snowboard shop for advice on the type that will suit you. You should avoid buying a board at any other shop except one that sells boards, skis, top quality outdoor equipment exclusively. They are apt to know more about boards than one that also sells tires.

As a general rule your snowboard should be as long as the distance from your chin to the floor. Do not make the decision by yourself.
Joe and Irma MacMillan have spent many years backpacking, skiing, and simply enjoying life in the mountains of British Columbia. Their website Whistler Outdoors is full of tips on snowboarding, camping, kayaking, rafting, camp cooking and fishing. They met on a blind date in 1957 and are still married. Take a look at their story here About us

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