The width of the snowboard is one of the key factors that determine the skiing experience. Depending on different skiing styles and personal needs, the ideal width will vary. We can understand the choice of the best ski width from two common perspectives:

School of thought #1: The best width for you is where your boots overhang on both the heel edge and toe edge by anywhere between 1 & 2 centimeters (1/4 to 3/4 inch).

School of thought #2: The best width for you is when your feet are roughly exactly the width of the board at the inserts (where the feet will be on the board – i.e. where the bindings are) or a little over. In other words, in bare feet your heel would be right on the heel edge and your toes right on the toe edge (at your binding angles).

It should also be noted that this should be measured using the “underside of the board” as this is the side of the board that makes contact with the snow. The top side of the board is typically narrower due to the angle on the edges of a snowboard.

So which one is correct?

Both!

Yes they are actually both right and are actually essentially the same thing. This is because when your feet take up the width of the board edge-to-edge then your boots are likely to hang over 1-2cm (1/4 to 3/4 inches) on both heel and toe side (for a total of 2-4cm of difference between foot length and boot length) – depending on the profile of the boots.

Why Does Width Matter?

School of thought number 2 suggests that the feet should be edge to edge (or a little over) as it is your feet that apply pressure to the edges when you’re turning the board.

Whilst there is a bit of leeway (a little bit inside the edges and you won’t notice it at all), if your feet are too small for the board (i.e. don’t reach the edges) then it is going to be harder to apply pressure to the edges which will make turn initiation more arduous and the board will feel heavy and less responsive.

NOTE: People who are lighter in weight will notice this even more if they are too far inside the edges. People who weight more won’t be as effected by this as they have more force to apply pressure with.

But too much overhang would violate school of thought number 1. The reason there is an upper limit on the overhang in school of thought 1 is that too much overhang and you risk dragging a boot in the snow on hard turns – obviously not what you want!

While differences between brands and models may affect accuracy, the following basic reference chart can help you roughly choose the right snowboard width.

After understanding the importance of snowboard width, choosing a width that suits your skiing style and needs can greatly improve your skiing experience! If you have any ideas, please feel free to communicate with us.

Excerpt from

https://snowboardingprofiles.com/how-important-is-snowboard-width-sizing-and-how-do-i-get-it-right

Last Updated: December 12, 2023 by Nate