What to do when your kid wants snowboard? What length and width to choose? All mountain, freestyle or freeride snowboard? How much should I pay? 50 or 150? A lot of questions arise before buying the right snowboard for your child. Here is our definitive guide to the best kids snowboards which answers all your questions.
I started with snowboarding pretty lately. I was over twenty-five when I tried snowboard for the first time. But nevertheless, I loved it so much from start. I did not care about falls, bumps, and bruises. Just one thing I regretted. I should start snowboarding much sooner. You can start snowboarding at any age, but starting as a kid gives you a big advance. The learning process at child age is much quicker and also falls are not so painful (as you fall from lower height). However, buying a snowboard for a kid is much harder than for an adult. Kids are still growing and can not articulate exactly what they need and want. Our guide to the best kids snowboards should help you.
Material of Snowboards
Snowboards are traditionally made from wood with aluminum edges. “Woodcore” snowboards are usually the most expensive. Sometimes, the wood is combined with carbon or glass fiber. Such snowboards are called “Fiberglass”. Woodcore and Fiberglass are synonyms of quality in the snowboard world.
Another version of snowboards replaces the wooden core with foam. Foamcore snowboards (sometimes Foam is combined with wooden straps) are cheaper and less quality.
However, if you are not absolutely sure that your kid will have the patience to learn snowboarding, Foamcore snowboard can be a reasonable and cheap choice.
OUR GUIDE TO BEST SKI JACKETS TO ALL WEATHER
Length of Snowboards for Kids
The most important decision you have to make when buying a kids’ snowboard is about the length. The easy rule of length says that snowboard should touch your chin. However, if you are a beginner the snowboard can be shorter. It is enough to touch your chest. Shorter snowboard gives you more control on turns and decreases the potential speed you can reach. Longer snowboards are suitable for advanced snowboarders.
The easy rule of length takes into account just the height of your kid. However, you should also consider his weight. Check the sizing table below for choosing the right length of snowboard for your kid.
SIZING TABLE FOR KIDS SNOWBOARDS
| Kids Height | Kids Weight | Snowboard Length |
| 40 in / 101 cm | 30 – 40 lb / 13 – 18 kg | 31 – 35 in / 80 – 90 cm |
| 45 in / 114 cm | 40 – 50 lb / 18 – 23 kg | 35 – 39 in / 90 – 100 cm |
| 50 in / 127 cm | 50 – 60 lb / 23 – 27 kg | 39 – 43 in / 100 -110 cm |
| 55 in / 140 cm | 60 – 80 lb / 27 – 36 kg | 43 – 49 in / 110 – 125 cm |
| 60 in / 152 cm | 80 – 100 lb / 36 – 45 kg | 49 – 53 in / 125 – 135 cm |
| 65 in / 165 cm | over 100 lb / 45 kg | 55 – 59 in / 140 – 150 cm |
Additionally, you should still keep in mind that shorter snowboard is better for beginners.
CHECK OUR EASY TO USE SNOWBOARD LENGTH CALCULATOR FOR ADULTS
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Lucky Bums Kids Plastic Snowboard | Echos 110cm Freeride Style Beginner's Kid's Snowboard | Grizzly Snow 126cm Deluxe Kid's Beginner Snowboard |
For first time snowboarder | Length 110 cm / 43 in | Length 126 cm / 49.6 in |
Width of Snowboards for Kids
The basic rule of width says that snowboard boots should hangover a little of the edges. The word “little” is very important as a bigger overhang of boots will result in contact between boots and snow during turns which will cause too many falls.
Snowboards are divided into three categories according to their width:
Narrow Width = 225 – 245 mm / 8.8 – 9.6 in
Regular Width = 246 – 254 mm / 9.6 – 10 in
Mid-Wide to Wide = 255 mm and more / 10 in and more
Narrow Width is suitable for Boots Size up to 7.5 (US Men’s) or 8.5 (US Women’s). So generally all kids snowboards are narrow in width. Just for info, Mid-Wide to Wide snowboards are for people with boots size over 10.5 (US Men’s)
What Type of Kids Snowboards
Snowboards are divided into three categories: All-Mountain, FreeRide, and FreeStyle. All Mountain is universal for every type of snowboarder. FreeRide is usually longer and faster. FreeStyle is usually shorter and slower.
It is hard to say what type of snowboarder your kid will be. Therefore, the best snowboard for beginners is All Mountain, but I usually look more at the length and flex of the snowboard than type.
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Burton Kids' After School Special Snowboard Package | Burton Kids Unisex Chopper | Burton Feel Good Smalls Snowboard Girls |
Size 100 cm | Size 120 cm | Size 140 cm |
The flex of Kids Snowboards
Softer Flex Snowboards are easier to turn, forgive you more mistakes, and is easily maneuvrable by lower weights. On another hand, Stiffer Flex snowboards are better for freeride and reaching a higher speed.
I would recommend a softer flex snowboard for kids and beginners.
Shoes and Bindings for Kids Snowboards
Choosing shoes and bindings for beginners and kids is a no-brainer. I tend to buy snowboard together with bindings. There is no reason to buy it separately and then looking for a ski service to put it together.
Buying shoes is a little different story as you have to pay attention to the size. Some people ask if soft or solid shoes are better. The answer for kids and beginners is absolutely clear. Go for soft snowboard shoes. Solid shoes are just for professional racers.
Features of Best Kids Snowboards
Now you know what you need for choosing the best kids’ snowboards. Well, you know the technical basis, but you know kids. Design and look are probably more important than the length or wooden core of their snowboards.
What makes snowboard really best in the eyes of a kid? The design. I found the “design your own graphics” feature recently and have just words of praise for it. Snowboard with a favorite cartoon character? Priceless.
| SUPRA HERO SNOWBOARD |
Summary
I love snowboarding even with starting late. Snowboarding is much more about freedom than skiing (And I like skiing too). You can start with a snowboard at every age. Choosing the right tools for snowboarding is very important. My definition of best kids snowboards is shorter, all-mountain, and softer flex. Then the love to snowboard and adventure can start. And do not forget a helmet for safety and warm pants as snowboarding usually starts with a lot of falls on butt and sitting.
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Lucky Bums Snow Sport Helmet | Giro Launch Combo Pack Snow Helmet + Googles - Kid's | Arctix Kids Snowsports Cargo Snow Pants with Articulated Knees |
CHECK ALSO OUR GUIDE TO BEST SKI AND SNOWBOARD GLOVES
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