The Snowboard Shop

What is the Correct Length?

Snowboards come in lots of Lengths and choosing the correct length for you is important. Snowboard Length is measured in centimeters and are generally available from around 130 - 170cm. Quite often this measurement is shortened in board descriptions, for example a Atomic Hatchet 156 cm long could either be listed as 'Atomic Hatchet 156' or 'Atomic Hatchet 56'.

The length of board you choose should be based on the following three factors:

Your Weight, Your Height and the Terrain you want to use the board on.

Weight:

All Snowboard manufacturers have guidelines on what weight is best on what length of board. Usually this is written in either Pounds or Kilograms.

Here is a weight conversion chart between Stone Kilograms and Pounds:

1 stone = 14 pounds = 6.350 kilograms
2 stone = 28 pounds = 12.700 kilograms
3 stone = 42 pounds = 19.051 kilograms
4 stone = 56 pounds = 25.401 kilograms
5 stone = 70 pounds = 31.751 kilograms
6 stone = 84 pounds = 38.102 kilograms
7 stone = 98 pounds = 44.452 kilograms
8 stone = 112 pounds = 50.802 kilograms
9 stone = 126 pounds = 57.152 kilograms
10 stone = 140 pounds = 63.503 kilograms
11 stone = 154 pounds = 69.853 kilograms
12 stone = 168 pounds = 76.204 kilograms
13 stone = 182 pounds = 82.554 kilograms
14 stone = 196 pounds = 88.904 kilograms
15 stone = 210 pounds = 95.254 kilograms
16 stone = 224 pounds = 101.604 kilograms

When you have converted your weight into pounds or kilograms check on the board statistics page to determine which length you can consider. Remember these are only guidelines and some of the snowboard manufactures have really wide weight brackets which will allow you to ride lots of differing lengths. You can also consider your own height and pairing it with your weight will give you a better guide.

Height:

Historically this was how people gauged what length of snowboard you should be riding and although measuring your weight is more important, measuring your height (or rather holding the board up against you) can give you an idea of what length your should be riding. Typically, if your stand up and hold the snowboard in front of you you want the tip of the snowboard to come up between you chin and you eyes. This is more accurate if you are in body proportion, if you are heavier than you should be for your height then you can go a little longer and if your are lighter than your should be for your height then you can go a little shorter. Again, this is only a guideline and you should consider the terrain you want to ride as this can also affect your choice of snowboard length.

Terrain:

Typically if your are a park rider then you can choose a shorter board if you want a more freeride orientated board then you can go for a longer board.

As an example, I am 5'9" and 10.5 Stone. The board I normally use on the mountain is a 156 or 157. I also have a shorter board that I use in the park and in the UK Snowdomes and Dry Slope and that is a 153. If I was to buy a freeride board I would go to 160.

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