Did you know that snowboarders are 50-70% more likely to get injured than skiers? That’s not meant to put you off snowboarding. In fact, snowboarding injuries are 33% less likely to be fatal than skiing injuries.
But learning how to dress for snowboarding, in particular, can help you stay warm, dry, comfortable, and safe on the slopes. And it can help you look cool, too!
This guide shows you exactly what you need to dress for snowboarding. And once you’ve invested in the right snowboarding gear, you can stop worrying about what you’re wearing and focus on shredding that powder.
Snowboarding Jackets
Let’s start with the outer layers and work inwards. One of the best snowboarding tips anyone can give you choose clothing that boasts these three qualities:
- Waterproof
- Warm
- Breathable
You may prefer shell snowboarding jackets over insulated ones. These are waterproof but they don’t offer a lot of warmth, so you’ll need a thick fleece underneath.
Most people will want a winter snow jacket that offers either synthetic or down insulation too. Gore-Tex is a fantastic, waterproof material for snowboarding jackets. And always choose jackets with 100% taped seams.
Snowboarding Pants
To create a cohesive look, you will likely want to buy snowboarding pants that match your jacket. They need to be comfortable enough for you to move around in them and have pockets so you can store your essentials.
Don’t be afraid of choosing bright colors and bold patterns for your outer snowboarding gear. It will be easier for your friends to spot you on the slopes which is a great safety feature.
Snowboarding Helmet
If you’re a beginner and you want to know how to dress for snowboarding, you should wear a helmet. You fall a lot when you are learning and it’s surprising how hard snow can feel when you slam into it.
In reality, every snowboarder should wear a helmet. There are rocks, rails, and other hazards on every slope.
Other Snowboarding Layers
The key to dressing for snowboarding is layers. One day of your snowboarding trip might be warmer or colder than the others, so you will want to add and take away layers as needed.
Here are the layers you need:
- Socks
- Base layer top
- Base layer bottoms
- Mid layer top (thin hoodie)
- Thermal underwear (optional)
Merino wool is a great material for base layers because it regulates your body temperature (warmth) and is moisture-wicking (dry). Only wear one pair of good socks because two pairs will reduce breathability and might cause blisters.
Other Snowboarding Accessories
You’re almost dressed, but you will also need to wear these snowboarding accessories:
- Goggles
- Buff
- Gloves
Goggles protect your eyes from snow and UV rays. They’re better than sunglasses because they won’t fly off mid-shred. Buffs will stop the wind rattling your teeth, and waterproof gloves keep your hands warm and dry.
Now You Know How to Dress for Snowboarding
If you’re new to winter sports, it’s understandable that you don’t know how to dress for snowboarding. But now you know, you can head to the slopes in style and nail those beginner lessons.
Want to learn more winter sports tips? Check out our website for tons of sporting guides and advice!
