There are a lot of snowboard brands out there. Finding one that is best for you can seem like a daunting task, especially if you are new to the sport.
Professional sportsmen and women get paid an obscene amount of cash to promote brands. Snowboarding is no different! Are the companies sponsoring professionals really the best snowboard brands?
So, when choosing your board, it’s important take in other factors. Not just what the current trend is or which board has the sickest graphics.
Snowboarding Style and Sizing
Sorry lads, size does matter! Length and width are an important factor when buying a snowboard. A general rule of thumb when buying a board, is to stand it on its tail.
If the height is between your chin and nose, the board is the size you are looking for. Although manufacturers advise it is best to use a chart to determine which bored for your size and weight.
The type of snowboard you choose is also especially important.
All-Mountain Snowboards
The most popular type, it can be used anywhere on the mountain. This versatile board is great for beginners due to the stability it provides. The nose is generally fatter than the tail but can be ridden either way.
Freestyle Snowboards
The board choice for riders who want to show off some moves. These small, flexible boards are not recommended for traveling fast.
Freeride Snowboards
This board is polar to the freestyle. Designed for high speed and cleaner turns but not suitable for tricks.
Powder Snowboards
For riders who prefer cruising down the soft snow only.
Snowboard Stiffness
The stiffness of a board is another factor which you should take into consideration. Soft boards are generally more geared towards beginners. This is due to the fact they are slower and easier to control than stiffer boards. You can assess the stiffness by a scale of 1 to 10. The latter being the hardest.
These factors, as well as the camber and width of a board, will all play a part in which snowboard brand you end up choosing.
For guidance in choosing your ideal snowboard style and size, check out our snowboard size chart.
Top 8 Snowboard Brands
Here is a breakdown of what we believe are the best 8 snowboard brands currently around. These are in no particular order, as we believe the best brand for one person may not be the best for someone else, however if you decide on one these snowboard brands you can't go wrong.
Burton
Burton is to snowboard brands as Ferrari is to cars. The top 3 most expensive boards ever sold are all Burton’s. One of which reached a whopping $31k at auction! Not that every Burton snowboard will cost this much, but they are on the expensive side.
Established in 1977 by Jake Burton Carpenter, he was inspired by the first snowboard prototype, built a few years earlier. He built Burton over the years to make it the powerhouse it is today.
Synonymous with snowboarding, some of the sport’s top echelon like Shawn White and Kelly Clark use their equipment.
The snowboards are now also being made Eco-friendly.
Ride
Awesome boards with sick graphics at an affordable price.
Ride is made for the everyday boarder and it’s hard to find anyone who doesn’t have a good thing to say about the brand.
These boards are extremely lightweight with a membrane top sheet. Like Burton, they care about the environment with all the boards being built sustainably.
Rome
A company which grew out of a sheer passion for snowboarding. Paul Maravets and Josh Reid loved boarding in high school in the 80’s. Fast forward to 2000 when make their first board and turned their passion into a business.
Rome has branched out and now sells apparel along with the boards.
Known as one of the snowboard brands who go out of their way for customers, their passion has been ingrained into their business.
Not to mention the boards are also sick! They are known for their durability and control.
Gnu
Known as one of the top snowboard brands for years, these classic boards have been around since 1977.
These asymmetrical designed boards are generally marketed towards the more serious boarders. So, are held in high regard by both pro’s and hardcore riders, alike.
Salomon
Originally a ski company, this new kid on the block was soon competing with the best snowboard brands.
They are now known as one of the top snowboard brands for the split board. This unconventional snowboard splits in two, making it logistically easier for the rider. One of their models even splits into 4 parts!
They are also known as selling some of the best snowboarding apparel such as boots.
Jones Snowboards
Only 10 years old but well established in the world of snowboard brands. Their all mountain boards have received several awards.
The company was founded by snowboarding legend Jeremy Jones, who has clearly used his experience to give the boards a touch of excellence.
Impressive as that may be, Jeremy is also the President of a charity, Protect Our Winters. The goal of which is to reduce our impact on the environment.
Public Snowboards
Founded by pro boarder Joe Sexton, this company is one which truly listens to its customers.
Compared to other snowboard brands, Public Snowboarders will listen to feedback and use this to adjust and deliver on their products. This approach means they are constantly improving and developing boards to give riders a better experience.
Concentrating on quality not quantity, they do not have as many products as the other top snowboard brands. Although, they are a bit cheaper than most.
Lib Tech
"Best boards out there hands down, no question, not even a competition. Used to ride a Burton board then switched to a Lib Tech when I got older and better."
Last on our list of top snowboarding brands, but my no means the least! Once you go Lib Tech you won’t go back! This brand has a loyal fan base, as shown above, and for good reason.
They took the snowboarding world by storm when they brought out the Skate Banana. Every year, this innovative company brings out different shapes and blends in their boards. Constantly pushing the boundaries to master the perfect board.
The boards are all built and designed in the USA in an environmentally manner.
Choosing the Best Snowboard Brand for Your Riding Style
Getting to know to best snowboard brands is a great way to know if you will be getting your money’s worth. The more popular brands on the market are well tried and tested by other riders. So, you should know what to expect.
The best snowboard brand for one person might not be for another.
They each have different selling points. So, find what it is you most want from your board and decide which snowboard brand can offer that.