What You Need to Go Snowboarding

Generally, the ideal way of clothing for any winter activity is to dress in layers. This is because dressing in layers allows you to adapt to sudden changes in temperature by shedding a layer, and prepares you for the times you will find yourself overheating. For most winter sports, the three-layer system works great: the base layer, second layer, and the outer layer.

The first layer is the base layer which consists of underwear and socks. This Snowboarding Clothing traps warmth against your body while keeping moisture away from your skin. The middle layer consists of general clothing or a fleece jacket. This layer provides extra insulation and transfers moisture towards the outer layer. The outer layer protects your body against wind and rain and expels moisture.

What follows are basic guidelines on what Snowboarding Clothing to wear and why you should wear It.

Base Layer

This is the first layer of clothing that comes next to the skin. Pieces of Snowboard Gear for the base layer are designed to conserve body heat and keep you warm and dry. Synthetic materials like polypropylene are the most suitable for drawing moisture away from the body as well as keep you warm. Keep in mind that the base layer should cover you from head to toe Also, stay away from cotton. Once cotton gets wet, its insulation capacities are lost, and it stays wet.

Thermal Body Shirt Depending on the temperature, you will want to use thermal or polypropylene underwear as a first level of clothing Thermal Underwear Thermal underwear is the best apparel to use as a first level of clothing. Snowboarding Socks The most important inner layer and the key to a good boot fit are socks. This Snowboard Gear is essential to keep your feet warm, dry, comfortable, and padded against hard impacts.

Second Layer

Also known as the second layer, the middle layer serves as the insulation layer. The pieces of Snowboarding Clothing for this layer are made of materials designed to trap warm air next to your body as you ride, and transfer moisture towards the outer layer. Wool and fleece are the best materials to use here. Fleece is a great choice since it is lightweight and is able to breathe. You can put the middle layer on or off depending on the temperature and the amount of activity you perform.

Fleece Jackets or Sweater As a second layer you will want a Fleece or a Wool sweater. The fleece is the key component to remaining warm since it is lightweight and is able to 'breathe'. Thermal Pants On top of your base layer put on your Snowboarding Pants. A good pair of Snowboard Pants should keep you warm and dry and should have basic padding on the knees and the rear that will prevent melting snow from seeping through. Snowboard Boots These are special boots that will work together with your Snowboard Bindings to keep your body connected to your board.

Finishing the Basics

The outer layer serves as the barrier between you and the winter mountain environment. With all of your heat inside the inner two layers, the Snowboarding Clothing for the outer layer should allow moisture vapor out, and still maintain an effective barrier in keeping snow and water out. It is also important that this layer has the ability to breathe to allow heat from perspiration to escape from the inner layers of clothing. Basically, wear windproof and waterproof apparel that is also breathable.

Beanie, Hat or Helmet Do not expose your head and ears to extremely low temperatures, protect them with a comfortable hat or beanie. Snowboarding Goggles Protect your eyes from UV rays, snow, wind, ice, and tree branches with Snowboarding Goggles. Snowboarding Jacket Finish off your upper body layering with a water repellant and windproof jacket or top shell. Make sure that the fabric for this Snowboard Gear is also breathable. A Snowboard The focal point of Snowboarding: The Snowboard. There are Three Different Types of Snowboards available on the market today: Freestyle, Freeride (All Mountain), and Alpine (Carving) Boards. Snowboard Bindings Attach your boots to your Snowboard through sturdy Bindings. Gloves Protect your hands from snow, ice and impacts with padded gloves - preferably those that are designed for snowboarding. Choose gloves that are durable, waterproof, and have fleece or other synthetic-based insulated glove liners.