Kids' Snowboarding Gear

Understand boot flex

• Soft flex boots are comfortable and easy on your feet; they're ideal for beginners or recreational riders.
• Medium flex boots balance mobility and support for all-mountain performance and comfort.
• Stiff flex boots offer maximum support for edge power and control at high speeds; ideal for freeriders and advanced riders.

Match riding style to flex

• Many all-mountain riders will gravitate toward more flexible boots. For fast, aggressive riding, go with stiffer boots.
• Freeriders place a premium on speed and precision, so stiffer boots are preferred. This rigidity helps generate edge power across icy, firm snow.
• Freestyle: Maneuverability and quick responses are vital to the park experience, so softer, more flexible boots are a good choice.

Find a good fit

A good fit starts with purchasing the right size boot. Snowboard boots typically use standard U.S. sizing.

How to size a ski or snowboard helmet

• Helmets should fit comfortably and sit correctly on your head for the best protection.

• If possible, try helmets on in-person at your local REI store to find one that feels most comfortable.
• To find your size, measure your head circumference. Wrap a tape measure around your head, just above the ears and about 1" above your eyebrows. Consult the sizing chart for different brands to find the right size.

Key features to consider:

• Vents let cool air in and warm sweaty air out. Adjustable levers let you fine-tune airflow on the go.
• Liners: Customize warmth by adjusting liners or ear pads. Some removable liners can be washed.
• Audio: Helmets with built-in speakers let you listen to music.
• Googles compatibility: Make sure the helmet fits snugly to the top of the goggles, but not so low that it hinders vision or pushes down the goggles. There should be no gap between the top of your goggles and the helmet.

Happy riding!

Understand lens shapes

• Cylindrical lenses curve horizontally but are flat vertically. They're more affordable but may cause more glare and slightly limit peripheral vision.
• Spherical lenses curve both horizontally and vertically, offering better peripheral vision, less distortion and less glare. They cost more than cylindrical lenses.
• Toric lenses also curve in both directions, but with a subtler vertical curve. They offer improved optical clarity and reduced distortion—at a higher price point.

Lens tint and visible light transmission (VLT)

VLT refers to the percentage of light that passes through the lens and reaches your eyes.

• Bright sunny conditions: Look for a low light transmission (less than 25%).
• Partly cloudy conditions: Aim for light transmission between 25%-50%.
• Overcast, stormy or low-light conditions: Look for 50% or higher light transmission.
• Night riding: Use clear goggles or lenses with 80%-100% light transmission

Other features to consider:

• Many higher-end goggles come with two lenses—one for low light and one for bright conditions
• Interchangeable lenses let you swap lenses easily.
• Photochromic lenses automatically lighten or darken depending changing light though there is a lag time.