Snowboarding Gear - What you need to go Snowboarding

This section provides you with a list of the Basic Snowboard Gear that you will need for this winter sport. Wearing the right apparel would enable you to perform various Snowboarding Styles and Snowboard Tricks better for a longer period of time.
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 from pushing your endurance to limits. The keys to a successful layering system, in order of importance, are warmth, weight, moisture management and packing the right number of layers.

For most winter sports, the three-layer system is applicable: the base or inner layer, the middle or second layer, and the outer layer.The first layer is the base layer which consists of underwear and socks. Also known as the inner layer, this Snowboarding Clothing traps warmth against your body while 'wicking' 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. On the other hand, the outer layer protects your body against wind and rain and expels excess moisture.

What follows are basic guidelines on what Snowboarding Clothes to wear and why you should wear It. For a quick link to the particular Snowboarding item of your choice, click the links at the bottom of each type of Snowboard Gear:

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. The best materials for the base layer are space age wicking materials that draw moisture away from the body as well as keep you warm. Synthetic materials like polypropylene are the most suitable for this purpose.
Although wool combinations also work well, they aren't comfortable unless you have a high itch tolerance. Keep in mind that the base layer should cover you from head to toe (i.e. comprising of a long-sleeved top, socks and full-length leggings or long johns). Also, stay away from cotton. Once cotton gets wet, its insulation capacities are lost, and thus it stays wet.

1. Thermal Body Shirt
Depending on the temperature (be sure to check this) you will want to use thermal or polypropylene underwear as a first level of clothing. This Snowboarding Apparel will keep you warm and dry by wicking moisture away from the skin and transferring it to the next layer. When buying a thermal body shirt, be sure that it has long sleeves.

2, Thermal Underwear
Thermal underwear is the best apparel to use as a first level of clothing. Polypropylene thermal underwear is readily available and does not scratch.

3. 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. Choose thinner snowboard socks over thicker ones. Thin, synthetic socks are a good choice since soft
boots already incorporate some insulation, and very thick socks encourage feet to sweat and lose warmth more quickly. Preferably, buy special snowboarding socks that will give you more specialized features. Keep in mind that socks need to come at least halfway up the calf.

Second Layer
Also known as the second layer, the middle layer serves as the insulation layer. The Snowboarding Clothes 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'. Consequently, it acts as an effective channel for drawing moisture towards the outer layer of clothing.You can put the middle layer on or off depending on the temperature and the amount of activity you perform. On warmer days the Snowboard Gear for this layer can serve as your outer layer of protection as well.

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'. Generally though, it does not offer protection from the wind or rain. However, this Snowboard Gear has thermal properties that enable the body to breathe by allowing perspiration to evaporate through.

Thermal Pants
Put on your Snowboarding Pants on top of your base layer. Snowboarding Pants are usually roomy. Still, make sure you don't feel any pinching in the crotch area. Otherwise, look for another pair. Moreover, a good pair of Snowboarding 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. Snowboard Boots come in all regular shoe sizes. However, different boots of the same size usually vary in the way they hold your feet and ankle. Quality boots can last for a long time so take time to consider this when buying one.

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' as it should allow heat from perspiration to escape from the inner layers of clothing. Thus, for your outer layer, 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. If you prefer to wear a hat, choose one with the little ear flaps. Remember, you can lose up to 90% of your body's total heat through the top of your head. For head protection put on a Snowboard Helmet.

Snowboarding Goggles
Protect your eyes from UV rays, snow, wind, ice, and tree branches with Snowboarding Goggles. This Snowboard Gear is designed for functionality (i.e. UV and full eye wind protection) and won't fly off when you fall. Also, goggles can be placed over you hat and fastened onto your head.

Snowboarding Jacket
Finish off your upper body layering with a water repellant and windproof Snowboarding Jacket or top shell. Make sure that the fabric for this Snowboard Gear is also breathable. Its ability to 'breathe' would allow heat from perspiration to escape from the inner layers of clothing.

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. Each board has a unique Construction Technique and Materials, Shape, Flex Pattern, and Size. The type of board you ride should correspond to the Style of Riding that you like to do.

Snowboard Bindings
Attach your boots to your Snowboard through sturdy Bindings. This Snowboard Gear typically comes in two or three sizes - Small, Medium and Large. The size you choose will depend completely on the Snowboard Boot that you have chosen in combination with the binding. Make sure the binding has the correct size that allows you to comfortably get into the binding and easily adjust the straps (when using strap binding) without leaving too much strap on either side.

Snowboarding 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. Also, make sure this Snowboard Gear have built-in reinforcements for the palm and the undersides of the fingers as they keep these areas from wearing through.

One of the advantages of layers is that you can add and remove layers during the day according to the weather conditions and how you feel. However, when buying your Snowboarding apparel, be sure that you manage the following problems: sweating, controlling of body temperature, protection from elements, chafing and blisters. Also, avoid clothes that are too large or too small, otherwise the benefits of the latest fabric technology will be diluted.
To know the basic Snowboard Protective Gear that can help minimize your chances of sustaining an injury, at the same time attain a more pleasurable day on the slopes.