As with pretty any other popular recreational activity, there’s always a sizeable startup snowboarding cost.
It’s the startup cost, not the recurring cost, that’s the killer.
The main reason why startup costs tend to be high is that you’re just getting started, gearless, and therefore need to buy everything.
Hence, How Much Should You Spend On Snowboarding Gear as A Beginner?
The exact amount is going to depend on an array of factors. The cost fluctuates quite widely and depends on where you buy the kit, your skill level, and your needs. The average cost of the most basic snowboarding kit is $1300.
This amount of money can get you: A snowboard, boots, bindings, goggles, gloves, underwear, and clothing.
If you ever decide to go professional later on, you will need to upgrade your starter snowboarding gear to something more advanced at a cost in the region of $400 – $1000.
The snowboard itself is probably the most challenging part of the kit to choose. Expect to pay anything between $400 – $700 for one.
As you’d expect, paying more for board guarantees such essentials as stability and durability. Always go for products that offer a combination of ease of turning and stability and ease of turning with a nice medium-soft flex.
Back on the beginner gear, here is the breakdown of the kit:
| Gear | Price* |
|---|---|
| Thermal shirt & Pants | $100 |
| Socks (x2) | $40 |
| Jacket | $250 |
| Pants | $120 |
| Goggles | $100 |
| Gloves | $100 |
| Boots | $200 |
| Bindings | $150 |
| Snowboard | $300 |
| Total | $1,360 |
Special Snowboard Clothing: To Buy or Not to Buy It
You might be tempted to get started with the best snowboarding gear money can buy.
In three words – not worth it.
Rather, because you are a starter and haven’t developed your abilities yet, start with the most basic gear you could find. Your objectives at this juncture should be to stay dry, feel comfortable, and stay warm. As long as the kit offers these at a reasonable cost, you are good to get started with it
Since the clothing is the second most critical part of the kit (after the board) as it helps you stay warm and have general comfort the entire time, you need to select it with a keen eye.
Jacket
You will need a decent warm snowboarding jacket designed with great waterproofing and insulation properties.
An average snowboarding jacket costs about $50.
If you are sensitive to cold and would only snowboard with an intensely insulated fabric, be ready to spend anything in the region of $200.
Gloves
Good quality gloves have their price tags anywhere between $75 and $125.
Pants
Well-fitting pants designed for snowboarding, and one that will last for several seasons, typically costs between $100 and $300.
Goggles
Goggles are probably the easiest to shop for compared to other parts of the kit.
You will spend between $10 and $300 on a pair.
Headwear
Lastly, don’t forget about the facemask and hat! Fortunately, you will spend as little as $20 on each.
What Must You Have As A Beginner?
Chances are you already have the clothes.
Those long johns and long-sleeved t-shirts lying idle in your closet will make a great starter kit, won’t they? Just kidding.
Special snowboarding apparel is a must-have.
Also, you must have the basic snowboarding equipment – boots, a snowboard (obviously), helmet, and binding – if you want to get started on the right footing.
How Do You Determine The Amount You Should Spend On The Gear As A Starter?
Here’s the formula:
1. How many days do you plan to ride the snowboard per season? Let’s call them X.
2. How much money would you spend to rent the kit (the board) for each of the above days? Let’s call it Y.
3. Finally, what’s the number of years you think the kit or board will last or bore into getting a replacement? Call this Z.
Proceed to multiply the three figures (X * Y * Z) to get the maximum amount of money you should spend on the kit.
If you want to be a little sophisticated about it, you can add a few more variables – the above function but the result will simply increase.
You could as well factor in the feel-good factor and convenience that comes with owning a snowboarding kit instead of having to wait in lines in front of the rental shop.
However, bear in mind the cost of caring for your clothes and maintaining your board.
You wouldn’t have thought about it if you rented the gear as you’d drop it at the rental shop and let them figure out how to maintain their stuff.
Should You Buy Used Or New?
If you are OK with spending $700 on equipment, you still have a few more choices when it comes to acquiring snowboarding equipment.
You should probably go for used gear instead of a brand new kit – you are just getting started after all. You can get high-quality equipment for prices 40% to 80% percent cheaper.
However, if you weigh this option with that of buying new gear, you quickly realize that the used gear won’t last long.
You might be shocked to know that even the top-quality and new snowboard out there only lasts for approximately 100 days on typical slopes: please imagine how long a used snowboard could last!
Some snowboarders go through a bunch of snowboards a year, while others will go for used boards, look out for dents and cracks, or anything else more than just usual wear and tear.
A damaged snowboard is not worth your money.
Related: Is There A Snowboarding Weight Limit?
Let’s Make A Few Things Clear…..
Unless you’re into handcrafted stuff, there’s no entry-level snowboard out there that’s worth $900 or anything close to that.
Anywhere.
Ever.
And if you choose to go with those handcrafted or overly embellished $900 snowboards, just know they won’t make your experience any better, especially as a beginner.
Those $500 boots won’t stomp land on their own without your skill. Those $400 bindings won’t a difference either.
However, it makes sense to spend $900 on the entire kit as indicated at the start of this post.
Conclusion
So how much should you spend on snowboarding gear as a beginner?
The exact amount will depend on several factors.
The cost fluctuates quite widely and depends on where you buy the kit, your skill level, and your needs.
The average cost of the most basic snowboarding kit is $1300.
This amount of money can get you:
- A snowboard
- boots
- bindings
- goggles
- gloves
- underwear
- and clothing.
If you ever decide to go professional later on, you will need to upgrade your starter snowboarding gear to something more advanced at a cost in the region of $400 – $1000.
The snowboard itself is probably the most challenging part of the kit to choose.
Expect to pay anything between $400 – $700 for one.
Related: How Much Show You Spend On Ski Equipment?
References
How Long Will A Snowboard Last? When Should You Replace It?
How Much Does Snowboarding Cost? A Detailed Breakdown for First-Timers