snowboard / what to wear

What to Wear Snowboarding

Enter today's temperature for a complete layering plan.

This is a snowboard-specific guide, not a generic ski / snowboard mashup. Snowboard clothing differs from ski clothing: baggier fit for mobility, wrist guards for protection, different brands and style. This tool recommends snowboard-specific gear per temperature.

What should I wear snowboarding? Three layers: moisture-wicking base layer, insulating mid layer (fleece or hoodie), and waterproof snowboard jacket. Snowboard pants (baggy fit, not tight ski pants). Thin snowboard socks (ONE pair). Helmet, goggles, and gloves or mittens. Unlike skiing, snowboarders should consider wrist guards (most common snowboard injury) and impact shorts for beginners. At -10°C: heavyweight base, thick fleece, insulated jacket, insulated pants. At 0°C: lightweight base, hoodie, shell jacket. Enter temperature below.

Inputs
Your Layering Plan

0 to -5°C · Sunny · Moderate · Intermediate

👕 Base layer
Lightweight synthetic or merino base layer (150 gsm)
Burton LightweightMons Royale Bella TechAirblaster Ninja Suit

Synthetic dries faster than merino in warmer conditions.

Bottom: Lightweight leggings

🧥 Mid layer (hoodie or fleece)
Lightweight fleece or hoodie
Burton Crown Weatherproof PulloverVolcom Hydro Riding HoodieAirblaster Quilted

Grid fleece or hoodies breathe well for active riding.

🏂 Jacket / shell
Insulated snowboard jacket or hardshell over mid layer
Burton AK Gore-Tex Cyclic686 GLCR HydraDC CommandVolcom Guide

Hardshell + mid layer is more adaptable than an all-in-one insulated jacket.

👖 Pants (baggy snowboard cut)
Shell snowboard pants plus base layer leggings
Burton AK Cyclic686 GLCR QuantumDC BansheeVolcom L Gore-Tex

Shell pants with base layer leggings are more versatile than insulated pants.

🧦 Socks
ONE pair of thin merino snowboard socks
Stance SnowboardBurton Performance MidweightSmartwool Snowboard

ONE pair only. Two pairs reduce circulation and equal colder feet. Thin socks improve boot fit and edge control.

🧤 Gloves or mittens
Midweight snowboard gloves
Dakine ScoutBurton Pipe GlovePOW Warner GTXCeltek Faded

The most versatile snowboard glove weight. Works for 70% of riding days.

⛑ Helmet & head
Snowboard helmet (always) plus neck tube or balaclava as needed
Smith MazeAnon Raider 3Sandbox Classic 2.0POC Obex MIPS

Snowboard helmets often have audio-ready earpads. Soft brim is more common than ski-style hard brim.

Face / neck: Neck tube pulled up over chin when needed.

Burton Midweight Neck WarmerAirblaster Air TubeBlackStrap Tube
🛡 Protection · Intermediate protection
Helmet

Mandatory at every level.

Smith MazeAnon Raider 3Sandbox Classic 2.0POC Obex MIPS
Wrist guards

Still recommended. Many intermediate falls still involve wrists.

Level BioMex ProDemon FlexPOW Royal Gloves (built-in wrist guard)
Back protector (for park riding)

Rails, boxes and jumps put the spine at risk. Wear under or over a base layer.

POC VPD SpineDemon Flex Force SpineDakine Pipe Back Protector
🎒 Accessories
  • Sunscreen SPF 50+ (UV is 30 to 40% stronger at altitude)
  • Lip balm with SPF
  • Goggles matched to conditions (see our goggle lens selector)

For reference only. Personal cold tolerance varies. Check the mountain forecast, not the valley, and dress for the windchill, not the air temperature.

Skiing instead? See what to wear skiing. Match your goggles: goggle lens selector. Find the right board size for your height. Set up your stance before your first day.

Snowboard Layering Chart by Temperature

At -10°C, wear heavyweight merino base, thick fleece mid, insulated Burton AK jacket, insulated bib (Volcom Guide) and insulated gloves. The chart below covers six temperature ranges.

TempBaseMidJacketPantsGloves
Below -15°CHeavyweight merinoThick fleece + pufferInsulated (Burton AK)Insulated bib (Volcom)Mittens (Dakine)
-10 to -15°CHeavyweight merinoDown or thick fleeceInsulated jacketInsulated pantsInsulated gloves
-5 to -10°CMidweight merinoMidweight fleeceHardshell (686 GLCR)Lightly insulatedInsulated gloves
0 to -5°CLightweight syntheticHoodie or thin fleeceShell (DC Command)Shell pants + baseMid gloves
0 to 5°CLightweightNone or wind layerSoftshellShell pantsLight gloves
Above 5°CT-shirtNoneLight shellShell pants, no baseThin gloves

Snowboard Protection: What Beginners MUST Wear

Wrist fractures account for 25 to 30% of all snowboard injuries, making wrist guards the most important protection for beginners. The table below covers the four key categories of snowboard protective gear.

ProtectionWho Needs ItWhyRecommended
Wrist guardsALL beginners, recommended for everyone#1 snowboard injury: wrist fracture from catching edgeLevel BioMex, Demon Flex, Burton Impact
Impact shortsBeginners + park ridersProtects tailbone and hips from fallsDemon Flex Force, Azzpadz, Burton Total Impact
Spine protectorPark riders, backcountryProtects spine from rail/jump impactPOC VPD, Demon Flex Force, Dainese Flexagon
HelmetEVERYONE, no exceptionsHead injuries are preventableSmith Maze, Anon Raider, Sandbox

Ski Pants vs Snowboard Pants: Why They Are Different

Snowboard pants are cut wider and longer than ski pants for three reasons: more mobility for grabs and tricks, room over snowboard boots, and style. Snowboard pants have wider leg openings (over bulky boots), reinforced knees and seat (more falling), boot gaiters that go OVER the boot (ski gaiters go inside). Snowboard bibs are popular because they prevent snow entry during falls. You CAN wear ski pants for snowboarding but the tight fit restricts movement.

Why Snowboarders Fall More Than Skiers (and What to Wear for It)

Snowboarders fall more, especially beginners (catching edges). This means: impact shorts protect the tailbone (every beginner's first injury), wrist guards prevent the most common fracture, and waterproof pants with reinforced seat last longer. Ski clothing assumes you fall rarely. Snowboard clothing assumes you fall regularly. Plan your kit accordingly: buy the protection, wear it from day 1, and stop wearing it only after you stop falling.

Frequently asked questions

What to wear snowboarding for the first time?

Moisture-wicking base layer (NOT cotton), fleece or hoodie mid layer, waterproof snowboard jacket, waterproof snowboard pants, ONE pair thin merino socks, snowboard gloves, helmet, goggles. Plus: wrist guards (critical for beginners) and impact shorts (protects tailbone). Expect to fall a lot on day 1. Dress for it.

Do I need wrist guards for snowboarding?

Yes, especially as a beginner. Wrist fractures are the #1 snowboard injury (25 to 30% of all injuries). Catching an edge at speed sends you forward onto outstretched hands. Wrist guards (Level BioMex, Demon Flex) absorb the impact. Some gloves have built-in wrist guards (POW Royal, Level). Even intermediate riders benefit from them.

Can I wear ski clothes for snowboarding?

Yes, the layering system is the same (base + mid + shell). However, ski pants are tighter than snowboard pants, which may restrict movement during grabs and tricks. Ski gloves may be thinner at the wrist. The main functional difference is protection: snowboarding needs wrist guards and impact shorts, skiing typically does not.

Last updated: May 2026