How Long Do Snowboards Last?
snowboarding takes a toll on equipment.If you are in the market for your own equipment or feel like your current snowboard has lost its original flex and pop, you might be interested to learn how long a snowboard should typically last.
A snowboard can last between 150 and 200 days of riding.Assuming you handle your board relatively well and don't grind the base on every rock out there, a rider should experience about 100 days of high riding quality from a new board.The following 50 days will still be enjoyable.
You will begin to notice wear and tear on your board if you ride it longer than that.
The quality of your snowboard depends on a lot of variables.These include:
This doesn't mean that a board is unrideable past this stage, however, riders should expect a faster decline in the quality of ride after a solid 100 days of boarding.
Some riders feel that a decent board only starts to give-in after 250 days on the mountain.A snowboard could last an entire snowboarding career for the average seasonal rider who uses their board for a week each year.
The base and edges of these boards would need waxing.When they feel like a change of rocker or camber, this rider profile purchases a new board.
The condition of your board depends on how much time you spend on the board and how well you snowboard.
The type of board you ride has an effect on that.Variable rockers and cambers are found in many board profiles.
The curve of your board has to be lost over time if it is cambered.The flat bases and rockered tips of the boards make them last longer.
All boards lose their rigidity when they reach a stage where their bases and edges have been grinded and sharpened to the core.
Before you run out of material, there is only so much base to grind and edge.You might want to replace your board before you reach this stage.
There is a huge difference in the quality of boards made 15 years ago than there are today.
The Jones Flagship or the Burton Flight Attendant take a bit more time to break-in, but can last a lot longer than the average board.
A board which has powered through 5 seasons and has reached the end of its days can still be used to mess around on rocky runs.
All riders are not the same.Some prefer to ride a board for only one season, while others run their equipment into the ground.
Some choose to buy a new board each season to keep up-to-date and test out different technologies, while others sell their old board before it runs out.
Those satisfied with their current gear may choose to buy a new board of the same model each season, selling the previous board while it is still in decent condition.
If you are a beginner, you might want to look at starter packages which often offer a special deal for a bunch of gear.
Depending on how many days you ride each season, your first board could last 3 seasons before you upgrade to a more advanced board.
Repetitive use will wear out your edges and base.If you enjoy riding back-country, you might want to ride over rocks and stones.
Some boards decline faster than others.If you don't take hybrid freeride boards into a demanding park environment, they may not last more than a couple of years.
The Burton Day Trader is a board that might last longer and is easier to repair.
The edges of your board are often the first to wear out because the average snowboarder spends most of their time carving between from edge to toe.The wear and tear is almost always accelerated by hitting a couple of rocks along the way.This can be fixed with shaving and sharpening.
It can last for over 10 years in storage if your board is stored dry, well supported and waxed.Between seasons, most riders store their boards for about 6 months.
The camber profile and flex of your board can be altered by storing a board standing upright for a long period of time.It is better to keep your board flat and well supported than to destroy it.
It is recommended to wax the base to keep the P-Tex from drying out during the off-season.
Give your board a quick edge tune if there is any rust on your rails.
The board bone should be kept for storage.The wood core and quality can be affected by a lot of water.
Your boots are the most likely to break.The binding can last from 50 to 100 days.
Most of the time, boots are replaced.The comfort of your ride is dependent on your boots.A pair of boots will last between 1 and 2 full seasons.
Loctite can be added to metal screws to prevent them from corroding after 50 days on a single pair of binding.The loose screws can be caused by stripped snowboard sockets.
Loctite Blue can be used to prevent screws from getting loosened while you ride.Attach the screws with the solution and let it dry before you reassemble them.
It is advised to keep your boots out of the sun.Plastic, foam and rubber are vulnerable to wear and tear.
The lifespan of your binding is influenced by the quality of it.Some binding lasts longer than others.Ladders and ratchets are usually strip and crumbled first.They are easy to replace.
Your ankle strap will absorb the most tension as you ride.As long as your binding isn't outdated, it's easy to replace.
While the lifespan of your snowboarding equipment may be contingent on a bunch of factors, looking after your gear and keeping it in good condition can greatly extend its expected life.
The featured image is "Powder" (CC BY-SA 2.0), it was "Pressed and ready for cutting" by Ruth and Dave.