Many companies are making goggles with smaller frames.  Some are specific to women, with femine colors and graphics but there are also many options for people who are more comforable in a smaller goggle.  Electric makes the EG.5 which offers all the features and color options of the larger EG1.  Anon makes the Majestic goggle, which is a women's specific model due to the graphics and colors.  Oakley offers the A frame as its smaller model while the O frame is a standard size.  The O frame XS is Oakley's kids goggle which is great choice for a growing face!  Von Zipper's smaller frame is the Sizzle, available in a wide range of colors and prints.  While goggle fit might not be as important as boot fit, it can still make a difference in fighting fogging and comfort all day long.

Overall Length

Overall length is the full length of the snowboard from tip to tail measured in centimeters (cm).  When you hear that a board is a 155 or '55, it simply means that the overall length of the board is 155 cm.

Running Length

Running length is the length of the snowboard that is actually in contact with the snow. This is measured as a straight line from the nose contact point (where the flat base ends and the nose begins) to the tail contact point. A freestyle board may have a longer running length than a freeride board of the same overall length, this is because the freeride board has a longer nose length.

Effective Edge

The effective edge measures the length of edge between the nose and tail of the board that is in contact with the snow. It is similar to running length, but measured along the curved edge rather than in a straight line, making it a slightly higher number.

Sidecut Radius

Imagine a giant circle overlapping the edge of the snowboard. Depending on the radius of the circle, the sidecut will be tighter or more mellow. A higher number is typically less aggressive and more stable, while a smaller radius is more performance driven. Some companies have 'progressive' sidecuts which is a combination of more than one radius. This allows the board to have the characteristics of one radius to initiate the turn and another radius to complete the turn.


Waist Width

The waist width is the width of the snowboard at its most narrow point. It is basically the width at the middle of the board.

Stance Width

The stance width refers to the range of stances available on a particular snowboard. Here are some tips for determining your stance.

Snowboard Insert Patterns

Insert patterns can be (1) a slider system, (2) a proprietary system such as the Burton 3-hole pattern, (3) a 4x2 pattern or (4) a 4x4 pattern.

The slider system provides nearly unlimited stance options. The bindings are mounted to a track system and can be slid forward or backward to dial in the perfect stance width.

Burton uses its own 3-hole pattern. In the past, you had to use Burton bindings, but today many binding companies provide a disc that is compatible with the Burton insert pattern.

4x4 was the standard for several years with 4x2 becoming more common. They both use a 4-hole disc, but the 4x2 pattern offers more stance options because the inserts are closer together.