Snowboarding for the first time can be an exhilarating — and nerve-wracking — experience. As with any sport, it calls for some precautions — and since it’s outdoors, being prepared to face the elements is essential; knowing how to dress for snowboarding is all about layering for protection from the often-bitter cold.
So, what clothing is best for snowboarding? We’ve put together a snowboarding checklist that serves as a thorough guide on how to layer for snowboarding, with everything from essentials to accessories and general tips to help keep you safe on the slopes.
What Clothing is Best for Snowboarding?
First and foremost: When deciding on what to wear snowboarding, avoid cotton anything — at all costs; it’s not breathable or waterproof, nor does it wick away sweat. Rather, it will retain moisture, adding weight to your outfit, and can cause chafing. On that note, avoid wearing jeans for the same reason.
Instead, layer on soft and breathable clothes that can let heat out when needed. Ideally, this could be wool, fleece, or any synthetic insulation. With that being said, let’s take a deep dive on how to layer for snowboarding.
How to Layer for Snowboarding
What layers do you wear for snowboarding? Here’s the layering system that will set you up for snowboarding success:
- Base layer
- Mid layer
- Outer layer
- Accessories
Read on for an overview of each, including links to items in stock.
Base Layer
This is the layer closest to your skin, and it should do most of the work to protect you from sweat by wicking away moisture. Ideally, it should be lightweight and make for a comfortable fit with a high neckline. Your base layer also does not need to be snowboarding-specific; to answer the common question of “do you wear anything under snowboarding pants?”, running tights and leggings or good options that the 3-Stripes offers, as well as athletic shirts and wool long-sleeved tees for tops.
Tall ski or snowboard socks are also an important investment; they don’t need to be thick, as this may make your boots tighter, and preferably made of wool or synthetic materials.
Mid Layer
Insulation is key when considering what to wear snowboarding; your mid layer should be soft and breathable. The 3-Stripes offers several options for outdoor full-zip jackets, hooded jackets, and vests that serve this purpose. Any light fleece or wool tops are also viable. Puffy down jackets are also feasible but may become too warm. Like your base layer, it shouldn’t be too tight, nor too bulky for your outer layer to fit correctly.
Outer Layer
Your greatest defense from cold winter weather is your outer layer; it should be durable, windproof, and shed snow easily. It could also be waterproof, depending on the conditions of where you live, preventing moisture from intruding and keeping you dry from sleet, hail, and ice.
Of course, jackets protect you from the elements best when they fit correctly — and we’ve written an in-depth guide on how to determine that, which you can read here. Some jackets are more insulated than others, and you can find options with ventilation to prevent you from overheating. You will also find it useful to have more pockets for various accessories, detailed in the next section below.
Shop snowboarding jackets from adidas
You also have a choice between insulated pants or heavy-duty bibs, which offer better overall protection and warmth. As with any layer, breathability is important in bibs for ventilation on warmer days, as well as storm-sealing coverage and easy-access pockets.
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More Snowboarding Essentials: Accessories
Without a doubt, the most important part of your snowboarding essentials — or any outdoor sport — is your helmet; in addition to the protection it provides, it also acts as an additional layer of warmth — and if your helmet has air vents, it can prevent your goggles from fogging up, too. The 3-Stripes also offers a variety of beanies to wear before and after you hit the slopes.
Similarly, goggles are an essential part of staying protected when snowboarding, shielding you from wind, debris, sunlight, and snow getting kicked up from underneath your board. Their tint also allows snow contours to stand out better, improving contrast in flat light conditions.
Investing in proper boots should also be near the top of your snowboarding checklist; they’re specially made to optimize your control of the board, provide ankle support, and can minimize injuries in the event of a crash, due to their rigidity.
Finally, to cover all your bases on how to dress for snowboarding, you will also want to invest in a face mask, balaclava, or neck gaiter for warmth. Gloves or mittens are advised as well; in particular, gloves can enhance your dexterity and grip when holding onto your snowboard.
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Finishing Your Snowboarding Checklist
Sunscreen and lip balm are especially important to bring along; ultraviolet radiation is much stronger at the top of a mountain, as it increases by 2% for every 1,000 feet of altitude gained in elevation. On top of that, the sun’s rays are reflected by snow and ice — not to mention how much wind can wear away at the sunscreen you’ve already put on.
To help finish off your snowboarding checklist with more essentials, consider investing in a cable lock to prevent theft when your snowboard is left unattended, as well as a microfiber cloth for cleaning goggles. Other things to help round your list out can include snacks for the long haul, a phone charger, and a duffel bag or backpack to carry it all.
Of course, the more you suit up and ride, the better you’ll get at identifying what to wear snowboarding and what snowboarding essentials to bring along for next time. But it all starts with making sure that you’re layered up and prepared to begin with — making it as smooth and safe a trip as possible.
Illustrations by María Camila