start shredding
Beginner Snowboard Kit
All the gear you need to get off to a successful start on the slopes.
The barrier to entry in learning how to snowboard is high, so we curated our beginner kit to help you get out on the slopes in style (and without breaking the bank). These products will keep you safe, dry, and warm enough to enjoy your first season or two on the hill—no frills, just good, solid snowboarding gear. You focus on linking turns, we’ll take care of the rest. If you’ve already done your time perfecting the falling leaf and need gear with a higher performance threshold, take a look at our Intermediate Snowboard Kit.
Burton Reserve 2L Insulated ($290)
Burton Reserve 2L Insulated ($230)
Smith Transfer ($58)
Smith Rodeo MIPS ($105)
Dakine Titan Gore-Tex ($94)
REI Co-op Midweight ($55)
Ridge Merino Banked Midweight ($25)
Nitro Prime Raw ($350)
Burton Moto ($250)
Union Flite Pro ($200)The Reserve 2L Insulated offers high-quality waterproofing and warmth at a wallet-friendly price point. It’s feature-rich with mesh-lined pit zips, a sleeve pass pocket, and fully taped seams, though the longer, parka cut may feel excessive for shorter riders.
Like its jacket counterpart, the Reserve 2L Insulated pants hit the same marks when it comes to waterproofing, venting, and fit—with added style points for rocking a matching kit on the hill. The features don’t scream premium—and we’d love it if the cargo pockets were zippered—but we’re willing to overlook a few missteps for the price.
The Transfer (and its smaller version, the Tribute) goggles offer Smith-quality at an un-Smith-like price. Surprisingly good optics and decent comfort are major pros of this model. Still, it’s an entry-level product, lacking the bells and whistles that come with pricier goggles.
Optical Quality
Field of View
Lens-Change System
Comfort
Ventilation
Sustainability
To save you from the dreaded gap between your goggles and helmet, we stayed in-house with Smith’s Rodeo MIPS. It’s a modern take on the classic hardshell with an adjustable fit and a palatable price.
Comfort
Warmth
Ventilation
Weight & Bulk
Durability
Sustainability
Cold and wet hands will ruin any great day on the hill. We think it’s worth the small upgrade to the well-built Dakine Titan (women’s Sequoia) Mitten, which features a trustworthy Gore-Tex insert, fluffy synthetic insulation, and a removable liner.
Warmth
Waterproofing
Dexterity
Comfort
Durability
Sustainability
While these are far from the snazziest base layers on the market, they do the job. The Midweight’s polyester construction is durable and much cheaper than merino wool, but you lose out on warmth and odor resistance.
Warmth
Breathability
Durability
Comfort
Odor Resistance
Sustainability
We love merino wool socks for their coziness, warmth, and moisture-wicking properties, and Ridge Merino’s Banked Midweight manages to add value to the equation. You miss out on fun colorways, but otherwise, there’s little to nitpick.
The Prime Raw (women’s Prime Chroma Cam-Out) is an approachable all-mountain board to help you navigate the steep snowboarding learning curve. It’s forgiving and beginner-friendly, but you also won’t outgrow it in your first season.
These comfy boots feature a soft flex, an intuitive adjustment system, and a low price point. There’s nothing fancy here, but the Moto (women’s Mint) is a quality starter set.
These bindings have a soft flex to match your Burton Moto boots and Nitro Prime Raw board, making them an excellent triad. They’re a lightweight, do-it-all choice, but if you think you’re going to be stacking a lot of days on them, it might be worth upgrading.
How We Built the Beginner Snowboard Kit
There’s one universal truth in learning to snowboard: Beginners spend a lot of time on the ground. From strapping your back foot into your binding to catching an edge or taking a mid-slope break, you will be in consistent contact with the snow in your first few days (if not weeks). For this reason, we recommend holding off on the cotton hoodies and cargo pants, at least for now. Learning is hard enough, so we picked warm, comfortable, and reliably waterproof outerwear for your first season on the slopes. And don’t worry—we still think they look good.
At the budget end of the spectrum, snowboarding jackets start at around $210 (full MSRP), and many use in-house waterproofing (Gore-Tex is an industry leader in waterproof jackets, but products with the tech generally cost significantly more). Pant models start around $159. Unfortunately, many jackets and pants in the budget bucket are built primarily for skiing and lack a snowboarding-specific cut (like the REI Co-op Powderbound). Most don’t inspire confidence in their waterproofing stats, either (critically taped rather than fully taped seams and relatively low 10,000mm hydrostatic head ratings). For this reason, we think it's worth spending up a bit for a nicer, proven kit from Burton; the brand’s entry-level model, the Reserve 2L Insulated jacket and pants, will run you $290 and $230, respectively, placing them a step up from true-blue budget choices.
Burton is well-known in the snowboarding world for its wide range of popular outerwear and hard goods (think boards, bindings, and boots). And unlike many of the budget outerwear choices we researched—most of which would wet out in an hour or two of stormy weather—its Reserve 2L Insulated Jacket and Insulated Pants offer impressive waterproofing stats (like a 20,000mm hydrostatic head rating and fully-taped seams) at a reasonable price point. While many advanced snowboarders opt for a 3-layer jacket, synthetic midlayer, and a fleece, buying an insulated kit like this one will save some cash when you’re just starting out, with no need to purchase two additional insulating layers (unless you run cold or live in an area with notoriously chilly temps).
Both the Reserve jacket and pants feature mesh-lined vents to help you dump heat on warm days, and if the synthetic insulation isn’t enough to keep the chill out, the relaxed fit of this kit will accommodate additional layers. Just remember that snowboarding is essentially interval training: you’ll warm up quickly, holding a wall-squat equivalent when mastering the falling leaf, but you’ll also sit on a cold, slow chairlift swinging in the wind between laps. We like the long cut of the Reserve jacket because it offers additional warmth and protection from the elements, plus, a nice, relaxed cut is in style these days. For snowboarding, jackets and pants need to offer a greater range of motion than ski pants (again: think wall squats, and make sure your pants let you bend your knees to a 90-degree angle).
We think the Burton Reserve 2L setup is worth it for beginners, and we love that this jacket will last you well into your intermediate snowboarding career. Still, you can save with a budget kit like the $210 686 Foundation Insulated Jacket (women’s Athena Insulated) and the $200 686 Infinity Insulated Cargo Pant (women’s Aura Insulated Cargo Pant). What do you lose? The waterproofing and breathability aren’t nearly as good. Still, these 686 choices incorporate many of the features we like about the Reserve 2L: pit zips, a pass pocket, and a snowboarding-specific cut. For those who don’t care about a snowboarding-specific cut (or look) and just want to save some cash, the REI Co-op Powderbound Insulated comes in at a hard-to-beat $159.
You’ll probably be too hot, too cold, and everything in between during a day out on the hill. The lodge staircase will get you sweating in no time, and a stopped chairlift will make even a fully layered rider shiver in their boots. For this reason, we recommend starting your layering process with a solid foundation: a decent base layer. Typically, a base layer top will cost between $50 and $150, with bottoms priced similarly. For beginner snowboarders, we recommend the low end of this spectrum: REI’s Midweight collection, which comes in both a top ($55) and bottom (both $55). The Midweight top and bottoms are affordable, warm enough, and super comfortable, making them an excellent choice when you’re starting out. They're a night-and-day upgrade over a cotton T-shirt or sweatpants. That said, they are made of polyester, a synthetic fabric that offers less warmth and odor resistance compared to merino wool.
For those who run cold or plan to use their base layers for other high-output winter activities (think snowshoeing, splitboarding, or nordic skiing), we recommend Ridge Merino’s Aspect base layers ($80 per piece), highlighted in our Intermediate Snowboard Kit. Unfortunately, while merino wool offers increased comfort, it also comes with a significantly higher price tag than synthetic options.
Foot care is key when snowboarding, and on the note of merino wool, we did include the Ridge Merino Banked Socks in our beginner kit. For a reasonable $25, you can get a pair of these moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating socks (making them some of the cheapest merino wool ski and snowboarding socks on the market; the most expensive cost around $45). Feet are sensitive to changes in temperature, and picking a nice, thermo-regulating sock with a snug fit will save you the grief of cold, soggy feet. Plus, since merino wool offers natural odor resistance, you can wear these socks all weekend (though we certainly don’t promise they’ll smell good forever).
In case you haven’t picked up the theme yet, we’ve leaned in on comfort with this kit. A warm and waterproof pair of mittens or gloves will improve just about anyone’s day on the hill. For beginner snowboarders, we recommend Dakine’s Titan Gore-Tex Mittens (women’s Sequoia), which come in at $94. They feature brand-name Gore-Tex inserts and durable water-repellent treatment at a reasonable cost, assuring dry, comfortable hands all day. The mitts also feature a removable, touchscreen-compatible liner glove. Unlike skiers, snowboarders don’t have poles to hold while riding, making mittens a much more viable choice (plus, they’re warmer!). Still, some riders prefer the dexterity of gloves for strapping into their bindings, scraping ice off their board’s edges, or tightening a loose screw. Lucky for you, these mitts also come in a glove version.
If you’re looking to save some cash on mittens, you could consider a true budget pick like the Dakine Nova Mitt ($61). The downside? They use Dakine’s in-house waterproofing rather than Gore-Tex. Still, opting for the Nova Mitts will save you more than $30, and if you’re riding in nice weather, they’ll probably do just fine. Plus, they still have a waterproof insert (unlike even cheaper options) and nearly as much warmth as the Titan.
Next up: protect your head! Seriously. This one is really important—and no one actually thinks a beanie with goggles is a cool look. Plus, a decent helmet can actually be comfortable and help keep you warm on the slopes. We chose the Smith Rodeo ($105)—an affordable option with a MIPS (or Multi-directional Impact Protection System) liner. And if you refer to the universal truth of snowboarding—beginner snowboarders spend a lot of time on the ground—you’ll infer why a good helmet is an essential component of your snowboard kit. The Rodeo isn’t a premium lid in terms of fit, comfort, or features, but it is designed with the safety essentials. If a less comfortable fit will prevent you from wearing your helmet, consider a lighter, comfier option like the Smith Method Pro MIPS ($190).
Visibility can change by the minute when you’re out on the slopes, and a pair of goggles that you can actually see out of will make a massive difference in your experience on the hill. Unfortunately, high-quality goggles can cost a pretty penny: a high-end pair like the Anon M5 will run $300+. For our beginner kit, we chose a pair of budget goggles—the Smith Transfer ($58)—to get you by. While the Transfer lacks many of the features characteristic of Smith’s higher-end pieces, it has above-average lens quality and fits well with Smith helmets. Plus, you get Smith’s solid build quality, which is likely to outlast a random option from Amazon.
If you’re unfamiliar with the term “flex,” let’s get into it here. Flex refers to the degree to which a piece of snowboard gear bends; several factors influence whether a board, bindings, or boots are a good choice for beginners, but flex is a primary consideration. For beginners, we recommend choosing a board, bindings, and boots with a soft-to-medium flex. Why? A softer flex throughout your setup will make turn initiation easier while reducing your chances of catching an edge.
Additionally, gear with similar flex tends to pair well together. Our picks for this kit—the Nitro Prime Raw (women’s Lectra Cam-Out) snowboard, Burton Moto (women’s Mint) boots, and Union Flite Pro bindings (women’s Rosa)—all feature a forgiving flex. Importantly, the flex level isn’t noodly-soft: there’s enough backbone to the gear that most can continue using the kit as they progress toward intermediate riding.
A softer flex throughout your setup will make turn initiation easier and reduce your chances of catching an edge.
Snowboard
Picking a beginner snowboard is no small feat, as they come in a dizzying range of flexes, shapes, and profiles. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a quality board under $300 MSRP, and the highest-end boards can cost upwards of a grand. We chose the Nitro Prime Raw, an entry-level board near the bottom of the price spectrum, coming in at $349. Nearly any other decent, beginner-oriented board will cost you more: for example, Burton’s Ripcord comes in at $420.
Snowboards can be twin (meaning the nose and tail are exactly the same shape) or directional (meaning that the nose and tail have different shapes). The Nitro Prime Raw splits the two and is a directional twin, meaning it has a distinct nose and tail, but can still be ridden switch (with your non-dominant foot in front) for when you add that skill to your repertoire. Its medium flex rating also contributes to its versatility; you’re likely to outgrow a super-soft board after your first few days, whereas a medium-flex board will progress with you. The Prime Raw also features a rockered tip and tail—meaning that the tip and tail are lifted off the ground before the traditional contact points. Some rocker makes a board more forgiving, making turn initiation easier and decreasing your likelihood of catching an edge. We also love that the board features a camber profile in the middle, enhancing your edge hold as you become more comfortable making turns.
Snowboard Boots
Snowboarding boots start at around $200, and can cost up to $800 for stiffer, high-performance styles. Budget boots have a soft flex, which is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, they’re comfortable right away and don’t require much of a break-in period. On the other hand, they pack out fast and can become super flexy after a season or even less of consistent riding. There’s no perfect solution here, and the reality is that you’re going to need to upgrade once you get the basics down. As such, we like sticking to the lower end of the price spectrum with the Burton Moto ($250). Fit, of course, plays a huge role as well. So we advise trying before buying to avoid issues like heel lift and pinched toes.
Bindings
Bindings are the least of your concerns when picking a beginner snowboarding setup, which is why we chose the $179 Union Flite Pro. They’re affordable, soft-flex bindings with no bells or whistles. No need to invest in high-end models with features like step-on technology, a stiffer flex, or Skate Tech when you’re starting out. As you improve, however, it’s worth considering something stiffer like the Burton Cartel (women’s Lexa) for better responsiveness when putting your board on edge.
Is the Beginner Snowboard Kit for You?
Getting into snowboarding can feel like a significant commitment—it can be expensive, time-consuming, and challenging to learn. Our beginner snowboarding kit is designed to soften the learning curve, helping you choose quality, affordable gear you can continue to use as you progress toward more advanced slopes. This kit also offers great budget options for those who only occasionally make it up to the mountains—no need to spend the extra cash on a three-layer jacket if you’re snowboarding just a few days a year.
As you develop preferences for different types of snowboarding gear, spend more days on the slopes, or go snowboarding in stormier weather, it could be worth leveling up to our Intermediate Snowboarding Kit.
Advanced snowboarders—and those who take their snowboarding beyond the resort’s boundaries—should take a look at our Advanced Snowboarding Kit.
See More Snow Kits
Better Trail Kits
Intermediate Snowboard Kit
Better Trail Kits
Advanced Snowboard Kit
Better Trail Kits
Splitboarding Kit
Better Trail Kits
Backcountry Skiing Starter Kit
Better Trail Kits
Crossover Ski Kit
Better Trail Kits
Beginner / Budget Ski Kit
Better Trail Kits
Intermediate Ski Kit
Better Trail Kits
The Warmest Ski Kit
Better Trail Kits
Freeride Ski Kit
Better Trail Kits
Editors' Picks Ski Kit