How Much Boot Overhang Is Okay On A Snowboard?

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Ideally, a rider would have a board that would accommodate the size of their feet, but there is an acceptable amount of overhang. In addition, having either the toe or heel overhanging would increase the turning ability of the rider.

Therefore, a half-inch to three-quarters of an inch of boot overhang would be okay.

Those measurements have been shown not to create any sort of drag from either the heel or toe, but anything over an inch of overhang will be subject to creating and subjecting the rider to drag while out on the slopes.

 

How Much is Too Much Overhang?

When you get to over one inch of overhang for either the heel or toe, this is when you begin getting to the limit of where too much would be. The reason for not wanting to have too much overhang is to avoid drag but also injury.

There are going to be slopes that will accelerate a rider to speed upwards of thirty miles per hour when going near top speeds on a snowboard.

Not to mention when going through forested areas, terrain parks, or even the backcountry with rock outcropping creates a chance for catching a heel or toe with something sticking out.

 

How do you Tell if your Boots are Too Big for Your Snowboard?

The simplest way is to place the boots on the board in question, but as this is not always an option, there are other ways to achieve the same result.

Take a measurement of your boots before leaving the house, and keep a tape measure or length of string, as a few ideas, to compare with the snowboard at the shop.

Online, this will require knowing the number measurement of the boot size and searching the stores and auction sites with the boot size added into the filter settings.

 

How Much Room Should you Have in Snowboard Boots?

When growing up, my grade school was at the base of a local ski resort, and one of the perks of this was when students were given lessons as a part of the curriculum.

So think about it like this, there needs to be enough space for footwear that will keep the rider’s toes dry and warm.

There will be a need for about a half-inch cushion from the toenail to the boot toe, which will accommodate any extra socks needed or special inserts that might be added for extra comfort and stability.

 

How Can You Tell If the Overhang is Too Big?

If you have an overhang but notice the toes or heels of your boots are beginning to wear out unusually fast, this could be a sign that there is too much of an overhang. Too big might be, like the before said measurement, over three-quarters of an inch of heel or toe overhang.

The furthest that has been said to be okay would be an inch to one inch and a quarter, but anything over that will end up in the boots dragging in the snow.

To make a special point to reiterate, the dangers of broken toes or unexpected falls come from pushing the limits of overhanging boots.

 

What Happens to a Snowboard with Too Much Overhang?

There are going to be situations where the rider will lose control, which could result in severe injury. In addition, there will be situations when the rider will risk damage to their bindings, boots, and even the snowboard itself by the risk of fall or otherwise.

This could cause performance issues; one such case would slow the snowboarder down so much, making the experience unenjoyable.

In addition, there are going to be a multitude of complications that come with having too much overhang, which is easily avoided by getting boards long enough to accommodate boot size.

 

Final Thoughts on How Much Boot Overhang is Okay on a Snowboard

There are many reasons for taking the time to get a perfect fit board, in doing so, avoiding any of the previously listed complications that come with having too much overhang while riding a snowboard.

Getting a properly fit board from a local expert or shop and having that experience and expertise only serves to get the best fitting possible.

If you are in need of those little changes for competition, or other reasons, then a sure confident cut would be at one inch; staying under that measurement will ensure there will not be too much overhang nor the dangers that come with the condition.