Besides snowboarding for fun, many snowboarders view the sport as part of their lifestyle. They are keen on details like wearing the appropriate clothing and choosing baggy clothes over tighter ones. Being a vigorous and technical sport, snowboarding requires your body to be less bound by what you wear to accommodate the required intensity as you maneuver down the slopes.
Snowboarders wear baggy clothes because they allow a full range of motion, enabling the rider to move more freely while boarding. You can easily perform tricks while staying warm. Baggy clothes also represent a subculture of the snowboarding community, where snowboarders showcase their style.
Besides satisfying your curiosity, knowing why snowboarders wear baggy clothes will help you decide whether or not to wear them. If you wish to replace your tighter snowboarding clothes with baggier ones, the following content will help you make that choice.
The Reasons Why Snowboarders Wear Baggy Clothes
Extreme physical effort is necessary for snowboarding, and the activity involves several risk factors frequently linked to injuries if not managed properly.
Baggy clothes enable snowboarders to move as freely as possible on their boards for high-performance riding while remaining warm and safe.
Your body uses energy to stay warm when it’s chilly outside. When wearing heavy clothing, your body may find it challenging to accomplish various tricks and snowboarding tactics.
As a result, you ought to dress loosely so your body can be free to move more efficiently. The following are some of the reasons why snowboarders wear baggy clothes.
1. It’s a Subculture
Snowboarding is a sport that has evolved into a subculture with its style, language, and traditions.
Despite being not as common now, the modern-day snowboarder occasionally wears baggy clothes to represent the subculture.
One of the reasons why snowboarders wear baggy clothes is because it makes them feel like they are part of an exclusive group.
This particular type of clothing helps them stand out from everyone else and allows them to express themselves freely without worrying about being judged by others.
A lot of people are attracted to snowboarding because of its culture.
When you wear baggy clothes, you are likely to look like a snowboarder because it has been a long time belief that the dress code fits the snowboarding lifestyle.
Dressing in baggy clothes also allows snowboarders to show off their personalities because it is a relatable culture in the sport.
When hanging out with fellow snowboarders, you gain a sense of belonging by wearing baggy clothes as part of the subculture.
2. Baggy Clothes Keep You Protected from the Elements
Insulation is the main reason snowboarders wear baggy clothes, as the insulation keeps them warm and prevents them from getting cold and wet.
This is one of the fundamental reasons snowboarders prefer baggy clothes over tight-fitting ones.
Snowboarders can wear additional layers of clothing underneath oversized garments if they choose to dress in baggy or oversized clothing.
You can have wind, insulation, and wool base layers to help you absorb the impact of riding down the slopes.
If you are among the few who fancy protective gear underneath the baggy jacket or pants, baggy clothes will help you accommodate the extra space they occupy.
Baggy clothes protect from environmental elements such as rain, snow, wind chills, sunburn, and injury from obstacles such as trees.
This is especially critical when performing any activity outdoors, where there are many variables in terms of weather conditions and temperatures that can make your experience less than ideal if not adequately protected by clothing such as baggy clothes.
Additionally, this clothing keeps snowboarders’ bodies warm for many hours when they are out in below-zero temperatures.
3. They Allow for Flexible Movement
Tight-fitting snowboarding attires restrict the movement ability of your body, yet snowboarding is entirely about shifting in several ways.
Putting on clothes that will hinder you when attempting backflips and other tricks requiring flexibility might cause serious falls and injuries.
Snowboarding is a sport of vigorous tricks and calculated movements like knee bending, which is a frequent movement in snowboarding.
Dressing in baggy clothes enables you to execute these extreme maneuvers without limits.
Wearing confining snowboarding outfits will not allow you to execute more simple stunts, but baggy clothes provide the comfort needed in the sport.
Baggy snowboarding clothes are comfortable, lightweight, and easy to move around while riding down steep slopes at high speeds.
How To Choose Snowboarding Clothes
Choosing snowboarding outfits can be challenging, mainly when you are a newbie in the sport. You should consider two key factors: fit and quality.
You should also go for a design that will keep you dry and warm while snowboarding on the slopes. Let us now look at the primary considerations you need to consider when selecting snowboarding outfits.
1. Warmth
There are many things to consider when choosing snowboarding clothes. The first thing is your taste, but there’s also the question of warmth.
If you’re doing a lot of riding in cold weather, you’ll want to ensure that you have plenty of insulation. The best way to do this is by wearing layers.
You should wear a base layer next to your skin, a mid-layer on top, and an outer shell to protect against wind and rain. If it’s freezing, you can wear another one or two layers underneath it too!
The quality of your clothing will also affect its warmth factor: the more expensive brands tend to use better materials and stitching, which makes them more durable and, therefore, warmer!
Also, look out for unique heat-reflective fabrics that help keep your body temperature up even further than regular clothes manage on their own!
2. Waterproof
It is essential to understand that not all snowboarding clothes are waterproof, so it is better to choose a waterproof material, particularly if you are just starting out.
Snowboarding clothes are made of many materials, but they all have something in common; they are designed specifically for winter sports such as snowboarding.
A good choice of clothing can ensure a comfortable experience while playing your favorite sport.
It is essential to understand that not all snowboarding clothes are waterproof, so it is better to choose a waterproof material.
Here are some tips:
- Find out about the different materials used for making these garments; this will help you decide which one suits your needs best.
- Check whether the item has waterproof vents; this help regulates your temperature in the warmer months but keeps you warm and dry in the cooler months.
When choosing waterproof clothes, one should always opt for those tested by an independent laboratory such as the Consumer Reports Lab Testing Program.
It is also essential to ensure that the seams are taped so as not to allow any water to seep through them.
3. Windproof
If you want to buy an excellent quality windproof jacket, then you must do some research.
You should know about all the different types of jackets available to select one according to your requirements and budget.
You should also know the difference between two jackets, for example, one with a zipper closure and the other without a zipper closure, as both have advantages and disadvantages.
4. Clothing Material
Another important factor when choosing your snowboarding clothes is the material they’re made from.
The best material for snowboarding gear is Gore-Tex because it keeps out water while still being breathable so that you don’t get too hot while riding down the slopes.
Other materials like cotton or polyester can be good options as long as they’re windproof and waterproof so that moisture doesn’t get into them and cause them to lose their protective qualities over time.
5. Breathability
Snowboarding is a physical activity that requires using your whole body, from your arms to your legs and back. You need clothes that are not only comfortable but also functional.
The key to choosing snowboarding clothes is breathability.
Breathable clothing allows sweat to evaporate through the material instead of allowing it to pool up in your clothes and make you feel uncomfortable and cold.
This is especially important while snowboarding because you’ll exert yourself more than usual, increasing perspiration levels.
Breathability refers to how easily air flows through fabrics and clothing fibers when they come in contact with moisture or sweat from your body during winter sports activities such as snowboarding or skiing.
As such, it is essential for all outdoor activities, such as snowboarding, where high levels of sweating may occur during outdoor sporting events such as this one.
So how do you know if snowboarding clothes are breathable? Two main factors determine how breathable a piece of clothing is: its weight and the type of fabric.
For instance, a thick sweater may be warm but won’t allow air to pass through because it’s so thick and bulky. Similarly, a cotton sweatshirt may be light but won’t breathe.
This is because natural fibers like cotton tend to trap moisture within their structure rather than allowing it to evaporate quickly, as synthetic fibers do.
6. Fabrics to Consider for Your Snowboarding Gear
The recommended materials for snowboarding wear include microfibers, nylon, polyester, and gore-tex.
Microfiber pants and jackets are made of closely woven fine fibers that offer wind and water resistance, breathability, durability, high performance, and lightweight.
The superior quality of this material makes it more expensive than the others, but the high-tech jackets and pants are worth the extra penny.
The polyester fabric makes a strong, stretchable, and shrinkage-resistant base for snowboarding clothes.
They are also resistant to mildew and fast to dry, which are good properties for snowboarding outerwear.
Tightly woven polyester provides water-resistant jackets and pants, with a choice between dense or heavy clothes depending on the weather conditions.
You can also buy nylon wear, known for its strength, elasticity, and low absorbency. The protective abilities of this material come from the supplementary coating, depending on the manufacturer.
Nylon is a resilient fabric that makes long-lasting snowboarding pants and jackets. For maximum breathability, gore-tex fabric has high porosity.
Despite the many microscopic openings, this material is highly waterproof and recommended to protect you from snow, wind, and water.
It is sewn over a nylon or polyester base to complement its desirable properties.
7. Size and Style
The first step in choosing snowboarding clothes is to select the right size. The correct size will allow you to move freely while still being comfortable enough to wear for extended periods.
You should make sure that the fit of the clothing is comfortable and not too tight or loose around any part of your body.
This ensures that the outfit does not restrict movement or mobility during snowboarding.
How Tight Should a Snowboarding Outfit Be?
An excellent fitting snowboard outfit can make all the difference between having fun or not. The proper fit makes you feel comfortable, confident, and ready for action on the slopes.
A poorly fitting snowboard outfit can lead to frustration and poor performance.
We will discuss some key factors to consider when determining the proper tightness and choosing the best snowboarding outfit for you.
1. Snowboarding Pants
Your snowboarding pants will be the primary layer of your clothing, so you want them to fit snugly around your body but not too tight or uncomfortable so that it restricts movement or causes chafing.
The best way to determine if your snowboarding pants fit is by trying them on with all your layers underneath them, including your snowboarding boots.
Ensure the pants are not too long on the bottom and don’t drag along the ground when walking around. It’s not always easy to find the right pair of pants for you.
While some people like baggy pants, others prefer tighter ones. The main consideration is that your pants should fit you well and feel comfortable.
If you need help determining what size is best for you, take the time to try different types of pants and see which ones fit best.
Once you know what looks good, it’s easier to decide which type of pants will work best for you.
There are many different styles of snowboarding pants available today, and some have unique features that make them more comfortable than others.
2. Jackets
There are many types of snowboarding jackets to choose from, but all they have in common is how tight they should be.
A snowboarding jacket should be loose enough to allow you to move while riding but still snug enough to keep out the wind and cold.
If you’re going on a long trip, it’s best to bring along more than one jacket so that if your first one gets wet, you have another one to wear while it’s drying out. The fit of the jacket is also essential.
You want some room in the torso so it doesn’t feel tight or restrictive when moving around on the slopes. Remember, if you’re wearing a backpack, it could affect how well your jacket fits.
A snowboard jacket should fit snugly. If it’s too loose, you’ll get cold. If it’s too tight, you’ll restrict your movement and cause fatigue.
Ideally, you want to find a jacket that fits well but has room for layers underneath.
Bottom Line
As pointed out in the post, baggy clothing has always been part and parcel of snowboarding culture.
The clothing is incorporated to show the snowboarder’s individuality and style and offer a sense of belonging to a community.
Snowboarders of all ages utilize baggy clothing for various reasons, including comfort and insulation.
When shopping for snowboarding clothes, focus on fabrics that are breathable, durable, water and wind resistant, and warm.
Baggy clothes in snowboarding come in handy as they accommodate layering while providing warmth, flexibility, and insulation.