If you are a big guy, you have probably run into issues with gear, equipment, and clothing in the past. If you’re a big guy that snowboards, riding on a narrow board can be difficult and annoying. You need a board that is wide enough to handle big feet and keep up.
I’ve been a snowboard instructor for the last ten years. While I’m not a big guy myself, I’ve had many students who have been. I always ask them what boards they like and why.
The Lib Tech Skunk Ape is my pick for the best wide snowboard for big guys. It’s a solid board all-around and comes in wider sizes that larger riders will appreciate.
Even though larger guys can struggle to find a board that fits them, there are a few good options out there, and I’ll show you some other top contenders in this post.
Time to hold the snowboarding doors wide open.
Contents
Who Should Get This
The snowboards listed here are best suited for big guys. If you’re big, you need a board that can work with you, not against you. These snowboards are well-built and have a strong design that will hold up in all conditions.
If you are smaller in stature, you will probably want to look for a different option. These boards can be a bit much. Smaller guys can certainly try these boards if they ride aggressively or tackle big-mountain conditions, but there are better options for average boarders.
Top Wide Snowboards for Big Guys
If you’re a big guy who loves to ride, you’ll want to make sure you get a board that is wide enough to provide the performance you need. All of the options below will make that happen.
1. Best Overall: Lib Tech Skunk Ape
- Best for: Overall
- Key features: Versatile performance, fun to ride, powerful board, eco sublimated top and base, lightweight but strong
- Shape: Directional Twin
- Flex: Medium/Stiff
- Cost: $$$$
The Lib Tech Skunk Ape is the best board for bigger guys. It comes in wider sizes that will let you handle any terrain or condition you want to dive into.
The board has a directional twin shape that is super versatile and a lot of fun to ride. It’s powerful by nature, which is excellent for guys who have experience on the mountain.
The Skunk Ape also comes with an eco sublimated top and base that adds strength and durability. You won’t have to worry about beating this board up just because you are big.
This isn’t a good beginner’s option because it’s too aggressive for the average rider.
2. Best All Mountain: Burton Custom X
- Best for: All-Mountain
- Key features: Versatile, all-mountain directional profile, twin flex, Flying V profile
- Shape: Directional Twin
- Flex: Medium
- Cost: $$$
For a versatile board that will eat up the entire mountain and is wide enough for bigger guys, take a look at the Burton Custom X (review).
The board has a directional shape with a longer nose that provides a lot of float and control with a shorter tail that is responsive, even under heavier weight.
A twin flex allows you to stay in control no matter where you ride and is balanced all the way through. It makes riding switch a breeze.
The Custom is a bit soft, and you might experience some chatter at higher speeds.
==> You can also get it on Evo or Backcountry.
3. Best for Powder: Bataleon The Surfer
- Best for: Powder
- Key features: Floaty and fun, swallowtail cutout, spooned-out nose, ultra-light wood core
- Shape: Directional,
- Flex: Medium/Soft
- Cost: $$$$
If you’re a big guy who loves riding powder, the Bataleon The Surfer is a dream board. This one is meant to handle the deep stuff and is wide enough to handle even the biggest riders.
A large swallowtail cutout allows you to float and carve through deep drifts while also giving the board a quick and responsive appeal.
The ultra-light wood core keeps the weight down while staying strong and stable. It’s not going to give too much bend under pressure.
The Surfer is a really fun board to ride in powder, but it’s also one of the most expensive options out there.
==> You can get it on Evo or Backcountry or PRFO Sports.
4. Best Freestyle: Lib Tech Skate Banana
- Best for: Freestyle
- Key features: Banana rocker, serrated edges, fun and forgiving, powder construction
- Shape: True Twin
- Flex: Medium
- Cost: $$$
The Lib Tech Skate Banana (review) is a great wider board for freestyle pursuits. If you love hitting the park or want freestyle freedom under your feet, this is the board for you.
The banana rocker provides you with plenty of lift and allows you to jib, spin, and land effortlessly.
Magne-traction edges give you tremendous edge hold when you’re in the half-pipe or speed checking before a big air.
The downside to this very capable park board is that it has limited abilities in other areas of the mountain. Without much camber, you’ll run into some hurdles in big-mountain situations.
==> You can also get it on Evo or Curated or Buckman’s.
How to Choose Wide Snowboards for Big Guys
Big guys should keep the following factors in mind when shopping for a board.
Width
Big guys tend to have big feet. As such, you want a snowboard that’s wide enough to keep your big boots on it. All of the options listed here are either built wider than average or have an extra-wide version.
If your feet hang too close to the edges of your board, you will run into issues with control. That can be annoying or even dangerous.
While those with large feet can change their riding stance and bindings to accommodate a narrow board, that may not be ideal depending on your preferences and riding style.
In general, a wider board is better for big guys. It will also give you extra surface area, increasing performance if you weigh more than the average rider.
Stiffness/Flex
Another factor big guys should take into consideration is their board’s stiffness or flex. I would recommend always going with a medium-to-heavy flex for larger guys.
If you ride on too soft of a board, especially with extra pounds, it will be harder to control and less fun to use. Some riders might want a soft board with plenty of flex, but that’s usually an exception.
If you want your board to provide better all-around performance under increased weight, pay attention to the stiffness. You might have a personal preference between medium and heavy flex, but chances are, you want to avoid a soft board.
Strength
Strength is also essential when it comes to the best big guy snowboards. This factor is critical because your larger size will put a board under more stress while you ride.
If you want excellent performance, look for boards constructed with high-quality materials such as quality wood cores reinforced by laminate or carbon elements.
FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions big guys have about snowboards.
Can big guys snowboard?
Of course! Anyone can ride. If you are bigger, you’ll just need to make sure you have a wider snowboard that works well for you.
Who makes the widest snowboard?
I would say that either Lib Tech or Jones makes the widest snowboards. Most brands have a least a few wider options in their lineup.
Are wide snowboards better?
Wide snowboards are better for bigger guys because they have more surface area for added weight and can deal with larger boot sizes without spilling over the edges.
Does weight affect snowboard size?
Generally, you want to match your height and weight to your snowboard size. If you aren’t that tall but still big, you’ll want a wider board with more surface area.
Are wide snowboards harder to turn?
I don’t think so. Unless you are an experienced rider, you will not notice much of a difference with a wider snowboard.
Useful Tips and Resources
As I mentioned in the “Things to Consider” section of this article, width is a consideration for big guys. A standard snowboard is typically anything with a waist that measures 25cm or less.
A US size 11 foot equates to 26cm. A larger shoe size poses a problem because you can experience toe-drag that affects your turning and carving abilities by impacting edge control.
Here is a cool link with some further thoughts about the relationship between your foot size and the width of your snowboard.
A wider snowboard is great for big guys, but it might also be desirable for other reasons like big-mountain and powder riding styles. A larger surface area can give you more control and response under such conditions without sacrificing speed.
Final Verdict
There are some good wider snowboards out there that are perfect for bigger guys. The Lib Tech Skunk Ape is one of the best and will give riders with some experience everything they need on the mountain.
Being larger in size doesn’t mean you need to limit your options on the mountain. All of the wide snowboards listed here are great for big guys, but there are also plenty of other options out there if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
About Lorraine
Brett
I don’t want to be a troll, or add to the typical toxic environment of the internet, but this list is pretty poor. The Burton CustomX and LibTech Skate Bananas don’t really come in wides (just adding a ‘w’ to the size doesn’t mean it’s actually wide). The Skunk Ape can be found in somewhat wide, but to get that width you have to go with extremely long. And the Bataleon Surfer, where big guys need the large surface area to help float in powder, is the smallest of all of them!
Simple math tells us that a size 13 rider with 9degree stance will have the same overhang on a 26.6cm waisted board as a size 8 women (just taking a shot in the dark here) riding a board with a 22.5cm waist. That would put a full-grown woman on a 120cm kid’s board. It’s laughable. Big riders are getting screwed by the industry and uninformed articles like this don’t help.
Lorraine
Hey Brett,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’ll work to get this article updated soon to reflect some options that might meet the mark better for bigger guys. I did my best trying to research this one to help out, but you’re right; I’m not a big guy.
Cheers.
daniel
There are big guys with small or normal feet and tall guys with huge feet who are not big. Wide boards are for people with big feet. Some brand think that big feet = big guy, but fortunately some offer more choice. Just like someone with a 9 or 10 can be more or less heavy, so can be someone wearing 13 or 14 snowboard boots
Except the Skunk Ape in UW sizes, none of the boards presented are really wide. It woulds have been good to have at least one, or maybe one for size 10-11, two for size 12-13 and one for size 13-14.
It should not be considered normal that big feet should overhang more, so if you do the simple math to find the difference between foot length and snowboard width (ideally under the back foot) you’ll notice most brands and people writing articles about snowboard width actually are in this position.
Lorraine
Hey Daniel,
Thanks for weighing in here with some thoughts. And I totally agree that it’s not always easy to pinpoint board width compared to foot size or body size. There are too many variables at play. I think all of the boards here can work, but I also know that it’s up to every individual rider to search to find what’s best for them. I’ll keep your thoughts in mind for any updates to this article.
Futon
I am 6’1″, 270lb with an athletic frame (+ a little cushion) and size 12 boot, and just got back from my first trip in over 15 years. The plastic on my binding straps were so brittle, they snapped the first morning and ended up having to snag a rental since they didn’t have the parts to fix it. I have a 2005 Burton Canyon (163) that I love, but rented a Never Summer Proto-Synthesis in 157W that absolutely shredded all weekend. This has me looking at new board options, as I don’t plan on waiting another 15 years before getting back out there. Thinking the Lib Tech Skunk Ape might be my new front runner…
Lorraine
Hi Futon,
Bummer to hear that your bindings failed, but it also sounds like you were ready for some new gear anyways. Equipment has really progressed over the last 15 years, so upgrading is a great idea. The Skunk Ape is a fantastic board, and I hope it works out well for you!
Rett
I am 6’3″ 230 LBs and have a size 11 foot. I have always Rode Burton Flyinfg V Tech boards (Progressize and Custom) but am looking at Capita, Nitro, and LibTech. I want a fun board that can handle freestyle and can shred in all conditions even though I favor the blues, Grooms and some park.
Looking for the best all around board that I can butter on and that can handle my weight. I would love great edges to tear through any/all snow.
Little more seasoned, but am still curious to what people thing.
Lorraine
Hey Rett,
I think the Lib Tech Skate Banana might be a good option for you to explore. It has all the fun of a freestyle board but still holds up very well in other parts of the mountain as well. Just get a longer one to match your size, and I bet you’ll be ready for anything. Hope you’re having a great winter!
Uzzi
Hi, Thank you for the information. I am looking to buy a snowboard and have a question. I am 6’1, 220lbs and US10,5 in boot.
This will be my second season so I am pretty new to this. I want to get either a Burton Skeleton Key 162 or a deep thinker 160. I want a easier forgiving snowboard that is all mountain but will also work in POW. the skeleton key seems great, However I am worried it might be too soft for my weight. If I get the Deep thinker, Am I wrong to think that for my weight it will be similar as the skeleton key is for normal weighting snowboarders?
Thanks in advance,
/U
Lorraine
Hi Uzzi,
I would go with the Skeleton Key even at your weight. The 162 will be a little stiffer but still have plenty of float and flex in powder.
I think the extra versatility and 2cm of length over the Deep Thinker 160 gives you advantages and is more in line with you’re looking for.
They are both solid boards though, and with this only being your second year riding, the differences will be subtle.
Hope that helps and have a great season!