Splitboard Guide – Find the best equipment for your splitboard tour

Year after year splitboards are rapidly gaining popularity among free-riders. First snowboards, which were split in the middle, have occurred on the market in the early ’90s, but the offer of splitboard manufacturers was severely limited. Luckily, things have changed, and companies have realized the true potential of splitboarding.

 

 

 

 

WHAT IS A SPLITBOARD anyway?


A splitboard is a snowboard that has a very special feature: it can be split in the middle! Thanks to this feature, you can transform your board into “uphill skis” in just a few easy steps. How does it work? Special clips and the binding help to keep both parts together in snowboard mode. When you release the clips and binding, the two skis can be easily pulled apart, before they swap sides. Now that left is right and right is left, you can mount the binding back on, pointin to the nose. Finally, you need to attach the skins onto the base and you are ready to start the ascent – far away from the lift hustle and the crowds.

Compared to touring with snowshoes, where the snowboard is carried on the back, the splitboard is lighter and therefore allows for more energy saving ascents.

In this article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know when buying your splitboard equipment so that your touring experience will turn out to be a perfect adventure.

 
 

The RIGHT EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR TOUR


The basic equipment for splitboarding includes the splitboard itself, interface and binding as well as skins, telescopic poles and boots. To be prepared for an emergency, you should also have avalanche equipment. You can complete your safety equipment with an avalanche airbag. We also recommend crampons and a helmet (nowadays there are also ski touring helmets with special ventilation and less weight).
 

 

What to consider WHEN BUYING A SPLITBOARD


Make sure to keep the following hints in mind, in order to choose the right splitboard:

  • The riding ability and area of use are determined by the shape of the splitboard
  • Body weight and height determine the length of a splitboard

 

Finding the perfect board for all sircumstances is almost impossible, because touring does not always take place in dream conditions. The season is long and the conditions usually range from powder and hard snow to firn splitboard tours in spring. In addition to snow conditions, personal preferences also play an important role in choosing the right splitboard. Are you more likely to be found in narrow gullies in the backcountry, do you prefer wide slopes or do you prefer to wind your way through tree runs?

 

 

THE SHAPE OF THE SPLITBOARD DETERMINES THE area OF use


Depending on the shape, you can get your money’s worth with your splitboard in different terrains.

 

Powder & Freeride shape

The freeride shape is suitable for those who are looking for fun in deep untouched powder snow all year round. Here you choose a slightly harder flex and go for a directional shape. We recommend you keep your eyes open for a splitboard with camber under the back foot and rocker on the nose, as this will give you the necessary control and maximum floatation even in difficult snow conditions – no matter how deep!

 

Freestyle shape

Freestyle is fun! To make the untouched terrain your playground, the twin shape is the first choice. Whether switch or regular, you’ll make good progress with this profile. If you choose a slightly longer board, you get more floatation, which turns your freestyle splitboard into a powder weapon for tricks.

 

Splitboards for ladies

Today’s women no longer have to resort to shorter boards for men. Most manufacturers already offer splitboards that are specially tailored to women’s needs. A smaller centre width, shorter splitboard lengths, less weight and a softer flex are probably the most important arguments in favour of women-specific splitboards. In addition, you have free choice in terms of shape and construction. Women have a different anatomy than men – and that’s a good thing!

 

In our online shop you will find a selection of different splitboards:

 

 

WHAT IS THE RIGHT LENGTH for your SPLITBOARD?


This question is not so easy to answer, especially when it comes to different shapes of boards. In general, you should pick a splitboard that is between your chin and nose. Of course, the size of your splitboard also depends on the area of use and weight. A longer board offers more stability at high speeds and wide turns, and also makes it easier to climb and descend due to a larger contact surface of the skin. A shorter board, on the other hand, is more manoeuvrable and a little easier to handle in the hairpin turns on the ascent.

 

BINDING SYSTEMS AND INTERFACE FOR YOUR SPLITBOARD


Karakoram and Spark R&D are among the leading systems on the market. It has almost become a question of faith which binding system you use. Both manufacturers offer both interface and binding. In our shop you will also find bindings from Plum, Union and other brands.

Each binding system has its advantages. Important criteria include low weight, ease of use and how quickly you can switch from ascent to descent mode. If you like a little support on the ascent, bindings with an integrated climbing aid should be on your shortlist.

The interface connects the binding to the splitboard. It doesn’t matter whether you are ascending or descending – without the interface your splitboard is useless. Therefore, you should also pay attention to whether the interface or pucks are already included or have to be purchased separately. If not included, we have the right splitboard accessories for you.

If you are looking for a new binding that you can mount on your existing setup, you should also consider the compatibility.

 

 

THE ADVANTAGE OF A SPLITBOARD BOOT


In principle, you can use any conventional soft boot for touring. The most important thing is that the boot fits your foot, because there is nothing worse than struggling up a mountain with blisters on your feet. Special splitboard boots are perfectly tailored to the needs of splitboarders. They offer you greater freedom of movement, especially on the ascent, and some are also conditionally crampon-compatible.

If you decide on a conventional snowboard boot, you should make sure that the boot is not too soft. You need a certain amount of stability when climbing and traversing. A boot that is too soft can quickly become unstable. A stiffer sole is also a sign of better ascent qualities. Vibram soles, for example, give you more grip when you have to unstrap your board and struggle up rocky and steep terrain on foot. The shoe should definitely allow you to fix the lower part of your foot firmly, although the upper part is flexibly adjustable. This makes the climb much easier.

 

 

 

 

The bootlace system allows you to tie your boots properly, so they fit and give you the real flexibility you need and by a simple move you can adapt the laces accordingly to the terrain. The thermoformable inner shoe gives you an optimal fit, prevents blisters, and keeps your heel from moving around.

Special splitboard boots from Burton, K2 Snowboarding, Deeluxe, Fitwell, and ThirtyTwo offer you all mentioned features and are optionally adaptable to crampons

 

 

CLIMBING SKINS AND CRAMPONS FOR SPLITBOARDS


Skins are one of the most important part of your splitboard setup. The skins – also called climbing skins – are attached to the nose and tail of your splitboard from below and give you the necessary grip on the snow during the ascent.

 

Climbing skins: pre-cut or do-it-yourself?

With some splitboards, the manufacturers offer the matching and ready-cut skins at the same time. For all other boards, cut-to-size skins can be adapted to the corresponding waist. It is important to make sure that the splitboard skin is completely covered, especially in the binding area. The ski edge must always remain free so that your splitboard gets a good “grip”.

 

 

 

 

 

Crampons

Crampons can save your day or your tour, because if the snow surface is solid ice, you will quickly lose your grip with the skins and slip off. As splitboards are often wider than touring skis and not as well waisted, you can often lose your grip in slightly steep and icy terrain, while the rest of your group can still make progress on touring skis without any trouble. That’s why crampons are essential accessories for splitboards.

When you step on them, the sharp side plates of the crampons break through the hard snow and give you sufficient grip. Depending on the binding system, special crampons are required, so you must pay attention to the size or width of the crampons when buying. The crampons should only be slightly wider than the waist of your splitboard half.

It is best to fit the crampons before it becomes dangerous and you start slipping.

 

 

 

CHECKLIST: SPLITBOARD EQUIPMENT


    • Splitboard, splitboard binding and splitboard boots
    • Interface
    • Climbing skins and crampons
    • Telescopic poles
    • Helmet, snowboard goggles, and protectors
    • Avalanche safety equipment (tracker beacon, avalanche probe, shovel, airbag backpack, first aid kit, etc.)
    • Sun protection
    • Down or fleece jacket
    • Functional snowboard clothes
    • Something to eat and drink

 

Before any off-piste adventure, be sure to read our guide on how to → Stay safe with the right avalanche equipment in unsecured terrain.