Congratulations! You are now officially mastering the winter sport of snowboarding! However, you may wonder what those fancy accessories at the ski shop are used for.
Snowboard stomp pads? What in the world are those? Are they necessary?
And how do you install them?
Everyone knows that a sales clerk will attempt to sell you every accessory that’s available in-store or online, which may leave you questioning what is really necessary.
Furthermore, you may notice that while some snowboarders use stomp pads, others aren’t. Are they taking a risk?
Fortunately, this article will explain everything that you need to know about snowboard stomp pads.
What Is A Snowboard Stomp Pad?
A snowboard stomp pad is simply an adhesive sticker that binds to the snowboard to help maintain control when you are exiting the chair lift or when you release one of your feet from the board. Ideally, they should be installed inside of the back binding of your snowboard to achieve the best results.
Do You Need Snowboard Stomp Pads
Many people forgo the stomp pads and still do just fine, but they are recommended for beginner snowboarders.
One of the scariest parts of snowboarding is exiting the lift chair onto an icy, steep slope. If just the thought of that makes you anxious, then you will probably want to invest in snowboard stomp pads.
Stomp pads may also make it easier to stop and execute turns on a snowboard.
While they may be unnecessary, snowboard stomp pads will help your boots maintain a better grip on the board. They are kind of like training wheels in a sense.
When you first started riding a bike, you were probably a little nervous, but the training wheels helped you to stay balanced and gave you more confidence.
Sure, you may not always need the extra security of a snowboard stomp pad, but they can definitely be helpful, especially when you are just starting out.
Choosing Snowboard Stomp Pads
If you have decided that you would feel a little better about getting out of the lift chair with stomp pads secured to your snowboard, you may still end up being a little overwhelmed by the selection of stomp pads.
They are available in a choice of rubber or metallic pads, or you can even opt for studs that you install individually. While stomp pads are essentially pieces of rubber, metal, or foam, the selection is anything but boring.
Although snowboard stomp pads are available in many varieties, they all serve the same purpose — they help your boots keep a better grip on the snowboard.
It may be helpful to ask other snowboarders for recommendations so that you select the best stomp pad to meet your needs.
Installing Snowboard Stomp Pads
Once you have chosen the stomp pads that you want, the next step is to install them.
Remember that the stomp pad needs to be secured inside of the back binding on your board.
The closer your stomp pad is to your back bindings, the better. This will ensure that your stance continues to feel normal, and you’ll be able to gain some additional stability by leaning against the back binding.
You’ll want to avoid placing the pad where it is flushing up on the binding, as this will result in only being able to benefit from half of the pad.
It’s advisable to install your stomp pad about an inch from the binding’s base for best results.
Alternatively, you can simply set your snowboard on the ground, lace up your boots, and position your foot inside of the back binding.
Make sure that you remain standing in an upright position with your boot continuing to touch the back binding.
Then you will need to tape off the exact locations where your boots come in contact with the board and install the snowboard stomp pads accordingly.
Snowboard stomp pads come with an adhesive that you need to peel off to stick the pad onto your board. After you have decided where you will place the stomp pad and you’ve wiped your board down, the next step is to peel and stick it.
You’ll probably want to do this part indoors to avoid the cooler temperatures interfering with the adhesive.
Frequently Asked Questions about What a Snowboard Stomp Pad is
Are snowboard stomp pads necessary?
Snowboard stomp pads are not necessary but they do come in handy, especially for beginner snowboarders. Stomp pads help to secure a better grip on the board at moments when one foot is outside of the binding or when you are getting off the lift. They are also helpful when stopping or making turns.
What’s the purpose of a stomp pad?
Basically, they offer a person a place that they can stand when their foot is outside of the binding. Of course, you can always just stand on your board, but a snowboard can be very slippery from the snow and ice.
Are stomp pads removable?
You can remove stomp pads, but it’s a little bit tricky. You will need to heat up the board slightly with a hairdryer to get the adhesive to melt so that you can remove the stomp pad without damaging your board.
Snowboarding and Stomp Pads
So, that explains what stomp pads are, and why some (but not all) snowboarders have them on their boards.
Although stomp pads aren’t necessary, if you are new to snowboarding and the clerk at the ski shop tries to upsell stomp pads to you, it may be wise to consider taking them up on the offer.
If nothing else, stomp pads can give you some extra confidence and make your board a little less slippery.